In addition to completing the overall look of your bathroom, accessories and storage solutions bring added functionality to the bathing space and convenience to its users.

Bathroom accessories
Towel rails, soap dispensers and robe hooks add the finishing touches to a bathroom. For a cohesive look, choose a faucet manufacturer that offers a wide range of accessories. This will ensure the surface finish of your faucets and accessories are a perfect match.
Within the bathroom environment, the location of accessories is about balancing design preference with accessibility. Take time to consider their positioning as fixing them requires drilling into the bathroom tiles.
Towel rails should be placed within arm’s reach of the bath and/or shower and robe hooks outside the shower door. Wall-mounted soap dispensers and beaker holders will help keep the basin area clean and tidy.

Mirrors
No bathroom is complete without a mirror. They let us watch ourselves perform daily routines such as applying make up, shaving and brushing our teeth and reflect light around the space.
Many designs incorporate either LED or halogen lighting – activated by a soft on/off button for gradual illumination, while some include a heat pad behind the glass to automatically demist the surface.
Mirror-fronted cabinets now offer a variety of discreet storage options – some are designed to be recessed into the wall, so that it is virtually impossible to tell that there is a cabinet behind the mirror.

Recessed storage
Storage recesses in the shower area ensure gels and shampoos are accessible without infringing on the space. Recessed shelving in other areas, e.g. above a wall-hung WC, create a focal point in the room and an additional opportunity to personalise your space.

Bathroom furniture
Once limited to small vanity units, today’s bathroom furniture comes in a plethora of design styles and offers a storage solution for every situation. From bright glossy lacquer finishes to pale woods, units range from small cubes to long stretches of cupboard and drawer units.
Wall-hung styles will enhance a minimalist bathroom and provide a place to hide away the essentials, leaving only the beautiful on display. Many manufacturers also produced ranges designed specifically for small bathrooms and cloakrooms, where space is limited.

~ Article by Grohe Canada.

The kitchen is the central meeting point of every household. From breakfast to relaxing with friends, its design needs to meet the requirements of all of its users. Before you start, consider all the tasks and activities that you would like to use the space for and include an area for each of these.

Kitchen layout
Both the size and shape of your kitchen will help you to determine the best way to utilise the space. The principal activity zones: the sink, the cooker or hob and a preparation/serving area, should be laid out in a triangle and contained within an area that is uninterrupted by through traffic. This is often referred to as the work triangle and is the most efficient way to plan a kitchen, as it cuts down on time spent walking between these areas. It may be that you will need to re-locate some of the service points – e.g. water, electricity and waste pipes – within the space to create the best layout.

Locating the essentials
Ideally there should be an area of work surface, either side of the sink and hob. Freestanding range-style cookers give a semi-professional look. If you prefer built-in appliances, then consider locating a single or double oven in a tall unit as they are more convenient to use at this height. Remember that front-loading appliances, such as ovens and dishwashers, will require extra space in front of them for comfortable access. Locate this dishwasher adjacent to the sink, so that you can easily pre-rise dishes before loading the dishwasher.

Style and design
Consider the amount of storage space you will need for food, pans, tableware and small appliances. Locate wide pan drawers between the sink and the hob and allow adequate surface space for the kettle, toaster and other frequently used extras. Wall units often make a small kitchen appear smaller, so consider glass-fronted doors for a lighter feel, or combine them with open shelving. Tall pull-out larders are now popular and allow easy access to all their contents. Mid-height and full-height units can be used to house a built-in appliance as well as provide extra storage space.

Kitchen dining
Open-plan kitchen/dining areas are now a popular choice. If you have the space, include an island or peninsular unit to separate the work zone from the dining area. Here, choosing a different worktop material will add interest and help to define the two areas. This is also a good place to locate a breakfast bar for informal dining and a second sink.

~ Article by Grohe Canada.

Basins
Although your choice of tiles and colour scheme set the tone of your bathroom, it is the sanitaryware and fittings that determines its design style. Modern wall-hung basins in graphic shapes will give a clean look to contemporary spaces, while Art Deco style pedestal basins add an element of grandeur to traditional bathrooms.
Basin made from stone, glass and resin have become increasingly popular. Signalling a move away from the all-white suite, they add another layer of texture and colour to the bathroom environment.
Your choice of basin will also influence the style of faucet that you put with it, so consider both elements at the same time. Counter-mounted vessel basins will require a wall-mounted or high faucet so that the water is delivered in the optimal position.
Vanity units provide storage space below the basin. For a contemporary look opt for a wide wall-hung model with a surface mounted basin.
If you have the space, double basins are a practical choice for multi-user households. They add symmetry and create a focal point in the bathroom.

