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A luxury spa bathroom is something that many of us aspire to, but the costs can soon mount up, putting the dream out of reach for many of us. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to make do with a bathroom that leaves you feeling less than happy. With some clever planning, it’s possible to create a space that is both beautiful and functional.
Here are some tips on making smart choices about what to invest in and how to make every penny of your budget work hard for you.
Buy the best quality fixtures you can afford, because these will be used on a daily basis, and cheaper poor quality versions will soon show signs of wear and tear and be more difficult to keep clean. Fixtures refers to permanent items that require plumbing or electrical wiring, such as the toilet, the hand basin, and the shower or bath.
However, unless the layout of your bathroom is particularly dysfunctional, do not change it otherwise you will be facing some very expensive plumbing and rewiring work. If you are installing a bath but only intend to use it as an occasional alternative to a shower, then there’s no need to buy a more expensive model.
Luxury bathroom tiles such as marble or sandstone look beautiful, but if you are on a tight budget they will make a serious dent in it. Natural stone is also high maintenance, because most types are porous and will require regular sealing to protect them from damage and water stains. Consider if you have the time to invest in this extra work.
Porcelain tiles are an excellent choice as an alternative to more expensive materials. They are hard wearing and water resistant, and will just require a weekly wipe down to keep them looking great. It’s also possible to find porcelain tiles with a wide range of finishes and textures that can resemble much more expensive materials.
If you are determined to have some more luxurious touches, limit natural stone tiles to features such as splashbacks or mirror surrounds. If you have a small vanity unit, you could go for a statement marble countertop, but quartz is a more affordable and hard wearing alternative.
If possible, buy high quality fittings in complementary materials such as a matching set of brushed brass or chrome taps, towel rails, toilet roll holders, shower handles, and so on. This will help to bring all the elements together and they are highly visible items, so well made products that will stand the test of time are a wise investment.
It may be tempting to go for cheaper alternatives, but consider how long these products will last or look nice for, and if they may represent a false economy because they may need replacing more quickly.
Storage is essential to hide clutter and give your bathroom a sense of tranquillity as a sanctuary for refreshing the body and soul. It’s all too easy to build up a huge collection of bottles and random grooming products that are not even used, and this can make the bathroom feel more chaotic and unappealing.
However, some simple wall cabinets, off-the-shelf vanities or floating shelves will fit most spaces, saving on the need to invest in more costly made-to-measure furniture. While custom made furniture will add that extra layer of polish and style to your bathroom, it should not be a high priority if you want to limit your spend.
Unless you have really good DIY skills, it may pay off to have your bathroom professionally fitted. Some tasks such as electricals must be carried out by an appropriately qualified professional, and DIY plumbing is not advisable to avoid the risk of disastrous floods.
If you are really patient and determined, you may be able to install tiles on the walls and flooring yourself. However, mistakes with cutting tiles to fit edges and corners can be costly. Mistakes are hard to put right, and will be obvious to you everytime you walk in the bathroom, reducing your enjoyment of it. Therefore it may be best to hire a professional tiler.
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