Perfect Small Shower Room for Swanage Farmhouse

Installing a new bathroom in this lovely old farmhouse in Swanage presented the Room H2o team with a challenge and a couple of surprises.

Working with old buildings is a pleasure, but they often present challenges and require a sympathetic approach.  Common design challenges include small rooms, low sloping ceilings and uneven walls and floors, not to mention age.  This bathroom presented many of the aforementioned challenges and on removing the old shower and tray, an unwelcome surprise.  The shower tray was only supported by 5mm thick plywood and was installed on expanding foam!

By far the biggest challenge faced by our bathroom installation team was the size of the bathroom.  The tight dimensions meant that only one trade could work in the room at any time.

On removing the shower, it was clear that the floor joists would need to be strengthened and a new plywood floor laid.  Before our tiler started work, we installed a special made to measure 1997x608mm Fiora Silex low profile shower tray in cream, with tray resized in-house by our shower team.

Although the design we created limited the wall tiles to the shower and around the window, once again the tight dimensions, sloping ceiling and features meant that our tiler had his work cut out!  For the furniture and sanitaryware stylish Ropher Rhodes R2 Halcyon basin unit in white is paired with a R2 Debut toilet.  The shower was finished off with a Roper Rhodes R2 Marine thermo shower bar and a minimalist Crosswater Design 1100mm minimalist shower screen – that delivered the final challenge.  Being too big to fit up the stairs, we had to remove all the spindles to make space, but the guys got it up to the bathroom in the end!

When it came to choosing flooring, the customer was keen on wood but felt that it was impractical. We suggested wood effect luxury vinyl flooring from the Karndean as an alternative.  Initially sceptical, they we amazed by its authenticity and the choice of finishes and chose Lime Washed Oak, with a lovely driftwood look, from the Knight Tile collection for their floor.

The customer was delighted with the finished room and we think that it is a great showcase for what can be achieved in a small space.  If we can help you to design and create your own small bathroom or shower room, please do contact David Auburn at the Room H2o showroom in Wareham for a design consultation.