Key things to include in our new bathrooms?

[GrendelsMum]

We're just about to replace a mouldering carpeted hovel with two new bathrooms, and I'm paranoid that I'm going to forget something. This is going to involve knocking walls down, creating new walls, moving doors, taking up floor, etc etc, so it's big stuff.

So far on my list I have

• efficient and quiet extractor fan
  
• warm and easy to clean floor
  
• shower tray that doesn't leak
  
• glass shower door with anti-limescale coating
  
• sink
  
• bath
  
• easy to clean taps with water-reducing features
  
• large shower head with water-reducing features
  
• hand-held shower head
  
• enough storage for everything currently on shelves
  
• general lighting
  
• task lighting over mirror
  

Anything else I've missed? Thanks muchly!

[HarrietJones]

Towel rail. Heated ones are good!

[orienteerer]

Toilet?

[TanyaBranning]

A 'soft closing' toilet seat and lid - the ones that gradually fall down rather than slam/crack.

[orienteerer]

Assuming you need a toilet then one with a "half" flush i.e. less water

[GrendelsMum]

Oops :)

Toilet, definitely
And a heated towel rail would also help
And a loo roll holder
And somewhere to put the toilet brush where it won't get knocked over
And tiles for the walls

And I want one of those shelves built into the shower to put the shampoo on

[GrendelsMum]

And yes, half-flush for toilet

[Pannacotta]

Dual fuel towel rail which you can use in summer and winter (runs off electrics in summer),
soft close loo seat (love my new Laufen Pro loo),
lighting either side of mirror rather than above, better for shaving/make up etc, all lighting on dimmers
enough storage for shower gel/soap,
hidden storage for eg loo roll
wall mounted loo brush
And I always recommend Marmoleoum for flooring...

[limitedperiodonly]

Check the cabinet doors close softly. I have just bought a beautiful mirror-fronted cabinet with wonderful lights that clangs shut. I am going to break it unless I work out how to cushion it. (eBay purchase, or else I'd return it).

ps You have a toilet brush? Are you looking for trouble on MN?

[TheFarSide]

A bidet!!!

Absolutely essential when you just need to wash your bot.

Or one of those loos with a hose attached.

[limitedperiodonly]

Thanks smalltown

[GrendelsMum]

Thanks so much, everyone! I shall add all these to the list. This is just so useful to have as a list.

SmallTownMum - The idea of the mirrored cabinet set into the walls is genius. Can I ask what you do about handles? Do I get my builder to just create a cupboard within the walls when he's making the rest of the room?

Pannacotta - Very nice to 'see' you! How is your kitchen getting along? The idea of the dual-fuel radiator is crucial - hadn't thought of that, but we're on oil here, so very important. DH has some insane dislike of half the world's known floor coverings, and Marmoleum is for some reason among them. I think we're going to compromise on Karndean, which DH has now seen and (ha ha ha) mistook for actual tiles after saying for years that no such stuff would ever darken his door.

[BettyBathroom]

Be aware of doors opening onto towel rails - we are having a bit of trouble with a door stop solution as we have tiles and underfloor heating. We may have to employ super glue as a solution.

For your shower consider having the controls close to the door not necessarily under the shower head so you don't get absolutely drenched when you turn it on - you'll need something like an iBox to do this.

www.hansgrohe.co.uk/uk_en/131635.htm

Dimmable lighting, lighting in floor & recessed shelves, aerators in the taps - reduce water and the flow looks better.

[orienteerer]

Buy the best taps etc that you can manage eg Grohne.

[JennyPiccolo]

you should get GHDs wired into the wall in front of the mirror and a high-up hook to hang them on out of the way of DCs.

[LCarbury]

What I love is a double shower with a choice of overhead shower or moveable shower head on the side. Also waterproof membrane/floor under bath and shower so you don't worry about potential leaks going down to floorboards and dripping through ceilings underneath.

[GrendelsMum]

ooh, this is getting better and better.

You are so right on being able to turn the shower on while not actually climbing right underneath it. I thought it was just me that hates not being able to gradually wiggle under a shower. (Legacy of a friend when I was young who was very badly burnt by switching on a hot shower)

[lalalonglegs]

Why haven't I heard of anti-limescale coating before ? Can it be applied retrospectively?

[Pannacotta]

Hello Grendel, nice to see you again too!
Kitchen plans no further along really, still cannot decide how best to use what we have...
Btw, I can recommend Matki/Swadling showers as very good, though not sure they offer any water reducing features. Very good quality too, really solid.

[notcitrus]

Consider where the bathroom cabinet is in relation to where you bend your head down to brush your teeth - we have to warn all overnight guests about not whacking themselves...