Case Studies
Case
Study 1
 The
Problem:
Having to share one small bathroom with two teenage daughters
means that my husband and I are always last in the queue.
Our very large bath quickly uses up all the hot water, and
takes up a lot of space, whilst the girl’s toiletries
makes the room look cluttered and untidy. We want to totally
redecorate the room and fit a new suite. Do you have any ideas?
Mrs Everick, Chelmsford, Essex
The Solution:
It sounds like a new walk-in shower is absolutely essential
to your new small bathroom design, since this will speed things
up in the mornings and cut down on water consumption. You
may have to alter the layout of your room, but by reducing
the size of your large bath,
you may be able to then fit in a modern new shower
enclosure. To keep a bit of luxury you could then install
a shower panel –
this combines both showerheads and body jets within one complete
shower and you
and your daughters will love the invigorating shower experience,
whilst still maintaining economical water usage. A powerful
pump hidden in a cupboard
or loft space will give you the extra boost that you need
in the morning.
Next, you need to think about storage. To
create a pristine, tidy look why not install some fitted bathroom
furniture to keep all their bits and pieces out of sight.
There are many new designs which take up minimal space in
your room as they can run the units behind the toilet cistern
but still create that valuable drawer and cupboard space.
Top Tips:
 |
You could save more space by fitting
a corner shower
enclosure. |
|
Think practically when it comes to
flooring - laminate wood floor could work really well
with wood-effect unit surfaces. |
|
A white finish on a heated
towel rail is more efficient at creating warmth
than a chrome one. |
|
In a small room the temptation is
to have everything white. Stop it from looking clinical
with textured tiles and coloured borders. |
Case
Study 2
 The
problem:
My mother, who is in her seventies, has got
to the stage where getting in and out of the bath is too much
for her, and I worry that one day I’ll pop round and
find that she’s been stuck in there all day! She wants
to hold on to her independence and dignity but some of the
baths with chairs and lifts we’ve seen remind her of
hospital! Is there an alternative solution?
Mrs B, Taunton, Somerset
The Solution:
If your mother doesn’t have the strength
to lift herself in and out of the bath, then the most practical
solution would be to remove the bath in favour of a shower
enclosure. She can still take care of herself each day
and you don’t have the worry of her hurting herself.
There are a wide range of sizes and styles available, but
perhaps a key point to look for is the height of the shower
tray itself. A low-level tray stands only 80mm (3”)
or so off the floor, which makes the step up very shallow
and easy for the elderly or infirm.
Top Tips:
|
Be wary of inward-opening doors when
considering a shower
enclosure for the elderly or infirm, because if
they slip and fall whilst in the shower it may be difficult
to open the door to help |
|
An enclosure with a curved screen
and optional side panel, i.e. no moving parts, keeps
it very simple and straightforward too. This will also
help to stop the bathroom floor from getting wet and
slippery when you open the shower door |
|
When installing a new shower kit,
think about the safety aspects. Check that the valve
has a maximum temperature stop to prevent scalding and
a safety shutdown device in case the cold water fails. |
Additional information
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assistance in small bathroom design, please contact
us.
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