An independent reference about bathrooms and the wet rooms of a home. We sell nothing and do no work; we are not connected with the former site on this domain. Trust electrics, gas and shared building pipes only to specialists.
Ideas
Bathrooms only look alike at first glance. In one home the toilet and bath share a room, and there is a line for the sink every morning. In another the bathroom is tiny and the door bumps into the washing machine. In a third an older relative has moved in and finds it hard to step over a high tub wall. A good idea for a wet room starts not with a pretty picture but with the question of who uses the space every day and how. Below is one starting point for each common situation.
A comfortable bathroom is one where nobody has to step over, reach or balance on a wet floor.
How this section works: for each type of room we offer one idea in general terms, with no brands, models or calculations. If an idea means touching pipes, drains or wiring, that work is done by specialists, and whether it is allowed is checked with the building management in advance.
Short starting points, from a combined bathroom to a powder room.
When the tub, sink and toilet share one room, the key is to arrange them so two people can use the space without getting in each other's way. A light screen by the shower area, separate lighting over the sink and towel hooks within reach of the tub all help.
In a cramped bathroom, everything wall-mounted wins: a wall-hung sink, a vanity without legs, shelves above the door. Larger light-colored tile means fewer grout lines and visually pushes the walls apart, and a mirror as wide as the sink adds light. A door that opens outward frees up space at the entrance, but discuss that with your contractor.
A shower area frees up room for a washing machine or a cabinet and does away with the high tub wall. In return it needs especially careful floor waterproofing and a well-planned slope to the drain or shower base. This is a job for an experienced pro: shower mistakes usually come to light once water has already gone under the tile and on to the neighbors.
The washer and dryer can move into a hallway niche or a closet if water supply and a drain can be brought there. Shelves above the machines hold detergents and baskets, and doors hide it all from view. Connecting water, the drain and an outlet is work for a plumber and an electrician, and a drip pan or a leak sensor under the machine is worth having.
Here everything serves stability: a non-slip floor, grab bars by the tub and toilet, a shower seat, bright even lighting and a night light on the way from the bedroom. Sometimes it makes sense to replace a high tub wall with a curbless shower. Grab bars are fixed only to a solid wall, so installation is best left to a pro who knows what is hidden behind the tile.
Children need a sturdy step stool at the sink, low towel hooks and a mat that does not slide out from under their feet. Household cleaners go into a locking cabinet or up high, and a faucet with a temperature limiter protects against water that is too hot. Toys dry better in a mesh bag than in a wet heap on the tub edge.
A small guest toilet forgives bold choices: dark walls, unusual tile, a statement mirror. Even here, though, you need an exhaust fan, a sink that is comfortable for washing hands and a spot for a clean towel. The finishes should be easy to wash, and spare paper and soap should be in plain sight so guests never have to search.
The order of a bathroom renovation: inspection, waterproofing and ventilation, specialist work, sequence of jobs, sign-off and choosing a pro.
Tile and mosaic, grout and sealants, moisture-resistant panels and paints, flooring, glass and curtains: what to consider when choosing. Plus our article catalogue.
What to keep on hand for inspections, small repairs and leaks: from a flashlight and a level to a bucket and rags.
Domfordom's advice is written in general terms and is based on the instructions of finish and plumbing fixture manufacturers and on guidance from building management. Check the label for sealant or grout drying times and for how to use a cleaning product, and leave electrics, gas and shared building pipes to specialists.