A luxurious bathroom means different things to different people; for some, it might be acres of gleaming, veined marble, while others might prefer a claw-footed bath on original wooden floorboards. The design element of making a bathroom feel luxurious is entirely subjective, but there are certain non-negotiables that every bathroom, from modern to country, can benefit from when it comes to elevating the space.
Let’s start with the things you touch, which are always integral to making any room feel more luxurious. In the case of the bathroom, these will be taps, towels, toilet fixtures and knobs. “I find that good taps really make a difference, while you can get away with it with a cheaper bath, loo and basin,” says Rita Konig. In use every day, multiple times a day, these higher-quality ‘touchable’ fixtures are more likely to last longer – they are likely better-made than their cheaper counterparts and therefore worth the investment. Anna Haines agrees: “Taps are where you can elevate your space and it really makes a difference,” she says. “Drummonds and The Water Monopoly both produce elegant designs in a variety of finishes. The Water Monopoly Aged Brass finish is a particular favourite for taps. It sits well with the odd antique piece and has a charming faded glamour feel to it.” Also worth splashing out on, if budget allows, are towel rails, as well as light switches, handles and hooks – just make sure they match the colourways of the room’s larger fixtures for a sense of cohesion and that considered, luxury look.
For a more easily accessible and affordable fix, do try to buy the best towels you can afford. Every bathroom has them, we use them at least once a day, but multiple times when we’re talking about hand towels. Are fluffy, Egyptian cotton towels that little luxury needed after a shower? Absolutely they are – but it doesn’t stop there. There are few things more unpleasant than grabbing said fluffy towel only to find it’s still wet. Even in the warmer days of summer it’s not a pleasant experience, and it’s positively ghastly in the depths of January. How to ensure the damp towel mishap never befalls you? The trusty towel rack. Investing in the best towel rail you can find will make a huge impact on your bathing routine and ensures that you always have dry towels, making it one of the most essential pieces in a family bathroom. This could come in the form of a heated radiator towel rail or a lovely antique wooden one – but it is essential as no one wants to see a towel drying over a doorway or hanging limply from a peg on the wall. If you do go for a heated towel rail, it’s Decorating 101 to make sure it can be turned on and off independently of your central heating – warm towels are a year round must, after all.
