Soaking in style

How to create a luxury bathroom on a budget

By Michaela Pointon

Your bathroom is a space you use every day. It should be a place to enjoy and feel relaxed in. With these budget-friendly renovation ideas, your dream bathroom can become a reality.

Enjoying your bathroom through unique personalised elements, will mean it’s a place of privacy and sanctuary. Establishing a style and consistently carrying this theme throughout the bathroom will ensure your luxury bathroom on a budget stands out. Interior designer from Cube Dentro Interiors, Alina Cuchiliuc says, “Different textures can give a bathroom that instant luxury feeling. Don’t be afraid to mix various textures like glass, metal, and soft neutral fabrics.

“Even adding plants, vases, candles or floating shelves, can take your bathroom to the next level.” Considering aspects such as textures, finishings and colour pallets adds to the luxurious feeling. If you are on a budget and are working with a small space, there are many ways you can elevate this room in your house. Alina says the selection of tiles is important. “The smaller your bathroom is, the bigger tile you should be using”. She says good quality bathroom fittings and fixtures are another way to go. “Look for alternatives. There are plenty of products, which have the same quality for a better price.” Splurging on some aspects of your bathroom and saving in other areas is a great way to make the most of your bathroom build. For example, you may want to spend more on having a freestanding bathtub or unique handmade tiles, but decide to save money on areas such as tapware and fixtures.

There are budget friendly alternatives available on the market everywhere. Learning how to create a luxurious space through using colours and lighting secrets will mean your bathroom stands out.

Alina says light is important in order to achieve a luxurious feeling. “Ideally you would have ‘layers’ of lights to create different moods,” she says. Rethinking about how you use lighting in this space will alter the overall energy in this space. You might have natural lighting, light fixtures on either side of the mirror, or the more traditional downlights. Consider if you want warm or bright lighting as this will affect this space, and how you see yourself when getting ready! “Avoid using only recessed ceiling led lights, by adding a pendant or a wall light you would be able to instantly change the mood in your bathroom. “Neutral, soft tones along with some accents that is the look you are aiming for.” She suggests painting your walls can also be a good way for saving money. You may be able to save costs on painters or tilers if you have the skills to do it yourself. “If renovating, think about reusing some of the old items and try to keep your old plumbing position for cost effectiveness.

“Also, don’t forget about the mirror! You can make a centrepiece out of it.” If you are in the process of designing your own bathroom, or even renovating, giving yourself more room if possible and making the bathroom a decent size is essential to the luxurious design style. “Think carefully of the layout, it needs to suit your needs and be as functional as possible. “If possible, choose quality over quantity, this motto will help you create a luxury looking bathroom,” she says. If you want to find out more, or get in touch with Alina and the team at Cube Dentro, you can visit their website here: cubedentro.co.nz.

The global pandemic has changed the face of the home market, instigating great opportunities in design and construction. Delivery times and access to products may be affected but the desire for the comforts of home and the ability to innovate far outweigh the negatives.

In the past year many international Kiwis have returned home and New Zealand Kiwis adjusted to life without travel. The result was a building boom in the domestic renovation and building market, with an emphasis on the most functional spaces: bathrooms. They are a place of relaxation and escape, a haven to pamper oneself and revitalise and are being paid increased attention during design phases. Bathroomware market leader Oakleys Plumbing Supplies reports that current customers are not shy about achieving the best results they can, with the demand for top-quality bathroomware and plumbing systems higher than ever. People are not only building for function, there is an aspect of comfort and pride in their projects, too. Oakleys’ commitment to both New Zealand manufacturers and the best of the European suppliers, ensures customers are never without choice of product. Popular amongst homeowners at the moment are tapware in living metals which patina with age, and concrete basins and baths with their raw beauty and anchoring effect. German designed thermostatically controlled shower systems are in demand so you never have to worry about consistency in water temperature again, as are intelligent toilets which incorporate bidet systems and therefore an environment of increased hygiene. Oakleys has a talented team of consultants amongst its four stores, who not only have encyclopaedic knowledge of bathroomware products, but also offer design services, spatial planning advice, colour consultancies and an architectural service for architects and designers. As a result of increased demand in the bathroom industry, the Oakleys Group is in the midst of a showroom rejuvenation programme. Both Nelson and Cromwell stores have their state-ofthe-art showrooms open with Dunedin’s renovation currently in design and Christchurch’s to follow.

Designed by award-winning designer Davinia Sutton, the showrooms introduce a standard rarely seen in New Zealand showrooms before.

Davinia has created a raft of concept bathrooms showcasing the company’s amazing product lines and teamed them with impressive lighting, and beautiful tile, wallpaper and paint choices to showcase exactly what is achievable in today’s bathroom design world. The showrooms also feature kitchen and laundry products, extensive tapware collections, and working displays where you can test products before you buy. Oakleys’ dedication to design, workmanship and service has been evident since the company was established in 1875. When Henry Oakley and John Morgan Taylor founded Taylor & Oakley Plumbers Iron and Tinplate Workers, Gasfitters and Bellhangers, Christchurch was a newly established city and their products were the preferred fittings by reputable plumbers. Now 145 years later the company proudly maintains its locally owned and operated status with the owner of each branch found on the shop floor every day. This dedication to locals helping locals is at the forefront of the exceptional Oakleys’ service.