Bathrooms for Two
When you’re planning your perfect bathroom with your partner, it’s important to make sure that this shared space suits both your needs. Fortunately, creating a shared bathroom fits perfectly into the latest bathroom design trends.
Here are a few things to consider in your bathroom design in order to make it a private retreat for you and your partner, alone or together.
Take Two
If you and your partner are battling over the bathroom in the morning, adding a second basin is a great solution. This isn’t as uncommon as you might think and it solves a lot of problems.
Rather than choosing two traditional sinks, opt for something a little sleeker. Sinks take up a lot of space, so another one is going to use up even more precious real estate. Instead, choose a counter top basin. 2018 is all about sleek and stylish modern looks, and a smaller basin fits right into that aesthetic.
Think About Flow
If you’re fortunate to be designing from scratch, including layout and installation, make sure there is an attractive flow to the bathroom.
Think about what you’re going to see when you first open the bathroom door. The first thing you see should be something relaxing and aesthetically pleasing. Essentially, don’t just show the toilet. Show a cheerful colour on a dividing wall or an inviting shower instead.
If you’re lucky enough to have an attractive view from your bathroom window, bring that view into the bathroom by positioning your bath so that you can enjoy it while relaxing.
Vary Your Lighting
Choose a variety of bathroom lighting in different places to make the most of your shared bathroom. In places where you need good visibility, such as by the mirror or around the basin, you want bright, direct lighting. Direct light prevents eye strain and improves precision when applying make-up or shaving. Mount wall lights at eye level either side of a mirror to avoid shadows.
To create a soft and comfortable space, use softer ambient light in your bathroom . Position lights around the sides of the room instead of the middle to avoid shadows, and use them to enhance flourishes, such as a feature wall.
Night lights that come on automatically via a presence detector can help you or your partner when they creep in at night. Install a low-level light to create a floor wash, or an LED strip under a vanity or bath panel. This is very useful for shared en-suite bathrooms so you don’t risk waking up your partner.
Use Space Wisely
Space, and how we use it to best effect, is as much an interior design trend as any other. Bathrooms are often compact in size so wet rooms and walk-in showers are an increasingly popular way to open up the room. They’re also easy to use by the young and old alike, so you can make your bathroom futureproof for you and your partner.
Blend Your Storage
When designing your layout, always be mindful of storage. Cluttered bathrooms only get worse the more people you have in them. Install some stylish shelving alongside cabinets to create a mix of exposed and concealed storage. This way, you can tuck away some items discretely, while showing off your beautiful bottles, towels and even plant life.
Stay Neutral
Like all partnerships, a shared bathroom is all about compromise. When choosing your bathroom colours, lean towards soft, neutral colours and add accent the bathroom with bold colours that you and your partner like. You can also enhance the personal touch with colourful towels and bathroom accessories.
Separate Bath & Shower
Many people have a shower head installed instead of a bath. A shared bathroom should be able to cater to everyone’s taste. If space allows, separate the bath and shower to give you both as many options as possible. If that’s not an option, consider a double shower head instead.
With just a few considered design touches, you can create a shared bathroom that not just reflects your shared style, but your relationship as a whole. Remember, living together takes compromise. So, instead of pushing your design ideas onto the other person, consider styles that will suit your lifestyle together.