homebuilding.co.uk 71Design& Materials DesignMasterclass
tWo-in-one
theMetrocombined
two-in-oneWash
basinandtoiletfrom
Victorianplumbing
(below)measures
just500mmx 300mm.
from £269.95. (www.
victorianplumbing.
co.uk)Close-coupledtoiletsarethe
stylethatwetendtobemost
familiarwith.Thecisternis
attachedtoandsitsatopthe
toiletbowl,makingoneunit.
Theyarecost-effectiveanddeal
withconcealingallpipework.
Inaddition,theyareeasy-to-fit
andcomeinspace-savingcorner
modelstoo.Standardclose-
coupledWCstendtobebetween
610mmand680mmdeep.
Back-to-walltoiletsgivethe
illusionofmorespace.The
cisternis concealedwithina
studwallorfurnitureunit,with
onlythepanonshow.The
panstillsitsonthefloor,and
willprojectroughly470mmto
560mmfromthewallorunit
thatit backsonto.Althoughthis
is smallerthana close-coupled
model,bearinmindthatspace
willbetakenupbythestudwall
orunitrequiredfortheconcealed
cistern.Thatsaid,someconcealed
cisternscanbeveryslim.
Finally,wall-hungtoiletsoffer
theultimateinsleekminimalism.
Theyarefixedtoa wall-mounting
framewithina studwall.Many
framescomecompletewitha
concealedcisternandflushplate.
Theykeepfloorspacefree,giving
theillusionofspaceandareeasy
toclean.Don’tforgettoaccount
forthespacethatwillberequired
fortheconstructionofthe
studwall—the size will depend
on the frame and cistern you
opt for. As a guide, frames and
concealed cisterns are available
with adjustable depths of as little
as 150mm to 200mm.7
Storage is essential
In small spaces, storage can
often be overlooked while
trying to fit in the bathroom
basics, yet it is crucial to
incorporate shelving, units ordrawers if the bathroom is to
work well and not get cluttered
with bottles, tubes and pots.
Bathroom vanity units with
countertop basins can work well
and come in some very striking
designs that combine basin,
storage and a way to conceal
plumbing in one.
Look to unused alcoves in
retrofit projects — they often
provide useful spots for shelving.
Alternatively, if building studwalls
in showering areas or behind a
WC, incorporate shelving here
rather than wasting the free void
behind the wall.
High-level shelving takes up no
floor space, so get creative and
consider using the space above
windows and doors, as well as
the more obvious wall spaces. If
you have a bulkhead in the room,
abovea staircaseforexample,
don’tletthespaceabovegoto
waste—build in a cupboard or
shelvinghereinstead.Finally,take
a lookat bathsthatincorporate
shelvingwithintheirdesign—or
build a more substantial frame
around a built-in bath to provide
handy deep ledges.8
Fit underfloor
heating
Underfloor heating is a great
option in any bathroom, small or
otherwise. However, in a small
bathroom, where wall space is at
a premium, it makes sense to try
to avoid large radiators or towel
warmers. That said, if you can
include a towel warmer (they
come in all shapes and sizes and
even as corner models), you will
have a handy spot on which to
dry wet towels.
Underfloor heating is
particularly useful in wetrooms,
helping to quickly dry waterfrom
the floor after showering.storagesolutions
thecompactlinea
furniturepackfrom
frontlinebathrooms
(top)includesWc,
concealed cistern,
basin and storage
in one, £695. (www.
frontlinebathrooms.
co.uk)hybriDbathDesign
ebbhybridshower
bath(above,£1,395)
fromWatersbathsof
ashbourne is 1,660mm
and combines the look
of a freestanding bath
with the practicality of
a shower bath. (www.
watersbaths.co.uk)