The Block 2021: How to design a dreamy yet functional bathroom

A beautiful bathroom is high on the wishlist for most home-makers, home-owners and renovators. As one of the most frequented spaces in the home – the scene of both our morning and evening rituals – there’s no question why the humble washroom has evolved into a sanctuary. But on top of a sense of escape and indulgence, a luxury bathroom also needs to be hard-working and functional.

Here’s how to create a balance between your dream design and fabulous functionality. 

Location, location, location

Whether you’re building from scratch or renovating and remodelling the floor plan of your existing home, there are a few key considerations you’ll need to take into account when it comes to the positioning of your bathroom.

“You need to consider where the current plumbing points are in the home and, if possible, try to keep the new bathroom either in the same location or very close by,” says Carmel Wylie, interior designer at GIA Renovations. “From a function point of view the bathroom needs to be close to bedrooms as its often one of the more private areas of a home, and if you have a pool area you might need to think about access from outdoor areas to the bathroom too.”

On top of access and plumbing, think about windows and skylights as nothing says luxury like a flood of natural light.

Lie of the land

Piecing together your bathroom floor plan is no easy feat – you want to make sure you’ve got space for all the essentials and room to move.

“Work with your plumber, architect, interior designer or bathroom designer to ensure you are making the absolute best use of the space,” says Anna Rees, creative director at The English Tapware Company. “Ideally, your shower and bath are best kept separate, as a shower-over-bath option is a compromise of function and safety.”

Aesthetics are important, so make sure your statement pieces are in the spotlight. “The vanity or freestanding bath are the most visually stunning pieces in a bathroom so position them in site line from the entry door,” Wylie says.

When it comes to the plumbing, it can be most practical to keep the fittings on the same wall. “Running all the plumbing fittings along the same wall enables best access to each item, so rectangular spaces work best for bathrooms,” she says.

To bath or not to bath?

There’s something whimsical about a freestanding, oversized bath taking centre stage in the bathroom. But as Australian dwellings shrink in size, it’s not always an easy dream to accommodate. In fact, just incorporating a bath of any size can often be a squeeze. But can a bathless bathroom still feel luxe? It comes down to priorities, according to Rees.

“If bathing is a ritual that is part of your culture or it’s just a non-negotiable for nourishing your soul, then by all means you are better to squeeze one in than be left without,” she says. “But if you never take a bath, perhaps storage or a Euro laundry would be higher on your list.” 

For Wylie, no matter how small the space, you simply cannot evoke that luxury feeling without one.

“There are so many beautiful, smaller baths on the market,” she says. “We are seeing more of the ‘Roman’ tiled bath in spaces which are completely custom and can suit any size space, and a popular solution is to create a ‘wet-room’ look by putting the bath next to the shower area. This way you can give your bathroom a more open floor plan than the shower-over-bath alternative.

If you’ve got room to move, why not splash out on a statement tub? “Australians have a love affair with freestanding bathtubs, but make sure that you allow them the space to command the room, rather than overwhelm it,”  Rees says, adding: “It is essential to leave space to clean around and underneath it.”

Highlight a beautiful bath by positioning it under a window or overlooking a view if you’re lucky enough to have one.

With so many bath shapes, sizes and designs available, there are a few other check boxes you’ll want to tick before making the purchase.

“Choose a bath material that has thermal properties,” Rees says. “The Water Monopoly use a stone and mineral composite called Vitrite that replicates the look and feel oforiginal antique baths, but without the weight. Victoria & Albert use volcanic limestone, and both help your bath water stay warmer longer.

“We always recommend jumping in a few baths to test-drive them – the angle of the back and length of the bath will determine the comfort of the individual and ability to relax. If you’re very tall and want to fully submerge you’ll need a longer bath.”

The tapware touch 

“Do it once and do it right,” is the age-old adage that comes to mind for Rees when it comes to choosing bathroom tapware.

