Bathroom refurb, ideas please

UncleZen

Im Looking for ideas, so i sound at least vaguely knowledgeable when I talk to a contractor.

I have an en suite bathroom, that needs refurbishing. It has a shower enclosure built in. It's currently tiles with 6in tiles floor to ceiling, circa mid eighties.

I want to keep everything in the same place; shower, bidet, loo, sink. The existing sanitary ware (is that the right term?) Is in good nick and could be kept, but probably wouldn't cost much to replace anyway.

Im thinking less grout to go manky and if possible less scllicon to go black. Acrylic wall panels come to mind, but I dont know about advantages and disadvantages.

Inspiration please!

twopenny

So it's just the tiles? Board can be fixed over them but you will loose just a little space.

What sort of walls? Brick or plasterboard?

caprikid1

"want to keep everything in the same place; shower, bidet, loo, sink. The existing sanitary ware (is that the right term?) Is in good nick and could be kept, but probably wouldn't cost much to replace anyway."

With everything refreshed around it the existing sanitary ware could look quite old.

WIAWSNB

Any chance of some pics, UZen?

What size is the shower? Are you happy with this?

Emmia

I'd opt for new white sanitaryware.

I'd look for a wall hung rimless toilet (easier to clean), wall hung basin with vanity unit, and a lower profile shower tray… will all look more modern than what I expect you have.

Do you want a wall unit with mirror over the basin? Do you want it to light up and have an internal shaver socket?

Rain head shower (from the ceiling) plus a hand held option on a bar for adjustability or the handheld just on a holder... A rainhead Is more modern than just one on the bar

You could have large format tiles reducing the number of grout lines.

You can prevent mould by having a good extractor fan and drying the shower after use (as well as using /specifying a good quality anti mould silicone)

Do you want a shelf or wall mounted storage in the shower for shampoo, shower gel etc. Given the proliferation of aftermarket solutions, I think this is something people overlook

Do you have a plan or sizes of the existing shower?

gwynlas

would second having a hand held as well as rainhead.It makes things esier for both cleaning and showering if you do not want to wet hair.

Personally not a fan of wall panels would prefer larger tiles.

Extractoe fan than detects moisture is preferable to simple timer option.

Cairnpapple

Agree with the low profile shower tray and getting either a wall hung toilet or a sleek back-to-wall one which is also easy to clean.

Having become disabled in my 40s I'd always suggest that you get at least one grab bar in the shower or make a note of where one could be anchored in future. They don't have to look ugly/medical. Also choose and position the bar for shower height adjustment so that it is long/low enough to work with a shower stool. Useful for disability but also really handy if you break a toe or pull a back muscle or whatever.

UncleZen

@twopenny 2 walls are Rick's and mortar, the other 2 are plasterboard

@WIAWSNB the shower is 75 x 72cm it cant easily be made wider. Im ok with the shower size. The thing about the shower is that it has a curtain. It can't have a swing door as the bidet is in the way, and a bifold uses too much space.

@Emmia there is an existing light over the sink with power to charge a shaver. The light is never used, ever. The power is used, so that will stay. I dont need a mirror that lights up, but possibly a slim cabinet to put things in.

Room size is 174 x 169 cm with the shower 72 x 75 cm off to one side, like a L shape its an en suite rather than a bathroom.

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81943052#Comment_81943052

Ok, so personally I think a good powerful humidistat fan would be worth including to reduce damp/moisture.

Your shower dimensions don't allow for the option of glass screens without a door to allow entry/exit as your tray area is essentially square - personally I hate shower curtains (really dated,), but presuming you want to retain the bidet, you probably don't have a choice.

twopenny

You can get folding doors for showers. I didn't use the one for my en suite because if I slipped and fell, being a small area I'd be against the door and no one could get me out.

If you have things attached to the plasterboard and want to replace you may have to replace the board for that wall. You can repair it but not always successful

rach_k

I'd look into fancy bidet toilets! I think having a separate bidet dates a bathroom in the UK and giving yourself more room to move around in there is probably a good thing. If it would allow a shower screen/door instead of a curtain, even better.

I think people either love or hate the bathroom wall panels. I'm a fan in shower rooms. Even with the best extractor fan, your walls do get and stay wet for a while after a shower. Having the panels in our shower has vastly reduced the need to meticulously wipe everything down.