Mistakes to avoid when designing a bathroom

When it comes to a practical space like a bathroom, function has to come before form. Make sure you allow enough space between sanitaryware so people can move around and sit or stand comfortably – for example, there should be at least 60cm between the toilet and anything that’s in front of it. Towel rails should be fitted within easy grabbing distance of the bath or shower and cupboard and shower doors need to open without obstruction. See more small bathroom ideas in our gallery.

But before planning your layout, there’s a more important underlying issue to address first: where are your pipes going to go? Start with the soil stack, the wide pipe that carries off waste water from your sanitaryware. Your loo needs to be a maximum of 6m from the soil pipe to allow for proper drainage. Showers, baths and basins should be a maximum of 4m away. Consider how smaller pipes will reach the soil pipe, as this may be affected by the layout and condition of your underfloor joists.

Towels, shampoo bottles, toothbrushes, spare toilet rolls – you’ll need to find room for all these things and more in your bathroom. If possible, include a mixture of open shelving for attractive toiletries and accessories, and hidden storage for more day-to-day bits and pieces. A mirrored cabinet with integrated electric toothbrush and razor charger is a neat storage option, while built-in shelving, cupboards and drawers will help you make the most of every inch of space. See more clever storage hacks here.

If you have a large bathroom or live in a poorly-insulated house, chances are a single heated towel rail won’t be enough to keep your bathroom warm, especially in winter. Work out exactly how much heating you need using a British Thermal Unit (BTU) calculator, such as the one on the B&Q website. Underfloor heating is a great space-saving option for a bathroom and will make dark, chilly mornings that little bit more bearable. 

The bathroom is the most humid room in the house, making it the ideal breeding ground for mould if you’re not careful. Invest in a good extractor fan that stays on on a timer after you’ve left the room. This is especially important if you have an internal bathroom with no windows.

Dream of starting the day being pummelled by a rainfall shower and massage jets? So do we, but before you go splashing out, make sure your water system is up to the job. Speak to a plumber or bathroom specialist to work out whether your current system can handle something like a power shower and be prepared upgrade your boiler, water tank or pump if need be.

Water is precious. Waste it and you’re not only pouring money down the drain, but you’re not doing the planet any favours either. Luckily there are plenty of tricks that can help you save water without having to ditch your daily soak in the tub or power shower. Start by fixing any leaky taps. Look out for showerheads with the water-saving WaterSense label, install a low-flush toilet, or pop a brick in the cistern if you have an older model – just check with your plumber before you try this!

While it’s OK to use ordinary wallpaper in some areas of a bathroom, you’ll need to make sure you have a top-of-the-range extractor fan to prevent it from peeling over time. If you’re using wallpaper in an area that’s directly exposed to splashing or steam, place it behind glass, or choose a waterproof wallpaper, some of which can also be used in wet rooms. As for paint, go for a bathroom-friendly option that resists damp and mould.