Millions around the world will be celebrating the Chinese New Year, and 2012 represents the year of the dragon. What better way to get in tune with this than to add an Asian influence to your bathroom? Below, we cover some tips on how to decorate your Asian inspired bathroom.

Inspired by Nature

Getting an Asian influence ultimately depends on introducing a natural theme to your bathroom. A great way is to introduce green colours into the bathroom, and what better way to do this than via leaves? Use a stencil to paint an array of leaves onto the wall, or choose a fitting (such as a window blind or wall photo) in rich green or blue.

The year of the Dragon is inspired by elegant and mysterious black, dark blue and rich blue green tones. So don’t limit yourself, as the stencil can also be used to decorate the wall with Asian symbols. Remember, when adding symbols, dark colours are best suited, so ensure to keep all walls and tiles in pale tone.

Bamboo

Any exposed wood fittings also fit well with an Asian theme. Raw bamboo shoots can be added to any bathroom accessory. You can also get creative, and hang long bamboo from the ceiling to make a distinction between the shower area and the basin and toilet, or to cover an area of storage.
On wooden furniture, avoid any lacquered finishes and steer towards fittings which have a deep wood grain; to highlight the grain, paint all fittings with a good quality varnish.

Plants

All plants are essential to complete the theme, and a few soothing orchids perched above the basin would provide a complimentary finishing touch.

Khana Counter Top Basin, from BathEmpire

Don’t avoid the modern!

The Zen influence isn’t really conveyed through contemporary, ultra-chic units and shiny chrome – although including a few of these pieces in the final bathroom will not spoil the theme. The Khana counter top basin (left) from BathEmpire is ideal.

Counter top basins feature heavily in any Asian inspired bathroom, and you should always opt for a curved design and avoid harsh edges. There is no reason why you cannot add a chrome basin mixer tap to complement this bathroom basin, as long as all the essential design principles discussed are maintained.

Photo Credit: Nikisublime, Flickr.

Initially, I thought it was a rather large stretch to connect Hawes with such an advert. But maybe I will correct my first impressions.

Well, I don’t know about you but I enjoy relaxing. And what better way to relax, than with the style of Keeley Hawes featured above. You may know Keeley from Spooks (the MI5 drama on the BBC), and more recently from Ashes to Ashes, also on the Beeb. But she’s also starred in some more period dramas such as Upstairs, Downstairs.

Keeley Hawes, star of BBC drama Upstairs, Downstairs

And this typically traditional, regal lifestyle is total suited to relaxation – especially if you had the benefit of wealthy connections.

Did you see the roll top bath? (Pause at 0.22)

It got me thinking how this once expensive, exclusive statement piece has been transformed into a more mainstream but ultimately luxurious item for the average family home.

So just like a good cup of Kenco Millicano coffee, and a refreshing cycle ride, there will will always be space for a long, luxurious bath in the evenings or weekends.

I’ve already got my favourite brand of coffee, but the advert has made me more determined to update my own bathroom at home!

Keeley Hawes recently stated in an interview that given the size of these tubs, her children can’t resist having a splash about – making it truly quality family time.

Given the truly diverse range of bathroom furniture and design available today, it is easier than ever to create a space which is both accessible and contemporary, in a style that is suited to your taste!

In the second part of this series, we focus on baths and shower enclosures.

For most people, bathrooms are fairly easy to navigate. However, once a user is faced with joint and muscular weakness, the perception of what is ‘easy’ changes very quickly.

Bathing can become somewhat more of an ordeal, and the hardest part of the process being actually getting in and out of the bathtub. One move would be to install a walk-in bath, level with the floor; however, given the price costs of such units, this would not be a viable option for many people.

Of course consult with the rest of your family first, but getting rid of the bath and opting for a shower enclosure instead can be an excellent solution – and a little less harsh on the wallet!

