Most houses can benefit from another bathroom, not only are they great for convenience but they can add value to your house, making homes to cash property buyers looking for properties, and a loft conversion can provide you with the perfect opportunity to do just that!
But as lofts can sometimes be awkward shapes and sizes, you need to consider the design and layout of your bathroom very carefully to make sure you choose things that are suited for the room size and layout before you have them installed and fitted.
Shower
If you have the space (and head room) to include a shower then we’d recommend you do so. Not only for convenience but it can also help if you ever come to sell your property. Shower cubicles come in various sizes so consider how much space you have to use and buy an appropriate sized one that can fit nicely somewhere in the room. If you’re limited on space, go for a smaller cubicle that can fit nicely into the corner.
If you don’t have the room for a shower cubicle at all then a shower head over the bath is the next best alternative.
Bath
A statement bath can really liven up your new loft conversion, adding a contemporary and stylish feel. Maybe a sunken bath (if you have the space) or a free standing bath can create a modern feel to the bathroom.
If there is a long slanted wall that is stopping you from fitting a sink or shower on that side of the room, instead of wasting the space, consider having the bath fitted here (see image below) so you’re using areas of the room to their potential.
Wall mounted taps are the modern alternative to those that are fixed to the bath unit. So if it’s a ‘spa-like’ feel you’re aiming to achieve, or if you simply want a more updated bathroom, then consider these options when choosing your bath.
Floor
White or pale coloured tiles will make the room look larger and brighter as well as adding a luxurious feel. Alternatively a light coloured vinyl floor can achieve a very similar look and they’re both easy to wipe down and keep clean.
Avoid carpets for bathroom areas as they’re more suited to bedrooms and living rooms to create comfort and warmth.
Storage Space
Clever storage space is essential for loft converted bathrooms – especially the smaller ones. Choosing units that have built in storage, such as a sink basins with shelves and draws either underneath or above it are the best ways to store your bits and bobs as you don’t need extra furniture, plus they’re hidden so don’t clutter up your bathroom.
Plumbing
Ensure your bathroom is 100% water tight before your plumber finishes off the job completely and you begin to actually use the bathroom. The best way is to simply ask the plumber to run water before he lays the floor and does the tiling. This will save you a lot of time and hassle later if you were to discover a leaking pipe once the bathroom has been finished off.
Decor
When choosing which colours to paint or wallpaper the walls, lighter shades will make the room look larger. If you do still want a bit of colour then use lighter shades for the top half of the wall (above waist level) as it has the effect of a heightened ceiling and use darker colours for the bottom part of the walls (below the waist) so you can still benefit from a seemingly larger and taller bathroom.
Room shape/size
Consider the shape and size of this room and how it can be used to its full potential. If you have a long and narrow room, we suggest placing a feature piece at the end of the room. This could be a particular unit or chest of drawers that can help the room feel and look wider. Likewise if you have a larger and wider bathroom space, consider placing a large bath under the window to create a feature/focal point of the room.
If you consider all of these options when designing your new bathroom then hopefully you will end up with a beautiful, stylish bathroom, fully optimised to make the most of the loft space on offer.
