Interiors
Bathroom Luxury on a Budget 1
By Katherine Sorrell
Wouldn’t it be lovely if money were no object? In the real world, however, budgets are always a key consideration. With careful planning and canny thinking, however, you can create a bathroom that looks gorgeous, functions beautifully and feels just like you’ve spent an absolute fortune – without actually breaking the bank. Keep it simple - Choose a plain white bathroom suite in standard sizes. No-frills makes are much cheaper than designer pieces and you can create an elegant and upmarket effect with details such as cleverly chosen tiles, taps and towel rails. Seek out cheaper options - Obtain high-quality and luxury options at cheaper prices. Ask your nearby builder’s merchants if you can take out a trade account and get automatic discounts. Alternatively, wait for showroom sales or browse online for the best bargains – though bear in mind the additional delivery charges, and the possibility of breakages and faults. Returns are often easier if you have bought locally. Don’t move things around - When planning your new bathroom or upgrade, avoid moving existing plumbing. Keeping the bath, basin, WC, shower and any radiators in the same position reduces the installation costs considerably. The same applies to existing doors, windows and other features such as built-in cupboards.
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Do it yourself – or get someone in? If you do some of the work yourself it will save money. Know your limitations, however, as a luxury look requires highquality, precision work. That said, tiling and painting are straightforward, and even plastering or putting down flooring can be tackled by a competent DIYer. For complex plumbing and any electrical work, though, contact a professional. You’ll need a certificate for the latter, too. Choosing tiles - Plain white, square tiles are often the cheapest option, but not very exciting. Jazz them up with coloured grout, and lay them in a fashionable grid format rather than brick-like offset rows. Or choose rectangular tiles and lay them vertically or in a chevron pattern. Instead of stone or marble wall or floor tiles, find a lookalike made from ceramic or porcelain. They are widely available, look good, stain less easily than real stone, are lighter (and therefore easier to lay) and should cost a great deal less. When replacing tiles, you can sometimes save money by tiling over the old ones rather than removing them and replastering the wall. On the walls - Bathrooms don’t always have to be tiled right to the ceiling. You can save by only covering specific areas: perhaps up to half-height around the room, or else just the splashbacks next to the bath and basin. Using paint everywhere else is the cheapest option, but there’s nothing to stop
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