How to Make Your Bathroom Into An Intimate, Shared Experience
When you’re planning your perfect bathroom with your partner, it’s important to make sure it suits both of your needs. We’ve put together a few things to consider in your bathroom design that will not only will make it a private retreat for you and your partner, but that will embrace the latest bathroom design trends and stand the test of time. Just like your relationship…
Design Flow
If you’re fortunate enough to be designing a bathroom or wetroom from scratch, it’s important to create a practical and aesthetic flow to the space.
Think about what you’re going to see when you open the bathroom door. The first thing you see should be something relaxing and aesthetically pleasing – ideally not the toilet! Draw attention to attractive bathroom furniture or an inviting contemporary wetroom instead.
If you’re lucky enough to have an attractive view from your bathroom, bring that view into the room by positioning your bath near to the window, and you’ll be able to enjoy it whilst relaxing.
Double Up
If you and your partner are battling over the bathroom in the morning, adding a second basin is a great solution. This isn’t as uncommon as you might think and it solves a lot of problems.
Rather than choosing two traditional basins, opt for something a little sleeker. Basins take up a lot of space, so a second one is going to use up even more precious real estate. Instead, choose a counter top basin. 2018 is all about sleek and stylish modern looks, and a smaller basin fits right into that aesthetic.
Lighting
Lighting can transform any space. Choose a variety of different lighting options around your bathroom to make the most of your space, no matter the size. In places where you need good visibility, such as by the mirror or around the basin, you want bright, direct lighting. Direct light prevents eye strain and improves precision when applying make-up or shaving. Mounted wall lights at eye level either side of a mirror will help to avoid shadows.
To create a soft and comfortable space, use softer ambient lighting. Position lights around the sides of the room instead of the middle to avoid shadows, and use them to enhance a focal point, such as a feature wall.
Night lights that come on automatically via a presence detector can help you or your partner when they creep in at night. Install a low-level light to create a floor wash of light, or an LED strip under a vanity or bath panel. This is very useful for shared en-suite bathrooms and means you wont run the risk of waking up your partner.
Furniture
Having a ‘His and Hers’ bathroom means that you can share the space at the same time. Sometimes it’s nice to hang out in the evening with your partner while he or she is in the bath and you’re reading a book. Stools, love seats and benches make great aesthetic and practical touches to a shared bathroom if space allows.
Consider the quality of the fixtures and fittings. A bathroom is often a hot and steamy environment, so you need to make sure that whatever you’re choosing is going to be durable enough to cope with the moisture and warmth.
Stylish furniture and contemporary sanitary ware will help to give your bathroom a personal touch. You can style up your bathroom with interior design elements that go above and beyond the taps and tiles.
Blend Your Storage
When designing your layout, always be mindful of storage. Cluttered bathrooms will start to feel claustrophobic the more people you have in them. Install some stylish shelving alongside cabinets to create a mix of exposed and concealed storage. This way, you can tuck away some items discreetly, whilst showing off your beautiful bottles, towels and plants.
Make the Most of Space
Space, and how we use it to best effect, is as much an interior design trend as any other. It also is a luxury that not all homes can practically achieve. Bathrooms are often compact in size so wet rooms and walk-in showers are an increasingly popular way to maximise the available space and help give the room an open plan feel. They’re also easy to use by the young and old alike and allow you to futureproof your bathroom for years to come.
Separate Bath & Shower
Many people have a shower head installed instead of a bath. A shared bathroom should be able to cater to everyone’s taste. If space allows, separate the bath and shower areas to give you both as many options as possible. If that’s not an option, consider a double shower head instead.
Go Neutral
Like all partnerships, a shared bathroom is all about compromise. When choosing your bathroom colours, lean towards a soft, neutral colour palette that will help create a relaxing space for you and your partner. Neutral colour schemes can be enhanced with the introduction of a bold accent colour through colourful towels, bathroom accessories or even a feature wall.
With just a few considered design touches, you can create a shared bathroom that not just reflects your shared style, but your relationship as a whole. Remember, living together takes compromise. So, instead of pushing your design ideas onto the other person, consider styles that will complement you both. We’re sure that’s what Harry and Meghan will be looking to achieve in their bathroom!
