Tips on how to get a perfect bathroom please

[Deleted User]

OK so I know it won't be perfect, but by the time we get the bathroom sorted out we will have been waiting 7 years for the work to be done so we want it to be right.

Our bathroom is vile. We have tiles stuck on with duct tape, our 'shower' is a bucket and jug whilst stood in the bath, the sink is falling off the wall and the floor needs replacing. We mended the broken toilet using a plastic bag and the inner tube of a bicycle and we even won some DIY vouchers in a radio competition. You had to send photos in of DIY disasters - we said ours is not a DIY disaster, but this is our bathroom. They were so shocked they even rang us up and got us on the radio.

We are going to put in a toilet, sink, storage cupboard and large shower. Decided not to put a bath in as it would be too much of a squeeze. We want to use the splash panels rather than tiles. We are altering the layout to make better use of the space. We will be getting a company in to do some of the work as we will be having our heating and hot water system replaced at the same time, but we will be doing as much as we can to save money. As everything (including pipe work and floor) will be ripped out we will be starting with a shell.

So does anyone have any good tips for planning bathrooms, buying sanitaryware, what to avoid etc.

Many thanks,

denisiw

I did a complete revamp of our bathroom late last year. I gutted it and removed the floor boards as well. After re-plumbing I laid a water resistant chipboard floor and on top of that a product called No More Ply. This provides a stable surface on which to fix floor tiles.

I wanted good quality bathroom fittings and chose Ideal Standard. I got the bathroom suite, shower screen, brassware and shower pump from a place called tradingdepot.co.uk. They were the cheapest I could find online, much much cheaper than local bath showrooms. I got an Ideal Standard bath shower mixer from bathrooms365.com. The NMP, floor and wall tiles, plumbing fittings and pipes were bought locally. The Ferroli heated towel rail and brassware were sourced from traderadiators.com.

I have no hesitation in recommending all three of these companies. They were all most helpful when I had to contact them with queries. At the same time I ordered from tradingdepot.co.uk an extra WC and wash hand basin for our downstairs toilet. The WC was an Ideal Standard Space corner closet and the lid didn't fit properly on the cistern, I was sent a replacement no questions asked.

I hope you find this helpful.

Denis

HelenDaveKids

I'm currently renovating and have a bathroom and ensuite to do. I personally think good tiles make all the difference. We are doing both wall to ceiling white tiles, with a mosaic border. Doing tiling self (with OH) to save money. Have also shelled out and bought a gorgeous WC and sink unit with granite top, which got half price as was ex display. Other bathroom also picked up some ex display units. Got a fabulous Aqualisa shower off ebay.

My advice would be go fairly plain as you generally have to live with it for YEARS!

ellisbell

HelenDaveKids wrote: »

I

My advice would be go fairly plain as you generally have to live with it for YEARS!

Definitely agree with this. We will be doing our bathroom soon, and are thinking either beige or grey for tiles, keep it neutral and introduce colour with the accessories.

lisal0u

Hiya,

I spent many hours looking through home magazines and the Internet till I decided on a style I liked! I agree with HelenDaveKids about good tiles! They made a huge difference in my bathroom!

I drew a scale plan of my bathroom so I could see how to make the most of the space easily!

I opted for bathstore bath, wall hung sink, toilet and shower. A bit more expensive than wickes and b&q etc but looked a lot better!

Also got a fab heated mirror off eBay! It's ace not having a steamed up mirror when you get out of the shower

Here's mine before:
http://lisaloushouse.blogspot.com/2009/01/destruction-begins-1st-august-2008.html?m=1

And after:
http://lisaloushouse.blogspot.com/2010/02/bathroom-piccys-4th-feb-2010.html?m=1

I was very pleased how it turned out especially considering how tiny it is!

Canucklehead

Good evening: a good place to start here.

HTH

Canucklehead

tpt

the advice to keep it plain is good. natural stone\stone effect tiles are popular as the never seem to get tired or look old.

Mosiac borders are very fashionable but dont buy them as a border, buy in sheets and just cut to size with a stanley knife - it will be about 20% of the price of buying as borders.

premkit

my advise would be when you are out looking at all there is to offer out there, dont just look with you eyes. get a hold of everything and give it the use you would if it was in your home. sit on the seal and move around use the sink bending to wash your face, stand and move in the bath or shower, sit on the edge.

tanith

lisal0u wrote: »

Hiya,

I spent many hours looking through home magazines and the Internet till I decided on a style I liked! I agree with HelenDaveKids about good tiles! They made a huge difference in my bathroom!

I drew a scale plan of my bathroom so I could see how to make the most of the space easily!

I opted for bathstore bath, wall hung sink, toilet and shower. A bit more expensive than wickes and b&q etc but looked a lot better!

Also got a fab heated mirror off eBay! It's ace not having a steamed up mirror when you get out of the shower

Here's mine before:
http://lisaloushouse.blogspot.com/2009/01/destruction-begins-1st-august-2008.html?m=1

And after:
http://lisaloushouse.blogspot.com/2010/02/bathroom-piccys-4th-feb-2010.html?m=1

I was very pleased how it turned out especially considering how tiny it is!

You have such good taste :rotfl:your bathroom looks so like mine the only thing different is the bath we wanted the one you have but it was just a bit too wide at the shower end...:T We have aquamarine towels and bathmats

fluffpot

My advice would be to get an illuminated mirror if you can afford to have the wiring put in - it makes such a difference to see your face when shaving/doing makeup (or both maybe...)

Just found the pic of mine...

keystone

denisiw wrote: »

After re-plumbing I laid a water resistant chipboard floor and on top of that a product called No More Ply.

Less time and effort would have been just to lay 25mm WBP ply direct to joists. Would have given you an even more stable substrate. Too late now though.

Cheers