Ideal Standard Bathroom Design Tool

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Whether you want a sanctuary or a wow factor space, these essential bathroom design ideas will set you on the right track.

How to start

Draw up a wish list of all the things you want from your space. Use online resources  to see what's new and what you can afford. But there's no substitute for visiting a showroom, where you can see and touch the ceramics, furniture and worktops, and see lighting, taps and showers being used.

Burlington Bathroom Edwardian suite, £1343, Pure Bathroom Collection

Getting the plan right

Once you know what you want, make a rough pencil sketch of the room and where you'd like to place things. Don't forget you need space to move around the room – allow 100cm in front of a bath and 70cm in front of the loo.
A key factor that always affects the bathroom design is the position of the plumbing, especially the soil pipe, which needs a short, straight run. In an existing scheme this may limit the layout options unless you want to spend a lot of money moving it. Even if you're converting another room into  a bathroom, there could be constraints on where the soil and water pipes can go. In both cases, it's always best to take your sketch to a designer early on for advice, before you set your heart on a particular look.
Once you've measured up, use an online planning tool to check if your bathroom design will work. For instance, Ideal Standard's 3D bathroom planner will create a virtual view of the room.
When setting your budget, include tiles, flooring, lighting and furniture, and add around 10 per cent for contingencies.
Invest in new technology. With low-energy LED lighting and wireless Bluetooth speakers streaming music, the bathroom has become a place to linger at the end of a long day.

Sleek solutions for small spaces

8 Series walk-in with swivel panel, from £1261, Merlyn Showering

For a spacious look, select semi-recessed basins and wall-hung loos – look out for 'short- projection' fittings that don't intrude so far into the room.
Using a run of slim-depth fitted furniture paired with a semi-countertop basin can give a small room a very streamlined look and is incredibly space-efficient.
If you fancy a wet room but don't have the space, a good alternative is a low-level tray surrounded by a frameless enclosure or panel, creating a walk-through or walk-in shower for a barely there look.

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