Crosswater Guest Blog: How To Create A Luxury Bathroom At Home

The bathroom is a space that many of us go to un-wind. An ideal setting for a peaceful soak or to rinse off after a long day - the bathroom offers a relaxing sanctuary that delivers on both comfort and warmth. Luxury bathroom design is something many homeowners desire, with more and more consumers now looking to replicate elegant, spa-like wash rooms and hotel-inspired schemes in their own homes.We’ve teamed up with design experts from Crosswater to discuss some of the ways you can create a luxury bathroom at home: 

Elegant Storage Solutions

Bathrooms can often become cluttered whilst coping with the demands of everyday life, which if not kept on top of, can detract from the overall aesthetic. By investing in good storage, you can keep the room looking clean and organised all year round – allowing you to take full advantage of the tranquil space. Vanity units offer ample storage, providing a stylish place to store skincare, toiletries and other self-care items neatly out of sight. At Crosswater, we have an array of vanity units in different configurations to suit bathrooms of any shape or size. With freestanding, wall hung and even corner-units specially designed for smaller spaces, there is a unit to suit any space. Available in a range of different finishes, it’s easy to find a unit that complements your existing décor. For large bathrooms, we would suggest opting for two basins – introducing another basin into your bathroom will allow you to imitate the premium look seen in many hotel bathrooms whilst also creating additional counter space.

Enhance The Shower Experience

A walk in shower epitomises luxury whilst providing an accessible showering experience for all to enjoy. From shower trays, to enclosures and luxury showerheads – you can truly personalise the experience by selecting pieces from a range of different collections. For added indulgence introduce a rain showerhead like the MPRO Stream to maximise comfort; the relaxing stream from above is soothing and delivers an experience similar to a hotel. To ensure a cohesive bathroom scheme, match your shower accessories to your existing brassware. 

A Finishing Touch

Finishing touches can range from simply styling the space with soft furnishing – robes, fluffy towels and candles, to integrating a range of practical yet aesthetic accessories. By introducing hardware in the form of towel rails, toilet roll holders and even brassware – you can enhance the luxury look and feel of a space. One of the most important things to consider when selecting pieces for your bathroom is colour. Pair neutral shades – white, cream, grey and soft brown, with luxurious looking brassware to transform your space. Our MPRO brassware, available in brushed brass, will add an elegant touch to any bathroom scheme, whilst offering a perfect contrast to white ceramic basins.    We hope that we have inspired you to recreate a luxury bathroom in your own home, to take a look at the Crosswater products on offer – visit your local Island Bathrooms showroom, where their experts will be on hand to assist you with your bathroom design.

Black Bathroom Ideas

Black bathroom features are becoming more and more popular. Modern and a real statement maker, black features are perfect for anyone looking to branch out of traditional bathroom colours.

Black Bathroom Taps

Let's begin with black bathroom taps. A black tap really does compliment a traditional white basin, creating a beautiful monochrome effect. However it would also work perfectly with a dark basin if you wanted to go all out with the black bathroom design!Our best selling black taps are the MPRO range from Crosswater. MPRO delivers the very best in brassware engineering. Combining superb function and precision design.

Black Showers

How about adding a subtle accent of black by changing your shower head and valve? Whether your interior is industrial-inspired or simple and sleek, Crosswater's MPRO designs are the perfect choice for those looking to achieve a modern look, and are presented in a range of finishes, from Brushed Brass to Brushed Stainless Steel, and Matt Black.

Black Toilet

The Jet range from Burlington, has high intensity and a daring presence. The ceramic pieces create a striking contrast with high-shine chrome brassware. A black toilet is very daring so how about adding it to your downstairs cloakroom to add some wow factor!

Black Basin

For a versatile yet refined trend statement that refuses to go out of fashion, Burlington allows you to choose from basins available in 4 sizes across their distinctive Edwardian and Classic styles, you can select the perfect solution for your space.

Black Heated Towel Rail

Matt Black is back and stronger than ever. This bold colour is prefect for the grey interiors we see in design. It allows you to follow the trend while still adding a statement to your interior designer. Matt black has a luxury appeal about it and is certainly a head turner. Bisque are always staying on top of the latest trends and have a wide range of matt black radiators perfect for your bathroom space.

Black Bathroom Accessories

Too scared to take the plunge? Adding a few accessories such as a toilet roll holder, toilet bowl cleaner & floor stand, framed mirror and door handles can be the perfect start to creating a statement in your bathroom. Bathroom accessories really do complete your whole look, Crosswater have a huge range of black bathroom accessories available for you to shop through us today!If we have got you feeling inspired to start designing your new black bathroom, get in touch today to see how we can help!

