Bathroom Design Ideas

Non-Slip Tiles For Safe & Stylish Bathrooms

February 17, 2017

When it comes to bathroom design, there’s more to think about than how aesthetically pleasing it will be. Of course, style plays a large part in your planning, but you should also consider how to make your bathroom a safe place to be – from the layout to choosing anti-slip tiles for the floor.

Impey linear wetroom floor former with black non-slip porcelain floor tiles
While there’s no way to guarantee 100% non-slip in a bathroom, wet room or any other area that will be prone to wet conditions or spillage, there are things you can do to dramatically reduce the chances of slipping, and make it a safer place to be.

Floor tiles for slip resistance

There aren’t actually any building regulations around reducing slip hazards, so the safety aspects of your bathroom design are down to personal choice. There are, however, laws and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines for the use of floor tiles in commercial environments – like a restaurant kitchen or hotel bathrooms.

It’s important to remember that ALL surfaces can become slippery when wet – whatever floor tiles or wall tiles you opt for in your bathroom design. However, non-slip tiles are given ‘ratings’ based on slip-resistance testing. ‘R-Ratings’ is one of the systems used, with results of tiles ranging from R-9 to R-13, and the higher the rating, the better slip resistance.

Tiles are also rated by the more accurate ‘pendulum test value’ (PTV). Porcel-Thin is one of the leading UK porcelain tile brands, and employs this rigorous testing regime in-house, on its own fabulous range of non-slip, ultra-thin porcelain tiles, which are available through our sister company, UK Tiles Direct.

Using anti-slip tiles in your bathroom design

Anti-slip tiles vary in styles, effects and textures, so you can find the perfect floor tile or wall tile to work with your bathroom design. Just because you’re considering safety, it doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style. Think about the material you want to use in your overall design – whether you’re embracing the natural look that’s hugely popular in modern bathrooms, or a traditional theme, there’s a wide range of stylish anti-slip tiles to sit perfectly within any bathroom design.

Stylish and modern bathroom with Impey wet shower room floor and non-slip floor tiles

Stunning effects of porcelain tiles and ceramic tiles

Porcelain tiles and ceramic tiles are the perfect choice for both walls and floors, offering a stunning backdrop. And, other than cutting, porcelain tiles and ceramic tiles need no other applications or treatments before being fitted in a bathroom or wetroom.

With modern technology allowing for exceptionally realistic reproductions of natural stone and wood, you can enjoy all the durability of a porcelain or ceramic tile, with the fabulous characteristics of these gorgeous materials. Wood effect tiles and stone effect tiles offer practicality and, with the intricate detailing and textures of the real thing, slip resistance alongside sophistication.

Stone effect large porcelain non-slip tiles by Porcel-Thin in Tobacco colour

UK Tiles Direct has an unrivalled choice of anti-slip floor and wall tiles, in a variety of stunning effects, finishes and colours, available to view at our bathroom and tile showroom in Dorset.

Make a statement with mosaic tiles

Mosaic tiles open up a world of opportunities for the design of any bathroom or wetroom. They offer natural slip resistance due to the texture and the grout lines, which act as a ‘gulley’ to help water disperse. With such a varied range of mosaic tiles available, in an array of colours and effects, you can create an exceptionally stylish bathroom, with a spectacular feature floor or wall. The mesh backing on mosaic tiles also makes them easy to manoeuvre into place.

Mosaic tiles are a good option for creating grip on bathroom floors and in wetrooms

Maintaining a safe bathroom design

While the benefits of non-slip tiles in your bathroom or wetroom design are evident, it’s also worth also thinking about the on-going maintenance, as sometimes a rougher surface on floor and wall tiles can make them harder to clean.

Plans and drawings for a bathroom and shower room created by Room H2o

So much choice when it comes to creating your ideal – and safe – bathroom can be overwhelming. At Room H2o we have specialist designers who can help you every step of the way to achieving your perfect bathroom design. To find out more about our bathroom design and installation services, and view the full collection of anti-slip bathroom tiles available from Room H2o, please visit our showroom in Wareham, Dorset.

