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If you’re looking for the best information on creating your dream kitchen, bedroom or bathroom, look no further than Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine online.
We’ve selected our favourite features from Britain’s best-selling kitchen, bathroom and bedroom magazine, from wow-factor kitchen spaces, to sublime bathroom and bedroom sanctuaries. In fact, you'll discover all manner of expert planning advice for the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom as well as regular news of future designs bound for the home.
We also bring the latest and greatest home appliances to the fore, so whether you’re after a top-end professional oven for the kitchen, or the hottest designer showering system, KBB magazine online has got it covered. What’s more, we’ll bring you profiles of the industry’s best designers and their innovative designs that could take centre stage in your kitchen, bedroom and bathroom projects of tomorrow.
Of course, there’s much more in store in the latest issue of Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine, which is on sale from March 4th. But, in the meantime, sit back, relax and enjoy our dedicated online service.
Jackie Daly, Editor
Small Order
Roman: The angled design of the Trapezium shower enclosure from Roman allows it to be placed alongside a window, door or other bathroom furniture that would otherwise restrict the location or size of the shower. And the bi-fold door doesn’t project into the bathroom. It is priced from around £1194
Plan carefully for a perfectly formed bijou bathroom space
It is well known that the average British bathroom isn’t roomy – around only 2 metres squared to be exact, so just big enough to fit a standard bath, basin and WC. This shouldn’t stop you making the most of the space you have, however, as there are increasingly creative solutions available. As with any size of bathroom, it’s essential to start with careful planning, as even a larger bathroom can be spoiled by a badly laid out design that does not use the room to its full potential.
Laufen: Mimo from Laufen fits a double basin, £742, into a unit that is only a metre wide and features practical wall-hung storage for bathroom essentials, from £982, and double mirror cabinet for extra storage and light, £1610
Thinking time
“When planning a small bathroom, think about the functionality of every element, including the bath, shower, furniture and ceramics,” says Michael Swan of Villeroy & Boch. “Also consider how you will move around the space,” continues Michael Swan. “Each piece needs to be strategically placed so that minimum space is lost and to ensure there is an easy and natural flow around the room.” So even if you can technically fit in a bath, separate shower, WC and bidet, it’s no use if you have to step over the WC to get into the bath. For the bathroom to be usable, there needs to be around 700mm clearance space round the bath and in front of the basin, and 600mm in front of the WC, with 200mm either side of the basin and WC.
Dolphin: Dolphin’s small-space options include the D-bath, which offers the best of both worlds – a power shower or a relaxing bath in the same footprint, and slimline basins, baths and WCs. A fully fitted bathroom is priced from around £7500
Structurally speaking
Don’t discount ‘borrowing’ space from a larger room next door, particularly if your children have moved out and you have bedrooms going spare. Knocking down and moving a wall even by a few feet will give you many more options in the bathroom. Changing around the layout of the bathroom can also make a big difference, but if possible keep the WC where it is, as it’s difficult and costly to move the soil pipe. Far easier is to reroute water supplies, so see if moving the basin or bath would give more flexibility, but consult with a plumber to find out what is realistic.
If it proves impossible or impractical to change the layout, smaller alterations can still make a difference, such as changing a door to open outwards rather than into the room or swapping a large radiator for a sleek towel rail that takes up less wall space. Manufacturers such as Ideal Standard and Roca also sell sanitaryware that is specifically designed for small bathrooms with short-projection WCs and basins, as well as options designed to fit into the corner and use up otherwise wasted space. “In addition, look to create a spacious feel with wall-hung WCs and furniture that will free up floor space as well as concealing unsightly pipework for a seamless look,” advises Russell Barnes of Laufen.
Ideal Standard: Ideal Standard’s iconic Space range is designed to fit a lot in a small area. Shown is the short-projection basin, £99, close-coupled WC, £661, 1500mm shower bath, from £627, and curved bath screen, £450
Hide the clutter
As the bathroom inevitably attracts any number of bottles and jars, it can easily become cluttered, which will make a small space feel smaller. Storage should be a high priority and addressed at the start of the design process – adequate and accessible storage is essential for keeping the bathroom functional. Look out for units
that combine good aesthetics with practicality and convenience.
“Stylish vanity units with shelves, drawers and cabinets hide belongings from view and can be built around sanitaryware to cover up pipework,” says Geoff Wells of Dolphin. “Also, corner units are especially suitable for small bathrooms, making the most of an unused area of the room.”
Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of the décor and lighting in your small space. Overusing dark or bold colours will make the space feel more cramped than it is so stick with light and natural colours. Place lights where they’re needed – by the mirror, above the shower and basin – rather than just having one central ceiling light that will cast shadows, and use mirrors to bounce around any natural light in the bathroom and open it up.
To see this article in its entirety, the August issue of KBB is on sale now or you can subscribe online here