How to deep Clean Your Bathroom

Did you know that your bathroom is the most vulnerable place in your house where dirt, stains and bacteria can occur quickly. This means that we need to take this room seriously when cleaning. Especially at the moment! We know this may not seem like the most glamours of jobs, but we hope these little tips will help you become more organised.

Getting Your Bathroom Ready

De-clutterBefore the cleaning process can start it is important that you clear away all of your clutter which could get in your way. These things could include:

• Shampoo and other toiletry bottles
• Bath mats or towels
• Any decorative pieces that sit on your counter tops

This has now given you a totally clear space to start working on.Dust and SweepNext, you will need to dust the bathroom surfaces to remove any dirt that is sitting on top of your surfaces. Once you have done this you can vacuum or sweep the floor to remove any dirt from there. It is important that you dust the surfaces first so if this goes onto the floor you can sweep that up afterwards.Apply Cleaner To Tougher AreasMany branded bathroom products you may be aware of and bleach based products may be harmful and corrosive in your bathroom. However for limescale a great solution is half white wine vinegar and half part water. Avoid abrasive cleaning on brassware and other sensitive surfaces in your bathroom.

Cleaning The Bathroom

Wipe Down SurfacesNow that all of your products and other household items have been removed, you have taken care of the dust, it's time to tackle wiping down the surfaces! You will need to take a cloth and clean all surfaces with your cleaning spray. When cleaning your surfaces we'd always recommend you starting with your higher shelves, this means that if any dirt falls down you can clean this off your lower surfaces later. A different type of product will need to be used when cleaning your bathroom windows and shower panels.How To Clean Your Shower and BathNow it's time to clean your shower and or bath. Because we allowed the product to soak in at the beginning you should be able to wipe away all of the grime pretty easily. Use a soft cloth or sponge to do this, and work from the top of the bath downwards. If you've got a lot of limescale build up this will require some extra attention. If a lot of grime has built up in the grout between your bathroom tiles, you may need to focus on this. For this you can either use a purpose made grout cleaner and an old toothbrush or similar soft bristled brush. Spray your grout cleaner and allow this to soak in for about 10-15 minutes. You can then go in with your small brush to scrub all of the dirt out of your grout.Removing LimescaleThere are some areas in your bathroom that will require more attention that have a larger build up of limescale. When cleaning limescale we always suggest that you wear gloves and check whether your chosen cleaning product is suitable for this job. There are products on that market that you can buy however natural solutions that you can make have been proven to be just as or if not more effective.To create your own limescale cleaner; grab an empty spray bottle and fill half of the bottle with white wine vinegar and mix that with an equal amount of water. Lemon juice also works instead of white wine vinegar. take your spray and spray it all over your built up areas, you should let this soak in for at least 30 minutes. Once you have let this soak in you should then be able to scrub it away and the limescale should lift quiet easily.To remove limescale from a showerhead or tap spout it is a slightly different process. Fill a plastic bag with white wine vinegar and place it over the showerhead or tap spout. Secure it in place with elastic bands and allow this to sit overnight. In the morning give your shower head or tap a rinse with water and it should be beautifully clean.Clean Your ToiletThe worst job of them all... the toilet! When cleaning your toilet we recommend you having a second pair of gloves and a second set of sponges, maybe a different colour so you remember. You'll want to start on the bowl first. Grab some bleach and pour it around the entire bowl, then allow it to soak for a few minutes. Once the time is up take a toilet brush and start scrubbing!If there's a lot of limescale in your toilet bowl, you can use your white wine vinegar solution. Pour your solution around the entire bowl and leave to soak for 3-4 hours. Once you have allowed this to soak in, go in with your toilet brush and all of the limescale should disappear. Once you have finished, simply flush the toilet and your toilet bowl should be clean!Mop Your FloorNow that everything is looking beautifully clean, it is now time to tackle the floor! We have already swept the floor however if you can see any dust or dirt on the floor go back in a sweep that away before we start mopping. There are lot's of different floor cleaning products on the market, you can find one that will suit your exact floor type. Mix the detergent and boiling water in a bucket, grab your mop and we are ready to go.Dip the mop in the bucket and then wring it out. Start mopping the floor from the furthest point from the door, then work backwards. 

