Bathroom Design Ideas: Creative | 4Homes

5. Lighting & Surfaces

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Bathroom lighting. Bathroom planning tips and hints

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5. Lighting & Surfaces (Image 5 of 6)

Lighting
This must be waterproof and flattering by day and by night. You can't afford to get this wrong.

Lighting is a crucial consideration whichever room you're designing in your house. Many of us leave it as an after thought, but good design means planning it up front.

With bathroom lighting, safety is as much a part of the design decision process as which fittings look good. Getting exactly the right artificial lighting is the key to the success of the room.

You have to think about lighting for every time of the day and night - what is your base light going to be? You need a source of constant light and when you look in the bathroom mirror, can you see to put on your makeup or to shave, and does the light flatter you?

For all you need to know about bathroom lighting, plus great buys, click here >> Surfaces
That's tiling, flooring and surrounds, and you can ruin the look if not chosen well. Of the many options on offer, which are most practical for wet areas?

The bathroom has to be a practical room. In fact, walls and floors can be totally waterproof like a fashionable wet room. For most of us a mixture of surfaces is more realistic. These days the choice is enormous, and it's really about getting the right one for your lifestyle.

Tips

Tiles are the most popular choice for around the bath or sink, on the walls and for flooring. Other options can give a very different look.
Wood is perfect for the country house feel. Paint the floorboards, use tongue and groove panelling on the walls, or around the bath. It's easy to waterproof with oil, paint or varnish. You just have to be quick to mop up water spills, as they'll cause the wood to swell.
Metals, such as stainless steel or copper, look modern and reflect the light. However, stainless steel gives a sterile, clinical look and it's difficult to keep clean and shiny.
Glass, whether clear or opaque, is great for a minimalist look. It's very easy to clean. You will need to waterproof the wall behind any glass with paint to keep it looking good. Glass should be laminated or tempered for use in bathrooms. Even so, it can still break.
Stone, such as marble or granite is essential for that classical or art deco look. It makes even the smallest bathroom look luxurious. It can be slippery when wet and is expensive and heavy, so check your floor can stand the weight.

Ceramic tiles are probably the most versatile surface covering of all because they'll work equally well on the floor or the wall.

For our guide to hard flooring, plus great buys, click here >> >

Click here for our gallery of inspiring bathroom design ideas >>