ECO-FRIENDLY BATHROOMS

There's no need to sacrifice style in your search for sustainability – here's how to make sure your space looks good and does its bit for the environment

- 

Waterand energy-saving measures will always form part of any eco-friendly bathroom design, but it’s also about picking your fixtures and fittings wisely so that all the elements of your bathroom design are chosen with a conscience.

“An eco-friendly bathroom is designed with sustainability in mind, using products and features such as energy-efficient LED lighting, water-saving fixtures and durable designs,” says Jorge Hernandez, head of product design at Crosswater. “Choosing products that will last not only helps to reduce waste but also saves on costs and over-consumption.”

SAVING WATER AND ENERGY

Despite rising water bills, our use of water shows no signs of decreasing, says Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms. “Many seem unaware of the volume of water used throughout the home, particularly in the bathroom. For instance, taking regular baths is the biggest water usage in households – on average it takes 115 litres of water to fill up a bath, while taking a shower uses, on average, 50 litres of water.

“Water-saving devices such as low flow-taps and showers, as well as dual-flush toilets are relatively inexpensive and effective,” she adds. “Another effective and sustainable way to save water is by introducing aerators to taps and showerheads. Aerators don’t require any major work or plumbing experience and anyone can fit them easily. For instance, older taps flow at a rate of around 15 litres of water per minute, but an aerator can reduce that to as little as six litres.”

While choosing a smaller bath will reduce the amount of water you use, Barrie Cutchie, design director at BC Designs, has a clever trick for reducing the amount of water your bathtub contains.

“Buying a bath without a pre-drilled overflow means you tailor the overflow to your needs – by having it drilled lower, you’ll only be able to have baths of a certain depth, removing the temptation to top it right up,” he says.