To ask you to show me your bathrooms?

[ItsFineReally]

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.

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!

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.

@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!

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

@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.

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

@Bunnycat101 £36k?! 🤯

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

@ItsFineReally Top notch I wish! Our black sink mixer taps were from Ikea. £20 each. Our concealed shower fittings were from Bigbathrooms £250. Not big spenders as you can see. 😀

That looks so relaxing! Love the vibe.

The trouble with having more painted surfaces is the paint peeling from the condensation but maybe we just need a more powerful extractor.

I have no extractor. I open the window and shut the door after showers. No peeling.

Maybe cheap is the way then, as the general consensus seems to be steer clear!

@ItsFineReally Just spotted a pp said the black coating comes off and we have noticed a bit of peeling on one of the sink hole pop up covers. But I can't remember where that came from.

I agree with the poster who said to avoid open faucets spouts, it's very hard to keep clean and I had to change it after a while, thankfully it wasn't an expensive faucet.

Here are pics of our primary bathroom which are remodelled last year.

Don't do hexagonal tiles unless you want to spend a lot on labour. They are hard to cut and fit, especially if they need to match a pattern/ tones.

I work for a bathroom company, so this is my specialist subject!

I am begging you not to buy your products online - please please go and speak with your local bathroom retailer! Yes, it may be slightly more expensive than buying online but you’re paying for their knowledge and expertise, plus any after sales support you may need. Avoid online only retailers at all costs as you will be replacing it again within the next 2 years.

Agree with Vado being a good product, also check out Armera. For your brassware, try and go for a PVD brushed finish, rather than a Powder Coated Matt finish. Powder coating will peel off over time, where as PVD is physically a part of the surface, so no chance of peeling!

I’ve been in the industry for years and if you live anywhere south of Birmingham I can point you towards some decent showrooms