“When selecting fittings, be aware that quality differs tremendously, especially where taps, showers and hardware are concerned,” she warns. “It is not enough to just look good when it comes to plumbing, so ask questions about the manufacture of the products and buy the best you can afford.”

Of course, you want to choose a design you love, too. “The parts of your home you touch everyday should bring you joy and feel lovely to use,” Rees says. Give some thought to the hardware and finishes throughout the rest of your home for cohesion, and be inspired by the palette of the space. 

“For a more whimsical look, pair aged brass or brushed nickel with a textured zellige tile or finger tile,” suggests Eliza O’Sullivan, owner and director of Tiles By Kate. “Or, for a more contemporary look,  if you’ve opted for concrete or grey-look porcelain, choose matte black or brushed chrome.” 

Store and order

Adequate storage is a luxury in itself, and an especially important consideration for busy family bathrooms. When selecting your vanity, you’ll want to make the most of every inch.

Easy wins such as drawers with plumbing cut-outs will make a surprising difference to both storage and organisation. Floating shelves and open cabinetry are a great way to put fluffy towels, candles and hand-creams on display, but be sure to include some closed-door options, too. This way your less- aesthetic essentials can be hidden away, and you can avoid clutter – the antithesis to a luxe look. 

In the shower, ask your builder to incorporate a recessed niche shelf for a chic way to house your shampoos and body wash without interfering with the design. 

Lighting the way

The right light will make or break your bathroom design. Plan for as much natural light as you possibly can, whether it’s a skylight or a carefully concealed floor-to-ceiling window.

If access to natural light simply isn’t possible, do your best to avoid bright and glossy cool-white finishes, as they’ll begin to look clinical under artificial light sources.

“Task lighting is essential in the bathroom, though,” says Wylie, who suggests using LEDs with a natural colour. “For low ambient light, consider either hidden diffused LED tracks under the vanity or a beautiful low-volt wall light,” she adds. 

While you may be tempted to invest in a show-stopping statement pendant to hang above your designer bath, be warned there are firm restrictions when it comes to the placement of lighting around the wet areas. Money is better spent on statement sconces, instead. Hand-crafted ceramic pieces, marble or brass will elevate any design to a new level of luxury. 

Full flush 

In a high-end bathroom, the less you see of your toilet the better. Opt for a wall-hung model with an in-wall cistern to keep the less glamorous elements out of sight.

Just like everything else in the home, toilets have also had a “smart” makeover. For the ultimate indulgence, invest in an wised-up model such as the Kohler Veil Intelligent Wall Hung toilet which comes equipped with touchless flushing and a one-touch remote which controls features like a UV self-cleaning bidet and a heated toilet set. 

Surface appeal

“It is all about texture, texture, texture,” says O’Sullivan. “A soft colour in a handmade tile or even a textured white tile gives a subtle look that won’t date. Pattern is also still very popular, as is the arrival of our stunning Moroccan handmade tiles.”

There’s a reason that tiles are the firm favourite for surfacing bathroom walls and floors, as they allow for a lot of creative freedom.

“They are very personal choice and can say a lot about your personality and your sense of style,” O’Sullivan says. While a neutral-hued palette is a safe bet for timeless design, colour is staging a comeback, Wylie says.

“People are heading back to colour, which is great,” she says. “We have been in love with some of the greens and deeper blue tiles this year, but I think we will get a bit warmer and explore more of the terracotta tones. VJ wall panelling in the bathroom has been very popular up until now, but we’re seeing this trend slow down.” 

For lovers of more minimalist design, large-format tiles are perfect for a chic and seamless aesthetic, and fewer grout-lines mean low maintenance. Natural stone is the epitome of opulence, but you’ll want to ensure it’s sealed before it’s installed as it’s a more porous material. If in doubt, opt for a porcelain look-alike.  

The most important element to bringing your dream bathroom to life?  That’s simple, according to O’Sullivan: “Create a space that will grow with you and make you feel special every time you use it.”