Functional Space or a Moment of Indulgence?
For most of the time our bathrooms serve an important purpose – personal hygiene at the start and end of the day! But sometimes we are blessed with time that we can press pause, and enjoy a moment of indulgence. Pure, blissful relaxation.
Wouldn’t it be great to have a space that can achieve both? An enjoyable space that works well for you and your family to get ready. We can’t fix teenager shower times, but we can help make the most of the space you have available.
When it comes to bathrooms, there are many options to suit your household needs and budgets. Often while a bathroom is being updated, people may look to make other improvements, for example increased storage, an extra toilet, or adding insulation to external walls.
A basic, economical bathroom will suit many family needs.
There is a lot that can still be achieved while keeping a budget in mind. Improvments can include:
- an acrylic shower – if space allows, a slightly larger one is much nicer to use
- a new vanity – wall hung or floor mounted, consider how much storage space you need? Drawers or cupboards?
- extraction system – protect your investment and keep your house drier and healthier
- vinyl flooring – modern vinyl flooring comes in a huge variety of styles and colours, there’s sure to be something to suit, easy to clean, and warmer underfoot than tiles.
- other fittings – things like a mirror (with a heated mat underneath to prevent steam), heated towel rails, and adequate, safe plugs for items such as toothbrushes, hair-dryers and shavers
From a budget bathroom, the options to upgrade are plentiful:
- floor tiles – and underfloor heating to ensure warm feet year round!
- a tiled shower, and the options that come with a full custom shower such as a shelf for shampoo or multiple shower heads
- a bath to sit back and relax, or let the kids play in
- premium vanity – perhaps two basins would help your household get ready in the morning? Or large cabinet storage area?
- cupboards and shelves – places to put extra towels and other bathroom items, especially if you do not have much storage space elsewhere.
Renovation Planning
Like all renovations and building work, the key is in the planning stage. Know what the desired end result is, then engage with the right people to bring your ideas to life. Before starting your bathroom, you need to know:
- Is consent, or a consent exemption required?
- Will my ideas work? Ensure they have been measured and drawn up, so there are no surprises along the way
- What will it cost? Get a detailed quote, ensure you know what it includes and excludes (for example, does it include electrical and all plumbing?) If you are comparing builders, its important you compare apples with apples!
- Do I like what has been specified by the builder/plumber? (examples are the style of vanity, or what the tap looks like, colour of vinyl), and is the quality suitable?
- What timeframe is estimated? Consider the disruption to your family, how long you will be without a shower, what alternative arrangements do you need to make?
- What warranty comes with the work?