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Bathroom taps: black is back

We absolutely love black bathroom details right now. Black bathroom taps, and a striking shower head and you’re off! Now all you need is a few extra beautiful details and some style notes and you’ll wow your guests and of course yourselves!

Black is masculine…or is it?

We imagine some of you are simply not sure about black bathroom taps. Black it seems, is still seen as a masculine colour, and some find it a little too ‘batchelor pad’ for use in the everyday home. Well we’re here to convince you. Not only is black super stylish – and just a little edgy, it’s very practical as well. Here are some beautiful examples of where masculine black has been softened and styled.

Black is practical

There’s a reason why messy eaters wear black. Matt black bathroom taps and mixers are virtually mess and fingerprint proof – handy for everyday use. And even in a family bathroom. This really trumps chrome sanitarywear in this way, which feels like it needs polishing every day to retain the high shine and impact. The only thing to note is dust – this shows up on black so make sure tissue boxes and make-up powders are kept tidy.

Black is in…and never out

Like our friend white, black never goes out on us. Stylish, striking – and sexy, black is here to stay. How you balance it is up to you so here are some more of our favourite examples of black bathroom taps and accessories.

Small bathroom design…

Small bathroom design can be a real issue. If you’re in London, or even if you’re not, a dinky bathroom can leave us feeling underwhelmed when it comes to design. We therefore perhaps feel that it’s not worth the effort, being such a small bathroom space. And so we leave it to remain the one-dimensional utility that it is.

Question: why have beautiful design elsewhere in the home and not in the humble mini lav?

Exactly. Not to worry, we’re here to help with small bathroom inspiration. A little attention can go a long way.

Splashback

This beautiful and useful component in a small bathroom can bring detail and intrigue to an otherwise soulless space. Have fun choosing from a wide range of stunning marbles to cut a piece from. Alternatively, display a few much-loved tiles from a trip abroad. If you have no other way to show a little flair, try using the splash back.

Accessorize

If you’re not keen on doing any works to space, with the right accessories, you needn’t change anything about your bathroom. A beautiful candle on a ledge, some dried flowers on the cistern, or a collection of colourful hand towels can make all the difference. We love the details around this simple wall-hung basin. It feels very natural and uncontrived. And yet the impact is big, wouldn’t you agree?

Minimalise

Perhaps detail is not really needed. A pared-back look for a small bathroom can do wonders, most importantly for how you might feel using the space. If it’s a small space, why not give it the room it needs? Bathrooms are intimate spaces, and also space where we ‘take a break’ in more ways than one.

Keep it simple

So why not keep it super simple and minimal to give guests and yourselves a refreshing break for a moment. This design by SYNArchitecture may seem a little extreme, but imagine the exhalation as you enter into a space dominated by, well, space. You’ll just need to keep those extra bottles stored somewhere…

Bespoke design by The Bathroom Cellar 

If you need help designing your bathroom, whether large or small, our designers at Salacia can help. We offer a fully bespoke service comprising bathroom design and suite delivery, ready to be installed. Contact us today and speak with one of our designers about creating your dream bathroom.

The all-white bathroom scheme has been a safe and popular option over the years but, after such a long phase of beige, neutral and earthy tones, more and more people are now being drawn to colourful bathroom design.

 

Here at The Bathroom Cellar, we’ve teamed up with Crosswater to create this blog post helping you to consider which the right choice is for your home – timeless and neutral, or bold and colourful?

 

The Timeless Appeal of a Neutral Bathroom

 

The popularity of a neutral coloured bathroom stems from its universal appeal, lending itself to a variety of interior design schemes. A neutral colour palette is equally at home in both contemporary and traditional bathroom styles. So that means, whether you’re planning a rustic bathroom with a beautiful freestanding bath, or are hoping for an ultra-modern minimalist design, then neutral colours are the ideal base choice for your scheme.

 

Another benefit to choosing a neutral colour scheme is that bright and light colours open up a space, so will make your bathroom appear bigger than it actually is.

