Top tips for a better finish to your bathroom project
Look after the finer details of your bathroom scheme with our handy tips and your bathroom will look after itself.
Image: COAT Paints
If you’re working on a project towards a beautiful bathroom, you may already have picked out the dream bath, perfect wall colour and some beautiful tiles for your space; however, when it comes to the bathroom, the devil is in the detail. It’s a space that has to cope with a lot – most of it water-related, so how you approach the renovation will have an impact on the how the final scheme wears.
We’ve pulled together some of our need-to-know tips to get a better finish for your bathroom.
Don’t leave tile edges exposed
Whether it’s at the edge of a shower enclosure, or you’ve tiled half way up the wall around your basin, where tile meets wall, you can find yourself with unsightly edges. However, there are options to tackle the problem – metal tile edging strips offer a sleek, modern look, while the likes of these architectural moulding tile toppers from Ca Pietra can offer a traditional, luxurious finish for period-inspired schemes.
Image: Ca Pietra
Use tile backer board
Backing boards for tiling aren’t always used, but they’re certainly best practice for a reliable bathroom. When taped and jointed, they become completely waterproof and will help to prevent water running into your walls and causing damage. They also provide extra insulation for your space, which can be particularly helpful for colder bathrooms where condensation is a big issue.
Read more: How to deal with damp in your bathroom
Image: Big Bathroom Shop
Conceal pipework
Exposed pipework can be a choice, especially when you have beautiful shiny chrome or brass fittings, but in most cases pipework can be hidden for a more streamlined look. Furniture under the sink, for example, can help keep the basin waste pipe hidden.
Your plumber may be able to use a false wall or plinth to hide shower and bath pipework, but keep in mind that if you find yourself with a leak, that same plumber may need access to these pipes again, meaning disruption for your bathroom.
Ventilation
The right ventilation is key to keeping your bathroom looking better for longer. While cracking a window is an option, it’s not ideal for using your bathroom in the winter months, or making sure your privacy is retained. An extractor fan will help remove moisture from the air which can cause damp, mould and wood rot if left unaddressed in your bathroom.
Image: Paint & Paper Library
Choose the right materials
Pay close attention to your choices for the bathroom. From flooring to paint to tiles, you’ll need to make sure your materials can stand up to the moisture of a heavily used bathroom. Bathroom paint will help reduce the chance of mould and avoid condensation, while flooring should be waterproof to handle spills from the bath and wet footprints. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are a great choice for the bathroom, but ensure floor tiles have sufficient grip so that they don’t become slippy, while encaustic and cement tiles will need sealing to stay free from water marks.