Interior decor styles come and go with increasing rapidity. As fashions change, once cutting edge room schemes go out of style and within only a few years can seem hopelessly outdated.
But a bathroom suite is a pretty big investment: the time spent researching your options, planning your layout, and finding a contractor to install the fittings is time you'll never get back - and that's before you consider the money spent on purchasing and installation. It's not something you'll want to change every year.
How, then, to balance style and longevity?
Think of your bathroom suite as just a part of your bathroom design - it's important, but it's not the be all and end all of your bathroom decor. If your suite is plain, your accessories and decor can then be updated (at less cost and effort than a full renovation) each time you're in need of a new look.
Choose fixtures that are simple and unfussy. Unnecessary detail may look good on a basin when it's new, but it's that detail which will age an item fast. There will be quite a selection of bathroom suites to choose from, even after you've discounted the overly ornamental: take your pick from sweeping curves and straight lines, different sizes and heights, and wall hung or floor standing basins and toilets.
The three main styles of basin are pedestal, semi-pedestal, and wall hung.
A pedestal basin is hung from the wall, but the base appears to rest on a porcelain pedestal which rises from the floor to support the basin's weight. This pedestal is hollow, and contains all the plumbing for your basin conveniently out of sight.
A semi-pedestal basin is wall hung, with a projection of porcelain protruding from the base, concealing the pipework but stopping a few inches below the base of the basin.
A wall hung basin has its pipework on display; pipes which are visible below the basin before they turn and enter the wall are chrome covered for an attractive finish.
There is no particular standard size for a basin, as width, depth and height all vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Simply measure your space and select a basin which will fit the gap, allowing plenty of user access. If you favour a luxurious look, you may like to consider an extra wide basin (anything from 700mm plus); alternatively, you could opt for double basins to allow two individuals to easily use the room at one time.
Taps and wastes are generally sold separately, so you should remember this when you budget for your new bathroom suite. Make sure that you choose taps which complement your basin, both practically and aesthetically.
When choosing a toilet, your options are close coupled, back to wall, or wall hung. The cistern of a close coupled toilet is positioned just above and behind the toilet bowl. The two are connected and the cistern is visible. Back to wall and wall hung toilets are connected to a concealed cistern which is hidden either in a piece of fitted bathroom furniture, or behind a wall built for the purpose. This lends a minimalist look to the bathroom.
The toilet bowl has traditionally been oval in shape, and you still have this shape as an option; modern toilet bowls tend to be rounded or squared off in shape.
When buying a toilet, do bear in mind both its height and its projection. Height is an important factor in determining optimum usability of the toilet by anyone who is elderly or infirm, while the toilet's projection of utmost importance if your bathroom is short of space.
But a bathroom suite is a pretty big investment: the time spent researching your options, planning your layout, and finding a contractor to install the fittings is time you'll never get back - and that's before you consider the money spent on purchasing and installation. It's not something you'll want to change every year.
How, then, to balance style and longevity?
Think of your bathroom suite as just a part of your bathroom design - it's important, but it's not the be all and end all of your bathroom decor. If your suite is plain, your accessories and decor can then be updated (at less cost and effort than a full renovation) each time you're in need of a new look.
Choose fixtures that are simple and unfussy. Unnecessary detail may look good on a basin when it's new, but it's that detail which will age an item fast. There will be quite a selection of bathroom suites to choose from, even after you've discounted the overly ornamental: take your pick from sweeping curves and straight lines, different sizes and heights, and wall hung or floor standing basins and toilets.
The three main styles of basin are pedestal, semi-pedestal, and wall hung.
A pedestal basin is hung from the wall, but the base appears to rest on a porcelain pedestal which rises from the floor to support the basin's weight. This pedestal is hollow, and contains all the plumbing for your basin conveniently out of sight.
A semi-pedestal basin is wall hung, with a projection of porcelain protruding from the base, concealing the pipework but stopping a few inches below the base of the basin.
A wall hung basin has its pipework on display; pipes which are visible below the basin before they turn and enter the wall are chrome covered for an attractive finish.
There is no particular standard size for a basin, as width, depth and height all vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Simply measure your space and select a basin which will fit the gap, allowing plenty of user access. If you favour a luxurious look, you may like to consider an extra wide basin (anything from 700mm plus); alternatively, you could opt for double basins to allow two individuals to easily use the room at one time.
Taps and wastes are generally sold separately, so you should remember this when you budget for your new bathroom suite. Make sure that you choose taps which complement your basin, both practically and aesthetically.
When choosing a toilet, your options are close coupled, back to wall, or wall hung. The cistern of a close coupled toilet is positioned just above and behind the toilet bowl. The two are connected and the cistern is visible. Back to wall and wall hung toilets are connected to a concealed cistern which is hidden either in a piece of fitted bathroom furniture, or behind a wall built for the purpose. This lends a minimalist look to the bathroom.
The toilet bowl has traditionally been oval in shape, and you still have this shape as an option; modern toilet bowls tend to be rounded or squared off in shape.
When buying a toilet, do bear in mind both its height and its projection. Height is an important factor in determining optimum usability of the toilet by anyone who is elderly or infirm, while the toilet's projection of utmost importance if your bathroom is short of space.
