A ZEN SPACE

Clever and innovative design can produce brilliant bathrooms for families to share

- CARROL BAKER

From cheerful powder rooms to ensuites with exquisite views, shower rooms with fabulous feature walls, and of course family bathrooms the gang can share, bathroom spaces offer a multitude of opportunities to create an unforgettable design statement.

THE WELLNESS BATHROOM

A beautiful bathroom is all about comfort and creating calming, restful spaces. Good bathroom design essentially strikes a balance between form, function and aesthetics.

Gabrielle Ziomek from Crystal Bathrooms says natural elements such as stone and timber can help create a soothing atmosphere. "Consider adding features such as a steam shower or a deep soaking tub for a luxurious experience," suggests Gabrielle. Another way to incorporate tranquillity into your bathroom space is by harnessing sunlight. "Maximise natural light to create an open and airy feel," she notes. "Large windows, skylights or strategically placed mirrors can help bring in sunlight and make the space feel more inviting."

Biophilic design connects us to nature, so incorporating leafy plants and garden views, even an outdoor bathtub or shower that is an extension of the bathroom, is a novel way to bring the outdoors in.

FORM AND FUNCTION COMBINE

Of course, a bathroom should be practical as well as aesthetically easy on the eye. Deanne Crowther, interior designer from Bathrooms by Oldham, says it's always a good idea to have wet and dry zones. This means the vanity and storage are separate; you have a walk-in shower and bath together, so there is a designated wet area. "Heated towel rails and hooks if it's a family bathroom are positioned near the wet area, so there are no slips or falls, and teenagers haven't dripped water all through the bathroom."