Designer bathrooms

Ideal Home

A designer bathroom would be a dream come true for many of us when we start to renovate a house. But kitting out a new bathroom in luxurious designer fittings can be expensive.

However, if you have the know-how, it’s easy to create an expensive-looking designer bathroom on a budget. Our experts have clever tricks to help you get a high end look without the high cost, from how to work opulent patterns into your bathroom, to the fabrics and textures that will make the right impact.

Designer bathrooms are a glamorous and exciting option and even just a hint of lavish style can completely overhaul your bathroom. Make smart choices, such as hanging a few smaller mirrors in a display rather than choosing just one larger looking glass at a higher cost. This will still have the same effect and give your bathroom a plush look.

Another effective way to give your bathroom a designer makeover is to think outside the box and place unusual furniture pieces in your bathroom. A bedroom or living room cabinet or shelving unit will add personality to your functional bathroom and create a chic new style that’s completely unique.

If you love the look of lavishly tiled bathroom walls, recreate the look on your floor instead – there’s much less surface to cover, keeping the cost to a minimum. Twin sinks are another look that scream extravagance, but choosing basic basins and vamping them up with stylish taps will achieve the right look, without breaking the bank.

If you’re after a stylish look for less, don’t miss these beautiful but cheap bathrooms.

Designer purple bathroom with silver mirror Click or tap to zoom into this image
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Make a tile statement

If you’ve fallen for some high-end tiles, get the look without blowing the budget by using them on just one wall, a splashback or a bath panel. This can also prevent a pattern from being too overbearing.

Get the look: Find beautiful mosaic tiles at Tilestop.

Designer white bathroom with woode chair Click or tap to zoom into this image
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Highlight Luxe materials

Just a hint of natural stone goes a long way towards introducing glamorous impact. To keep the cost down, choose a single surface, such as the bath surround or a countertop, and just use the material there. Delicately veined marble, for instance, looks chic, and will stand out beautifully against a neutral backdrop.

Get the look: Have a basin clad in Carrara marble by Stonell.

Designer white bathroom with mirrored walls and pink chair Click or tap to zoom into this image
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Use reflective surfaces

Metallic, mirror and iridescent finishes create real opulence and bounce light around. You can group a collection of different, small looking glasses together for just as much impact as hanging one large, pricey mirror.

Get the look: Buy shell tiles at The Original Tile Company. Graham and Green has a great selection of opulent mirrors.

Designer white bathroom with two basins Click or tap to zoom into this image
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Inject boutique hotel mood

Installing twin basins is an extravagant statement, but not necessarily a costly one - two basic basins can easily be dressed up with stylish taps.

Get the look: Visit Homebase and B&Q for great-value bathroom fittings.

Desiger bathroom with free-stading bath and checked floor Click or tap to zoom into this image
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Lay a feature floor

Making a strong floor statement is a good way to get maximum impact on a tight budget, as it covers a smaller surface area than the walls. Encaustic or geometric tiles are eternally stylish, so a great investment.

Get the look: Fired Earth sell traditional tiles or try Popham Design for more modern designs.

Designer glass bathroom with red shower Click or tap to zoom into this image
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Create a sleek look with glass

Coloured glass is increasingly being used in the bathroom as a sleek alternative to tiles. It’s quick to install and most suppliers can match the glass to any colour you choose. It can be a pricey option, but even one panel is enough to create a show-stopping look.

Get the look: Designer Glass Kent could supply and fit a glass panel like this.

Designer white bathroom with window Click or tap to zoom into this image
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Choose rough-luxe slate

If you want natural stone but don’t have the budget for marble or limestone, try slate instead. It’s far less expensive but still gives a sexy look. Team with dark-painted woodwork for a chic finish.

Get the look: Buy great-value slate tiles from Homebase.

Desiger bathroom basin with mirror and shelves Click or tap to zoom into this image
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Go grand with storage

Think beyond bathroom units - using cabinets meant for bedrooms or living rooms adds personality to a functional space. Vintage pieces tend to be sturdily made, and create an eclectic look. Old shop display cabinets or chemist’s storage units, with their plentiful compartments, are ideal.

Get the look: Go to Elemental for a good selection of vintage furniture.

Designer bath with wood panel walls and shelf Click or tap to zoom into this image
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Create perfect walls

Tongue-and-groove panels are thrifty and can conceal less-than-perfect walls. For a classic look, mount vertically or, for a more modern approach, horizontally.

Get the look: Visit Wickes for wooden panelling.

Designer white bath with grey bath mat Click or tap to zoom into this image
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Pick wow-factor textiles

Textiles can make the world of difference to your scheme, and can cost very little - choose a bright shower curtain, beautiful bath mat or even an elegant panel of fabric at the window, or go for the subtle look with different textured linens.

Get the look: Visit Designer’s Guild for a wide range of fabrics.

Looking for more luxury bathroom ideas? Check out our 20 ways to update your bathroom

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