Often the smallest room in the house, our bathroom is often one of the most hard-working, which is why it deserves celebrating. To showcase our love of great bathroom design, this year we launched our first ever Ideal Home Bathroom Awards to join our portfolio of awards, including the Ideal Home Kitchen Awards.
A wealth of fantastic entries from some of the UK's leading bathroom brands was judged by Ideal Home's team of expert editors, each with experience and knowledge of different aspects of bathroom design. The judging panel enjoyed looking through every entry in 11 categories, ranging from best tiles to the highly-sought-after Bathroom of the Year award.
The Ideal Home Bathroom Award Winners 2023
The expert judging panel of expert editors selected the deserving winners from across the bathroom world, covering all aspect of bathroom design from the best surfaces, genius innovation and the One Small Step sustainability award.
The Judges
Heather Young has worked for the UK's leading homes magazines for over 20 years. Starting out as a houses and makeovers editor, Heather tracked down the very best bathroom makeovers to feature in the pages of magazines, sourcing them and styling them on photo shoots. A serial renovator, Heather has also completed her own bathroom renovations, from family bathrooms to downstairs WCs. She moved into her current home two and half years ago, and is currently busy planning how to update the dated bathroom.
Ginevra Benedetti has worked for the majority of the UK's homes magazines over the last two decades, and - among others - as been writing for Ideal Home for over 11 years. She has written about bathrooms of all shapes and sizes, from makeovers to tiles, bathroom suites and the rest. She has edited three bathroom supplements, as well as Ideal Home's Bathroom Handbook and is always keen to celebrate new innovation and sustainability in bathroom design.
Thea joined the Ideal Home team in 2021 and started her current role as Assistant Editor in 2022. She has interests across every area of homes - from kitchens and bathrooms to technology and colour schemes. Over the past couple of years she has interviewed some of the most renowned names in interior design and is passionate about talking to people to discover new ideas, theories and ways of looking at design.
Ali Lovett is a London-based freelance stylist and writer, as well as Ideal Home's Houses Editor. Each month, she sources, commissions, edits (and sometimes styles) four reader homes and three room makeovers for the magazine - one of which is a bathroom - seeing into the homes of readers up and down the country in the process.
Ideal Home's Bathroom of the Year Winner: Wickes
The Green Park bathroom from Wickes is a smart bathroom solution at a great value price. ‘Every inch of this range looks like it’s high end rather than high street,’ says Heather Young, Ideal Home’s Editor in Chief. ‘The Green Park range is the perfect example of luxe for less.’
Highly commended: Utopia Roseberry bathroom
Best Tiles Winner: Tile Mountain
The Onyx marble effect polished porcelain tiles were a worthy winner when it came to the best bathroom tile ideas. ‘These large format tiles guarantee minimal grout lines, while the marble look exudes spa-style luxe,’ says Thea Babington-Stitt, Ideal Home’s Assistant Editor.
Best Storage Solution Winner: Keuco
We all know that bathroom storage ideas are a must when planning the perfect space. There’s no point creating your dream bathroom if it’s going to be stuffed full of clutter, and the judges loved the clean lines of Keuco’s Stageline range. ‘This sleek range features clever integrated lighting that will create a bathroom feature as well as add a gentle glow at night-time,’ says Ideal Home’s Deputy Editor Ginevra Benedetti.
Best Surface Winner: Showerwall
‘This look-at-me wall panelling collection from Showerwall is such a brilliant way to add bathroom colour ideas and pattern to your space. There are so many designs to choose from, from florals to marble, wood to tile-effect,’ says Heather.
Highly commended: Mermaid Elite range in Scafell Slate
Best Tap Winner: JTP
The right brassware will offer the perfect finish touch for any bathroom, and JTP's EVO collection in Brushed Bronze ticked all the style and performance boxes for the judges. ‘With lots of continuity across the range, this on-trend finish looks like it would wear well,’ says Ali Lovett, Ideal Home’s Houses Editor. ‘It’s perfect for a dark coloured bathroom,' she adds.
Best Modern Bathroom Winner: Crosswater
Modern bathroom ideas are always popular, and this category celebrates the very best of modern design. ‘We love the inclusion of the wood-effect panelling in the Limit bathroom range from Crosswater,’ say Heather Young. ‘It feels so of the moment and has an instant calming effect.’ This range is ideal for helping you to create a bathroom retreat at home with its neutral tones, clean lines, and natural wood-effect finishes.
Highly commended: RAK Ceramics Valet bathroom
Best Showerhead Winner: Kelda Showers
With walk-in shower ideas and spa-style spaces leading the way in bathroom trends this year, the best showerhead is a must for that full wellness experience. Kelda Showers’ BubbleSpa shower features the brand's unique BubbleRain spray, which forms very large droplets filled with air that fall softly on the body for a luxurious shower feel. ‘A shower that rains bubbles? What’s not to love?’ says judge Ginevra Benedetti. ‘It’s also a big energy and water saver, too.’
Highly commended: Methven AIO S
Best Innovation Winner: Bathroom Mountain
We love genius solutions that make life easier or our spaces work harder. Bathroom Mountain’s Munich range of framed glass walk-in shower enclosures and wet room panels give you the tools to create a spa-style space without the stress of a wet room. ‘Available in a clear panel or a grid look, the ingenious pivotal section makes access far easier for all ages,’ says Thea Babington-Stitt.
'One Small Step for Sustainability' Winner: Kaldewei
The subject of green homes is high on our agenda here at Ideal Home, and this category gives a shout out to the companies that are working hard on sustainable bathroom products. Kaldewei’s Oyo Duo bath is a worthy winner. ‘Made from recyclable material, this eco bath is a top performer,’ says Ginevra.
Highly commended: Grohe Cradle to Cradle certified products; Multipanel’s tile collection
Best Use of Colour Winner: BC Designs
It can be tricky to find bathroom colour ideas that feel contemporary and fresh, but BC Designs Cian collection has nailed it. ‘Available in a choice of eight stunning colourways, this is the ultimate statement bath,’ says Ali Lovett.
Highly commended: Bespoke by Burlington
Best Classic Bathroom Winner: Victoria Plum
If you’re looking for a timeless design that will work for traditional or modern homes, Victoria Plum’s Orchard Bathroom Dulwich collection should be top of your list (it was with the judges!). ‘There are so many options and add-ons to help you create your dream bathroom,’ says Heather Young. ‘We love the updated navy colourway, too.’
Highly commended: Burlington Riviera
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