 

The popular colours that make up a neutral palette include beige, brown, white and grey. Natural materials are also ideal for this style; wood and natural stone work particularly well. Monochrome bathrooms of black and white are also another classic style that seems to be timeless and will be fashionable for years to come.

 

White or light grey furniture is a clever way to style your neutral space, designed to minimise your attention towards the storage areas. Crosswater’s Svelte bathroom furniture collection has recently been extended to include a beautiful new Grey Ash Veneer finish – ideal for those looking to inject a touch of organic texture and warmth into their bathroom space.

 

This stylish shade complements the existing Storm Grey finish in the Svelte range. This matt grey is suited to classic interiors with fresh clean lines, white bathroom surfaces and smooth, sleek fittings. Guaranteed to appeal to nearly everyone, the Storm Grey is the epitome of timeless.

 

To provide the perfect finishing touches to a neutral bathroom, go for a polished chrome material for your taps, handles and towel rails. Crosswater’s Belgravia range is available in a stunning Chrome finish that looks beautifully at home in a traditional, neutral bathroom.

 

Embracing the Use of Colour in the Bathroom

 

Colourful bathrooms are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, as homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to express their personality through their interiors.

 

Utilising a mixture of deep colours, bright patterns and retro styling with daring brassware finishes, a bold bathroom can express your individual personality through colour, texture and pattern. Eccentric style can be further accelerated through fun touches, such as asymmetrical statement lighting, playful accessories and colourful wall art.

 

The overall finish is one that is creative, unique and playful – a statement room that has maximum impact.

 

Consider using colourful furniture, such as Crosswater’s Glide II furniture range – available in a gorgeous Blue Smoke Matt finish – or even get ahead of the iridescent trend with the striking Spectrum monobloc for the ultimate in colour design.

A more muted way to bring colour into the bathroom, Brushed Brass is becoming an increasingly popular colour option, as it provides a surprisingly subtle alternative to the metallic accents we’ve seen dominate interior styles over recent years. Providing a luxurious finish to handles, accessories and brassware in the bathroom, this style hints at glamour and luxe, while remaining tasteful when used cleverly. Crosswater’s MPRO and Union collections are both available in beautiful brushed brass finishes to make a real style statement in your bathroom.

Mix and Match Materials in the Bathroom

 

Another trend that we’ve seen become increasingly popular, and allows you to benefit from the best of both worlds, is to mix and match materials in the bathroom. In this way, all traditional rules towards interior design have gone out the window!

 

One of the great things about this approach to design is that it is extremely flexible, giving you the luxury of a choice of finishes – plus the idea of mixing materials adds a special interest, richness and depth to your design scheme. To that end, when it comes to home décor, you can combine colours, materials and patterns to an effect that reflects your unique personality and style.

 

Gold, platinum, brass and copper are being included as metallic accents and design highlights, while black is being used on its own, but also to create a contrast to richer tones. The timeless beauty and elegance of marble, paired with the warmth of natural wood is another design trend that has gained enormous popularity.

 

The key to taking the bathroom to the next level lies in the small, often overlooked, details. Focusing on accessories, taps, showerheads and rails can often create a great impact with a minor amount of bold colour. Crosswater’s Italy collection is available in 49 colour combinations and gives life to true customisation in the bathroom through combining metals, natural stone and marble.

Therefore, when it comes to bathroom décor, homeowners can combine colours, materials and patterns to create an effect that reflects their own personality and unique style – whether this is traditional or contemporary, neutral or colourful. Mix and matching can be applied to the fine finishes, elegant fittings and timeless accessories to create that luxurious feeling and help your bathroom achieve that beautiful look. We hope our blog post with Crosswater has helped you to think about your bathroom design options – let us know how you get on!

Thought you couldn’t have an en suite in your small space?

Think again.