Top Bathroom Tile & Colour Trends For 2017

January 24, 2017

From marble to metallic, this year’s hottest bathroom design trends include the return of some old favourites and the emergence of some chic new ideas. With exciting and innovative twists on retro themes, and a fresh edge on classic effects, we take a look at some of the latest must-haves in bathroom and wetroom design.

And, with our specialist bathroom design and bathroom installation services, we can help turn your dream bathroom into reality in 2017.

Magnificent marble bathroom tiles

Bathroom design and installation isn’t just about fixtures and fittings, it’s about creating a place of relaxation, a haven of tranquillity. So, it’s no wonder some of nature’s finest materials will be prominent considerations in bathroom design this year.

Beautiful period style bathroom with white book match Calacatta marble effect porcelain tiles

Image courtesy of Porce-Thin

Take marble, for example. For the intricate beauty and sophistication it brings to a bathroom, marble is the ‘material of the moment’. From vanity worktops to bathroom tiles, luxurious marble will feature strongly. Marble floor tiles and wall tiles bring an instant feel of luxury, like the stunning and unique shading of the Imperial Dark Polished marble tiles from our sister company UK Tiles Direct, and the subtle earthy tones and surface variation of the Imperial Light Polished marble.

Marble-effect porcelain tiles are a fabulous, cost-effective and low-maintenance alternative, with exceptional qualities making them hard to distinguish from the real thing. UK Tiles Direct offers a wonderful range of marble-effect tiles, in exquisite colours.

Natural materials

We’ll see natural materials being combined to create a new edge to bathroom and wetroom design. Marble will be used alongside wood and ceramic tiles, for a gorgeous combination of warmth and shine. The rich variety of timber, stone, metal and ceramics will be used a way not seen before, brought to life with plants for a delightful ambience.

Luxury bathroom featuring imperial light beige marble wall and floor tiles with a freestanding bath

Natural stone will retain its huge popularity, for the wonderful character and detail it brings to bathroom and wetroom design. Natural stone tiles will work perfectly alongside any theme, on both floors and walls, and with fantastically realistic stone-effect tiles, like the superb range from UK Tiles Direct, you can enjoy the wonder of Mother Nature’s finest at a fraction of the price.

Retro-inspired bathroom design

Think 1960’s and 1970’s trends, with herringbone flooring, brick, and pale woods. And not just reserved for the bathroom, this is a key interior design trend for any room in the home.

Retro inspired bathroom with light herringbone wood flooring and Duravit bathroom suite

The Pattaya collection of Porcel-Thin tiles offers fantastic large-format wood-effect tiles in five elegant tones of timber, which can be used as both floor tiles and wall tiles. Patterned and coloured tiles are also set to be big, like the magnificent Lagos mosaic tile collection, with super retro colours including lime green, spectacular bright red and purple – perfect for creating a feature wall or using contrasting colours to divide ‘zones’ in a bathroom, for an amazing effect.

Bathroom design that sparkles

Colour-wise, warm tones will overtake pale, with fiery terracotta bringing a touch of the Med to the most stylish bathroom and shower room designs, and matt finishes creating character and warmth.

Stunning wetroom features bronze toned ceramic and metallic mosaic tiles

Taking inspiration from metal, space, stars and the cosmos, jewel tones are set to be a massive hit this year. Bright metallic fixtures and fittings are right on-trend, like the stunning selection from Crosswater that can be seen at our Wareham showroom. Dazzling jewel tones can be easily integrated into your bathroom design with the fabulous Planet Gold Circle or Cosmos Grey mosaic tiles, or the beautifully deep Galaxy Black. And you can create sparkle and interest with the Kerakoll Fuga Tile Glitter Grout in silver or gold.

For more inspirational ideas, and to find out more about our bathroom design and bathroom installation services, please visit our showroom in Wareham, Dorset.

Magnificent Monochrome Bathroom Ideas

December 14, 2016

If you’re looking for inspirational and stylish bathroom ideas, monochrome is an exceptional choice, and lends itself fabulously to a variety of themes, effects and designs.

