“38% of the homeowners surveyed believe that renovating their bathroom (main/ en-suite) will add the most financial value to their property.”

(Source: West End Home Week Magazine)

Indeed, it is a room that has really taken off lately. As one of the most frequented rooms in the home, buyers are looking for something stylish, yet functional.

But the secret here is to keep things simple. Here are a few tips that you can implement to add value if you are looking to sell and want to appeal to some buyers:

‘Keep it fully functional’
The most pressing concerns will include the ability to move in immediately, and so most people want a fully functional bathroom. A lot does not have to be done with the existing room, as it is all about the features that are installed. Keep the toilet and bath, but consider adding a glass shower screen with chrome towel rail. A set of new taps, a heated chrome towel rail, a stylish new shower head are three items that you can purchase to add a new spin to the room, and may only cost up to a couple of hundred pounds. Finally, re-grout the tiles to keep the room looking fresh.

‘Increase the area’
Another way to add value is to increase the area of the house. This could take the form of a conservatory, a downstairs extension, or even a loft bedroom with en-suite bathroom. Phil Spencer, from the property television show, believes that:

Glass Shower Screen with Towel Rail (1400mm), by BathEmpire

“a new bathroom puts 2.88 per cent onto the house value”

(Source: The Telegraph).

‘Keep it all white’
Instead of spending tens of thousands of pounds on a revamp, most potential owners would want to stamp on their own mark, should they choose to move in. Dated beige or coloured suites, and lino floor coverings are out, while any contemporary design would update the feel of a whole property, and provide a better return on investment. As Susan Bletchley, the Buying Manager for BHS, commented for the West End Home Week, “Add colourful cushions and towels to a…white bathroom – a low budget makeover with instant style”.

P Shaped Shower Bath, from BathEmpire

Regardless of the actual size of your bathroom, all modern bathroom furniture has been designed not only for a practical implementation, but also to provide stylish options to suit all spaces.

Space is a key issue when planning a new bathroom and it is especially important to maximise the storage room by purchasing the right bathroom furniture. Although this may seem like a daunting task, the first thing to apply some thought, initially, is which pieces would best suit your current lifestyle.

Scenario 1:

Lifestyle: Family.
Bathroom Size: Medium.
Bathroom Units and Design: One tiled P-Shaped Shower Bath; white painted walls.

If you are constantly on the go, and go and have a bustling family commitments, it would be handy for your bathroom to accommodate all the essentials. The P-Shaped or L-Shaped shower baths are great, versatile pieces. Not only can they accommodate an adult 5 minute shower, they are great for the kids as well. Next to this, any basin furniture unit would be ideal. BathEmpire stock a range of counter top basin units, either as cabinets or drawers. The internal shelving provides ample space to stock the essentials. Above the sink, you could also opt for a tall, wall hanging cabinet. To complete the contemporary look, you could also install a back to wall toilet unit, instead of a close coupled toilet.

Scenario 2:

Lifestyle: Urban.
Bathroom Size: Small.
Bathroom Units and Design: One 800mm Quadrant Shower Enclosure; magnolia walls.

As space is limited in most urban developments, it makes sense to opt for a Combined Vanity Furniture. These units combine the basin and toilet into one seamless unit, and provide the best blend of practicality and storage. As the units and walls are of a plain tone, add some personality with the bathroom towels and other decorative items.

Scenario 3:

Lifestyle: Country.
Bathroom Size: Medium.
Bathroom Units and Design: One contemporary freestanding bath; white painted walls and tiled black floor.

Quadrant Shower Enclosure, with centre opening, from BathEmpire

Even though the bath takes most of the space here, it would not suit the style to add any combined vanity units. Along with the bath, it makes sense to add a stylish, modern close coupled toilet and pedestal basin. As there would only be exposed storage here, wall hanging cabinets could be added to store the essentials. Alternatively, consider a stainless steel mirror cabinet, for added functionality.

The same styling can be adapted for traditionally roll top baths. Traditional baths can also combine well with pieces of period styled furniture. Stools and wicker storage baskets come instantly to mind, that can be sourced easily and cheaply, and can transform the look of a room.

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 first part of this series, we focus on bathroom taps.

Keila Basin Mixer Tap by BathEmpire

Long Handle Taps

Traditionally, bathroom taps have been ornate with cross handles, requiring a clockwise turn to make the water flow. However, for those with arthritic joints, muscular weakness or inaccurate motor skills, this task would not be as easy.

Therefore, consider mixer taps with a long, single handle, such as those in the Kelia or Nachi range. These taps often require minimal effort – a simple movement to the left or right – to elicit the flow of water.

A good way to measure the resistance of the lever is to operate it with a single finger. If the task proved easy, then it is also likely that those with physical impairments will also find the task manageable.

