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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask you to show me your bathrooms?

142 replies

ItsFineReally · 01/03/2025 16:29

I'm thinking of updating my bathroom but could so with some real life inspo rather than magazine images of bathrooms that are larger than my entire upstairs.

Would anyone oblige me by sharing some pictures of what they've had done recently?

And more importantly any pitfalls of current trends that you'd now advise against? My bathroom is now at least 15 years old so definitely behind the times.

OP posts:

Thread gallery

cardibach · 01/03/2025 19:20

I finally have the bathroom if my dreams (at 60). I don’t like too much tiling - it’s a bit serial killer.

Bunnycat101 · 01/03/2025 19:18

ItsFineReally · 01/03/2025 19:08

@Bunnycat101 £36k?! 🤯

I know! We’ll come in less than £15k getting top end fittings through shopping around and a more local tradesman. Now I’m sure he won’t be as glossy as some of the other companies and I’m hoping I don’t regret it but I couldn’t believe some of the quotes we had. I thought they were totally taking the piss.

Yellowaveo59 · 01/03/2025 19:18

ItsFineReally · 01/03/2025 17:13

I had been looking at black matte taps and wondered if they'd be difficult to clean...

Is it watermarks in general on the black?

Show quote history

Don’t get them! The black
js some type of coating not a black metal. After a few cleans it starts to come off!!!

Original poster

ItsFineReally · 01/03/2025 19:15

SlightlyJaded · 01/03/2025 19:10

planning picture dine by fancy pants bath shop vs reality done by looking for more affordable options ans sourcing myself

somewhere on here is a very long and painful thread that I started when I was losing my mind with trying to plan my bathroom! Mumsnet saved the day.

This is gorgeous. Great to see the plan versus reality too. Might have a search for that thread and then bug you for questions. 😉

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cardibach · 01/03/2025 19:15

ItsFineReally · 01/03/2025 17:13

I had been looking at black matte taps and wondered if they'd be difficult to clean...

Is it watermarks in general on the black?

Show quote history

I have a mat black tap in the kitchen. It’s fine.

xyz111 · 01/03/2025 19:15

What ever you do, do NOT get anything black. Worst mistake ever was buying black sink and taps. The limescale shows constantly!!

RoastDinnerSmellsNice · 01/03/2025 19:14

2025willbemytime · 01/03/2025 17:51

Be careful with your brick effect tiles that they don't look like a public loo.

Show quote history

Thanks for the warning, but they're not subway tiles, and I used them in our old house, and loved them, so that's why I'm having the same again.

singingirl · 01/03/2025 19:14

We have put in an en-suite recently and we really love it! We went for sage green with lightly pink marble tiles, and found an amazing carpenter who built and treated wooden vanity units for bathrooms.

We were also cautioned about matt black taps etc, by our plumber who had used them in his own home. He and his wife both said they were a nightmare to keep clean. So just worth considering especially if you are in a hard water area.

Woodworm2020 · 01/03/2025 19:10

ItsFineReally · 01/03/2025 17:13

I had been looking at black matte taps and wondered if they'd be difficult to clean...

Is it watermarks in general on the black?

Show quote history

I found in a hard water area they were a nightmare - choose between white limescale or the black coating on the taps coming off when using limescale remover!

SlightlyJaded · 01/03/2025 19:10

planning picture dine by fancy pants bath shop vs reality done by looking for more affordable options ans sourcing myself

somewhere on here is a very long and painful thread that I started when I was losing my mind with trying to plan my bathroom! Mumsnet saved the day.

Original poster

ItsFineReally · 01/03/2025 19:08

@Bunnycat101 £36k?! 🤯

OP posts:

Original poster

ItsFineReally · 01/03/2025 19:05

@PineappleCoconut Tell me more about the Japanese loo seat... I think my husband would love one.

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Original poster

ItsFineReally · 01/03/2025 19:03

@CheesePlantFeet Those images are beautiful. Good tips too - underfloor heating feels very decadent but you're right, it's a very small space so shouldn't be too expensive.