Fiora Vivaldi black classical bathroom furniture from Room H2o

From sleek to chic, from rustic to retro, monochrome is a timeless design that works with every style of property and décor. The striking contrast of black and white exudes sophistication. Whether you want to make a bold statement or just give a subtle edge to your design, monochrome bathrooms encompass everything from fixtures and fittings to black and white floor tiles and wall tiles.

Whatever monochrome bathroom idea you may have, we offer a beautiful range of black and white floor and wall tiles, through our sister company, UK Tiles Direct, to inspire you.

Porcelain tiles for black and white simplicity

Simplicity works wonderfully with monochrome. You can create a fabulous black and white bathroom design with a few understated touches. Perhaps plain white ceramic tiles or porcelain tiles on the walls, combined simply with a black vanity unit or a few black and white floor tiles. The Spezia Black porcelain tile offers a gorgeous shimmer effect, which looks stunning alongside the Brilliant White. The glazed finish of the Spezia Black is perfect for making smaller bathrooms appear bigger.

Using monochrome tiles for stylish symmetry

Repeating colours and styles is a sleek monochrome bathroom idea. Crisp, clean lines and uniformity are highly on trend, and easy to achieve with a combination of black and white floor tiles or wall tiles, laid in a symmetrical pattern. Using the Pure Black porcelain tile alongside the Brilliant White, you can create any pattern you desire to achieve this spectacular look.

Contrasting textures and effects

Using different colours, textures and styles can bring a real wow factor to your black and white bathroom design. Using sleek monochrome tiles alongside wood effect tiles or stone effect tiles presents a wonderful contrast. Adding a splash of colour to a monochrome bathroom is a delightful touch, perhaps a rich metallic feature light or a bold colour on a wall.

Feature mosaic tiles

Mosaic tiles are a fantastic way to create a feature in your bathroom and allow your creativity to flow. The magnificent sparkly silver, chrome and black glass of the Cosmos Grey and Black mosaic tiles work equally as well as a simple splashback as they do covering an entire wall. Swathed in sophistication, the Nacar Abyss brings instant impact to a bathroom, with a glorious combination of black marble, Mother of Pearl, Inox and glass.

Nurturing natural materials

As well as using natural materials to bring contrast, they can help to bring a monochrome bathroom to life. Some floral accessories look stunning against a black and white backdrop, and wood effect tiles or wooden fixtures can help bring warmth to a black and white bathroom design.

Whatever monochrome bathroom idea you opt for, this classic combination will bring effortless style.

Visit our showroom in Wareham, Dorset, to see the full range of monochrome tiles, available through our sister company, UK Tiles Direct. You can also see our complete selection of bathroom design ideas, from luxury bathroom furniture and shower enclosures, to sanitary ware and taps.

Stone & Wood Effect Porcelain Tiles

October 24, 2016

At Room H2o we’re embracing the natural materials that are fast becoming the ‘must-have’ for bathroom designs this year. The softer shades and earthy tones of wood and stone are now at the forefront of chic, modern bathrooms.

Although stunning and contemporary, natural materials aren’t always the most durable in wet environments. Wood will expand, so will need to be oiled regularly, and stone is porous, needing on-going treatment with special sealants.

Advances in Digital printing technology and manufacturing techniques now allows amazingly realistic reproductions of natural stone and wood to be recreated on porcelain tiles. So, we’re delighted to introduce our collection of natural stone and wood effect porcelain floor and wall tiles. These beautiful tiles not only add a stylish edge to any bathroom, but they offer a far more stable, and cost-effective, surface.

View our stunning wood and stone effect tile collections

Our collection of ultra-thin (4.8mm) porcelain tiles also come in large 1200x600mm format, which works exceptionally well with the divine range of wood and stone effect finishes – capturing the beauty and charm of the real thing, while being low maintenance, hard wearing and practical for any domestic or commercial wet room.

We capture the dramatic crystalline structure and texture of granite in a wonderful collection of exciting colours, to perfectly reflect the magnificence of polished granite.  While our imitation marble tile selection faultlessly reproduces the hues and subtleties of this enduringly popular material, in a choice of beautiful shades and colours.

The course grain and subtle colours of natural sandstone are replicated exquisitely in our delectable range of tiles, which embrace the splendor and texture of this ancient rock. And elegant wood grain patterns from South East Asia produce an exceptionally smooth, even texture to create a stylish, relaxing atmosphere for any environment.

