Everyone wants a bathroom that is easy to clean, that looks immaculate and tidy with minimum effort – right? Not an easy task, especially if you have children or messy other halves. So, we’ve spoken to the experts to get their top tips on having a spick-and-span space.

So you’re after a new bathroom – one that’s perfect for the ‘gram but also actually works well. Well, there are several things you can do to make life easier on yourself when it comes to upkeep. Speaking from experience (having renovated the bathrooms at least three times in her house), KBB journo Alison Davidson explains why you need to get the basics right first.

Here, she’s listed the main things to consider when planning your space, if you want it to be a calm and clean sanctuary with zero design regrets… 

Efficient bathroom extraction

After having a nice hot shower or relaxing bath, if there isn’t anywhere for steam to go, you’ll end up with condensation and eventually black mould on the walls, tiles and grout – which is hard work to get rid of it.

So, make sure you have windows that open, and install the best extractor that you can; believe me, it’s worth it. Your electrician should be able to recommend a good one that will last.

Gabi Riseley, of Henry Rose Interiors, says, “The size of the extractor will depend on the size of your bathroom; but always get one with a timer so it continues to run 20-30 mins after you have showered.”

Storage, storage, and more storage

There is nothing worse than cluttered countertops for making a bathroom look untidy, so invest in as much storage as you can to hide toiletries, spare towels and cleaning products.

The bonus with everything having a place? The bathroom is easier to clean and maintain. Bespoke furniture is the ideal if you can afford it. Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio explains, “Cupboards can be built to fit the space perfectly, fill an alcove or even up to the ceiling, so nothing is wasted.”

However, if your budget won’t reach to that, there are several more budget-friendly alternatives and lots of companies offering online planning tools. 

Wall-mounted furniture

Having a wall-mounted vanity unit and WC makes good use of the space, especially in a small bathroom. Caroline Milns, head of interior design at Zulufish says, “Wall-mounted vanities and toilets not only help keep the bathroom feeling big, open and light – they make it much easier to clean as there is nowhere for dirt to hide.”

Why not choose a statement floor to make the most of this look?

Consider the bathroom materials

If you want an easy-to-clean bathroom, then one of the first things you should look at is the materials you include in the space.

For instance, porcelain and ceramic tiles are popular due to their versatility, durability and low maintenance. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring is also ideal, as it’s warmer than ceramic tiles underfoot, easier to maintain than real wood flooring, and compatible with underfloor heating.

Look for materials that are also abrasion-, scratch-, impact-, bacteria- and water-resistant. Size matters here too, as Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca’ Pietra explains: “Consider large-format tiles – this way you’ll have less breaks in the tiling pattern, so less grout, meaning they’ll be easier to keep clean.”

Shower design

Putting a walk-in shower into my ensuite was a game changer for how I use the space – it has a seamless shower tray and a single glass panel.

If you’re after something similar, then Nicholas Cunild, managing director of Matki, advises looking at the maintenance of your chosen screen. “For instance, all of our Matki shower doors have Glass Guard, which is a protective nano-coating that allows water to form into beads that easily trickle off, reducing stains and limescale build-up, meaning they stay cleaner for longer,” he says.

Concealed shower systems mean there’s less pipework and brassware to clean – perfect if you live in a hard water area. For even less cleaning, ensure your controls are outside the ‘splash zone’.

Shower panels

For a streamlined look, there has been a growing trend towards using shower panels. Bekki Griffiths, senior marketing communications manager at Wilsonart says, “Bathroom panels are grout-free and eliminate common problems like mould, cracking and discolouration associated with grout”.

They come in a plethora of styles and patterns – from tropical oases to popular tile patterns. A perfect way to bring some personality into your design, as well as keeping the space looking fresh.

Fancy flushing

Shower toilets have become much more popular, and can help create an easy-to-maintain bathroom as many of these designs have self-cleaning functions, so are easy to keep in their best shape. For instance, VitrA’s shower toilets come with a rimless, smooth internal pan that eliminates areas for germs and dirt to accumulate – so your toilet will stay cleaner for longer.

Enjoyed this post? Click here for our lowdown on bathroom extractors

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