Good bathroom design and high-quality products are essential if you want to make the most of your space. From bathroom layout ideas to choosing sanitaryware, Phil Etherden, the Managing Director behind Essex-based The Albion Bath Co, gives his expert advice on how to achieve the ultimate bathroom.

Pictured above: Tubby Torre Duo in 'Burnished' Bronze, from £2,894.00.  Image supplied by Little Greene.

How to Design a Bathroom

The key to good bathroom design lies in careful planning. Phil explains “We all aspire to the sumptuous free-standing bath in the middle of a large room with a massive chandelier hanging over the top. However, consider that most bathrooms, even in large houses, are no more than 12 square metres! So, even with this amount of floor space, plan carefully and you can still create a stunning result.”

Pictured above left: Tubby Tub from £1756.00. Image supplied by Khoollect.

When approaching a bathroom design, start by analysing the current room, noting what works well and what doesn’t. Phil comments “One of the most important considerations when creating a new bathroom design is defining who will be using the room the most, their individual needs and how these might evolve over time. For instance, a family bathroom will need to be practical and usually requires a bath, lots of storage and splash proof surfaces, whereas a master ensuite can afford to focus a little more on luxury and fixtures.”

Layout considerations

The bathroom layout is largely dictated by the shape and size of your space. Phil advises “When it comes to deciding where you’re going to position your bathroom fittings, my advice is to think about how they're used and in what order. I often recommend that the sink or basin is placed closest to the door, as it is often the last stop in most bathroom routines. The toilet and other fittings can then be further into the room. This not only provides more privacy but saves you from walking through puddles left behind by people stepping out of the bath of shower.”

Pictured above: Compact Bathroom featuring;Volda Basin (from £340.00) with Chrome stand (from £1198.00), Manette taps; From £256.00, Volda back to wall toilet: From £713.00 and Walnut Toilet Seat: £219.00.

Above Top: Tubby Too Double Ended Bath from £2133.00. Above Bottom Tubby Torre Plinth Bath from £2541.00.

Small bathrooms will require meticulous planning. Phil offers the following tips “With a smaller space, the trick is to maximise the visible floor area, so use a free-standing bath on feet or a plinth. High Level Toilets will create more visible space as the cistern is above eye level and wall mounted basins won’t take valuable floor area. If possible, position your bath so it’s the first piece seen when you open the door. Bathtubs are now considered decorative as well as functional, so use the bath as a feature piece. Conversely, position the toilet in a discreet area but give thought to the soil pipe routing. Above all else, don't be tempted into cramming large items into a small room. The effect will be to lose all aesthetic value while making the room look small and cluttered.”

Phil’s Top Tips for Speeding up a Bathroom Renovation

1. My top tip is to make every tiny decision in advance. It really slows down the process if customers try to make decisions when the renovation is in progress. Tradespeople often need everything on site before they can begin work, so look at the lead times for everything and be organised.

2. Have a detailed layout plan that you can share with your tradespeople, that way everyone knows what is going where, this will hopefully avoid any work being redone, which will slow things down as well as add to costs. The electrician and plumber, for example, will need to know where in the room pipework and electrics will need to go at the design stage.

3. There may be unexpected issues found at the construction stage and it can take time to adapt to these, so factor this into your contingency plan. Common issues include rotten floorboards, leaking pipes, or old electrics.

Choosing a Bath

When choosing the bath itself, there are many styles and sizes to choose from. Phil explains “It is important to consider whether you are wanting a traditional or contemporary feel for your room; bathtubs are available in many styles with roll-top or flat top, single or double ended, along with many possible feet or plinths options. There is also the option to have a freestanding bath that is designed to fit flush against a wall or even to use as a shower bath.”

Phil continues “Don’t assume just because you have a small space you can’t accommodate a bath. We have over 50 models available including our perfectly proportioned 'Tubby' baths that are only 1200 mm long, all the way up to luxurious baths that are an impressive 2200 mm long for the most generous sized bathroom spaces.”

Pictured above: Imperium Plinth from £2578.00

While cast iron is traditional for baths, it does have inherent drawbacks including extreme weight and heat loss. Acrylics or cast stone resin composites are modern alternatives but remember that some cheaper substitutes may not provide sufficient strength. Phil suggests “The baths we supply are made from our unique Iso-Enamel material. This was developed from an amalgam of special minerals and stone powders, which ensures that our baths will retain heat in the bathing water, giving bathers the ultimate luxurious experience for longer. It is also less than half the weight of cast iron - so customers can have the cast iron look without having to spend hundreds on reinforcing their bathroom floor. Believe it or not, the average weight of an Albion tub is a mere 70kg.”

