PLANNING A BATHROOM

Where to spend & save

OUR GUIDE TO WHAT TO SPLASH OUT ON AND HOW TO SAVE IN YOUR NEW SCHEME

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI AND AMY CUTMORE

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

If you’re planning on renovating your bathroom soon, you’re probably wondering where to spend your money and where you can save – and if cutting back in any areas is even possible. There’s no denying that bathroom renovations are costly, but if you’re committed to upgrading, you want to end up with a fabulous, long-lasting and durable space that will serve your home well for years to come. Fortunately, there are ways you can achieve your dream bathroom without breaking the bank.

‘When looking to renovate your bathroom on a budget, there are several items which, if you invest in them, can make your whole bathroom look and feel more expensive,’ says Lee Reed, head of design at Easy Bathrooms (easybathrooms.com). ‘And picking these items wisely means you can look to save on other areas and products.’

An essential component of planning a bathroom is looking at which aspects are worth splurging on, and which you’re able to cut back on. To save money, it’s important to assess how your bathing space will be used and prioritise accordingly. Is a bathtub really necessary, or will just a shower suffice? This decision in itself could save you heaps of money, and you could look at investing a little extra in the shower area to make this the stand-out feature.

‘It may sound obvious, but aim to buy the absolute best that your budget will accommodate,’ says Helen Clark, head of marketing at bathroom specialists Utopia (utopiagroup.com). ‘It’s nearly always a false economy to cut corners because a bathroom is subject to daily wear and tear and any compromise in quality will soon make itself noticeable.’

WHERE TO SPEND

1 TAPS AND MATCHING FIXTURES

Bathroom taps need to be robust and durable. They are the most-used element of a bathroom so they need to last. Look for designs with ceramic discs, which don’t wear out like rubber washers do, so you won’t find yourself having to screw the tap ever-tighter to turn it off. Anti-limescale technology is worth considering, too, to prolong a tap’s lifespan. New taps might also save water if they incorporate a spray, which consists of lots of tiny individual outlets that produce gentle drops.

As for looks, opting for taps in something other than the standard chrome finish – such as brass or gold – will help transform the practical components of the bathroom into a stylish part of the design. You can then match other metalware, such as the door handle, loo seat hinges and radiator valves in the same finish for an instantly more luxurious feel.

‘When it comes to bathroom design, a few carefully selected pieces of brassware can make all the difference,’ says Barrie Cutchie, design director at BC