Bathroom Ideas

Sometimes it can be difficult to get started on your bathroom renovation, especially if you’re a first time renovator and have not renovated before.  It’s helpful to flick through magazines or Pinterest and alike, or better yet take a look right here on our website.  It is greatly beneficial to gather lots of information and ideas. 

Just don’t fall into the trap of thinking it all comes together as easily as they make it look on TV.

THE VANITY :

The Vanity Unit makes a significant statement in a new bathroom.  So it requires some serious consideration.  It tends to lead the way in defining the style of the room.  It also provides the main storage and usable work surface – so again, it is necessary to examine what will best fit your needs.

Vanity units can be selected off the showroom floor – These Vanity units are generally available in a set of standard widths, typically – 750, 900, 1200, 1500 & 1800 millimetres. 

They come in many configurations, and can be finished in a variety of different materials.  You also have options of finish for the vanity top.  Some examples are –  granite, engineered stone, or ceramic to name a few.  These products all have differing properties and appearances.  The style, size and selected materials determine the price point of the vanity unit.  

Imported Vanity units are predominantly made in China. They have flooded the Australian market and are available in most bathroom showrooms and hardware stores, even flat packed. These units serve their purpose as cheap and effective. Of course, quality and longevity of this product may not be as first rate as some other vanity options.

Australian Made Vanity units are also available in showrooms in the previous range of standard sizes, they are generally superior in quality and come with a higher price tag than an imported unit.

Custom Built Vanity – Lucy J Design guarantee our clients who choose this type of Vanity Unit, that they are made right here in WA by professional cabinet makers. There is No restriction on size, materials etc.  The configuration can be tailored to your exact requirements, this is by far the best choice if budget allows.

VANITY BASINS :  

Once the Vanity has been chosen you need to select a BASIN– the size is an important consideration and it generally needs to compliment the style of the vanity, tapware and the room in general.

There are 4 main types of basins : 

Drop in style  –  Where the basin sits into the bench top

Undermount  –  Where the basin is hung beneath the top

Semi-recessed   –  Where the basin protrudes beyond the front of the vanity unit

Top mount  –  Where the basin sits on top of the bench top

All of these differing styles look and function perfectly.  Meaning your choice comes down to personal preference, what you find most appealing and what best suits the look you have chosen for your new bathroom.

BATH TUBS :

The Bath Tub is the next most important item to be considered in the new room.  Its sheer size ensures that it plays a major role and has a high impact on the finish of the room.

The bath tub, together with the vanity unit, are the two items which most often determine the overall style of the room. Lots of thought is required when choosing your new bath tub. 

It’s important to get the feel of the tub your want before you make your final selection. After all it’s the tub that you will be relaxing in for the next 20 years.  Prices vary greatly, depending on style and material used.

Built in Bath  :  Where the Bath is installed against a wall usually with the front and sides finished in a tiled hob.

Island Bath  :  Where the Bath is not directly against a wall and Finished on all sides with your choice tile.

Shower/Bath :  Where the Bath and Shower are combined. Typically a little wider with a non slip side for standing.

Free Standing Bath :  Where the Bath is stand alone in the room. Often used in larger rooms.

Spa Bath  :  Bubbles.. Bubbles.. Bubbles…  – Spa Baths are of course also available in most of the above forms.

TAPWARE :

Ideally the Tapware you choose should complement the overall style you have chosen for the room.  

Which tapware to use is likely the most important choice you will need to make as far as ensuring you get the correct quality of product rather than any other elements in your new bathroom.

There are many different choices on the market today. Firstly you need to decide on whether you prefer a mixer tap or tap sets.  The style of your new tapware compliments the chosen style of the room and also is guided by your choices in the vanity unit and bath tub.

Lucy J Design, advises all of our clients to select tapware in the mid to upper price/quality range. Select a brand who offers a minimum of 5 year warranty. This is very important with tapware as they are the pieces which will get by far the most use and abuse of any working parts in your bathroom.

It is money well spent to get extra quality for your tapware.

SHOWER SCREENS :

The ideal Shower or Bath screen is one which we can see through and virtually disappears in the finished room.  We really don’t want the screen to make any type of statement.  However, we do want it to do its job and hold the water back! 

Unless the room is very large and a wet area can be utilised, a shower screen is often the most practical way to prevent water from the shower affecting other areas in the room.

Shower screen come in options like :

Frameless  –  Where the Screen is completely frameless & only a few elegant mounting points can be viewed.
Semi-Frameless  –  Where the screen is surrounded in part by  your selection of Frame.
Fully Framed  –  Where the screen is entirely surrounded by your choice of Frame.

It’s possible to buy ready -made shower screens from a bathroom showroom, however sizing is quite limited, but the styles and finishes are generally good but never as good a finish as a custom unit.  The only down side is that, the size of the shower is governed by the pre-made screen.  These are also predominantly imported.

A custom screen is measured and installed once the shower area has been tiled and comes without any restriction in size.  It is made, built and fitted by a professional local glazier.

TOILETS : 

The toilet suite should be functional, in-keeping with the style of the room and be easy to clean. 

Most toilets today are designed as Back to wall units, which means that there are virtually no gaps to collect dust and dirt and it makes cleaning a whole lot easier.  The appearance is a little more bulky than the older style toilet.

Toilets come in 3 common forms of waste extraction system which will depend on your plumbing requirements. They are:

S-Trap Toilet  –  Where the toilet connects to the plumbing waste in the floor.
P-Trap Toilet  –  Where the toilet connects to the plumbing waste directly out the back of the wall.
Skew Trap Toilet  –  Where the toilet connects to the plumbing waste out the side wall. 

 A new trend in toilets are the concealed units, with the entire flush cistern sunk into the wall.

 
TILES :

Tiles are an important part of any Bathroom.  They are both functional and add style.   

To be pleasing to the eye, the tile needs to be perfectly laid; level, with even grout lines. This then gives the walls a seamless look.  It’s most important function is to protect the underlying wall/floor from moisture. 

There are two main types of tiles used in Perth bathrooms – Ceramic and Porcelain. 

You also often hear of rectified tiles – These are tiles which are cut or rectified after being fired. Enabling its size & shape to be true.  The edges of rectified tiles are straight and not softened or beveled, this allows smaller grout lines and a smoother streamline finish.

Lucy J recommends all our clients to buy “Non-Slip” floor tiles for wet areas.