About the layout: the average bathroom doesn’t have more than 4-6 items of sanitary ware, i.e. bath, shower, 1-2 basins, toilet, bidet, nevertheless their positioning is very important for the appearance and use of the room.

The toilet. The plumbers love to place this item on an outside wall to have as short as possible waste pipe to install, so it frequently ends up opposite the entrance door. It is not a good idea – with all due respect to the necessity of the loo – to have it dominating the bathroom. A place next to the bath is also not too pleasant. A place that is screened by the entrance door upon entering is a better place. Ideally toilet and bidet are located in a separate room which can be entered without having to go through the entire bathroom.

When the toilet is placed away from an outside wall the waste pipes can be installed right through the floor slab to the main sewer pipe. If that is not possible – particularly on upper floors the waste pipe can be boxed in, such creating a step or – higher: a ledge.

The appearance of all the necessary pipes on the outside of the house must also be taken into consideration. They can be hidden by planters, shutters or turned into a feature.

The ideal toilet is wall hung, allowing for adjustment in height according to the user’s requirement, also easier for cleaning the floor.

For classic or “Victorian” bathrooms the toilet sits on the floor, but should not have the ugly cement base which is often found in old houses. Floor standing toilets must be installed after floor tiling.

The bath. Very popular at present are big free standing bathtubs. They should be really “freestanding”, meaning not placed against a wall and only be installed if space allows. Put against a wall it is difficult to clean under the bath and to reach something that has fallen behind the unit.

. Some sort of table should be close to the bath to allow for putting down bathing utensils, champagne glasses, candles and other necessities.

Towels – preferably heated – should also be not too far away.

A bath – and for that matter – any bathroom items should not be elevated from the floor. It looks nice in movies and in showrooms, but steps in the bathroom are very dangerous.

Sunken baths are another item for showrooms and films, in reality it is difficult to get in and out – and what is one doing being level with the floor anyway?

Another possibility is a jetted bath which can be useful for relaxation and as massage.

Children may enjoy coloured lights in the bathtub.

The basins. In most bathrooms today one will find 2 basins. In most cases they are placed next to each other which is easier for the plumber, but installing them in single places gives the user more space

For a  couple of years now basins sitting on top of the vanity slab are very popular. It is a question of personal taste – and fashion. It is important to have enough space for all necessary items next to the basin, on the vanity top or a niche in the wall behind or next to the basin.

Floor standing vanity cabinets have now been replaced by lighter structures. The old cabinets had to hide ugly plumbing pipes and were totally useless as storage, because it was difficult to reach in and always damp. Today pretty chrome pipes and bottle traps make a statement in a modern bathroom.

The fashion for coloured sanitary ware comes and goes. If you choose blue or green for bath and basin you will consider replacing it after latest 8 to 10 years. Coloured sanitary ware dates! White is neutral. Black makes a certain impression ….

Period bathrooms or “quirky” bathrooms are exemptions.

Taps are fashion items as well. Chrome for taps and accessories is safe.

Taps and accessories for period bathrooms can be nickel, gold or copper.

The shower. Today shower floors are the same level as the bathroom floor, no more steps to climb over! The shower floor is slightly sloped toward the waste outlet and the surrounding panels and door prevent water running into the bathroom.

Plumbers like to place the waste in the centre of the shower cubicle with the result that the person using the shower blocks the waste by standing on the outlet. Better to have the waste outlet in a corner or to have a strip waste outlet, which is very chic.

A seat in the shower is practical and convenient and can be built in and tiled.

Showers can double up as steam showers, which requires a sloped roof (usually glass) over the shower cubicle and space for the steam-generator (usually outside the bathroom). Steam showers come with the most sophisticated setting-panels.

Bathroom doors must always open into the room.

Doors should be installed in such a way that they cannot hit a person standing at one of the basins.

Sliding doors are useless.

Furniture. It is nice to have a bathroom big enough to allow for a chair or even a bench to rest, cabinets or open shelves for storage of bathroom items like towels or even for some decorations, they can be enhanced by special lighting.

Please no “medicine cabinet” in the bathroom! Medicine doesn’t take the changing temperature and humidity easily and should be stored in a dry and cool place like the bedroom for instance. As the medicine cabinets are usually installed behind basins bottles falling out break when hitting the basin underneath and can damage the basin as well. Talking from personal experience!

