Elizabeth I of England began a long lasting trend when she decided some 400 years ago to take a bath once a month. Over time her subjects decided to join this trend and today bathroom design and renovation forms a major sector of the home renovation market.

Bathrooms are an integral part of the home nowadays and can be areas where relaxation is a major consideration. A wide range of products and finishes is available to suit your décor and budget. Effect can be created by clever use of colour and design and does not always necessitate using the most expensive of products and finishes.

The array of products however, seems endless — bidets, baths, toilet suites, showers, spas, vanities, pedestal basins, different shower heads, sauna and steam showers, water temperature controllers, light, fans, tiles, paints, wallpapers, shower screens, under floor heating and so on. Try to consider which features are necessary and try not to leave out those whose absence later may cause regret. Storage is often overlooked as is ventilation and good quality waterproofing is imperative.

While a modern trend is to tiling floor to ceiling, cottage themed bathrooms often feature less wall tiling and may only be skirting tiled except in the shower recess, behind the bath and vanity. Mosaic tiles are increasingly popular and they too are often taken to the ceiling where ceilings are not too high. A most attractive look is achieved with floor and wall mosaics being of the same size and inlays and colours determining the pattern and style.

Renovating a bathroom inevitably requires a reassessment of the quality and effectiveness of the waterproofing. Use this link to visit our page on bathroom renovations which includes information on the most effective ways of tackling this key aspect of renovating.