Large bathroom ideas: do’s & don’ts
The ideal scale would be 1:10 or 1:20. Here a 2-metre long wall is represented as a 20 cm line (1:10) or a 10 cm line (1:20).
Creating a practical and elegant large bathroom décor requires meticulous planning, just as it does for a small bathroom. Decorating the large bathroom means doing everything possible to avoid the feeling of an empty, cold space.
Bathrooms should be a refuge for personal pampering and wellbeing, a place where you’ll want to spend time. And most importantly of all, be functional and practical. The following large bathroom ideas will help you plan and equip the space to its optimum potential.
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Top 10 ideas to design a large bathroom
A large empty bathroom space can be daunting to decorate. The suggestions below are tried and tested and will provide guaranteed results.
- Divide the bathroom space into zones using partitions, screens and half walls that define separate zones.
- Sanitaryware should include a double vanity unit and a freestanding bath.
- Exploit any architectural features to the max. If there aren’t any, create them.
- Colours, patterns, and textures can be more daring in the large bathroom.
- Introduce as much planting as you are confident will survive, depending on how green your fingers are!
- Artificial lighting must be carefully controlled and complement the separate zones.
- Place selected items of furniture throughout, reinforcing the bathroom zones.
- Make the space personal through the choice of art pieces; photography, paintings, sculptures and decorative objects.
- Incorporate bathroom storage into the initial planning process. More storage rather than less is required in a larger bathroom.
- Natural lighting is required in the larger bathroom. Window treatments must make the best use of the available light. And the placement of the sanitary ware should be determined by their position.
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Large bathroom planning
Having a large bathroom adds value to your home and is an amenity to be enjoyed daily. Before embarking on its configuration and design, the following tips will help you plan a practical layout.
- A double vanity unit is highly recommended for practical and aesthetic reasons. The extra WHB in a family bathroom or an en-suite helps the flow when multiple people are using the bathroom simultaneously.
- Locate the WC beside, or very close to, the Soil Vent Pipe on the external wall. This helps avoid unsightly pipe runs inside.
- Take the position of the room’s windows into account when planning a large bathroom. The shower and WC should not be located underneath or near these valuable openings. Equally, a skylight is an excellent source of light and ventilation that should be incorporated, especially if the bathroom is under the property’s roof.
- Use partitions, half partitions, screens, raised dais and other architectural devices to help divide the space into zones. The large bathroom should always feel like a single room, but it can be subdivided.
- If there are any architectural features, make the most of them, like a bay window. Place a freestanding bath there, or a banquette seating along its perimeter. The same goes for an attic bathroom with a sloped ceiling. Celebrate the feature through design.
The Do’s & Don’ts of large bathroom layouts
The key to creating a large bathroom that doesn’t feel cold and empty is good planning and thoughtful décor. There are several tried-and-true methods for decorating a large bathroom. Equally, there are some things you should avoid at all costs. We’ve compiled a list of do’s and don’ts below.
Do’s for decorating a large bathroom
- Think of the large bathroom space as a habitable room with areas to sit and relax, or perhaps a dressing zone. Select furniture that reinforces these uses, such as a chaise longue or an ottoman.
- Have a separate shower and bath. The walk-in shower is one of life’s true luxuries, as is soaking in the bathtub. With the large bathroom, it’s not a matter of having one or the other, but of having both.
- Because the bath is the biggest sanitaryware item, it will require special attention. A vintage roll top freestanding bath or modern equivalent will create a feature that provides a focus in the space. Alternatively, create a raised stepped volume, emerging from the floor or wall tiles, to accommodate a sunken bath.
- Combine a variety of tile, wallpaper, and paint finishes in the large bathroom. The variations in texture, colour and pattern help warm the bathroom space and make it more room-like.
- Introduce some greenery into the large bathroom, potted plants that thrive in a humid environment. Broadleaf species like monstera deliciosa will fill the space and provide a decorative flourish.
Patterned tiles can be used to reflect the bathroom zoning. Incorporate small and medium tiles with a mosaic effect to create a feature floor or wall.
Don’ts for decorating a large bathroom
- Avoid spreading the bathroom artefacts over the entire area equally. This is both inconvenient and counterproductive to the desired décor outcome. The Wash Hand Basins, bath, shower and bidet, for example, should be divided into ‘islands’ or zones.
- Don’t over tile. Too much of a good thing can lead to overkill. A large bathroom should ideally have a variety of surfaces and textures.
- The lighting, both natural and artificial, is more important to control in a larger bathroom. Try to organise the layout with the position of the windows. Natural daylight can be used to best effect.
Large bathroom tiles ideas
The choice of tiles for large bathrooms can make the difference between a welcoming, comfortable space and a chilly, off-putting one. Both floor tiles and wall tiles will help establish zones in the large bathroom. There are as many ways to decorate a bathroom as there are styles of tiles.
Large bathroom floor tiles
Large format bathroom floor tiles
Large-format rectified floor tiles with narrow grouting joints create the illusion of continuous flooring. This approach works well with an irregular shaped space, such as an L-shaped configuration. A layout where the space is divided into areas and the floor acts as a unifier.
Medium and small format bathroom floor tiles
When choosing medium or smaller tiles, it is best to avoid using a single repeated tile throughout the large bathroom flooring. Instead, go bold with floor tiles by incorporating patterns and details, such as border tiles, to emphasise the habitable room ambience.
Large bathroom wall tiles
The advice regarding floor tiles also applies to wall tiles. Avoid too much tiling using the same tile over a large wall area. It is, however, advisable to tile the shower enclosure, the top of the bathtub and the space surrounding the vanity unit. The idea is to combine different finishes and a selection of tiles that complement one another yet do not overpower the room.
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Large bathroom storage ideas
It might seem too obvious to mention, but clutter in a large bathroom must be avoided at all costs. The storage of specific items should be practical and placed where required. Towels and bathrobes should be within reaching distance of the bath, shower and WHB. While cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and amenities are best kept over the sink.
The double vanity unit provides invaluable storage in the large bathroom. Alternatively, an over-scale vintage dresser or cupboard can lend bohemian charm. Floating shelving, meanwhile, not only provide storage but also create a warmer feel.