Experience the beauty for yourself – contact Room H2o today to order your sample of our porcelain natural stone and wood effect floor and wall tiles.  Alternitivley please do visit our tile and bathroom showroom based in Wareham, Dorset to view our stone and wood effect tiles.

Tips for Fabulous Small Bathroom Designs

September 24, 2016

Having a small bathroom doesn’t mean you’re restricted on how creative you can be with its design. With some clever ideas and expert advice, you can have the luxury small bathroom of your dreams.

Here are our top small bathroom design tips.

A space efficient small bathroom designed using virtual worlds bathroom design software

Sinks for small bathrooms

If you want to save space, corner sinks are a perfect choice, as are narrow troughs. When wall mounted, the low profile of a trough sink frees up floor space, which is perfect for storage. An oval sink is a highly stylish choice, which will also give you more surface space than a square.

Baths and small bathrooms

One of the fundamental considerations in small bathroom design is whether the space allows for a bath. If you have room for a bath, or you want a large indulgent tub, you could look at clever ways to free up more room around it, such as shelves built into the wall for towels and toiletries. Consider adding a glass bathscreen for the added practicality of a shower over the bath.

Shower enclosures for small bathrooms

Clear shower enclosures are ideal in a small bathroom, with glass being the perfect way to really open up the area. Use a glass panel rather than a door, as swinging doors take up valuable space and can be hazardous in a small bathroom. If glass isn’t an option, a clear shower curtain will allow more light in.  Bifold and sliding shower doors can also be a great option for small bathrooms as these types of shower doors do not open out into the room.

Cupboards and storage, making the most of small spaces

The less clutter the better, when it comes to small bathroom designs. There are many storage design ideas for small bathrooms available, including sinks with integrated cupboards and drawers, and toilets with built-in toilet roll holders.

Towel rails and shelving, maximising space in small bathrooms

Avoid having anything that sticks out from the walls, particularly in narrow bathrooms. Hooks on the back of the door are a space-saving way to keep your towels and dressing gowns handy. If you don’t have a vanity unit in your bathroom, a ledge above the sink is a great place to keep your daily essentials, without taking up any floor space.

Bathroom safety

Avoid anything that could be a potential hazard when moving around in a small bathroom. Tight spaces can make sharp corners dangerous – if the corners of a vanity unit would get in the way, opt for a rounded style. Keep any wall-mounted fixtures at a safe height and look for tiles and flooring that won’t become too slippery when wet.

Colours for small bathrooms

Keep colours simple – too many paint colours or busy wallpaper will only make a small bathroom feel smaller and cluttered. Two colours work well together, one for the walls and another for accessories. You could choose an unusual accent colour to add decorative elements to your bathroom, allowing the room to feel sleek and open, without overpowering it.

Mirrors, creating the illusion of space in small bathrooms

When it comes to design ideas for small bathrooms – think mirrors. Use as many mirrors as possible in your small bathroom design. When light bounces off the reflective surface of a mirror it will create the illusion of a much bigger room. Oval mirrors can also help to make ceilings appear higher.

Small bathroom lighting

As much natural light as possible is important to create a bigger looking bathroom, so never block windows. Clever lighting can help visually enhance the space – uplighting or cove lighting can help create the impression of a higher ceiling and, if you have a narrow bathroom, illuminating one wall will also create the effect of a more open area. Don’t use drop or pendant lights, as they will make the room look even smaller.

Tiles for small bathroom designs

The use of pattern is a great tiling idea for small bathrooms, as it will give the illusion that the room is larger. Bigger floor tiles will also help to open up the room, with thin (and fewer) grout lines giving the appearance of more floor space.

Our sister company, UK Tiles Direct has a fabulous range of tiling ideas for small bathrooms. The beautiful collection of ceramic, natural stone and coloured glass mosaic tiles are ideal for small bathroom walls and floors. And the stunning selection of large format and ultra-thin porcelain wall and floor tiles create a wonderfully spacious and seamless floor. Available in plain, pattern, wood and stone effect digitally printed finishes, these gorgeous tiles are the perfect choice for a luxury small bathroom.

