Bathroom Transformation Project

This bathroom was feeling tired and outdated as well as small for a family of 4, so we undertook a project to change it beyond recognition.

A before video of the space

The main architectural things we wanted to change about the space were utilising a cupboard space to the left of the door where the old boiler used to be situated. This, when it was replaced was relocated into the loft space, so we instantly had more space to use. The same amount of cupboard space was in the next door bedroom, which again was used for excess storage, but this could be rehoused elsewhere and used more successfully for a larger bathroom space.

We planned the layout with the bathroom company (Stanley Services) who would be doing the project for us, and planned to have the bath with shower to the left of the door as it would fit this space pretty much perfectly (we did have to move the door very slightly to the right to fit this in, but this was fairly easily done.)

We also wanted two sinks in the space so that when using the bathroom it felt like we had more room to use the sinks with a growing family and not feel like we needed to queue up to take our turn.

My husband wanted to get rid of the bath completely and just have a walk in shower, but I (and my two small sons ) wanted the bath to stay. I would have loved a free standing bath and separate shower but there was not the room to do this, so as with all projects (generally speaking) there is always a compromise somewhere. Are you team bath, team shower or team both?

A progress update half way through, with the space from the cupboards knocked out to the left, the space is already feeling bigger.

We had the whole room re plastered (something I wish we had done before the last renovation we did when we first moved in as the walls were quite uneven) and then it was time to fit the bath and start with the tiling.

We had tiles on the wall from Porcelain Superstore and the bath panel matched these too, and the windowsills. We opted for underfloor heating and tiles from Ca Pietra on the floor.

For finishing touches, we added black taps, rainforest shower head and separate shower hose and matching black towel radiator. The two sink units were pink with black handles, and we added two black LED touch light mirrors.

To keep the sink surfaces clean we added wall mounted hand soap dispensers and added bespoke labels to them. One of my most unexpected favourite features is the wall mounted shaver socket and electric toothbrush charger. We all use electric toothbrushes in our house so this is a revelation. By having it wall mounted, it keeps the surfaces clean and uncluttered and free of wires so that we don't have to plug in toothbrush wired docks every time we want to charge a toothbrush making it look untidy. This was a fleeting suggestion by our contractors and I'm so glad we had the conversation!

Finally to style the space, we chose some towels and matching bath mat from John Lewis by Margo Selby, a fig leaf plant from Beards and Daisies and a scented candle and matching diffuser from Artibus Yard in Kenilworth.

All other prints and details were from our previous bathroom and we painted the walls with Farrow and Ball paint. The ceiling was a Dulux white bathroom paint.

I hope you agree it's a transformation for the better, and we love using it. It feels like a funky hotel bathroom, and now with colder mornings, the underfloor heating is a treat for the feet. It is spacious and contemporary and that yellow paint, I just can't help but smile when I walk into the bathroom.

If you need a little more 1-1 help with designing, planning and styling a room scheme then I’d love to help. You can email me at hello@laurenmayinteriors.com or call/ text on 07712185467. You can find out more about my services on my website www.laurenmayinteriors.com and my portfolio projects. There are also some lovely kind words from some of the people I've worked with so you start to get an idea of what it would be like to work with me and why it's worth paying for an interior designer like me so that you get it right first time round.

I can’t wait to hear from you and learn about your project.

Lauren X