Remodeling a bathroom is relatively easy if you don't have to move them The limiting factors are space and location of existing plumbing pipes and electrical wiring. If you make radical changes in the existing layout, you'll need to investigate whether or not you can build what you want without making structural changes.Keep in mind that you may need a building permit, depending on the scope of your project.

Layout.

Think about the layout in your existing bathroom and decide which the most serious problems you want to fix are.

Are towel racks and tissue holders located conveniently? Is there enough storage space for everyone who uses the bathroom? What kind of bath you prefer? Do you need separate shower? Do vanity doors or drawers interfere with opening and closing the bathroom door? Also is good to make decision about style of you bathroom and choose units as soon as possible to make sure they would fit to existing or new build space.

If your current layout is livable, leaving the mechanical systems as they are will mean that much more in the budget for upgraded fixtures, and may make the difference between doing the project and waiting to save more money.If you decide to change units position always ask plumber advise before go ahead as it involves more work and higher materials cost, and sometimes the change is not worth speeded extra money.   

FIXTURES AND COMPONENTS– what style do you prefer?

Planning the perfect… B A T H R O O M

Whether you want start the day with a splash, or sink into a spa - like retreat in the evening, be inspired to create the bathroom of your dreams.

Getting ready

Measure your room, then draw a scaled plan on graph paper to work ot where to position fittings.

Remember a new bathroom is an investment and you want to get a return, so find out how much your house is worth, and how long you’re planning to stay there.

Consider who will be using the bathroom. Will it be the whole family? You and your partner? Guests?

Don’t set your heart on a product that won’t fit the space or won’t fit through the doorway on delivery.

Do you have a fitter lined up, and can they do electrics, tiling etc, as well as fitting the sanitary ware? Most bathroom showrooms can recommend someone who can do everything to make your life easier.

bathroom fitted by Mogio Services Ltd

The timescale

You’ll probably spend up to three weekends visiting showrooms, discussing the options and choosing the items you’d like. You should allow two to three months to book a fitter. Items often need to be ordered. This can take six weeks, so make sure they arrive in time for the fitters. The fitting will take one to two weeks altogether: two to three days to gut the space and another week or so to fit the new one. Your bathroom will be out of action for a maximum of two or three days – showers take the longest to be fitted, but a bath or toilet can be replaced very quickly. Think about getting a project manager if you are employing several people to do the work.

The cost

It will cost around £3,500-£5,000 for a good fitter to install your bathroom, and from £7,000-£10,000 if you want a wetroom or anything more complex.

Six smart solutions (SMALL BATHROOM)

Even if your bathroom is small, you can still create a spa – like sanctuary. Charlotte Conway, designer at Ripples, shares her hints and tips for maximising your assets...

Mirrored storage will always make rooms look bigger. A good trick is to set mirrored cabinets into stud walls to give the appearance of a plain mirror

In shower areas, especially wet rooms, cubby-holes can be cut out and tiled, giving useful recessed storage for shampoo bottles, bath oils, etc. Create similar illuminated versions in the walls elsewhere to hold bathroom cosmetics

Use wall hung storage and sanitary ware in smaller rooms this will leave more of the floor exposed, which in turn makes the room feel bigger. Concealed cisterns and pipe work also help give a streamlined look.

If your bathroom is a difficult or unusual shape, try putting a radiator into an otherwise unusable area. Look out for space- saving styles: for example, slim, vertical column radiators can fit behind doors, and low- level horizontal ones can fit under basins.

If you are insetting a bath, or making your own bath panels, create a hidden cupboard behind the panel for bottles, towels, etc. Jacuzzi does baths with purpose- built storage in the panels.You can lay tiles to create the illusion of more space. For example, laying them on a diagonal makes a room feel more spacious: creating coloured strips that run across a narrow space can make it feel wider.

bathroom fitted by Mogio Services Ltd

Seven ways to get the look for less

You can still have a bathroom that’s the envy of everyone even if you can’t afford the designer pieces

1. Choose one strong statement piece, like a basin with a sculptural look or a freestanding bath.
2. You don’t have to buy the loo from the same range or manufacturer as the rest of your sanitary ware: if carefully selected, it’ll still look good.
3. Choose porcelain tiles that look like stone for that warm, sensual feel in the bathroom, instead of their natural equivalents. They don’t need resealing every year like natural stone.
4. Choose an illuminated cabinet for some extra sparkle.
5. Don’t move the toilet unless it’s really necessary- it is costly becouse you have to move the soil pipes, so try to work your design around it instead.
6. Use mirrors. Full- width/ full height mirrors look luxurious and professional. Get them cut to a template by your builder to fully fill the space/ shape available, and fix them to the wall using silicone to avoid visible fixings.
7. If you don’t have the budget – or space – for a ‘designer’ free standing bath, use a simple, plain classic white enamelled steel bath (from about £100) rather than the typical more fussy (and more expensive) standard acrylic ones.

Storage and clutter – busting solutions

Since the average size of UK bathrooms is similar to that of a double bed, hiding clutter is key to creating the feeling of more space. Fitted furniture gives a streamlined feel in small spaces, and slimline options are available.

A wash- basin cabinet is invaluable – it conceals pipe work and provides storage. These are very popular at the moment since they help to create a design focus in the room.

Take advantage of the often free design services in bathroom shops – you may discover you can move items around within your bathroom to create more usable space.

When you build a false wall to hide the toilet cistern, the room becomes smaller, but you can create recessed storage, which gives smooth and clean lines and the impression of more space. You can even display decorative objects if some of the space is left open fronted.

Either very large tiles or small mosaics will help open up a room visually. Sticks to one type throughout for a streamlined effect and add interest with small details, such as a single band of contrast – in colour, shape, and texture or tile size.

Mirrored wall- mounted cupboards reflect the room, giving the appearence of more space and providing storage for toiletries. Glass shelves on mirrored walls are another useful trick.

Keep surfaces to a minimum – provide a place for a soap dish and toothbrushes, but lose the rest. The more surfaces there are, the more we tend to accumulate.

Good, clean family fun

If the space is going to be used by a variety of people ranging in age and size, with different needs and tastes, the design shouldn’t be too radical

Make sure you choose floor and wall coverings that can cope with spills and splashes. Floors should be soft and non- slip underfoot.

Easy clean surfaces make life easier, and look for details such as soft closing toilet lids to minimise injuries and noise.

Make sure taps have anti scald devices, and thermostatic mixers are set to low temperatures.

If you have a large family and want to avoid early morning queues, think about creating a separate cloakroom.

Make sure there’s plenty of storage, so you can hide away the children’s clutter and enjoy a relaxing soak when you need one