HGADVICE
178 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN
WORK WITH THE WALLIfspaceisreallytight,optforwall-
mounted basin tapware, suggests
ChantelleMalone.“Itfreesupspaceon
thevanitysurfaceanditlooksgreat,
too. You could also mount a soap dish
and a toothbrush holder on the wall.”TURN TO THE TIMELESSAccording to the HIA, 74 per cent
of bathrooms see between 11
and20yearsofservicebefore
they’rerenovated.Sinceaguest
bathroom is used less frequently
than other bathrooms and isn’t
subject to as much wear and tear,
you may be living with it for quite
some time. Opt for classic fixtures
that won’t date and high-quality
materials that will stand the test
oftime.Stayon-trendwith
fashion-forward accessories.Photography by Brooke Holm/bauersyndication.com.au (this page) & Nicholas Watt/bauersyndication.com.au (opposite).Small can be beautiful
In smaller spaces, as guest bathrooms
tend to be, choose fixtures carefully.
“There are many smart solutions
designed specifically for maximising the
sense of space,” says Santilli. Look out
for slimline mixers, toilets with in-wall
cisterns, compact basins, wall-hung
vanities and multipurpose accessories.
“For example the Teknobili Solido soap
dispenser and towel rail offers dual
functionality in one good-looking piece.”Understand the essentials
To get the design of a guest bathroom
right, it’s best to approach it as if it
were a scaled-down version of your
main ensuite, says Melbourne interior
designer Rina Cohen. A bathtub is
not always necessary, she says. Whatis
crucial, however, is a generousshower.
Add a basin, towel rails or hooks, a toilet
and some storage, and you’ll have all
the fundamentals covered. >LIGHT IT RIGHTCapturing as much natural light as possible will give your guest
bathroom a bright, airy feel, says Santilli, and make it appear larger.
“Skylights and generous windows are preferable but not always
possible,” she says. “In this situation, make clever lighting and mirror
placement key, and they’ll bounce light around the room.” Pendant
lights are perfect, providing a focal point and a great opportunity to
introduce a functional yet beautiful element to the space.S
hould you have the space and
budget for it, a well-equipped
and welcoming guest bathroom
is a wonderful asset to your home. In
fact, it seems more of us are building
additional bathrooms, with the Housing
Industry Association (HIA) noting
an upswing in the number of new
Australian homes with three or more
bathrooms. Where a guest bathroom
differs from a powder room is that it
typically includes a shower, towel rails
and sometimes a bath. Visitors aside, it
can also be a godsend when everyone in
the house has a pressing need to wash
at the same time. “Our bathrooms tend
to be perceived as the spaces upon
which the homeowner’s taste and
affluence is judged,” says Daniela
Santilli, bathroombusiness manager
for Reece, “so seize the opportunity
to express your style.”