insideout
The majority of new homes today usually have two bathrooms in addition to a downstairs cloakroom, meaning that design can be tricky. Should housebuilders be opting for a cohesive look, or should each room be able to stand out individually? Either way, it’s a definite that buyers are expecting to be impressed. “With the bathroom now equal in importance to the kitchen when selling a home, the wow factor needs to be instant,” says Kevin Tolson, sales and marketing director of Moores Furniture Group. “The key to this is to make it unforgettable and make potential buyers already imagine that it’s theirs. Little touches such as touch sensor mirrors and clever storage solutions make the bathroom seem real, and that it can be lived in while maintaining the same wow factor which was felt the very first time someone steps into it.”
And that, after all, is the point of storage. We hear time and time again how important it is to be able to hide away everyday clutter with ease, and this really is the only way to keep a home looking like the show home buyers signed up to. “At Aquadi, we believe that storage
should be a vital consideration from the outset when planning bathrooms,” explains Robert Newton, building division marketing manager of Symphony Group. “Often the bathroom is ignored until the last moment, but if the bathroom is considered during the planning stages, then the design and layout can optimise the space available to include fitted storage solutions. Moreover, with the trend for smaller bathrooms increasing across the UK, storage solutions have never been more important.” Sara Johnston, marketing and communications manager for Geberit,
agrees. “Storage is all-important and without it the bathroom simply won’t function on a practical level,” she says. “Cleverly solutions are available to help housebuilders integrate storage into the overall design of the room though, without the need to go down the fitted furniture route, but these do need to be planned in at the outset to ensure there is adequate storage available, particularly in the family bathroom.” And storage is equally as important
in the master en suite, especially since size is usually pretty tight in this all-important room. “Space is usually at a premium in UK en suites, so buyers are also looking for a well-planned area that incorporates clever storage solutions to help reduce clutter and make the most of the available space,” adds Andrew Bullingham, commercial director at Kirby Sebastian. “Sleek, curving wall mounted basin drawers
look contemporary but provide plenty of storage, thereby keeping clutter hidden.” But while buyers may be demanding clever cabinetry, the government’s requirements of saving water are even more important. With the update of Part G of the Building Regulations and the Code for Sustainable Homes setting a new maximum of 120 litres per person per day for all new homes, housebuilders are now under pressure to choose more water efficient bathroom products, while still delivering quality, durability and luxury. “Water saving is a factor which must be taken into consideration when working on any new development,” explains Carolyn Harrison, residential contracts manager for C.P. Hart. “There are a number of manufacturers who have responded well to the code for sustainable homes issue by supplying flow regulated products in a
THIS IMAGE Designed and built in Britain, Coram shower enclosures are among the fastest to fit
ABOVE RIGHT The BAGNOVISION mirror cleverly incorporates a 19” high density TV into the mirror
RIGHT The Savina painted timber door from Moores 90| May 2013 showhouse
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