Photo: Vladimir MiloradovićThe bathroom is the room where we are most often alone with our thoughts. Therefore, the power of this room should not be neglected. Its role is to make us relax, regale us, accept oneself, listen to oneself, wake us up...
Whether you will decide on a shower cabin or a bathtub, built-in or freestanding, with or without a bidet, one or two sinks, it is your personal choice, because these are the elements that depend most on our habits, desires and objective possibilities on the spot. In this text, we will look at the hidden elements of the bathroom that have a significant impact on the final vibe, and are often overlooked during the initial design of these small, magical rooms that are often given a lack of attention, although, in fact, they have the potential to provide us with a real oasis of peace.
Ana Nenadović, architect, Bureau Ana Nenadović
We will focus on some of the important parameters for bathroom design. People often choose a beige combination as a synonym for timeless beauty, but there are so many other possibilities and variations. If we take a peek into that colorful world, new perspectives and ideas will open up for us, and it will be difficult for us to dwell on classic beige tiles or the imitation of white marble.
BATHTUB VS. SHOWER CABIN
Dynamics and lifestyle have influenced the bathroom concept. Previously, a bathroom without a bathtub was unthinkable, but today it is becoming an exception. Most, due to practicality, speed, and daily routine, in general opt for a shower cabin. Nobody has time for a hot bath, a glass of wine... And we all secretly wish for that.
Photo: Bureau Ana Nenadović
This hidden desire, however, is not at all unattainable. If we would stop and think, a bathtub, in essence, requires little and yet gives a lot. Half a square meter of space more than a shower cabin and about 15 minutes longer preparation, and in return we get an immeasurable feeling of relaxation and comfort.
Photo: Bureau Ana Nenadović
Where the dimensions of the bathroom allow, the installation of a free-standing bathtub, which is considered the queen among bathroom elements, apart from providing a superior atmosphere, will fill your eyes with its elegant beauty every day. It can be a classic white bathtub, but it can also be a marble one, or transparent, or with stylized legs... We can also combine a bathtub and a shower cabin in the same bathroom and get a completely natural ambiance.
THE DIMENSIONS OF CERAMICS AS AN ETERNAL DILEMMA
We often hear that small tiles are more suitable for small spaces because the large ones will “eat” them. That is a fallacy. If the technical possibilities allow, our sincere advice is to always choose ceramics of larger dimensions because it gives more possibilities and a more harmonious final result. Everything seems more compact and simply more beautiful.
Photo: Višnja Jovanović
Ceramics of large dimensions allow us to better see the pattern on the tile. Also, if we combine it with a mosaic or some narrow small tiles, we inject a dose of dynamism and playfulness into the space.
Another benefit of larger size tiles is the smaller number of joints. No matter how much care is taken and cleaning is carried out regularly, grouts, especially when they are in lighter tones, inevitably get dirty.
Photo: Bureau Ana Nenadović
Large formats can even visually increase a small space, because the absence of joints gives continuity and, therefore, creates a sense of spaciousness, so they are equally recommended for small as well as large spaces. So, throw away your fears and prejudices and as a result you will get a surprising effect in the form of large beautiful pictures on the walls!
POSITION AND SIZE OF THE BATHROOM
Today, mostly small bathrooms are built, which are usually crowded and treated as side rooms. In fact, bathrooms can also have fireplaces, while shower cabins and bathtubs can be an integral part of the sleeping area. More and more often, the bathroom is directly entered from the master bedroom, which enables the symbiosis of these two rooms and opens up new possibilities for design.
Photo: Goran Ivić
The position and size of the bathroom are also important, because of the functionality and quality of life. When we have a situation where the apartment is already occupied, it is complicated to change the size of the rooms, because it entails a lot of additional dirty work. But that’s why it’s always good, when we have the opportunity, to deal for a few more days with the layout of the rooms in order to find some more square footage to expand the bathroom.
Photo: Goran Ivić
In addition to the basic elements, it is important to find towels, bathrobes, dryers, a basket for dirty laundry, personal hygiene, often makeup, washing and dryer machines in the bathroom. When the position of all primary and secondary elements is well planned, the bathroom itself imposes the minimum required square footage.
COLORS AND MATERIALS
One should not be afraid of colors! We need to listen to ourselves, find out what pleases us and boldly go in that direction. Color psychology and chromotherapy have been known for a long time, so we can simply apply their postulates to bathrooms. The ceiling is also an important element. By just changing the color of the ceiling the atmosphere of the entire room is quickly and simply thereby altered.
Photo: Bureau Ana Nenadović
Ceramics, quartz, stone, washable wallpaper, techniques, paintings, moldings, glass, mosaic, terrazzo... Various elements and materials are suitable for bathrooms, and each of them can be used to create a special ambiance. It is important that they are resistant to water and that they are stable in bathroom conditions. For the floor, it is important that the tiles have a non-slip, matte finish, while on the walls we can play with reflective surfaces with different textures.
Photo: Vladimir Miloradović
Actually, the key is to change the perception of the bathroom and start treating it like as a room for bathing. Through this paradigm, we will experience this room differently and give it the necessary attention during the initial design.
LIGHTING AND DECORATION
Important elements of every interior are light and the play of shadows. In addition to LED strips that offer us countless variants for discreet light decoration, there are many innovative elements for the bathroom on the market, such as transparent bathtubs, transparent sinks, the possibility of illuminating natural stone or mosaics...
Photo: Bureau Ana Nenadović
With the function of additional lighting, their decorative power is not negligible either. If we boldly add a mural, picture, photo, graphic, the bathroom stops being just a service room and becomes a stylish personal haven.
Photo: Bureau Ana Nenadović
Just as we decorate rooms with wallpaper and moldings, we can apply the same principle to bathrooms.
Photo: Bureau Ana Nenadović
By changing the wallpaper, for example, which we can place only on one wall of the bathroom, and by changing the color of the ceiling along with the wallpaper, we can change the entire visual identity of the bathroom in a short period of time, without major work and costs.
MIRRORS
Bathroom mirrors have a multipurpose function. In addition to the basic role – to look oneself in the mirror, they can play the role of a complete wall covering. Some would say it’s only for clubs. Here again we encounter prejudices. You should adapt your space to your own sensibilities, not to prejudices, or to what most people do.
Photo: Bureau Ana Nenadović
We can also hide a cabinet with a mirror. Modern technique allows us to adapt the size and shape of the mirror to our space, and with the help of LED strips we can also contribute to the aesthetic value of this element.
Photo: Bureau Ana Nenadović
There are classic white mirrors, but they are also available in various other colors. Bronze and gray are the most common on the market, while if ordered, or treated with foils, they can be made as yellow, blue, green...
By: Ana Nenadović, arhitekta
