'Coz you'll sink in here for a revamp'

You have made the down payment on your perfect home and are waiting to move in. One of your major goals is to design that ‘just right' bathroom where you can wash your stresses away and spend some quality ‘me' time.

Bathroom catalogues are often overwhelming with their huge choices. You need to weigh the pros and cons cleverly and create something that works for your space and budget.

Bear in mind that this is not an easy area because it packs a large kit — plumbing, electrics, storage, not to mention the hardware for such a tight space. Remember you do not have to buy every single thing from one shop. Some of the best bathrooms have their various components sourced from very diverse sources.

First step, of course, is the planning. There should be no compromises made whilst going through this stage. Spend the maximum time on this step, planning carefully where each and everything goes. Take lots of advice. Do not imagine you can do it yourself because it is a lot harder than it looks.

The most important thing is to calculate the space you have. Without precise measurements your plan will be pointless. Don't mix metric and imperial measurements and measure it twice just to be sure. It will be an expensive waste of valuable time and will be very exasperating if the products you buy don't fit.

Showroom for guests

Think about what you want from this bathroom, who will use it and how often. Is it the main family bathroom, an ensuite to the master bedroom or a shower room for guests?

If space is a real concern, are you prepared to forego one element of the bathroom in order to accommodate another?

All of this can help you decide on the type and size of products you need and spotlight your attention and perhaps your resources on the areas which are most vital.

If it is for all the family to use, you will probably want to make it as adaptable and practical as possible, perhaps setting up a shower over the bath and fitting two sinks which can help to hasten things up in the morning.

By including heaps of space for all the bottles of shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath which gather, you can keep the untidiness to a minimum but keep everything you need at hand. If it is an ensuite, then perhaps a hydro-massage shower cabin or spa bath is what you are looking for. Guest bathrooms may just require an uncomplicated shower enclosure with a toilet and sink. A double shower is also another thing most canny contemporary bathrooms are opting for.

A shower can be installed over a bath, but more and more people are choosing to forfeit the bath and use the space for a separate larger shower space with a power shower, hydro-massage body jets and steam cabin instead. Plan it in at this early stage and you can avoid spoiling work you have already completed, particularly if there is a lot of building work and tiling to do.

Also allow space for standing and sitting, getting in and out of the bath or shower, etc. Space saving ideas can be created with bathroom mirrors or glass shelves.

Aesthetics

Once you have got the planning down to a ‘t', it is time for the aesthetics. A very modern look right now is injecting a bright shot of colour by way of one wall or even just the sink unit. A clever way of adding colour without breaking the bank is not to go in for an entire coloured suite but by keeping all the hardware white but maybe just the storage unit in wild raspberry.

A cheaper alternative would be to pick up funky colourful accessories such as towels, shower curtains, soap dishes and medicine cabinets. But remember, this is not an area where economic compromises should be made. Like everything else, you get what you pay for and splurging on a really well-appointed bathroom is something you will always be grateful for.

If your bathroom is on the diminutive side, think canny. Under sink units, lots of wall hung storage and over door handles, rails etc., are what you have to install.

Counter top sinks are now the way forward. Looking like bowls placed on a counter, they make the old fashioned pedestal sink look passé and makes the floor easier to clean too.

Pay attention to the details and think of taps, shower heads etc., as the finishing touches to a great outfit. It can make or break the space.

The minimal look, if pulled off properly can look fantastic but remember this is probably the toughest one to achieve despite the fact that it looks the easiest. The reason being that it's all about sleek sophistication; you need to spend a fair amount of money to make this look work successfully.
Another very modern look is to pack in major punches such as waterfall faucets to antique vanities. An old vintage bureau like perhaps a 1930s mirrored vanity can look stunning in this space.

A place for everything: Include lots of space for all the bottles of shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath close at hand to keep untidiness to a minimum.