At Room H2o, our experts are happy to help with all aspects of your small bathroom design. We provide free, no-hassle bathroom, shower and wet room design and installation, as well as tiling contractors, for any domestic or commercial project.

Contact our Dorset bathroom design team on 01929 551963 or email wareham@roomh2o.co.uk

Top Bathroom Design Tips & Advice

June 24, 2016

With so many amazing design possibilities, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when it comes to planning a new bathroom. While style and functionality are, of course, very important, there are a whole host of other things you should consider to really make sure you’re getting the bathroom of your dreams. Here, we share some of our bathroom planning advice with you.

Contemporary bathroom design image using Virtual Worlds software

How you use your bathroom

Consider who will be using your bathroom and the needs they may have. If it’s to be the main family bathroom you’ll need a space that’s both child and adult friendly, and maybe even suitable for the elderly. (Click here to read an article about bathrooms for the elderly.) An en-suite, on the other hand, may only be used by a couple of people, so can be more adult focused.

Essential bathroom features

Think about the habits of the people using your bathroom, these can differ depending on who lives in the home. For example, a couple may favour a shower over a bath, in which case you could consider having no bath at all and creating a wetroom or an indulgent shower. With our fabulous made-to-measure shower enclosures and made-to-measure trays you can create the ultimate shower experience in any space.

A family with small children, however, will almost certainly use a bath more. You could have a bath with a shower screen or, if room allows, a bath and a separate shower enclosure. A floor-level shower can be installed practically anywhere and is the perfect choice for family bathrooms, as there’s less of a trip hazard.

Bathroom décor & flooring ideas

Tiles are the perfect choice for a bathroom floor, and a great way to add colour, pattern or texture. Large porcelain wall and floor tiles, like those from Porcel-Thin, are highly stylish and with so many patterns and effects available, there’s one to suit any interior design theme.

Advances in technology have made it possible to produce exceptionally realistic stone effect porcelain tiles, which are a fabulous and extremely hardwearing alternative to the real thing. While real stone is suitable for bathrooms, it can be very expensive and requires a lot of care. With a range of fantastic ultra-thin and large format porcelain wall and floor tiles, you can easily create the stunning effect of natural stone.

Wood effect tiles also open up opportunities for timber to be featured in a bathroom, as real wood isn’t usually suitable in wet areas. With the feel and detailing of the real thing, these porcelain tiles look fabulous on both walls and floors.

Wood effect porcelain tiles in a bathroom

Bathroom & wetroom heating & ventilation

The best way to prevent mould and damp is by controlling moisture with a suitable extractor fan. Make sure it’s positioned somewhere it can quickly and efficiently remove airborne moisture. This will also help to dry the floor and reduce the risk of slipping.

If the bathroom is going to be used by all the family, it’s a good idea to have a towel radiator that’s big enough to dry everyone’s towels. And fitting electric underfloor heating is the ideal solution for a continuous warm environment. Electric underfloor heating works brilliantly with large, thin porcelain tiles, keeping them lovely and warm underfoot and allowing for quick drying.

Storage solutions for every bathroom

Whatever the size of your bathroom, storage space is a must. Whether it’s for toiletries and accessories, linen and towels or children’s toys, there are some fantastic bathroom storage solutions available. Sinks set into a unit with cupboards and drawers are great for keeping everything organised and leaving your bathroom clutter free.

Bathroom storage ideas

Making the most of awkward bathroom spaces

Made-to-measure shower enclosures and shower trays open up a world of possibilities in even the smallest and most awkward of spaces. Sometimes a full-size shower isn’t always viable, perhaps in a small en-suite or a loft conversion, but a bespoke shower enclosure or screen can be manufactured to the exact height and angle you have available. You can even have a stylish end of bath shower enclosure made to measure, to utilise any redundant floor space you may have between the end of your bath and the wall.

Bathroom & wet room design advice

Seeking bathroom design advice can really help you get the absolute best out of your bathroom. Many people simply replace an old bathroom suite with a new one, without considering any other options they may have. With state-of-the-art bathroom design software, bathroom specialists can offer virtual bathroom design services, to help you make the most of the space you have and design a bathroom that’s perfect for you and your needs.

