Bathroom layout panic!

[Cutiecat]

We are having an extension built and had it designed by an architect. The family bathroom has been ripped out as a result and a partition wall inserted. I have ordered the kit for the bathroom based on the architect's design and the first fix of plumbing and electric happened yesterday. BUT.......

My mum came over yesterday and had a better idea for the layout. It means that three units I have ordered are not required and results in a towel rad having to be moved. Fortunately the pipes for the basins and soil stack would not move much and would be behind the cabinets.

I have not spoken to the bathroom supplier to know if they would refund me the surplus cabinets or the plumber to know about moving the rad but WWYD? Do I stick with the original design or make the changes now before if it all tiled? I am tearing my hair out (and 7 months pregnant with my 3rd). Please help, my DH is no help at all.

The architect has obviously gone on holiday so cannot be reached!

think really hard about how you will use your bathroom. If your mum's idea is better go with that! - otherwise you will spend the next few years wishing you had changed the layout. Can you mock up the different layouts on the floor (mark them out with tape or newspaper) to see how each of them will work & if there is enough space?

Ponks, I have chalked it out and it is a better layout. I am going to get the builder to look with me in the morning to make sure it is all ok. I hope that I can get my money back on three units we no longer need. In the grand scheme of things it is better to get things right and just use the cabinets for something else or sell on ebay.

One last thing, would you think it would be better to have two basins or one. There is room for two but more spacious with one.

Thanks so much.

Go with your gut feel - if your Mums idea is better then that is the one for you. Architects often use a standard layout without spending too much time worrying about how the client will actually use the space.

If you can get the money back on the units great, if not don't stress it. You are changing the layout because it is better not because you want to save money.

I prefer one sink unless there is genuinely loads of space.

Thanks Frenchfancy. I think it is useful with three children to have two sinks as this is what we were used too but at the same time I think it will look too cramped. I think I will see if the cabinet can be used for one sink and if so go with that. I will see if they will take back one basin. I don't see why not, it has not been modified for me at all.

My only other concern is the position of the towel rail. I plan on having it on the wall above the loo. It is all so complicated.

Thanks again for all your help.

Two sinks = twice the cleaning!

Well the bathroom is in the configuration my Mum suggested and has one sink. The shop took back the other sink and tap but I am left with two cabinets spare. I might try selling it on ebay. I am not really worried about that as they are not expensive.

I am going to have to just tolerate my mother when she comes to gloat. It will be painful, she is not gracious in victory.

Thanks for all your help.

I have found a bidet to be invaluable with small children. They treat it as a basin that they can reach. I would much rather have one of these than 2 sinks.