What's on your wish list for a new bathroom?

Here's a selection of what we have been asked for when designing, specifying and installing new bathrooms.

A powerful invigorating shower with enough space to move in

Bossini Shower with Axor Starck shower controls

Plenty of storage solutions (can you ever have enough?)

Burgbad Lavo in Matt Reed

I want my bathroom to be: sleek and stylish / neutral / with a wow factor / practical family / boutique hotel ... and almost anything else you can think of we have heard!  This is where a specialist bathroom designer comes into their own and can specify products that will meet your wish-list in a design as individual as you are.

• A comfortable bath to soak in - here we show a couple of favourites with many of our clients the Victoria and Albert Amalfi slipper style bath shown here with Piano Black exterior, and the modern Teuco Wilmotte bath

Victoria + Albert's AMALFI bath in Piano Black

   

Teuco Paper bath with whirlpool - on display in the Soak in Style showroom

Enjoy a soak to relax away the day

• Mirror cabinet with shaver socket and storage - this is a must for hiding all those messy bits and pieces away

Dansani Mirror Cabinet with shaver / toothbrush holder socket

Can we ever have enough storage?  Dansani Abu Look

We can offer a wide assortment of mirror cabinets including Soundsystem from Duravit, which has an integrated sound system - you can stream music via your smartphone!

Duravit Happy D Mirror Cabinet with SoundSystem

Open the doors on the Duravit Happy D Mirror Cabinet and see the Duravit SoundSystem

The quality of sound is amazing - even on an exhibition stand where we first heard it!

• More space

Design of bathroom with walk-in shower and plenty of storage

This is where a designer can see at a glance how to make the best use of your space, and where to add storage

• Somewhere to dry towels and add warmth

Bisque Hot Spring; Bisque Finn Purple; Bisque Seta

The Bisque Seta is also available as Seta Towel for use in bathrooms.
Here is a selection of towel warmers we have used in a some bathrooms we have installed recently.

Bathroom Towel Warmers - bathrooms by Soak in Style

You can choose from a huge selection of towel warmers in all shapes, sizes and colours!

•  Traditional with a twist

 Many of us live in older houses and whilst cutting edge modern works in some homes, some of us prefer to keep a traditional style in our bathroom.  Again this is where a specialist bathroom designer can make a huge difference. 

Soak in Style Design - Traditional with a Twist bathroom plan

Our client was very specific in her brief of the sort of look she wanted to achieve, dark rooms that are well lit with funky but traditional style additions.

Soak in Style Design - Traditional with a Twist bathroom plan from a different angle

• Warm floor

Underfloor heating - a feline favourite

We always recommend underfloor heating if there is a shower, or in a family bathroom where there might be some water spills from children.  Nothing beats having toasty warm tiles on a cold winters evening - and if you have any cats in the family they will think so too!

• All the latest gadgets

For those who want a TV in the bathroom, or a high-powered shower, a whirlpool spa bath or a shower bidet we can guide you in the right direction.

So you've had a wish-list for a long time, and with one thing and another you haven't got round to making the big decision.  But finally, it's time for a new bathroom!  Bathrooms are used daily by everyone in the family, but they can also be a retreat at the end of your day.  They are often used by your guests, so this is something to bear in mind when planning what you want.  A new bathroom can add significantly to the value of your property, and a fully trained bathroom designer can help you make the most use of space and come up with suggestions you may not think of within your budget.

Looking for a new bathroom?  Come and see our showroom in Maidenhead, contact us by email sales@soakinstyle.com or call us on 01628 783686. 

Our Creative Director was a Finalist for the KBBR Awards - Bathroom Designer of the Year 2013, 2012, 2011.

Soak in Style offer a bespoke design and installation service, or supply only. 

10 steps to a well planned bathroom

No matter what size your bathroom is, if it is well designed then every day it will be a joy to use.
So what are the key elements that make a bathroom well done and yet highly functional?

Here are our ten easy steps to get you on the road to a fabulous, functional and yet relaxing bathroom.

1. Perfect Positioning
One of the most important aspects to a well planned bathroom is the placement of key items such as the WC, basin unit and bath or shower (or both).  Constraints from the positioning of the soil pipe must be taken into account, but it is always preferable not to have your WC as the first thing you set eyes on when you enter!

2. Super Storage - choose a basin unit with drawers underneath giving you more options, and if you have the room consider a matching or mirrored cupboard.  Can you ever have enough storage?  Are you are super minimalistic?  Or are you a clutter junkie and have vast collections of bathing / shower products, shaving gear, beauty products, toothbrush (usually electric nowadays) ... and the list goes on.
Drawer organisers are virtually essential in any well planned bathroom, and can make such a difference to finding your things quickly.

In the family bathroom you need to allow for plenty of bathroom storage.

3. Accessories - think of them while you are planning your bathroom, it's always more expensive to have someone come back to the house and put these in.

You will need the 4 essentials that we include in any bathroom design;
Soak Dispenser
Toilet Brush
Toilet Roll Holder
Towel rail / ring

Don’t forget to think about hooks - these  are essential for hanging your clothes or dressing gown on.  If you have not chosen a mirror cabinet with an electric point for either a shaver or more commonly nowadays, an electric toothbrush, you will need a mug for your toothbrush and toothpaste.

4. Towel Warmer - not only useful for hanging towels on, but provides warmth in the bathroom and means your towels can be toasty warm at any time of the year.  There is huge range of different shapes, sizes and colours to choose from, your only limitations are your imagination - or your budget!

5. Underfloor Heating
We always recommend this as it means an end to all those freezing floors when you step out of the bath or shower.

It is essential if you have a shower - particularly a walk-in shower or wet room as it speedily dries the floor area.  If you have cats you will find this is where they will spend their time!

6. Shelving
Always useful when built in to the shower area, and we make a design feature of it with clever use of mosaics.

7. Use space wisely
This is where a fully trained bathroom designer can really help, they can come up with ideas you never even think of, ensuring that every bit of space is used to it's fullest potential.

8. Ease of Use
With so many stunning bathroom products now available it can be easy to get overwhelmed by it all and forget that you need a practical, functional room that fits all your requirements.  A bathroom is not something that you think of replacing every year, it is a major expenditure that usually has a minimum lifespan of 10 years.  So it is important to get it right and this really where it is worth taking the advice of your local friendly bathroom showroom with knowledgeable staff that can give you specialist design and technical advice.

9. Tiling
Unless you have an existing wooden floor that you want to keep you should plan to tile the floor, any wall area where a shower is, around the bath - at least to allow for splashes - and a splash-back for the basin.

Fully tiled bathroom with walk-in shower and bath

Fully tiled shower room

 We find in a contemporary bathroom our clients prefer to fully tile, and for traditional bathrooms there are tiles that look like wooden flooring which are very popular.

Porcelain wood effect tiles from Piemme on display in the Soak in Style Showroom

Wood effect flooring, mosaic shower area and built in shelf

10.  Tanking the Floor
 We always recommend this tanking the floor as a belt and braces action, and regard it as essential when installing a wet room.