Space of solitude: A great way to make bad things go away is by soaking in a hot tub or getting hit by a jet shower

Rithu Dravid

The privacy, comfort, luxury and extreme sanitary conditions that we associate with our bathrooms today are the result of thousands of years of civil engineering and social change. It is a great place to unwind from the stresses of the day with a nice hot shower or a warm bath. The bathroom becomes much more than just another room in the house, it becomes a safe space.

Changing of bathrooms

As an interior decorator, Gazala Adil vindicates the importance of the bathroom as “a space to take care of yourself in privacy, bathroom designing used to be a simple affair in the past but now people are giving more importance because of its utilitarian nature and a place that provides personal hygiene”. Ghazala talks about the changing face of bathrooms: “Bathrooms are bigger now and play multiple roles from a therapeutic spa for the whole family to a personal refuge and even a work out area”.

A well-designed bathroom should have enough space for your everyday tasks with all the necessary features and storage units. A great bathroom design can help you achieve your everyday needs with efficiency as well as giving you a relaxing space to unwind after a long day.

Types of bathrooms

Most houses have one or more types of bathrooms -- a full bathroom, a three-quarter bathroom, or a half-bathroom, in a variety of combinations. While home buyers use many factors when researching homes, bathroom types are some of the most important factors. It is a space that surprises visitors and flees from the strict functionality in conditions of limited available space.

Originally a room with an apparatus for bathing now it’s much more: “It needs imagination and hard work but designing a small bathroom is not a herculean task” says Monisha, an interior designer. It used to be a singular bathroom, but over the years it has progressively become more elegant, beautiful and exciting. The varieties available depend on the taste, choice andbudget which allows one to think or customise according to one’s requirements .

The amazing options available in designing bathrooms are enormous from a simple one comprising a bathtub, a shower cubicle to lavish stylish bath fittings and fixtures. The lighting is an important feature while designing a good-looking bathroom.

Thinking of the safety and comfort of the elderly, handlebars, grab bars and anti-skid materials are of most importance. The variety of tiles and most importantly mirror fittings give a unique look and appearance to a bathroom. So the choice of materials and decoration to make your bathroom a unique space can be modified to a vintage or a contemporary style.

Eclectic

The extra fittings like the telephonic shower, storage, sink designs, tilting mirrors, jacuzzi and the steam accessories are exciting features to enhance the look and elegance of a bathroom. It is a good idea to add decorative wallpaper or accessories to keep costs low and maintain the aesthetics. Some of the most popular bathroom decorating ideas involve combining materials like wood, ceramic tiles , metal works called the eclectic style bathrooms.

Minimalist

Minimalism is all about paring down the elements to the minimum. The minimalist bathroom is about paring down the elements to have plenty of open space. The bath, sink, toilet or shower will all be as efficiently shaped and placed as possible.

Modern

Modern bathrooms are similar to minimalist bathrooms, but with some crucial differences. Modern bathrooms can be more imaginative in terms of colour and the use of accessories, but will always include features that meet current design trends.

Country style

This kind of bathroom often includes ornamental features, such as floral arrangements, aromatic scents, candles or floral wallpaper.

Rustic style

The rustic style seeks to create the age-old, traditional bathroom spaces. Rustic style bathrooms use wood to offset the colours of the walls and try to balance the desire for a homely space with elegance and class. Bathroom decorating ideas for rustic rooms tend to include items like locally grown flowers, while large luxurious baths are another common design theme.