How To Keep Your Bathroom Clean

Now you've got your bathroom nice and clean you'll want to try and keep it that way.Little & OftenThe best way to keep your bathroom clean and avoid harder work further down the line is to clean regularly. Whether its wiping the surfaces more often, mopping the floor weekly or a monthly clean of the shower glass, a small amount of work will keep your bathroom products looking great and avoid the hassle of more drastic cleaning later on.Clean Toothpaste Straight AwayOne of the most common sights in basins is the toothpaste stain. These will usually develop when toothpaste which has fallen into the basin is left to dry out. That's why it's important to clean toothpaste from your bathroom sink straight away. This can be one of the first signs in your bathroom looking dirty.Shower Cubby HoleShower cubby holes are a stylish way to keep your bathroom clutter free. However do not fill these with lot's of products as it can quite quickly look messy and cluttered. Pop your products away after each use.Shower SqueegeeGetting your shower glass back to its best can be a time consuming and frustrating process. That's why investing in a shower squeegee to quickly remove any excess water from the glass every time you shower is so important.We hope these little tips and tricks helped!

Why You Need Fitted Furniture

Fitted furniture seems to be the perfect match for a bathroom of today, especially if you're trying to achieve a designer look. There is a huge variety of styles, ranging from traditional to modern, as well as a range of colours and finishes to compliment any bathroom, cloakroom or en-suite.Fitted furniture has the ability to be attached to the wall and the floor which provides you with a great place to store toiletries, towels and your other bathroom essentials. Many come pre-assembled for ease or installation A clean and tidy room is the best way to create a relaxing space in which to relax and unwind in. Pipework can be covered within your chosen furniture this will reduce any visual clutter and provide you with plenty of space for keeping all of your toiletries out of sight.Tall and shallow options are available to ensure that you make the most out of your small rooms, and a choice of a left or right opening allows you to create a bespoke and original fit. We have a wide range of fitted furniture suitable for bathrooms small and large as well as a range of great looking designs and styles.

Some of our favourite fitted furniture pieces, available at Island Bathrooms

Contact us today to speak about your new bathroom transformation!

Matt White Collection

Introducing Matt White, the latest finish in the Crosswater MPRO range! This finish offers the same high-end luxury feel as the original collection however it is now available in a stunning new on-trend colourway. If you are searching for new brassware that is going to make a statement then look no further as this crisp monochrome collection is your answer. The colour has been applied by using powder coating. Powder coating is a proven method used to protect brassware against harsh conditions, making it the perfect finish in your home. 

MPRO Basin 2 Hole Set.

To begin with we have this beautiful 2 Hole Basin Set. The MPRO range from Crosswater provides you with the very best in brassware engineering.

MPRO Basin Monoblanc.

This is a very popular design at Island Bathrooms for it's high-quality design and finish. And now available in Matt White we have something to offer our customers looking to create a statement.

MPRO Crossbox.

Available in a 1,2 and 3 outlet valve we have something available for all of our customers bathroom requirements. A white finish really can create a timeless statement in any bathroom.

MPRO Showerhead.

Available in a 200 and 300mm head. This stunning showerhead is guaranteed to create wow-factor. The sleek white shade will go with any colourful tiles to create that beautiful monochrome effect.This striking new colour joins the five existing finishes to continue the evolution of this iconic product range, meeting the demands of today's modern day bathroom!

Top Bathroom Trends of 2020

Is your bathroom crying out for a refresh? We have found some of the best trends in 2020 that we believe will totally transform your bathroom. From subtle accessories to dramatic cloakrooms we've got you covered. Continue reading to discover the trends that you will love for years to come.

Brass Taps and Accessories.

Brass is a great way to bring a subtle accent of luxury into your bathroom. Not only does brass provide a refined finish but it is also very durable, making it long lasting which is a great choice for a bathroom of today. Click HERE to discover one of our favourite brushed brassware accessories from UNION, Crosswater.

Statement Showers.

Making a statement in your shower is a new trend for 2020 however it is definitely here to stay. How beautiful is this iridescent feature tile from Original Style's Mosaics collection featured below. With its popular scallop format, these tiles are perfect for creating a striking visual. With its popular scallop format, these tiles are perfect for creating a striking visual. If you like the look of this feature get in touch with us today and we can bring your bathroom designs to life!

Dark Accents.

