Creating a space that’s both practical and relaxing is hard enough without insisting that it looks good, too. Yet simply choosing your materials carefully – without necessarily changing your budget – can transform a utilitarian space into a breath-taking bathroom. The time invested in choosing the perfect stone worktop or granite tiles is particularly worthwhile if you’re hoping to increase the value of your home through your renovation.
As well as adding value, stone is versatile enough to handle the conflicting roles that our bathrooms play. Rushing out of the house in the morning, most of us want a space that’s purely practical: brightly lit, clean, crisp and functional. Coming home in the evening for a relaxing bath, we shift, demanding soft lighting, gentle sounds and a soothing atmosphere.
#1. Create a natural retreat
Studies show that natural materials are more relaxing, and stone is a great choice for creating a natural space in your home. Rough granite tiles, perhaps combined with reclaimed wood, are ideal for creating a natural retreat. A less polished finish also makes stone tiles less slippery, which is ideal for a wetroom effect.
#2. Build-in a spa-like restfulness
The calming restfulness of a high-quality spa is a delightful atmosphere to bring home. Limestone, marble or granite tiles provide the blend of crisp, hygienic cleanliness and soothing natural effects that spas strive to create. Using natural stone, is a great choice as it’s easy to clean without feeling antiseptic, so you won’t be worrying about grime or water damage and can instead simply relax in your own home spa.
#3. Make the practical beautiful
Bathrooms are primarily functional, but there’s no reason they should be unattractive. Choosing practical yet beautiful materials is a great way to create a breath-taking bathroom without breaking your budget or extending the space. As an example, granite tiles are waterproof, stain proof and easy to clean. They also don’t absorb water or other materials, such as mould spores. This means that a lot of the damp problems that are so common in UK bathrooms are dramatically reduced or totally eliminated.
#4. Transform a small space
Creating a breath-taking bathroom in a small space is a challenge all too many Surrey home owners face. When you’ve hardly got room to move, making a statement wall covered with beautiful natural marble or granite tiles is a great way to add a focal point without reducing the usable space. Contrasting tiles can define areas, such as the shower basin, without impacting the footprint.
#5. Restore a period feature
Traditional materials look great in older homes, evoking the elegance of a bygone age and also making period features stand out. If you’ve got a gorgeous stained-glass window or perhaps an antique fireplace in your marble bathroom, using modern stone tiles to repair and highlight the surrounds is a great way to create a focal point.