Only ¼ Turn To Close Tap

Another feature to look out for in all taps is ceramic discs, which replace the customary rubber washer. Before, when tightening taps, rubber washers were used to prevent dripping. However, as these wore down, users would experience a stiff and perpetually dripping tap.

Now, a mere ¼ turn of the tap will stop the flow of water. No longer will frustration be caused by stiff taps, which may seem like you will need a spanner to open them! This process is illustrated in the video below:

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.

Once you’ve bought the bathroom though, you’ve got a choice to make… do you DIY or call on the services of a qualified tradesperson?

Hiring a professional could be the best way to make sure your bathroom looks this good

Recent research from the Halifax has found that 13% of people ask for help from friends and family to complete their bathroom makeover, instead of paying for professionals.

If you’re considering following their lead though, the same research may make you think twice.

Halifax found that, on average, more than one in six DIY jobs goes wrong, with a typical cost of £426 to put botched bathrooms and kitchens right again.

So choosing to DIY could be a false economy, and end up taking you longer.

We always like to be helpful, so we’ve thought of a list of things to consider if you’re getting in professional tradespeople to install your BathEmpire bathroom.

1. Will the work be done in one go?

Having a bathroom fitted can be a disruptive, so you ideally want it to be done as quickly as possible.

By choosing tradespeople who have plumbing, electrical and tiling skills, if all are needed, or at least ones who work with colleagues with the skills they don’t have themselves, you’ll save time, money, and there’ll be less disruption.

2. Are they qualified?

Renovations need to conform to the building regulations. These cover everything from ventilation, to drainage and waste, energy conservation and electrical safety.

If you employ a builder, confirm that he or she will be responsible for compliance but remember that it’s still important for you to know what’s required because as the building owner you’ll have to put things right if there’s a problem.

3. Get a comprehensive quote

One of the main things that people are worried about when hiring tradespeople is that the cost will spiral out of control, so try to make sure this doesn’t happen to you by getting three comprehensive quotes for the job.

If one quote is vastly lower than the others then you may be right to be suspicious that the cost will be revised once the job has begun, so perhaps choose the mid-level quote, or at least get the quote in writing to protect yourself.

Another good idea is to ask for references from previous customers – good tradespeople should be happy to oblige.

Also, get a price for the whole job, rather than a day rate – otherwise the incentive is for the work to be dragged out over more days than necessary.

Make sure all of the following is included in your quote if needed:

• Removal of old tiles (and disposal of them)
• Removal of old bathroom suite (and disposal)
• Making good of walls for re-tiling
• Any initial electrical work needed
• Fitting of skirting
• Installation of new suite
• Tiling of walls
• Tiling of flooring or laying of other floor covering
• Plumbing in of taps
• Painting of walls
• Second fix electrics

Is there something we’ve forgotten? Are you a professional tradesperson who has advice for homeowners wanting to install a new bathroom? We’d love your opinions

Bathroom accessories from Asda, www.asda.co.uk

Forget white, white and more white, the most elegant bathrooms this year will have splashes of vibrant turquoise, amethyst, ruby and emerald.

The trend is all about making your bathroom seem like a precious space, alive with colour and really inviting. Mixing the jewel shades makes for the most dramatic effect – giving a look that’s reminiscent of a Moroccan spa or an Indian temple.

If that’s not the look you want though, then just introducing a hint of bright purple, hot pink or vivid green will bring your bathroom up to date.

Make sure your bathroom doesn't date by opting for a white suite: Ropar freestanding bath from BathEmpire

Savvy home owners can invest in classic white baths, sinks, shower cubicles and toilets, simply adding the colour and atmosphere using colourful mosaic tiles, towels and mats in vibrant shades and accessorising the room with jewel-coloured vases, trinkets and storage containers.

Here at BathEmpire we’re really smitten with this look because it’s both up-beat (probably a reaction to the rather depressing economic climate that we still have in the UK) and also really luxurious.

A bathroom filled with jewel colours will certainly inspire you in the mornings and will be the perfect spot to relax in the evenings with the lights dimmed and some candles lit.

Fortunately, although this look has a high-end feel, there’s no need for it to cost you too much. BathEmpire has some exceptionally good value modern baths, sinks and shower enclosures which can be the building blocks for your new bathroom.

Accessories can be picked up cheaply on the high street or on-line, and you can finish the room with mosaic tiles, which can be sourced from discount suppliers and used creatively so they look a lot more expensive than they were! Here are just a few we’ve spotted that will give your bathroom the jewel accent…

Frilly chair by Kartell, £145, www.lifestylebazaar.com

Orange pendant light, £25, Bhs, www.bhs.co.uk

Yellow accessories by Ben de Lisi at Debenhams, www.debenhams.com

We hope you have fun dreaming up ways of introducing the jewel trend to your bathroom. In the meantime, don’t forget to check out the beautiful baths, showers and heated towel rails available from BathEmpire.