Lighting in the bathroom has two functions. Firstly it has to be bright for make-up and shaving, secondly it has to be soft to create a relaxed atmosphere.

For the grooming purpose light has to be next or behind the mirror and as bright as possible.

Mirrors should not be installed opposite windows.

For relaxing a dimmer can be installed in the general lighting. Recessed down lighters are popular, even in the shower, but should not be fitted over the bath, as it is uncomfortable to look straight into the light when soaking in the bath.

Hanging lights give nice effects but by law lightbulbs must not be exposed to humidity; that makes all the fancy chandeliers impossible.

Flooring. Most bathrooms in SA have tiled floors, but there are other possibilities: like Cemcrete, wood – in particular Bamboo, Terrazzo, Marble or “Quartz Carpet”, a seamless quartz-based flooring system.

The shower floor must be non-slippery. Usually mosaic tiles, pebbles od other small tiles are used. The tiles used over all in the bathroom can be cut into smaller pieces, so that shower-and bathroom floor match in appearance.

Along the walls must be skirting of the same-or similar material as the floor, about 150mm high, in period bathrooms up to 300mm. Skirting tiles are finished off by bevelling or listellos, wood skirting usually has a decorative moulding.

Fitted carpets are not used anymore, loose carpets can become dangerous when slipping. A nice idea is to have animal hide, which doesn’t slip easily.

Heating. Under tile heating, even in the shower, is the most comfortable way to keep the bathroom cosy. Installation is not very expensive, but running it can become costly.

In small bathrooms a heated towel rail can double up as a source of warmth.

In period bathrooms an open fireplace is a very nice feature; it can be run on gas if the bath room is well ventilated.

Ventilation is very important, because mould caused by the always appearing damp is a health hazard. If opening windows is not sufficient, a ventilator can be installed into an outside wall.

The walls. Nowadays bathrooms are not tiled to the ceiling anymore. Only walls in showers and steam rooms need this sort of protection. Ceramic or porcelain tiles are available in a large variety of pattern, colours and sizes, but there are also naturel stone, marble, slate or tiles looking like them.

The walls in general can be plastered and painted or covered with waterproof wallpaper.

For period bathrooms painted wood panelling is the right thing.

Water. According to the new building regulations a certain amount of hot water must be prepared by solar panels or heat pumps.

Waste water from shower, bath and basins can be piped into the garden for irrigation.

Extensions of bathrooms – like any other rooms – should be undertaken with the advice of an architect, as there may be structural or even legal consequences.

Application for approval of a building plan may be required by the City Council. The architect will take care of all this.

The new building regulations require inter alia double glazing, insulated ceilings and floors.

Renovations or Re-styling must be done very carefully not to clash with the rest of the house. It is not as traumatic and disturbing family life like a kitchen renovation, because usually there is a second bathroom in the house that can be used temporarily.

Windows. Over and above the request for double glazing all sorts of fancy and even coloured glass is available. Window panes (and shower panels) can be sandblasted, bevelled or opaque; stained glass is nice in period bathrooms.

Glass bricks should only be used in big amounts, to avoid looking “diy”.

Curtains can play a dramatic role in a big bathroom. For smaller bathrooms blinds – made of wood or fabric are suitable. Beautiful – but not cheap – are shutter doors.

Entertainment. Piped music can be installed as well as television. To read books or magazines in the bath a “cradle” placed across the bathtub can take the paper.

Health. If the bathroom is big gym equipment can be arranged there. It is good to exercise in the humid air of a bathroom and a shower to get rid of the sweat after workout is not far.

Decoration. Other than decorative tiles and mosaics, painted walls and fancy light fittings, sculptures and plants can turn the bathroom into a fairy tale world.

Outdoors. If possible a secret garden can enhance the appearance of the bathroom and make it look bigger. A shower in the open is a nice experience.

Open Plan. Bathroom and bedroom can be combined. Obviously the toilet has to be separated – and not with a totally transparent glass door as seen in a very expense residence recently!

Design and Installation. An experienced interior designer is a good source of assistance and information. She can explain the various technicalities, advise on style and colour scheme, can prepare a budget and control the costs and quality of workmanship during installation.

Call Laura at 083 294 4419 or 011 463 5011. She will design your bathroom according to your likes and requirements, take you to various show rooms and helps you with the choice of the necessary items for the bathroom. She will attend the installation and assist with cost control if required.