It is achievable and as you may know, having your own bathroom means convenience, any time of day or night. Plus, if you live in a family home, an en suite provides you with a great deal of privacy, giving you your own sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the family bathroom during the morning rush.

Need another reason?

An en suite adds value to your home.

If you decide to sell, potential buyers will admire this feature, and it may be the determining factor in their choice to buy.

However, you may be asking yourself, “how can I have an en suite? I don’t have room.” This is not an uncommon concern but one that can be overcome.

Read on to discover five en suite ideas for small spaces our team have come up with.

 

1. Minimalism is your friend. Less is definitely more. Focus on the key bathroom fixtures that you need – a shower and/or bath, basin, mirror and toilet. Scale back on the decorations and trinkets, and concentrate on the basics. Our design team is always sure to highlight this fact when they sit with you.

 

 

2. Storage is key. When you’re short on space, clutter is the enemy. Naturally, we all have bathroom essentials, but leaving them strewn on any accessible surface is not the only option. That’s where vanity units come in. Widely available and designed in a huge variety of styles, they are real game-changers. They typically have integrated basins, killing two birds with one stone. Shelves are also
incredibly useful, utilising wall space instead of floor space. We can show you a range of vanity units in our showroom.

 

 

3. Keep it light. When it comes to colour schemes, it’s best to avoid bold colours, dark shades, and patterns if you want to give the illusion of space. Your best bet is to opt for pastels, beiges, or whites instead. Colours like these absorb and reflect light and make the room seem bigger. Don’t believe us? Have a look at our Instagram page for some ideas.

 

 

4. Create space. Aim to be strategic with your choice of fixtures. You might consider a cornered toilet, a basin with attached storage space, and a shower instead of a bath.

 

 

5. Accessorize. Bathroom accessories enable you to show off your personal taste, and don’t have to be left out just because of a lack of space. You can have a lot of fun with your choice of taps. You might prefer a mixer tap for a vintage look, or traditional pillar taps for a traditional style. What’s more, towel warmers, towel hooks, and toilet seats are all important components of individual style.

 

 

So there you have it. Five en suite ideas for small spaces. At The Bathroom Cellar, we’re here to help you put those ideas into practice.

Book an appointment with one of our bathroom designers to create your dream en suite bathroom. Don’t delay! We have up to 50% off in our Crosswater, Clearwater, Burlington, and Britton sale, on until November 8th 2020! Visit us at our Maidstone or Cranbrook showroom.

Use the link below to make an appointment:
https://bathroomcellar.co.uk/contact-us/

 

With so much extra time at home, we’re all looking for ways to occupy ourselves. Sure, some have turned to baking banana bread, online quizzes, and yoga, but wouldn’t you like to do something that makes your surroundings that bit more enjoyable to be in?

If so, read on for DIY bathroom inspiration! And remember, we’re open as usual during the lockdown period, so will be happy to help when you visit the showroom!

1. New Mirror

Mirrors are magical things. They give the illusion of additional space and light, opening up your bathroom. If your bathroom’s on the smaller side, consider installing a mirror that covers the entirety of the wall space above the sink. Alternatively, you could opt for multiple mirrors, which similarly have the effect of magnifying the area. If you’re lacking in natural light, we advise you to introduce lights to the border of your mirror, giving the appearance of additional light. We can show you a range of mirrors in our showroom.

 

 

2. Select Shelves

Shelves are a winning storage solution. They utilise wall space instead of floor space, giving you room for copious toiletries! Shelves keep everything tucked away, and have the advantage of displaying your belongings so that they’re easy to find. Personalise your bathroom: we have shelves in chrome, rose gold, bronze, and more.

 

 

3. Switch Your Soap Dish

Let’s face it. Soap dishes are rarely at the forefront of your mind when it comes to designing your bathroom. They’re a detail that can be easily forgotten. However, they can really contribute to bringing some personality to your space. You could choose one that complements your existing tiles and colour scheme, or you could let it pave the way for your post-lockdown refurb inspiration! Either way, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Peach, pink, turtledove, mint, black, blue…brass, resin, glass, or bamboo.

