bathrooms & wetrooms 29
Small is beautiful
With the average size of new builds decreasing across the UK with greater numbers of smaller households, Ash Chilver of HiB explains how to make sure compact bathrooms remain an attractive yet functional asset.
bathroom is increasingly becoming a place for solace, where an individual can go to enjoy some valuable ‘me-time’. So, when it comes to design, while a bathroom needs to be practical in terms of storage and function, it also needs to be stylish and comfortable. Over recent years, it has been widely reported
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that the average size of a newly built home in the UK is decreasing. This is due in part to an increase in smaller households, as space is at a premium. It is also as the result of more people choosing to live alone or co-habit with another person. As a consequence, an increasing number of properties are catering for single person use, and as such are incorporating more compact bathrooms and wetrooms. When you consider that the average bathroom
in new-build properties is becoming much smaller in size, interior layout and the furniture put into it becomes ever-more important.
Storage
In a bathroom with limited space, projection can be the main issue to consider when looking at storage options, along with how much avail- able floor space there is for the homeowner to use. Thankfully, many of the latest bathroom furniture products are being designed with this in mind. A wall-hung storage unit combined with a
wash basin offers a multifunctional solution that allows for clutter to be kept hidden away, while giving the illusion of space by creating the appearance it’s floating above the floor. Basins can be designed deeper, which minimises splashing and also doesn’t detract from the style of the unit. Where floor space is less of an issue but width
is, a slimmer floor standing unit can be specified, offering more storage within its height. Additional space can also be added in the form of a tall, slim unit that could fit in easily, making
little protrusion into the room. For added visual flow, and to bring the whole
look of the room together, it’s worth considering units with curved edges rather than corners. As well as adding a contemporary feel, this also means that where room is especially tight, there is less chance of the householder catching themselves on edges. In line with current trends, many of these
compact furniture solutions are available in matching neutral, minimalist looks and colour options. This is ideal for forming fluid, clean lines throughout with no disruption, able to make the room appear smaller while adding contemporary appeal.
Ventilation
Another area for consideration is ventilation. En-suite style bathrooms and wetrooms in
particular create a lot of mist and damp across the entire room, which if left can run the risk of mould developing, eventually causing damage to the property. Installing a good, high powered extractor fan
is essential, as most humidity and steam is likely to be omitted from the shower. The most effective position for an extractor fan to be located is directly above it. Modern extractor fans, while high powered,
are designed to be much less noisy than their older counterparts. For a quiet and haven-like bathroom, the recommended noise level for a fan is no higher than 40 db. Some of the newest products are also avail-
able with LED lighting incorporated into the design. This means the fan can be subtly matched to the lighting, or where ceiling space is limited, act as the sole light over the shower.
respond online at
www.hbdonline.co.uk
he British love their bathrooms. On average, UK residents spend around 100 hours a year in the bath or shower. The
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