2 Way Shower Mixer by BathEmpire

No Burning

Choose a thermostatic temperature control and make scalding a distant memory. Such a feature will guarantee a steady stream of water, so those with limited mobility or motor control will not have to worry about moving out of the way of the scalding water. If someone flushes the toilet or opens a tap elsewhere in the house, the shower experience won’t be affected.

Slimline Tray

One essential feature to look out for when considering showers is slimline trays. While most quality shower trays are between close to 100 mm in height, there is growing popularity for more slender versions.

Some varieties, such as the Quadrant Shower Enclosure, include a slim 44mm tray with the purchase. The absence of the high step will certainly help accessibility, as less effort will be required to enter the shower, and hence less strain will be felt on the joints.

Wet Room, 1000mm, by BathEmpire

Ultimate Ease of Access

To fully negate the mobility concerns, it may be worth investing in a wet room. With no obstacles to consider, such as doors, steps or handles, wet rooms make life much easier for those with walking aids. It also enables those with chairs to manoeuvre under the shower. Although installation costs may be higher for concealing all plumbing under floor level, the result would allow independence for many years to come.

Today, there are a numerous options which combine style and practicality, ensuring a designer solution to everyday life. If you would like help or advice in creating your ideal bathroom, feel free to contact the BathEmpire team.

More and more of us are trying to get that hotel look in our own properties, but what’s the key to getting it right?

I’ve considered the elements of hotel bathrooms that make them so great – make sure you include a few of these when you’re planning your bathroom renovation, and you’ll be the envy of all your friends.

In fact they’ll probably ask you if they can book in for the night.

Hotel chic idea 1

Make it glossy – hotel bathrooms tend to feature high gloss surfaces on the floors and walls, which helps to give a smart, contemporary feel – although they can take a lot of maintenance as you’ll have to make sure they aren’t streaky or grimy.

Cahora freestanding bath from BathEmpire

Hotel chic idea 2

Draw attention to the bath – making the bath the centre of attention makes a bathroom seem like an indulgent place, rather than a functional place.

You can do this by installing a freestanding bath, perhaps positioning it at an angle and making sure that it’s gently lit using spotlighting.

You can also use tricks such as putting contrasting wall tiles behind the bath, which will draw the eye towards it, or positioning under a window, which will make it a natural focal point.

With the range of freestanding baths available at BathEmpire, this is one element of a hotel bathroom you can get at home relatively cheaply.

Hotel chic idea 3

Make sure the shower is AMAZING – firstly, the shower should be in a cubicle of its own if you have room, rather than over the bath.

Secondly, just as a good mattress is a must in a top hotel, a rainfall shower or at the very least a powerful shower is a staple of desirable hotels the world over, and something that’s easy to get in your own home.

Walk in showers are essential for hotel chic

Hotel chic idea 4

Use colour creatively – painting walls in a shade you’d not normally consider a typical ‘bathroom’ colour is another easy way to create a contemporary hotel vibe.

You could also choose to highlight a feature wall with coloured tiles – either really large or really small, mosaic tiles look the most luxurious.

Hotel chic idea 5

Add art – don’t forget to dress your bathroom as any good hotel would.

Hang pictures above the bath and loo, put vases on shelves, choose an attractive bath mat – any details like this that you add will turn a functional space into one that’s decorative

Large mirrors are another feature of hotel bathrooms. The more mirrors you have, the bigger the bathroom will seem and the better the light.

Twin basins in the Park Plaza in Budapest

Hotel chic idea 6

Double up – if you have the space, fitting twin basins (preferably with some storage below) to give your bathroom instant grandeur.

Don’t make the mistake of squeezing them in – ensure there’s enough elbow room for two of you to use them comfortably side by side.

Hopefully this has given you some food for thought, and inpired you for your bathroom project.

Can you think of anything I’ve forgotten that helps to give a bathroom the ‘hotel-factor’?

* Image top left courtesy of Holm House, Penarth, a boutique hotel with amazing bathrooms (did you spot the TV over the bath?)