Rich dark walls have been around for a while in the bedroom and living rooms however now it's the bathrooms turn to walk on the dark side. Scared to take the plunge? How about adding some luxurious navy tiles into your shower or if you are feeling braver you can fill the whole room with deep greens and blues. Dark colours also pair perfectly with our top trend of 2020 and that is brushed brass accessories. The image below demonstrates this perfectly.

Extra Large Tiles.

We're going big in 2020. These extra large tiles offer a striking and beautiful design that is guaranteed to turn heads. RAK have a wide and varied range of collections inspired by the elegance of marble to offer hundreds of designs. The marble and granite patterns displaying elegant veins create a sophisticated ambiance. RAK combines timeless beauty and the finest materials to create durable and beautiful tiles. If you like the look of RAK wall tiles get in touch with us today and we can design you new bathroom space.

Floating Vanity Unit.

Floating Vanity Units have become a firm favourite in 2020. Not only are they practical and provide you with great storage space, they also have an elegant and modern feel to them. A Floating Vanity Unit is also great for a smaller bathroom. By seeing the floor underneath it makes the area feel slightly more open. In a very small space such as a cloakroom under the stairs, having more room to put your feet can make a real big difference. Click HERE to find out how you can make your small bathroom feel and look bigger. This beautiful unit is from the Roper Rhodes Collection, available to purchase through our showrooms today!

Free Standing Bath Tubs.

Freestanding bath tubs elevate your space by giving your bathroom a more modern and luxurious feel. This freestanding tub is from Burlington. For a perfect traditional bathroom, combine soft tones of cream with elegant monochrome prints and our Burlington tub to create a luxury bathroom space.

Dramatic Cloakroom.

The cloakroom may be the smallest room in the house, however that means you can really use it to make a bold statement. Whether that's in your choice of pattern, colour or textures the choice is endless. So go wild with the wallpaper or embrace a decorative tile and bright paints. Original Style offer a huge collection of opulent tiles to suit any space.

Marble Wallpaper.

I know what your thinking, marble wallpaper? Why not marble tiles? Well marble tiles can become quite costly and although marble wallpaper may not have that gloss finish it does look great and keeps your costs down if you are on a budget.We hope we have inspired you for your new bathroom design. If you want to bring your ideas to life you can click HERE to visit our online remote design service or make your appointment and come and visit our showroom today! 

How Similar is Your Bathroom to One From 1948?

You’ve probably browsed through a good few bathroom catalogues in your time. We certainly have – it comes with the business. But we’ve never had the pleasure of looking through anything like the 1948 Kohler and Kohler catalogue found here.We were curious as to just how much bathroom designs can change in seventy odd years, and judging by a few of the images that we found, the answer turned out to be a lot, as you can see below.        While not exactly in keeping with current bathroom trends, who knows what revivals of these colour trends the future might hold?We’re actually putting the finishing touches to our own, new, shiny Island Bathrooms brochure, and we’ll be letting the whole world know when it’s finished. But safe to say it’ll probably look a little different from this one here.

Why January’s The Perfect Time For A Bathroom/Kitchen Remodel

Why January’s The Perfect Time For A Bathroom/Kitchen Remodel

Starting the new year right. New year! New you! Why not new bathroom or kitchen?

 Sales! The Winter Sales mean that you’ll get more bang for your buck if you choose to take advantage of the offers available. We've got a few on ourselves! If you’ve got to remodel something, it makes sense to leave the outdoorsy stuff for summer when it’s a little warmer for working outside. It can be a bit chilly for that kind of thing come January! If you’ve made a new bathroom or kitchen one of your resolutions, it’s probably best to get it done as soon as possible. We all know how it gets easier to put them off as the year wears on. A January remodelling leaves plenty of time to work out all issues to have it ready for some summer hosting – you wouldn’t want to put off having guests round because your bathroom looks like a building site!

 Statistically, people spend more time indoors over winter. Come summer you’ll be jetsetting off on holiday somewhere, so it follows that to get the most enjoyment out of your new bathroom or kitchen before the novelty wears off, a January remodelling is the most sensible choice.

 It doesn’t necessarily need to be a full remodelling, either. The feel of the room (or perhaps the lack of) might rest with a single item. If your otherwise perfect bathroom is held back by an unsightly basin or an ageing toilet, you could be enjoying that shiny new bathroom feel without having to remodel your entire bathroom. 

2020 Bathroom Trends

As we head into 2020, the bathroom remains more than ever a place for some relaxing me-time.

Just as we might want to de-clutter our heads after a busy week, so the latest bathroom trends are leaning towards a clutter-free minimalism that makes optimum use of the space available.