Let our team of specialist designers help you create the bathroom you desire. Contact our Dorset bathroom design team on 01929 551963 or email wareham@roomh2o.co.uk

Bathroom Design Trends 2015 – Part 2

January 24, 2015

2015 will bring some exciting new trends to bathroom and interior design. We take a look at the furniture, fixtures, fittings and gadgets set to be at the forefront of this year’s contemporary designs.

Stylish luxury

It’s all about style and function for 2015’s must-have bathroom products. Innovative ideas will see furniture offering more than just practicality, with technology introducing features such as touch-sensitive lighting, speakers and blue tooth.

We’ll see a move away from clear class for cabinets and shower screens, with smoked and tinted becoming favored alternatives. At the forefront of design demands, high gloss and mirrored finishes will be replaced with sumptuous skin and tone textures.

Increasingly popular, in both appeal and practicality, are sinks with vanity units and twin sinks – particularly for families or in luxury large en-suite bathrooms.

Energy saving

With people becoming ever-concerned about sustainability, environmentally friendly products will be prevalent, so we’ll see water-saving taps, toilets and showers, as well as low-energy LED lighting breaking through in this year’s chic designs.

As baths decline in popularity, lavish showers will feature strongly in design considerations – particularly where space doesn’t allow for both. Continuing to emerge as the ultimate luxury feature piece, however, is the freestanding bath, closely followed by frameless and walk-in shower enclosures.

Intelligent ideas

Again, technology dominates, with ‘smart-phone’ showers offering the epitome of up-to-the minute digital remote control over water flow, temperature and even shower head lighting. Colour-changing taps offer instant mood setting, with infrared sensors allowing flow control and temperature change indicators.

Lighting will be creative, for atmosphere enhancement, with white and coloured waterproof LED lighting being seen everywhere from cabinets to walls and floors. And, for the ultimate indulgence, 2015 will see the redefinition of the toilet, as state-of-the-art ‘smart toilets’ arrive, offering washing and warm-air drying.

Underfloor heating continues to thrive as a necessity, rather than a luxury, as bathrooms become more of a tranquil, spa-inspired area, with consumers demanding serenity and warmth.

So much choice can be overwhelming – at Room H2o we have specialist bathroom designers who can guide you to your perfect haven of tranquility.

Contact our Dorset bathroom design team on 01929 551963 or wareham@roomh2o.co.uk

Bathroom Design Trends 2015 – Part 1

January 24, 2015

It looks like we’re set to see some exciting and diverse new trends for 2015’s bathroom and interior designs. Here we take a look at the colours, finishes and materials that are going to emerge as the ‘must haves’ in the coming months.

Colour frenzy

Colour is the key in 2015, with an eclectic mix of shades breaking through. Beige is out, as is feature-wall painting. This year’s spectrum sees everything from gentle pastels, smoky greys, rich leather, and marine, denim and indigo blue hues, to vibrant tones inspired by jewels and fruits, such as tangerine, lemon and lime. While clean, crisp white still sits proud and prominent as a trusted and sophisticated basic.

Nature’s finest

The sumptuous natural materials that we saw emerge in 2014 will continue to lead the way as a contemporary interior design requisite. Wood, stone and leather maintain their rise in popularity, for creating warmth, style and panache.

We’ll see designs continuing to move away from the high gloss we’ve become so familiar with in previous years. The soft tones of nature’s finest stone, leather and wood will dominate solid surfaces, from shower trays to tiles and worktops. The beauty of this earthy material trend is the stunning array of stone and wood-effect tiles available, allowing you to create this inspired-by-nature serenity in your home, with practicality and low maintenance.

Luxury finishes

Classic luxury is the key phrase this year. Matte and metallic finishes will be the definitive choice for everything from taps to light fittings. Brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, copper and brass will sit tastefully in the most stylish of bathrooms.

Prints and patterns for tiles and wallpaper will be bold and beautiful, adding a chic edge to any sized bathroom. Photographic imagery, art and abstract prints will adorn wall and floor tiles alike.

