Open-plan bathrooms – privacy nightmare or romantic dream-come-true? We splash into the conversation.

Open-plan bathrooms aren’t coming; they are already here. In greater and greater numbers of luxury hotels around the world, the open-plan bathroom has made an appearance.

Lately, open-plan bathrooms have also started to flow into private residences. Architects and developers, sold by ideas of romance, luxury and modernity, are bringing these audacious designs to life.

Googling ‘open-plan bathrooms’ for webpages will bring you a plethora of horror-filled articles. These mainly stem from travelling friends, forced to witness each other’s ablutions one too many times.

Yet googling the same term in image-search mode will display a huge variety of innovative, inspiring designs. Someone out there must like open-plan bathrooms, otherwise why are there so many?

In today’s blog, we take a look at some of the pros and cons of this modern design trend.

On the visual side, there is no denying that open-plan bathrooms can look stunning. The lack of walling maximises space, making open-plan bathrooms appear bigger, more luxurious, and open to flows of natural light and air. The design style enhances a natural look, working to minimise clutter and claustrophobia whilst still making a residence appear super-modern.

This effect also works on mood. As luxury hotels emphasise, open-plan bathrooms can be very romantic spaces for those in the right frame of mind. They encourage a relaxed feeling in both bedroom and bathroom, inviting you to walk bare and natural from one to the other, without the hassle of getting changed.

On a practical front, open-plan bathrooms perform well. Many feature walk-in showers, which are great for wheelchairs and the elderly, removing the obstacles of screen tracks and frames. A bigger bathroom space means there is less need for an intensive ventilation system, so fans may be smaller and quieter.

This modern design can also add considerably to a house’s real estate value. It may act as a point of differentiation in the crowded housing market, piquing interest for the right buyer.

However, as noted globally on a number of travel blogs, these bathrooms can be very awkward if they are shared by the wrong people. Many people believe a little mystery helps keep relationships strong; these bathrooms strip away the privacy of what may be the last refuge in a shared house.

In residences with only one bathroom, open-plans are not great choices for those who frequently have guests. Friends and relatives may not appreciate your ‘open’ perspectives.

Open-plan bathrooms also present some unique functional challenges. The usual problems of timing are exacerbated when the bathroom is placed in the bedroom; partners may be constantly waking each other up, particularly if one works considerably later or earlier than the other.

It can also be a challenging design for families; the relaxed and romantic feel of both bedroom and bathroom may be shattered by the necessity of children using the room.

We suggest if you’ve only got one bathroom, particularly if you have children, consider staying with a more traditional closed design. Otherwise you may find there’s a shortage of people on your guest-list. However, if you’re remodelling an ensuite to the master bedroom, an open-plan design might be just what you need to reinvigorate your residence.

Overall, open-plan bathrooms can be warm, inviting, relaxing spaces. However, a last piece of advice: whatever you’re planning, make sure your toilet stays put behind a firmly-entrenched solid door. There are some things that never need to be witnessed.

To complement the spacious look and feel of your open-plan design, furnish your bathroom with Pivotech frameless glass hardware. Pivotech offers a large range of frameless glass hardware options, each carefully engineered for maximum strength and durability. They will ensure your bathroom stays looking light and airy, without compromising on functionality. Browse through our options today.

Images:
Smh
Minosa Design
Garden and Home

Continuing on from our previous World Bathrooms post, in today’s blog we cast our gaze around the globe to look at some Asian design trends.

Asian bathroom design is synonymous with tranquillity. This could potentially be ascribed to Oriental philosophy filtering through to building practices; feng shui and other spiritual systems have long had an effect on construction blueprints. Rooms may be designed to promote inner peace, bring luck and more. Different regions may also have subtle differences in bathroom style and tone.

Japanese   Â

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Traditional Japanese design can appear quite minimalistic. There is often a conscious effort to bring nature inside. Wood in dark or light natural stains is common, as is a variety of plants in corners and around basins. Stone pebbles in suitable areas can add to this natural look, an addition which can be pleasing to the touch as well as to the eye. Bathtubs are more common than showers, but both fit well in these relaxing spaces. Privacy screens of paper over wood or bamboo add a touch of delicacy to the setting.