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Moanyoldcow · 01/03/2025 19:03

Talipesmum · 01/03/2025 18:28

Here’s ours - there’s a big mirror over the towel rail now as well. Tiles v similar to yours @Moanyoldcow but a shade darker!

Agree it’s v hard to find small bathroom inspiration- all the places I looked had “small” bathrooms that would have been huge for us!

I was very drawn to the green but we are green on other rooms and felt it might become the green house!

Original poster

ItsFineReally · 01/03/2025 19:01

@kab89 @CheesePlantFeet @Rhymetimegopo I have been looking at panels as my friend just had them and I definitely like the idea of less to clean.

But I can't help liking the look of some of the beautiful coloured tiles some PP here have shown. Especially in those lovely green tones. Quite a few have a texture to them that I like in theory but, again, from a cleaning point of view, might drive me potty!

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Bunnycat101 · 01/03/2025 18:56

I am in the process of doing mine at the moment. Take your time and speak to a range of people in shops. We’ve really benefited from going to places that seem to employ ex fitters who know what they are taking about. I spent hours getting tiny sample for tiles getting no-where and walked into a shop with an ex fitter and within an hour had picked the tiles and got some fab advice. In contrast, my husband went into a different tile shop, asked about slip ratings and the lady didn’t know what they were so he walked out as she clearly didn’t have any product knowledge at all.

We have also had some utterly outrageous quotes for bathrooms. We’ve ended up going for a sole trader bathroom guy rather than a one-stop shop (which is what we originally thought we wanted). One quote I had was £36k for a small 2 by 2 bathroom.

Original poster

ItsFineReally · 01/03/2025 18:55

whatsappdoc · 01/03/2025 17:48

We have black matte taps and shower fitments and we have no problem keeping them clean. Maybe it's hard water? The only time it's noticeable they need wiping down is after toothpaste spatter from an electric toothbrush. Ugh!

I don't think we're in a hard water area. Where did you get your taps if not a problem for you? Perhaps you just got top notch ones!

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Original poster

ItsFineReally · 01/03/2025 18:54

@RoastDinnerSmellsNice @SomersetClimber I veer between your (clearly sensible) advice and being drawn by trends! We'll be moving in the short to medium term rather than longer-term and therefore there's the hope it doesn't date too much before then... That's why we're still having a bath even though I'd much rather opt for a fancy huge walk-in shower.

@2025willbemytime I've seen white subway tiles look super expensive and classy, and also like a public toilet. I've no idea what made the difference either way!

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Lonelycrab · 01/03/2025 18:53

Loving these pics! Some superb looking colour mixes.

Not my bathroom but one I’m decorating for a friend.. The white walls in the second pic will be wallpapered too.

CatCurious · 01/03/2025 18:34

Photos are of main bathroom and en suite, both fairly recently done. Haven't regretted any part of it yet, so can't tell you what to avoid!

Talipesmum · 01/03/2025 18:28

Here’s ours - there’s a big mirror over the towel rail now as well. Tiles v similar to yours @Moanyoldcow but a shade darker!

Agree it’s v hard to find small bathroom inspiration- all the places I looked had “small” bathrooms that would have been huge for us!

Musicaltheatremum · 01/03/2025 18:23

SomersetClimber · 01/03/2025 17:35

I second RoastDinnerSmellsNice, go for classic sanitary ware and tiles and add character with paint etc. If you like a deep bath don’t have a bath filler (no taps the water comes from the overflow). I’ve got one but it limits how deep you can have the water. I also like big tiles as it limits the amount of grout to keep clean!

I love your tiles. I've got them in my bathroom too!

PineappleCoconut · 01/03/2025 18:23

Vado customer service is excellent
They've sent out tap and shower cartridges free when the arsehole of a developer didn't register the 10 year warranty.

PineappleCoconut · 01/03/2025 18:22

Not mine but very similar, just the basin vanity drawers are white gloss

Marble porcelain tiles
Chrome fittings
Ceiling Bluetooth speakers
Heated mirrored cabinet
Japanese loo seat

I debated so long over tiles, and was tempted by many blues and greens

But in the end decided marble never dates

I've seen some fantastic shower panels and next bathroom that needs doing might use those, but most likely marbled too