Of all the rooms in the home, the bathroom has perhaps evolved furthest. Its first incarnation after the tin-bath-in-the-kitchen was often, prosaically, a room with nothing more than a cast iron bath in it. As time progressed the bathroom incorporated a wash basin and later the WC. There was nothing warm or inviting about the room as the suite was always white with only a choice of black and/or white wall tiles. With an increased interest in interior design in the 1960s and 1970s there came a revolution against plain utilitarianism. Coloured suites and coloured tiles became de rigeur; a whole generation suddenly became aware of the colour of an avocado without ever having seen one.
Slowly showers and bidets became more commonplace and baths could have a whirlpool option, or be other than rectangular. Shower cubicles have since evolved further with multiple jet body massaging systems and even becoming domestic steam cabins. If a shower cubicle steam cabin sounds too small then, for the largest of houses, full wooden-cabinet, Finnish style saunas are available. The bathroom is often now a room in which to spend time and to enjoy relaxing in, so the transformation from practicality to indulgence is complete.
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Modern bathrooms and en-suites are now individually designed to cover a wide range of tastes from recreating the 1930's modernist look with its sculpted chinaware, to 21st century ultra-modern with floating glass basins, stainless steel surrounds and accessories. To complement this is a huge range of ceramic wall and floor tiles in a multitude of designs and colours. Wall tiles no longer need to be a fixed 6" square either, with a wide range of sizes ranging from mosaics and 4" squares up to a vast 18" x 24", although tiles this big usually only suit large rooms.
To avoid fitting coloured suites that may date badly, but in order still to give the bathroom a warm and welcoming feel, many people choose a neutral white or cream suite and then accessorise it with coordinated coloured towels, curtains or blinds. This allows the decor to be changed simply without the need for a full room renovation.
These days the kitchen has become the centre of family life in many homes, and is certainly one of the main features that will affect the saleability and price of a home. The kitchen should be large enough to accommodate a table that a family can sit around comfortably, planned with enough space for a wide range of cupboards and worktops with plenty of space to comfortably prepare a meal. As with bathrooms, kitchens have undergone radical changes in the last few years with a huge choice of tiles, countertops, cupboards and devices.
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Kitchen units have evolved beyond a straight mixture of cupboards and drawers, and ranges almost always include wine racks, built-in chopping boards and pull out trays or ironing boards. The straightforward rotating carousel has been supplemented by clever pop-out wire framed shelving to prevent items being forgotten at the back, and integral wicker baskets for storing fresh fruit and vegetable. Integrated and semi-integrated appliances give a tidy finish, hiding the dishwasher, fridge, freezer and washing machine behind panels matching the rest of the doors. Small gas filled dampers now prevent cupboard doors slamming, and glass fronted doors and stylised countertop lighting can add a touch of elegance.
Until recently only the most expensive kitchens were anything other than laminate coated chipboard, but solid wood units and doors have become more affordable and more generally available. Worktops too come in a choice of materials, depending on budget, from laminated chipboard, to natural wood, through to expensive solid materials including marble and granite. Even taps have come a long way with quarter turn ceramic discs replacing rubber washers, pull out nozzles for washing large items and under-counter water filters feeding a specific drinking water tap.
Your local Buildbase showroom will be able to assist with planning and information on a wide range of kitchen and bathroom furnishings and equipment.
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