Pictured above Left: Tubby Torre Dee in 'Burnished' Iron, from £2710.00.Above Right: Tubby Tub finished in 'Burnished' Gold from £1756.00.

Colour is another area to consider, with more and more people moving away from the idea of a plain white bathroom. Incorporating a freestanding bath in a bold shade really does change the feel of the whole scheme. “We’ve seen customers combine a brightly coloured bath to a feature wall for a really strong look, while others make a statement by making a metallic bath the star of the show.” Comments Phil. 

Pictured above Left: Tubby Too Double Ended Bath shown in Farrow & Ball Pigeon from £2133.00. Above Right Tubby Torre Plinth Bath  from £2541.00.

Choosing a Basin

Whatever the bathroom dimensions, don’t skimp on the size of your basin. A double basin works particularly well in a luxurious ensuite setting, whereas in smaller spaces, wall-mounted basins or semi-pedestal designs are great for creating the illusion of more floor space. “When choosing the right basin for your bathroom, it is important to take your plumbing into consideration. Pedestal basins are ideal if your wall cannot support the weight of a wall hanging option and will cover your plumbing routing if this cannot be hidden into the wall easily.” Phil advises.

Pictured above left to right: Albion Classic Console, Price available on request. Albion Classic 600, Price available on request.

Choosing Bathroom Furniture

Bathroom storage can often be overlooked as the bath or shower usually takes centre stage. Phil recommends “Storage is incredibly important and is worth serious consideration. There are two general schools of thought on the subject - either hide the storage area or go bold and make it a design feature. A beautiful vanity unit can make your basin a focal point, as well as providing that much needed storage for cleaning materials and lotions and potions. For a more contemporary theme, a wall hung unit with sliding drawers is a popular solution.”

Coloured sanitaryware has made a firm comeback and is great for injecting personality into what can often be a clinical space. “We are seeing a huge increase in interest for coloured baths and bathroom furniture from our customers, and often in luxuriously bold shades such as navy, emerald green and deep crimson. Personally, I love to see a bath in a dramatic jewel-toned colour, it adds an instant luxurious feel to any bathroom.” Phil adds.

Choosing Brassware

Taps are the only true mechanical component in the bathroom, so durability and reliability are key. The fitting cost of expensive or cheap products will be the same - so make sure you buy products that will last.

Pictured above Left: Beaufort Mixer tap from £712.00.

Bottom Left: Manette Bath Filler, Deck Mounted from £615.00. Manette Conce

Phil offers the following advice “Don’t overlook practicality for look. Choose materials that have a luxury feel, are durable and won’t stain. I recommend not using bare brass taps for example, as it will look awful in years to come and will also stain surrounding materials with the inevitable verdigris. Taps that are unbelievably cheap won’t be made from good materials, so choose wisely. The saying 'buy cheap - buy twice’ is certainly true of many bathroom fittings, so consider carefully which products need to be sturdy and durable.”

Choosing a Shower Solution

The flow rate into a shower enclosure is one calculation that needs to be considered. Check with your boiler manufacturer as to flow and pressure. Phil offers his expert advice “Water systems fall into three main categories; Gravity – which generally suffers from low pressure, Combination Boiler – often good pressure but can lack water flow, or a Pressurised System with a storage tank. This last option can combine good flow and pressure and is the preferred system for good showering. Find out what you have and choose a shower system to suit.”

Pictured above:  Walk in for recess shower enclosure 1350 x 1500mm screen and tray £2165.00.

Phil adds “To get high water flow in low pressure gravity systems, you can also use shower valves that have large internal bores and water ways. There’s no need to compromise on performance, your plumber can install a special pump to create an exhilarating shower experience. Naturally, you want the shower controls to match your basin and bath taps, so choose a range that covers all areas of bathroom water control.”

In terms of trends, Phil summarises with the following insight “His & hers ensuites have been rapidly growing in popularity with features such as double basin vanity units and twin showers. Not only do they provide an aesthetically pleasing room symmetry often found in luxurious hotels and spas, but they also offer practical advantages.  The trend has been largely driven by the professional couples who require a space to prepare for the day ahead simultaneously, thus maintaining relationship peace and harmony!”