However, a modern style does not mean garish, white sterility. And in an attempt to make the bathroom a truly relaxing place, warm tones and clever use of light have seen a surge in popularity.

Earthy tones, such as subtle greys, off-whites and beiges are a great way to bring some warmth to a modern bathroom. There are hundreds of ways to play a selection of earthy tones off against each other, with tiles, worktops and furniture all certain to add their own voice to the overall tone of the room.

If you’re fortunate enough to have a source of natural light in your bathroom, you have plenty of ways to use that light in a way that suits your bathroom. Airy, silken materials are in vogue, and for obvious reasons. Choose a fabric that will weather a steamy atmosphere without becoming damp.

Brass fittings – a popular choice for a while now – show no sign of losing their appeal. They can complement many different styles of bathroom and their reflective surfaces make great use of light.

 

Integrated lighting is also showing no sign of losing popularity. Lights can be built into pretty much anything these days. Popular choices are mirrors and cabinets, which provide the great benefits not only of lighting up a shave or a make-up session, but also let out a pleasant, ambient glow which can light a room with all warmth and no glare.

And integrated lighting isn’t where integrated potential ends. If you’re after a little relaxing music in the bath, all you need now is a Bluetooth mirror, putting an end to the hassle that used to come with music in the bath. If you need your phone charged, there are charging options, automated sensors and more.

And as the bathroom becomes more and more a room in itself, so the trends in decorating have begun to reflect that. Wall-hung art, once limited to small, indistinct picture that looked hung up almost as an afterthought, has become a powerful way to add a point of focus to your bathroom.

 Plant life is still a very trendy choice, especially for more modern bathroom designs. Anything from a pot plant to something in a grounded vase will add a sense of air and life to any bathroom.

Good to Know: Bathroom Project Advice

Installing a new bathroom is a huge upheaval for a week or so, but with good planning, the right equipment and our expert advice, such as these 7 points which are intended to help you avoid any pitfalls, it shouldn't be an upheaval which will cause you any subsequent stress or give you any unnecessary costs.

Your new bathroom should be everything you've dreamed of, whether or not your going for impressive statement pieces or a simple yet classy upgrade. We always want to make sure that your new bathroom is delivered with ease and so we'll do all we can to help the project run as smoothly as possible.

Read below for some helpful advice on what to look out for before and during the installation of your new bathroom, and if you're still unsure of what to expect take a look at our 6 steps to your dream bathroom which will give you a short overview of what will happen once you've chosen us to design your new bathroom. If you're a super planner and what to check out the legal side of things, you can also read our terms and conditions.

1.        Your Requirements

Seek advice from your installer at the beginning of your project to identify your water pressure & tiling requirements, soil outlet & any potential restrictions that may arise at point of installation. 

 

2.        Visit a Showroom

Visit us with a plan of your room, it is important to have the sizes of your room, doors, windows and soil location. For all we keep in stock some equipment can take up to 4-6 weeks at the worst. Please ensure you are taking this into account when considering your new bathroom. 

 

3.        Avoid Scheduling

We appreciate it is not always possible, however we encourage you to avoid scheduling an installation date with your installer before you receive your goods. Our delivery times are given in good faith and we endeavour to advise you of any delays but cannot be responsible for delays while a fitter is on site. 

 

4.        Collections & Deliveries

When collecting, or upon delivery; please ensure as the purchaser & not a 3rd party, you are able, with assistance from our warehouse team & drivers, to check all fragile items. This is to ensure we avoid any conflict if any future damage was identified. 

 

5.        Size Variations

Be aware that in the bathroom industry, baths, units, shower doors and trays can have quite a lot of size variants. For example, a 900mm shower door could have an adjustment from 865mm-885mm, this is to compensate for the use of using boarding, tiling or untrue walls. A 1700mm bath may could also be 1695mm or even 1705mm so if a product size is critical please talk to us. 

 

6.        Keep Items Safe

Keep all boxes safe until installation is complete. If you need to return anything. All items must be returned in re-sellable condition, within 28 days. 

 

7.        Special Order Items

Due to the nature of special order items, they cannot be returned. This would be discussed with you at the point of sale. This could include any item which is specially ordered for you. We will, when possible return items in the condition they were received. This may however incur a restocking fee. Items that we stock; returned in perfect condition would be refunded in full if returned within 28 days of receipt. Outside of this period we may accept returns in exchange for a credit note.  

Need some more advice from our experts? Send us a message or give us a call and we'll be happy to help!