Baths
While showers are a great way to start the day, taking time out to luxuriate in a warm bath is hard to beat. Ergonomics are key to a relaxing bath. Visit a bathroom showroom, take off your shoes and try them out. Is it long enough? Wide enough? Does it support you back?
Whatever the size of your bathroom there is a bath to suit your lifestyle – from large double-ended models with centrally mounted faucets to corner baths and roll top baths. If your space dictates that you need a small bath then consider an integrated bath filler – these allow you to fill the bath without a spout taking up precious space.
Acrylic and pressed steel are the most common materials used today – both are strong and durable, however the manufacturing process used to form acrylic baths allows for wider variety of shapes and designs.
For a nostalgic look choose an enamelled free-standing cast iron bath with ball and claw feet. Or make a statement with a large stone bath – although check first that your floor will be able to cope with the additional weight.
If your bath is also your main showering area then look out for models specifically designed to cope with this. They are the same length as a standard bath but are wider at one end to create a comfortable showering area. Usually these are available as left or right hand options to cope with different bathroom layouts.

WCs and bidets
For a cohesive look, your choice of WC and bidet should match the style of your basin. If you have chosen a wall-hung basin, then choose a wall-hung WC and bidet to complement it.
WC styles include: close-coupled – where the cistern and pan are attached to one another, and back-to-wall – where the cistern is concealed in the wall or bathroom furniture. Wall-hung WC’s are similar in style to back-to-wall models only the pan is suspended from the wall, rather than being floor-mounted.
Dual-flush WCs play an essential role in water saving. These are activated by a push button or activation plate and allow you to select the amount of water used for each flush – usually 3litres or 6litres.

~ Article by Grohe Canada.

Showerheads come in a choice of design styles and sizes to suit all installation requirements. A good showerhead will offer a variety of different spray patterns to the suit the needs and mood of the user.

Handshowers
From the simple to the sublime, handshowers come in a variety of shapes, sizes and design styles. Your chosen handshower should feature internal pipes leading to each of the shower nozzles, this will guarantee an even spay pattern.
Choose a model with silicone nozzles. These prevent the build-up of limescale and can simply be wiped clean with your hand or a cloth. Finally, before you purchase your handshower check that it is comfortable to hold and that it offers a number of spray patterns – switching between these should be effortless.

Head showers
Head showers can either be fixed to the wall or to the ceiling. Many manufacturers also offer a range of shower arms, enabling you to benefit from a direct overhead spray.
Extra-large, ceiling-mounted showerheads are becoming increasingly popular – these tend to be modern in their design and provide a wider all-encompassing spray.
Obviously the larger the head, the more water it requires, so check with your showroom or plumber that you will have an adequate supply of hot water to cope with the demand. Compare manufacturers to find out how many litres their head shower uses per minute – some are much more efficient than others.

Side showers
Side showers, sometimes referred to as body jets, are small showerheads positioned on one or more of the walls within the shower area. Each delivers a focussed jet of water to target a specific part of the body. Although their position is set at the time of installation, a ball-joint lets you pinpoint the spray.

~ Article by Grohe Canada.

The more time you spend at the preparation stage identifying your needs and desires, the more successful your bathroom project will be.

Your ideal bathroom
Before you start selecting tiles, sanitaryware and fittings, it is important to spend time assessing all of your requirements. Make a list of the things you like about your current bathroom and the things you would like to change. Visit showrooms and look through books and magazines for inspiration. Think about a friend’s bathroom that you like or the bathroom of a hotel that you have stayed in – what features appeal to you most?

Size and layout
Is your bathroom big enough? If not, is there any way you can extend it or move it to another room? If you have a large household do you require an additional cloakroom or shower room to ease congestion in the morning?

Are you happy with the current layout of the space or would you prefer to re-arrange the sanitaryware? Would you like to include a bath and a shower, and is there enough space to accommodate the two?

Prioritizing your needs and desires will give you food for thought and a point from where to start. Every household is different, so don’t be led by what’s in fashion. A well-designed bathroom is a perfect balance of function and aesthetics and these are unique to the individual.

User requirements
The age and ability of the users will also affect your requirements. Safety features such as thermostatic controls for showers and anti-slip finishes on tiles, the bath and shower tray will benefit everyone, but are especially important if the room is to be used by children or the elderly.

Design and decoration
A new bathroom is a big investment so choose your colour scheme and fittings wisely. Will you still be enamoured by your purchase in 10 years’ time? If you are intending to move home in the near future, will it appeal to potential purchasers? The bathroom and kitchen are both major selling points. Natural coloured tiles and white sanitaryware are always a safe option, as they will not date. You can always add a personal touch with brightly coloured towels and accessories.

The essential elements
Lighting and heating should also be considered from the outset. Include at least two different light sources, task lighting and ambient lighting, and use dimmer switches to create atmosphere. Radiators, underfloor heating and heated towel rails will add warmth to the space. And don’t forget about ventilation to keep your new bathroom steam free.

~ Article by Grohe Canada.