10 Tips to Save Your Sanity in the Bathroom
Planning a new bathroom? Sidestep these annoying design flaws before you take another step
There are so many decisions when it comes to renovating or designing a new bathroom that it can be difficult to see the forest for the trees. Tiles, taps and toilets are important, but so is thinking about bathroom practicalities such as how user-friendly your bathroom will really be when the tiler has packed up and gone home and the plumber has called it a day. If you’d like a bathroom that doesn’t drive you mad (and who wouldn’t?), these tips will help.
2. Get real about shower curtains
One of my least favourite things about shower curtains is that they have a habit of getting sucked into the shower or bath while you’re in it and sticking to your skin. And there’s nothing relaxing about that. If space is tight and you can’t enclose your shower in glass, other measures will be required. This novel approach will keep the curtain well away from you during a shower. Another option is to go for a heavy shower curtain weighted at the bottom. Sew weights into the bottom yourself or, if you have a metal tub, opt for magnets to keep it in place.
One of my least favourite things about shower curtains is that they have a habit of getting sucked into the shower or bath while you’re in it and sticking to your skin. And there’s nothing relaxing about that. If space is tight and you can’t enclose your shower in glass, other measures will be required. This novel approach will keep the curtain well away from you during a shower. Another option is to go for a heavy shower curtain weighted at the bottom. Sew weights into the bottom yourself or, if you have a metal tub, opt for magnets to keep it in place.
3. Position the loo roll correctly
We’ve all been there – a toilet that requires you to have the flexibility of a contortionist to reach the loo paper. Don’t leave it up to the tradies working on your bathroom to decide where the holder should go – take a seat and mark out exactly where you want it installed.
Read more: Just Where Do You Put the Toilet?
We’ve all been there – a toilet that requires you to have the flexibility of a contortionist to reach the loo paper. Don’t leave it up to the tradies working on your bathroom to decide where the holder should go – take a seat and mark out exactly where you want it installed.
Read more: Just Where Do You Put the Toilet?
4. Think through your morning routine
You know your own habits better than anyone, so think them through at the design stage to make sure your bathroom is going to work for you rather than providing you hard work. The hair styling tools and products in this bathroom have their own slide-out cupboard, and the cords are already connected to outlets inside the vanity. Getting ready in the morning just got easier.
You know your own habits better than anyone, so think them through at the design stage to make sure your bathroom is going to work for you rather than providing you hard work. The hair styling tools and products in this bathroom have their own slide-out cupboard, and the cords are already connected to outlets inside the vanity. Getting ready in the morning just got easier.
5. Put towels where you can reach them
Having to traipse, wet and dripping, across the bathroom after stepping out of the bath or the shower is an irksome little annoyance you can do without. Make towels easy to access so you can dry yourself off before stepping onto the tiles.
Having to traipse, wet and dripping, across the bathroom after stepping out of the bath or the shower is an irksome little annoyance you can do without. Make towels easy to access so you can dry yourself off before stepping onto the tiles.
And while we’re on the subject, make sure your towel rail really can accommodate multiple towels. Heated towel racks are also sanity savers – would you rather use a towel still moist from your last shower, or one that’s warm and dry? I’d vote for a heated towel rack no matter what kind of climate I found myself living in. Renters or those who aren’t quite ready to renovate need not miss out – consider a stand-alone portable heated towel rack.
Click here for easy bathroom updates that involve minimum mess
Click here for easy bathroom updates that involve minimum mess
6. Give yourself room to move
The idea of a double vanity is a good one, but when the basins are positioned so close to one another that you’re knocking elbows and jostling for counter space, it takes the pleasure right out of getting ready together. A bathroom like this has it sorted, though – the basins are positioned at either end, with plenty of counter space in between. And when there’s that much storage, there’s room enough for everyone.
The idea of a double vanity is a good one, but when the basins are positioned so close to one another that you’re knocking elbows and jostling for counter space, it takes the pleasure right out of getting ready together. A bathroom like this has it sorted, though – the basins are positioned at either end, with plenty of counter space in between. And when there’s that much storage, there’s room enough for everyone.
7. Pick a tub you love
There are baths, and then there are baths. If your bath is too shallow and short for an adult to comfortably have a soak, you may want to have a rethink. If you’re short on space, depth is more important than length – a lovely, deep bath allows the tallest of people to submerge themselves with ease. If you’re thinking about the kids when you’re picking a bath, remind yourself that they won’t stay little for long.
There are baths, and then there are baths. If your bath is too shallow and short for an adult to comfortably have a soak, you may want to have a rethink. If you’re short on space, depth is more important than length – a lovely, deep bath allows the tallest of people to submerge themselves with ease. If you’re thinking about the kids when you’re picking a bath, remind yourself that they won’t stay little for long.
8. Enable the door to be locked
There’s nothing peaceful about using the bathroom when the door could be flung open at any minute by a child or unwitting adult. However, you might want to consider choosing a lock that can be unlocked from the outside if need be. You never know who might accidentally lock themselves in the bathroom and need help getting out. I have childhood memories of having to help an aunt escape out of a three-storey-high bathroom window.
There’s nothing peaceful about using the bathroom when the door could be flung open at any minute by a child or unwitting adult. However, you might want to consider choosing a lock that can be unlocked from the outside if need be. You never know who might accidentally lock themselves in the bathroom and need help getting out. I have childhood memories of having to help an aunt escape out of a three-storey-high bathroom window.
9. Make cleaning a breeze
A clean bathroom is a sanity-saving bathroom, and if it’s easy to quickly wipe down and sanitise, it’s even better for your mental health. How fast would it be to clean this bathroom vanity?
A clean bathroom is a sanity-saving bathroom, and if it’s easy to quickly wipe down and sanitise, it’s even better for your mental health. How fast would it be to clean this bathroom vanity?
10. Choose taps that are easy for everyone
Small children’s hands or older, arthritic ones find it tricky to turn on stiff or awkward taps. Make it easy on everyone and choose taps that can be turned on and off without much effort.
Small children’s hands or older, arthritic ones find it tricky to turn on stiff or awkward taps. Make it easy on everyone and choose taps that can be turned on and off without much effort.
Mixers are another great idea – they’re easy for people of any age, and you can adjust the position of the mixer handle to your temperature of choice, so that all you have to do is flick it up, and the water comes out just right every time.
MORE IDEABOOKS
Bathroom Renovation: How Much Will It Cost Me?
20 Fabulous Family Bathrooms the Whole Brood Will Love
12 Decorating Tricks to Make Small Bathrooms Work Harder
HAVE YOUR SAY
Does your bathroom drive you mad or save your sanity? Tell us about it in the comments below.
MORE IDEABOOKS
Bathroom Renovation: How Much Will It Cost Me?
20 Fabulous Family Bathrooms the Whole Brood Will Love
12 Decorating Tricks to Make Small Bathrooms Work Harder
HAVE YOUR SAY
Does your bathroom drive you mad or save your sanity? Tell us about it in the comments below.
It doesn’t matter how cutting-edge your bathroom lighting is; a bathroom that’s too dim or bright, or casts light at the wrong angle is just plain annoying. An illuminated mirror like this one is just the thing for shaving or applying make-up. When you get task lighting right at the bathroom vanity you’re highlighting form and function – a win-win scenario.
Check out these innovative lighting ideas