Toilet design: Intelligent bathe designs for awkward areas

Loos with out-of-the-ordinary shapes are a typical prevalence in lots of tasks, making it essential to specify bespoke options or give you methods to work round tough options. Lisa Hibberd discovers a number of the finest choices, and hears about some key design concerns.

“Designing a bathe enclosure in a clumsy space can appear fairly daunting however there’s a good vary of specialists and product options now obtainable to make sure shoppers can get essentially the most out of their area,” says Lorraine Walsh, bespoke design marketing consultant at Merlyn. “With the provision of bespoke tub screens, wetroom panels and wall profiles, hinges and handles, designers have the pliability to create fashionable but useful showering experiences in areas they could have by no means thought of appropriate. We at all times suggest working with a devoted bespoke design group, with in depth expertise in creating bespoke options, whether or not it’s rising the peak of a bathe door, working round dwarf partitions or incorporating completely different angled cuts. To make sure the simplest and classy answer is specified, designers should consider all of the choices for the bathe area and structure on the design stage earlier than any work has commenced. That is additionally actually necessary if there are any picket parts within the room similar to door frames or beams. The glass can not sit flush with any wood-based options because the moisture will trigger the wooden to rot. A ten-15mm hole between the glass and the wooden is advisable to stop any issues.”

Max Finaldi, MD of The Bathe Lab, agrees that any quirky options should be made clear firstly. “For a bathe to suit completely into a clumsy area, we have to have all the info upfront. For instance, if the angle of the sloped ceiling is barely out or if we aren’t conscious of restricted ground area in a toilet, it might hinder your complete design and manufacturing course of. The very last thing a buyer needs is a bathe that’s barely off-size or one which causes leaks. All of our View Assortment bathe areas might be customised to suit the consumer’s wants. When you’re working with a sloping ceiling, a recess bathe area similar to our View 05 or View 03 is a well-liked possibility. The glass might be minimize at an angle to fit alongside the sloping ceiling whereas hinged doorways supply privateness and good splashback safety. If it is single notches or cut-outs which can be wanted – similar to these accommodating a beam – then one thing so simple as our View 01 mounted display may be the best possibility – particularly if the consumer is searching for good accessibility.”

“In attics, lofts, under-stair areas, transformed garages and even basements, the place a standard bathe enclosure can’t be accommodated, a custom-made enclosure will guarantee a precise match and may incorporate exact dimensions with out compromising on model or high quality,” feedback Natalie Paley, nationwide gross sales supervisor, retail and service provider, Coram UK. “With our Sealskin duka vary of enclosures, each single enclosure is tailored, inside 4-6 weeks, to exactly match its setting. Specification of a wetroom ground may show useful for unusually formed rooms. A trimmable ground former, like Impey’s Aqua-Dec EasyFit might be minimize to dimension to adapt to the size of the room, whereas sustaining the proper drainage gradient. This removes the requirement for a bathe tray, and permits for larger design freedom in a clumsy area. Every of our Sealskin duka enclosures is manufactured to order, no matter the place it will likely be put in; this could possibly be underneath a sloping roof or round boxed-in piping. Each product is minimize with millimetre precision to the size provided, giving the designer confidence and freedom to discover new choices by way of structure, form, and dimension.” 

Bev Brown, MD of Lakes, reviews that – alongside wall-hung bogs and basins – bifold, quadrant and nook entry showers are nice choices when ground area is tight, making use of the room’s corners and maximising area. “These confronted with sloping ceilings and beams, nonetheless, could discover it harder and that is the place lowered top bathe enclosures are additionally answer. One other space-saving thought is a pivot bathe, the place a swivel hinge mechanism sits between the door and body and permits you complete entry while not having plenty of room for the door. A walk-in or walk-through bathe with single glass panel is one other glorious thought for awkwardly-shaped rooms. Unobtrusive in model, the glass wall can even create a way of airiness. Rooms similar to loft areas won’t profit from plenty of pure gentle, however including in as a lot as potential can even assist open the room as much as the attention. Subsequently, contemplating the place you possibly can finest optimise pure gentle is essential. For instance, should you’re designing a brand new rest room in a loft conversion, take into consideration including a skylight above the bathe to let the pure gentle pour by whereas nonetheless sustaining privateness.” Designers may utilise LED lighting throughout the bathe enclosure with a view to create a softer, extra enjoyable setting.

“For these working with compact or advanced rest room areas, space-saving hid bathe valves are perfect for a toilet design answer as a result of the mechanics of the product are behind the wall, while additionally offering a glossy and modern end,” advises Paul Bailey, chief, product administration, Lixil EMENA and Grohe UK. “It isn’t solely design flexibility that hid showering can supply but additionally extra personalisation of the person area by way of structure. Positioning of a bathe valve in an uncovered system is restricted by the size of the bathe hose nonetheless this limitation is eradicated with a hid bathe system, providing the liberty to create a really bespoke showering area.”