Future-proofing at Bespoke

Doing up your bathroom is a big job- and it’s one that doesn’t come around very often (we hope!), so one of the biggest wants our customers raise is a bathroom with longevity: something that they’ll still love, and that will continue to meet their needs in ten years’ time. Bespoke are perfectly placed to help problem solve this issue with you, and identify exactly which styles and products are going to meet the test of time in your home.

The trend-tracker

Staying on top of bathroom trends is almost impossible- bathroom fixtures and fittings are exactly that: fixed and fitted, and can’t easily be swapped for a quick update. Never fear, though, there are plenty of options to keep your bathroom easy to refresh so that it never goes out of style.

Solution 1: Pair neutral tiles with bold soft furnishings.

This one is a bit of a given- but blinds, towels, bath mats and decor are much much easier to change out than anything else in your bathroom. We recommend opting for medium to large format gently textured tiles in a neutral colour- ideally something that works on both wall and floor. Adam loves the natural stone effect of the Storm range from Stokes Tiles and Faye would opt for a richer, wood effect like the Mora from Topps Tiles. Then you can brighten things up with a bold set of towels- try these Sophie Robinson floral print ones from Dunelm or maybe these Margo Selby towels from John Lewis for a real colour boost.

Solution 2: Statement walls

There are so many fantastic wall coverings available now that it’s hard to choose just a couple to showcase. Tiles are incredibly versatile and functional and of course you can opt for bold tiles on every wall- but if you’re wanting to change it up, consider limiting your tiling to around the ‘splash zones’ in your bathroom- around your shower and bath, and behind your sink. This means you can go for a bolder tile, and is ideally suited to smaller formats like the Feel range from Original Style. Pair this with an incredible bathroom safe wallpaper like this aquarium one from Graham and Brown, or this amazing koi fish print one from Dunelm. Top tip: don’t forget your 5th wall! The ceiling can be an amazing area to jazz up in a bathroom- opt for a waterproof paint in a bold colour, or for an even more flexible option you could speak to your bathroom fitter about installing smart LED lights so that you can flood your white ceiling with coloured light at the touch of a button.

The growing family

Nesting can often find expecting parents staring at their unwelcoming, inaccessible ‘family’ bathrooms uncomfortably googling ‘can I bathe my new born in a shower or is the sink better????’. In order to future proof for your expanding family bear in mind how everyone uses the space, how much help they need, and how much stuff everyone has to store!

Solution 1: Storage!

There are some nifty options out and about now to maximize on storage in your bathroom. You could opt for a fitted vanity sink unit, which offers cupboard and/or drawer space underneath your sink- and pair this with matching wall mounted upper cabinets- our favourites come from Roper Rhodes and have near endless combinations! We can even install toothbrush charging stations inside the cabinets so that you can avoid trailing wires and keep everyone’s bits and pieces nice and tidy. Better still, talk to us about bespoke storage solutions: we could install bespoke built in storage into your bath panel- now that’s space to grow!

Solution 2: The right fixtures and fittings

It’s always worth making sure that the things you put in your bathroom are going to work for everyone- so flexible options like baths with showers over are an easy given. How about, then, a toilet seat with a built-in toddler toilet seat- so your little one can get comfy without unhygeinic add ons about the place. Or what about an integrated fold out step stool, for fuss free hand washing?

The inevitable ager

Aging is, as we know, a privilege and one we’re all grateful for; but with it comes a whole host of aches and pains and limitations which are well worth considering when you’re making a major change to your home that we hope will last you ten, twenty or more years!

Solution 1: It’s all about the access

Level access walk in showers- oh my goodness, what a gift! Your walk-in can be stylish and sexy and totally appropriate for the whole family to use no matter their age. That being said, they are absolutely ideal for older people who might struggle getting in and out of a bath or stepping into a more traditional shower cubicle. Maximise the accessibility by installing a built in shower seat- there are glorious built in benches as well as fold away wall mounted options. If showers aren’t for you, speak to us about other options- maybe we could add steps up to your bath, install grab rails and handles (which we promise don’t have to be ugly industrial white plastic, or choose a bath with easy-access: a special little door in the side of your bath panel so that you don’t have to clamber over the side!

Solution 2: Non-slip

When it comes to choosing your flooring, opt for a non-slip option. Many floor tiles have a subtle texture which means they’re comfortable under-foot, but much less likely to send you skidding. Larger format options can help us minimise grout lines- which helps reduce even the tiniest trip hazards; or carefully laid floor-appropriate mosaics can double down on the anti-slip properties. There are also shower trays and baths with amazing non-slip texture, or hidden shower trays that you can tile straight over for a completely seamless, invisible shower. Don’t skip the bathmat either, and for maximum luxury, consider installing underfloor heating- especially if you’re going for a wet room. Electric systems can be installed relatively affordably into any bathroom and not only keep your feet toasty warm, but also help to dry out your bathroom after use to help you avoid slipping!

Ultimately, your bathroom is an investment, and it’s important to us that we help you design a space that’s going to grow and change with you and your family. If you’ve got bathrooms and futureproofing on the mind, give us a call or pop into the showroom to chat about how we can make sure your brand new bathroom lasts you a lifetime.