Tips on building an extension: Bathroom

Conception

Architecture

Planning Permission

Building Control

Getting a Quote

Bathroom

Bedroom

Gallery

Our extension has two bathrooms, a main bathroom of about 28 square meters and an L-shaped en-suite of about 24 square meters. The great thing about plannign two bathrooms at once is we don't have to make up our minds. If we like two ideas we use one in one bathroom and one in another!

Our builder agreed to fit the bathroom suite, fittings and tiles. The work cost was included in the cost but we would buy the items ourselves at our own cost. We considered getting a designer, but they all worked on te principle that the walls of the bathroom is already in place and they would do the fitting. That did not suit us, so once again we had to become designers ourselves. Fortunately there are several good cheap books around, full of pictures and good advise.

We wanted the bathroom to be quite conservatibe in design. When we come to sell the house we don't want something that would affend peoples tastes. The standalone baths without feet look fabulous, but we also wanted a whirlpool bath. That is a difficult combination but a search of the internet found a bathroom shop at http://www.presleybathrooms.net/ with just what we were looking for. We were in time to order it at the January sales price. Some sinks from B ∓ Q were found to match nicely, so we got those.

Another feature on our list for the main bathroom was a walk-in shower. Being able to just walk in to the enclosure without having to pull open those flimsy shower doors is a real treat. We found what we wanted at homebase.

Our final design has plenty of storage space just where it is needed so that spare toilet roles and shampoo bottles can be put away. Choosing the right tiles is the last essential. There are excellent specialist shops with a wide range of choice such as Topps Tiles and Tiles R Us

For the en-suite we went for a more modern look with glass basins. The risk is that the look will become dated in a few years, but we can always change the sinks. For a final touch of luxury we selected an enclosed large steam-shower unit combined with a corner whirlpool bath. It is an expensive item but well worth it.