3 Bathroom Trends You Need to Think Twice About
A plumber reveals the pitfalls of setting your heart on a bathroom trend that may not be possible to install
You know what bathroom style you want, and you’ve chosen your taps and fixtures, but what happens when what you chose doesn’t suit the layout of the room? How do you recover when the bathroom design you’ve fallen in love with is impossible to install in your space?
During the planning and design process, what may look fantastic on paper can become anything but once you get onsite. The cooperation between the chosen architect, bathroom designer and tradies should see the design come to life as the client visualises. But not everyone uses a professional bathroom planner, and some key bathroom trends may not be viable in the space you plan to renovate.
I’m going to share some of the common trends that require careful planning, and which may need to be compromised to ensure you have a fully functional bathroom.
During the planning and design process, what may look fantastic on paper can become anything but once you get onsite. The cooperation between the chosen architect, bathroom designer and tradies should see the design come to life as the client visualises. But not everyone uses a professional bathroom planner, and some key bathroom trends may not be viable in the space you plan to renovate.
I’m going to share some of the common trends that require careful planning, and which may need to be compromised to ensure you have a fully functional bathroom.
Tip 1: Check that the plumbing services will be able to be altered to suit a floating vanity.
Tip 2: When you choose your vanity (whether from a plumbing retailer or custom built by a cabinetmaker), give the plumber the specification sheets that outline the dimensions of the vanity. It’s an awful realisation to see pipes protruding beneath the vanity because they weren’t installed high enough to protrude through the back of the vanity.
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Tip 2: When you choose your vanity (whether from a plumbing retailer or custom built by a cabinetmaker), give the plumber the specification sheets that outline the dimensions of the vanity. It’s an awful realisation to see pipes protruding beneath the vanity because they weren’t installed high enough to protrude through the back of the vanity.
Browse more bathrooms with vessel basins
Tip 3: You can always box the services underneath in. Unfortunately, mistakes can happen, but a good tradesperson will offer a solution. If your plumber wasn’t told before the rough-in that the vanity was to float against the wall, or if you had a change of mind in the design, the waste and water pipes can be boxed in underneath.
This design installation can also work for those that have chosen a floating vanity, but can’t have the waste and water services diverted to protrude through the wall.
This design installation can also work for those that have chosen a floating vanity, but can’t have the waste and water services diverted to protrude through the wall.
Tip 4: The visible pipework can be installed in chrome or painted to match the colour of the wall behind it, to ensure it doesn’t stick out.
Trend 2: Freestanding bath
A freestanding bath is a great way to add a focal point to your bathroom. But when it comes to renovating an existing bathroom, space may be limited and unfortunately, freestanding baths take up a lot of space.
If space is tight and you’re still adamant about installing a freestanding bath, consider how easy it will be to clean.
The freestanding bath in this contemporary bathroom in London may look a tad bizarre sitting in the middle of the bathroom, but for cleanliness, it works. And the extra space on either side of the bath allows for ease of movement around it.
A freestanding bath is a great way to add a focal point to your bathroom. But when it comes to renovating an existing bathroom, space may be limited and unfortunately, freestanding baths take up a lot of space.
If space is tight and you’re still adamant about installing a freestanding bath, consider how easy it will be to clean.
The freestanding bath in this contemporary bathroom in London may look a tad bizarre sitting in the middle of the bathroom, but for cleanliness, it works. And the extra space on either side of the bath allows for ease of movement around it.
Trend 3: Concealed toilet cistern
The concealed toilet cistern has gained popularity over the past few years, thanks to its minimalist look and easy-clean appeal.
You have the choice of an in-wall or in-duct toilet cistern. It’s important to check if a concealed cistern can be installed behind the wall, as there may not be enough room for the cistern. Here are some tips on how to get the look if you’re particular about having this style of cistern in your renovated bathroom.
The concealed toilet cistern has gained popularity over the past few years, thanks to its minimalist look and easy-clean appeal.
You have the choice of an in-wall or in-duct toilet cistern. It’s important to check if a concealed cistern can be installed behind the wall, as there may not be enough room for the cistern. Here are some tips on how to get the look if you’re particular about having this style of cistern in your renovated bathroom.
Tip 1: Talk with your builder and plumber and ask if it is possible for the whole wall to be brought forward to allow for room in the wall cavity for the cistern.
Tip 2: Build a nib wall. Not everyone will like this look, and it can look odd if the toilet wall is extended out, but at least you get the cistern you want.
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Tip 3: Extend the nib wall along the whole length of the bathroom to create a shelf or niche.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way
The best way to ensure there are no hiccups or headaches with your bathroom design is to plan as much as you can before demolition and rough-in starts.
Always communicate with your builder and plumber to ensure you get the bathroom of your dreams. Also be aware, not all problems can be avoided as they may not pop up until the tradies are on site.
It’s also important to remember that when a plumber says something can’t be done, you should believe them and find a happy compromise.
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Have you had tried to install these products in your bathroom and come up against a problem? What was your solution? Tell us in the Comments and join the conversation.
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Find the right professionals to help with your renovation
The best way to ensure there are no hiccups or headaches with your bathroom design is to plan as much as you can before demolition and rough-in starts.
Always communicate with your builder and plumber to ensure you get the bathroom of your dreams. Also be aware, not all problems can be avoided as they may not pop up until the tradies are on site.
It’s also important to remember that when a plumber says something can’t be done, you should believe them and find a happy compromise.
Tell us
Have you had tried to install these products in your bathroom and come up against a problem? What was your solution? Tell us in the Comments and join the conversation.
More
Find the right professionals to help with your renovation
The floating wall-mounted vanity has been a popular choice for many bathroom designs. But the key to ensuring the vanity ‘floats’ is having the basin waste and water connections (if using a hob-mounted mixer) come through the wall, and not through the floor.
Depending on the house you’re renovating, this may not be possible. If it’s a house that has a void beneath, the waste may be able to reconfigured. But if the house is built on a slab, and the walls aren’t being moved, the plumber will have difficulty installing the services so they can be concealed.
If it is ascertained that the services can be installed through the wall, your plumber will need to know the dimensions of your floating vanity and the location of where it is to be installed against the wall. Usually an architect will specify these dimensions on the plans. But if no architect has been engaged for the project, your plumber will need to rely on specification sheets and client’s instructions, which will need to be requested in writing. These measurements are vital for the plumber to ensure the services are hidden behind the vanity.