So much choice can be overwhelming – at Room H2o we have specialist bathroom designers who can help you every step of the way to creating your perfect haven of tranquillity.

Contact our Dorset bathroom design team on 01929 551963 or wareham@roomh2o.co.uk

Stunning Bathroom For Disabled Lulworth Resident

October 24, 2013

We were recently asked to design and install a specialist wetroom and disability bathroom for a customer in Dorset. Having MS, our customer needed a bathroom that not only worked for her now, but one that would continue to meet her needs as they may change over the years.

Disability bathroom with raised height toilet and wetroom show by Room H2o

The original bathroom was stripped out to make way for the new wetroom

Installing the new wetroom shower floor former and tanking

Large designer bathroom sink with vanity unit

Shower valve

The wide opening to the wetroom shower provides easy access for a wheel chair

Virtual design for a disability bathroom in Dorset by Room H2o

Disability bathroom with raised height toilet and wetroom show by Room H2o

The original bathroom was stripped out to make way for the new wetroom

Installing the new wetroom shower floor former and tanking

Large designer bathroom sink with vanity unit

Shower valve

The wide opening to the wetroom shower provides easy access for a wheel chair

Virtual design for a disability bathroom in Dorset by Room H2o

Our customer’s old thatched farmhouse in Lulworth is her second home, and the bathroom consisted of a bath, sink unit, quad shower tray and enclosure. The layout presented many problems and wasn’t at all functional – there wasn’t enough room for her wheelchair and she couldn’t get in the shower. Originally, we were going to replace the shower tray and tile the whole floor with anti-slip mosaics. However, as the project began, challenges emerged that saw us re-work the design to create a wetroom that was not only stylish and practical now but was future proof for our customer’s changing needs.

The project’s challenges

Initially, the original tiles were to stay on, with us removing just the bottom course to tank and then put back on. Unfortunately, we were unable to source the same size or colour tiles, so we tiled all the walls with crisp 60×30 white gloss. We had to strip and plaster all the walls, as the levels were out and needed building up a lot – something that is often found in old properties.

“Being an old building, the main issues were associated with the wall and floor levels, which present challenges for the tiling, and also with creating the correct falls for the wet room floor former – nothing that we’ve not dealt with before on many occasions and I enjoy the challenge of working with old buildings.” Room H2o disability bathroom installer, Steve Armour.

We also found we had to change the floorboards in the existing bathroom, as they weren’t the right size for a wetroom.

Disability bathroom design considerations

When designing a disability bathroom, we need to fully ensure it functions exactly how the client needs it to – not just now but in the future.

Using software called ‘Virtual Worlds’ we were able to create a floor plan and a 3D rendering of the wetroom, so the customer could not only visualise the room and the finishes of the design, but also move and look around the area in virtual reality. This meant she could see the bathroom in detail, understand how it would function for her and make any changes she wanted to before the work started. This is an invaluable software tool for users of disability bathrooms.

The products and materials used

Disability bathrooms do not need to sacrifice style for functionality. With stunning Harmonie Galapagos 25mmx25mm mosaics in blue, the wetroom floor was given a splash of colour, alongside essential anti-slip qualities. The sleek walk-in shower panels from Simpsons Design gave a practical and modern edge, and we spent a lot of time carefully sourcing grab handles and fittings that were in keeping with the contemporary finish of the wetroom – many of these items are highly functional but unattractive.

On top of the new floorboards we laid, we used Dukka Board, which is an innovative tile backer board system that turns the floor into a concrete base, allowing us to lay the mosaics. We used the incredibly strong Aqua-Dec wetroom floor former from Impey Showers, and Kerakoll products for the tiling, including BioGel No Limits white tile adhesive and Fugabella 0-5 antibacterial and antifungal waterproof tile grout.

This outcome of this project is the customer now has a stylish and highly functional disability bathroom that fully meets the client’s needs and will continue to do so in the years to come. And, any designs and installations for customers who are registered disabled are free from VAT, offering significant savings on bespoke disability bathrooms.

To find out more about disability bathrooms, or to view our bathroom displays and tile collections from some of the leading brands in luxury bathroom design, visit our extensive showroom in Wareham, Dorset.