Article: Inhabitant
Bathroom Design with Paula Saunders
Whether you are building or renovating a bathroom, thorough planning and careful consideration to design are essential for the project to be completed satisfactorily.
Bathrooms and Ensuites are an integral part of the home and while they need to be functional they can also be aesthetically pleasing.
The layout of your bathroom and placement of bathroom suites are the most important design aspects to consider, especially if space is limited. If you are building, the placement of plumbing needs to be considered before your flooring and sub-flooring materials are complete. If you are building on a concrete pad, allowance needs to be made for where your plumbing is placed and whether you have other requirements such as under floor heating. If you are renovating it makes the job simpler if you can utilise your original plumbing positions and if under floor heating is required you can lay electrical heating mats under your tiling as an alternative to piped heating in-situ.
Showers are becoming more popular than baths, especially in ensuite situations. You can purchase a ready-made shower instalment or you can create the size and shape you require and finish it with wet area gib, tiled walls, waterproof wall panelling or glass blades and doors. A bathroom can be tiled and drained totally to create a ‘wet-room’ that has no shower walls.
Bathroom fittings and fixtures can really enhance the overall finish to your room and there are many beautiful products available. When considering your tap ware and shower fittings it is wise to talk to a plumber first about what you require, some fittings only work on mains pressure systems.
Baths are still an important part of the bathroom to some people and there is a vast array to choose from. It is wise to look around at showrooms rather than purchasing from a brochure when purchasing bathroom and toilet suites, as some products can be non-refundable and sizing and finishes can be deceiving.
Vanities can be purchased ready-made or you can design one to suit your storage and design needs. Some rooms require a basin to be installed on the wall, on a bench, or a pedestal; the choice you make can create a stunning feature while suiting the needs of who uses the bathroom.
Bathroom lighting completes the design. Most bathrooms are south facing and require lighting for practical reasons but there is also an opportunity to showcase your design with the right lighting instalment. General purpose lighting can be achieved with incandescent bulbs. Heat, fan and light combination fittings can be installed. More often now people are using fluorescent or LED for task lighting, for example, above mirrors. Mood lighting is effective for bathing; this can be achieved using star or strip lighting.
Regulations for waterproofing and electrical work need to be followed and it is wise to use the right professional for the job from design to completion so that you achieve the outcome you desire without any problems.
Paula Saunders studied Architectural Draughting graduating with a New Zealand Certificate. As an artist, Paula has always had a keen appreciation for design while holding an interest in the technical side of architecture. Having worked and trained staff in design in the Kitchen Manufacturing industry Paula decided to broaden her horizons and set out on her own to work in Interior Design. This has been a successful choice for the past 14 years during which she also managed to bring up her two sons, Tomas and Rory. At present Paula runs her own business ‘Time4Design’ and provide an interior design service to Golden Homes Ltd, David Reid Homes, Latitude Homes, and Classic Builders while also working for the private sector throughout the northern regions.
