I’m dreaming of… a new bathroom

I often think that the bathroom can be one of the most neglected spaces in a home. Left to one side, it can be a place to whirl through in the morning routine or shut the door on at night; a space often with the least natural light, at the back of a house or squeezed into the smallest corner, which gets damp and stuffy without the love and care taken for its more glamorous neighbours next door, the living room or bedroom.

We’ve just put our humble abode on the market (you can see it here) and I must say I’m a bit embarrassed about the bathroom. It’s boring and ugly, certainly not a space you would want to linger in and have a long bath. We decorated on the cheap; it’s functional but you only spend as much time as you need to there.

But, how I’d love to have a lovely bathroom where I could pamper and relax in. So, as we look for a new home, I’ve been day-dreaming about my perfect bathroom, all in an ideal world of course. There’d be lots of natural light, and preferably a stunning view out the window from the bath, bright white walls and a big tub with a monsoon shower overhead…

Come take a tour with me…

There’d be smart white metro tiles with black grout and clever cut-out storage space for exotic lotions and potions. The fittings would be sleek and stainless steel, with shiny, minimal taps and spouts…

I’d invest in a large basin so there was plenty of space for two people to get ready in the morning, and use mirrors to bounce light around.

While I think you can always scrimp and save on cheap tiles and a lick of paint, it’s often worth splurging a little bit more on good quality sanitary ware to get a smart finish that will last. You can find taps similar to the above images from Grohe for anything between £65 to £270, and large wall-mounted basins from Villeroy & Boch start at around £500 if a dreamy bespoke concrete sink like above seems a far away dream.

Then there’s all the little spa-like details such as a patterned tile floor, indulgent hand wash or soft hammam towels that make for the ultimate relaxation retreat…

While I would keep the walls visually clear and white to create a sense of space, I’d go a bit crazier on the floor with patterns tiles or geometric shapes. How nice would it be to put your feet on this patterned floor, above, in the morning? (see #Ihavethisthingwithfloors… and nothing more needs to be said).

I also love the idea of painting the ceiling a contrasting darker colour, it balances the pattern of the floor and somehow makes it a warmer, more intimate space. Genius idea.

I’d also fill the bathroom with lots of plants to bring a bit of colour and texture. They would live on the windowsill or perhaps a little cart like the one below.

I also love the idea of having a little extra surface such as a woven basket or wooden stool near the bath to display and store easy-to-reach towels or bottles.

So that’s my ideal bathroom, a girl can dream hey? One day, one day…

Are you happy with your bathroom?

This post was written in collaboration with SuperBath