 

 

4. Tweak Your Towel Rails

Another oft overlooked item. They’re the kind of fixture that is usually inherited from the previous occupants. Not being the show stopping shower, bath, toilet or sink, they’re left to the side. But this lack of concern with the lowly towel rail often results in the presence of a tacky, plastic number from the 1960’s. Why not upgrade yours to something a little more elegant?

 

 

5. Change Your Toothbrush Holder

When was the last time you changed your toothbrush holder? Do you even have a toothbrush holder? Be honest: is it just an old faded mug? This is another key accessory, perhaps to match your soap dish, or as a different, but equally sophisticated, counterpart. Choose from cylindrical, cubed, diamond fractal, and tumblers in a range of colours and materials.

 

 

 

6. Add A Bathroom Stool

They take up minimal space, and provide you with a useful surface. Whether it’s for draping your clothes over, sitting on whilst you let a face mask settle, or supporting a glass of wine whilst you soak in the bath, it’s definitely useful. So do yourself a favour; have a seat.

 

 

 

If you find yourself looking for a project, what better way to keep busy than to spruce up your bathroom? We hope that we’ve inspired you with these ideas and look forward to welcoming you to our Maidstone or Cranbrook showroom. Book an appointment with one of our bathroom designers if you’d like help with your revamp. Click here:

https://thebathroom.co.uk/design-consultation/

Feel chilly in the winter months?

You’re not alone.

Shorter, colder days mean that we are firmly in the midst of winter across the UK.

Upon waking in the morning, one of the horrors you may discover is the icy, chilly bathroom. Few things are more unappealing.

Fortunately, we have some tips to help make your space more welcoming.

1. Ensure You Have Heating

If you already have a radiator in your bathroom, we recommend bleeding it. You know yours needs bleeding if the top section is cooler than the bottom section, or if the entire radiator stays cold when the heating is on. When you bleed your radiator, the air gets released, meaning that hot water will be able to flow freely.

If you don’t already have a radiator, why not consider a heated towel rail? These have the dual benefits of providing warmth for your bathroom and keeping your towels toasty.

Reina Radiator

2. Install Underfloor Heating

In the early hours of the day, as you drag yourself out of bed, it’s easy to be caught barefoot. No socks plus non-heated flooring such as laminate or vinyl equals chilly toes. Underfloor heating, however, will completely transform your bathroom. Enjoy choosing the exact temperature for the flooring, minimal maintenance, and increased wall space. No slippers required!

3. Switch Up Your Colour Scheme

Cool colours like white or pastel blue can actually make your bathroom feel colder. Avoid this by introducing warmer tones such as yellow, red, or pink. You don’t have to re-paint the entire room; instead, you could paint a feature wall, introduce a new vanity unit or cabinet, or simply invest in some different towels and mats.

Crosswater UK

4. Add Warm Lighting

Lighting can make a huge difference to the overall feel of a bathroom, and can be key in adding additional warmth to the space. Consider how satisfying it would be to step out of the shower and into the heat of the light. Choose bulbs that emit K2500 and CRI 90 or higher for maximum impact.

 

Lefroy Brooks

5. Install a Heat-Retaining Bath Tub

There can be nothing more enjoyable in the winter months than luxuriating in a wonderfully hot bath. However, most of the time, you’re lucky if you get fifteen minutes of warmth before the water turns tepid. Luckily, by choosing the material of your tub more carefully, you’ll find that you can prolong your soaking time. Copper, brass, stone, steel and cast iron all help to retain heat for longer.

Victoria + Albert

So there you have it. The bathroom doesn’t have to be a human refrigerator! By acting on just some of these tips you could make your bathroom a lot cosier. Book an appointment with one of our bathroom designers at our Maidstone or Cranbrook showroom if you’d like help with your adjustments. Click here:

https://thebathroom.co.uk/design-consultation/