Chinese

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Chinese designs are often bolder and more contrasting than those of other Asian regions. The use of strong colours, particularly red (symbolic of luck and happiness) serves to bring vibrance and energy to a room. Mirrors are also prominent; where once these may have had much to do with frightening away evil spirits, today they largely serve more pragmatic purposes. Lanterns and shaded lamps in wall-sconces are a very traditional look, which can incorporate well into modern design.

Thai

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As Thailand is such a strong tourist destination, Thai bathrooms are most often seen by travellers within one of the country’s many hotels. Colours and layouts that emphasize space, luxury and cleanliness are popular. White plaster walls fight the heat by casting an illusion of cool, calm colour. Dark lacquered wooden cabinets and panels fit into this space – useful to store an array of fluffy white towels. Fresh petals can be strategically placed to appeal to the eye whilst also providing a light floral aroma, helping to distinguish the bathroom as a clean, private space.

There are a huge number of fashions that can be followed to help revamp your bathroom’s image. Pick a style you like and start designing – and be bold!

Image sources:Â Decoist, Houzz, Architecture Art Designs

In our increasingly connected world, fashions start and spread faster than ever.

This can easily lead to confusion – when there are so many trends out there, what’s actually popular and what’s not? How do you know which movements to follow and which to ignore? What is ‘good taste’ these days anyway?

These questions apply as much to bathrooms as to anything else. In fact, we argue they are especially pertinent here, as any new bathroom is designed as a permanent fixture; in a house lasting decades, the style needs to be as durable as the hardware.  In a bid for inspiration, this set of blogs is aiming to highlight a few classic world bathroom styles.

English

With famous brands like Twyford and Royal Doulton to their name, the English have perhaps the best-known style of European bathroom.  Generally solid and regular of design, traditional English designs are timeless affairs, combining taste with functional durability. Colouring is typically white or cream, and floral patterns are common across wallpapers and even porcelain. Large bathtubs, often featuring claw feet, are usually prominent. Done well, it is easy to conjure up images of the 1800s aristocracy using these bathrooms as part of their daily wash. For us, the only thing that’s missing is a dedicated shower – a bath just isn’t the same!

French

Although initially appearing quite similar to their rivals across the sea, upon closer inspection French bathrooms are markedly different to those of the English. As French housing tends to go up rather than out, large windows or even doors that open onto small balconies are often featured, allowing light and air to spill through to the interior. As per English design, white and cream tend to be the classic colours, but French bathrooms often blend in more subtle touches. This may appear in wrought iron artwork on balustrades and mirrors, lace patterns on towels and table coverings, or even glass or crystal chandeliers for the refined nobility. Again, showers are not as common here as they could be – but with the right screen, one could easily be melded into this discernable décor.

Scandinavian

Nordic or Scandinavian designs seem to be all the rage in bathroom talk at the moment, but what actually is a Nordic design?  Organic materials are common: rather than plastics or acrylics, lots of stone and wood are used for that warm, natural feel. A dark / light interplay is also suggestive of Nordic design, symbolic of the varying amounts of light in Scandinavian regions. Typically this is black and white, but dark navies and greys can also work well in modern bathrooms. Many designs strive to keep things simple, removing unnecessary storage racks, cabinets or peripherals for a clean, minimalist appearance. If you can imagine being on the inside of a sauna in a mountain retreat, Nordic bathrooms are often just as relaxing.

Spanish

Spanish and Portuguese designs are very different to those above. The most immediate contrast, as  perhaps could be expected from geographical indicators, is overwhelmingly one of warmth. Earth tones of red and brown are common, as is clay or terracotta decoration; this stems from Moorish and Native American influences in art and architecture. Small, arched windows often feature, and there can be many in a single bathroom. They may even come without any sort of sill or framing, instead having the glass (or lack thereof) set straight into the wall. Mosaic designs and lots of tiling are also in character and can suit the mood of Iberian designs.

Hopefully these world bathrooms have given you a few ideas to get started planning your own timeless designs. Keep an eye on this space for the next in this series.

Image sources: ClawFoot, Home Bunch, 1Decor, Houzz