Bathroom Finishing Touches - Lighting and Tiling

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Finishing Touches

As any interior designer will tell you, it is all very well choosing the right fixtures and fittings, but it is the finishing touches and how you dress the room that can draw a scheme together.

Lighting

Consider a staged lighting scheme so that you can choose lighting to suit your mood. Bright halogen downlighters will flood a room with white light creating a feeling of space. However, if you want a relaxing bath you may want something a little more subtle.

Floor level lighting shining on tiling or simple wall lights can help to create a subtle ambient light perfect for creating the feeling of a sanctuary. And don’t forget the mirror. Downlights can cast awkward shadows on the face when you look at your reflection. Wall lights mounted either side of a mirror create the ideal light for shaving or applying makeup. A three staged lighting scheme will help increase the versatility of your room.

For a more elaborate, period ambience your lighting may need to be more flamboyant. A dramatic chandelier in a large traditional bathroom is a real winner and will help to create an instant feeling of opulence. However, if you don’t have enough space, simple wall sconces can give create a similar effect of sumptuousness.

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Tiling

There are two styles which are particularly prevalent in contemporary bathrooms at the moment. Mosaics are a popular way to introduce colour into a bathroom and they contrast beautifully with pristine white sanitaryware. If you don’t want to completely adorn your bathroom with mosaics, why not add blocks of colour by tiling a vanity unit or the walls inside a glass shower enclosure in ice blue. Combine this with reflective surfaces such as glass and chrome and you will have a bright, modern haven.

For a tiled look that won’t date natural materials such as limestone and slate are incredibly popular. Slate creates a stark, bachelor-pad style, perfect for contrasting with a white suite. But unless you have floods or natural light, plenty of space or a clever lighting system, you run the danger or the room feeling cramped. In a small space use slate sparingly, perhaps just as a flooring option or bath panel.

Floor to ceiling limestone or limestone effect tiles can have the opposite effect, particularly if the tiles are oversized. This will open out a room and give a simple, uncluttered look that is sure to be in vogue for many years to come. Consider mixing different sized floor and wall tiles for to help break the uniformity of the look.

In a period bathroom you may decide to minimise your tiling to create a richer appeal. Walls adorned with patterned wallpaper or rich burgundy or dark green paint help to create an authentic feeling of luxury. Tongue and groove panelling is also extremely popular in a traditional bathroom. But for that iconic art deco look, a black and white chequerboard tiled floor is a must.

Dress for Success

Finally remember the smallest details. Matching fluffy towel, slatted bathmats, toiletries decanted into simple glass jars or steel baskets all help to draw your theme together.

Keep accessories to a minimum in a modern bathroom opting for slatted blinds and simple colours. In a period bathroom you can afford to be a little more adventurous by introducing rich fabrics and gilt mirrors.

Additional information

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