The majority of British bathrooms are small, so specify suitably-sized suites

It’s easy to get carried away on the styling of large bathrooms which showcase interior architectural scale and provide the ‘wow’ factor. But for the majority of UK bathrooms, these large projects are just not the reality. The truth of the matter is that British bathrooms are typically small. According to owner of Ablutions Luxury Bathrooms in Coalville, Stuart Irving, 90% of his bathroom projects can be considered small.

New build and RMI

New build homes are frequently criticised for having small bathrooms, as The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), reports new homes in the UK are the smallest in Western Europe. It reports the average home has shrunk from 85 to 76sqm – or the same size as one train carriage on London Underground’s Jubilee Line. But refurbishments in older properties can also see the available space challenged, as space is taken from other areas of the home, such as bedrooms or under the stairs, to create ensuite or cloakroom facilities. And in these tough times, adding an extra bathroom can add value to a home.

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Suites for small spaces

Manufacturers have worked hard at delivering an array of dedicated products for small spaces or including reduced projection furniture, smaller scale sanitaryware and complementary mini mixers throughout their collections. Of course, it’s not just the selection of products which can aid the design of a small bathroom but how the space is organised which can deliver a visual and workable room. Find out what elements the customer views as essential and what can be overlooked in order to make the most of the space.

The full article appeared in the combined July/August 2013 issue of Kitchens & Bathrooms News