Complete Guide to Bathroom Design & Bathroom Trends (2023)

November 20, 20230

This guide has been updated to include modern master bathroom ideas, bathroom trends 2023 and bathroom layouts.

Designing a bathroom is a hefty topic. How do you design a bathroom efficiently?

Unlike other rooms in your home, designing a bathroom will take more time and thought. There are so many bathroom design ideas to go through to find the perfect inspiration to make your own unique space. The kitchen may be an exception, but there is always the reassuring presence of a kitchen designer to make the process a little bit smoother.

However, with a bathroom you will find yourself juggling with a wide range of contractors, from plasters, plumbers and even floor installers. This can get pretty overwhelming and scary.

With a variety of bathroom designs and bathroom design ideas to choose from, it is always efficient to have some sort of design service to help you out. Whether it is from an interior designer, a specialist bathroom designer or even a highly experienced builder who has an eye for bathroom designs.

Which bathroom layout works for your bathroom design?
What is the best layout for a bathroom?
Bathroom trends 2023
Family bathroom design ideas for NZ homes – How to design a family bathroom?
How to design a Master En-suite?
Designing Wet Rooms, Guest Bathrooms and Shower rooms
Our in house designer Cici gives her 12 best bathroom lighting ideas – How lighting plays a pivotal role in a bathroom design?
How do you light up a small bathroom?
Bathroom Flooring – What is right for you?
Modern small master bathroom ideas
Bathroom storage – What to consider?
Other considerations when planning a bathroom design.
Will your bathroom renovation Add value to your home?
What makes for a good bathroom design?
Bathroom Design trends for 2023

How to Design a Bathroom that Works for your Home & Bathroom Layout

Designing your bathroom is very similar to the planning process of a kitchen. To start your bathroom renovation and bathroom designing journey you will need to start off by analysing how you can use your current bathroom. Note down things like what bathroom design ideas can work, and what cannot.

After that, research and look at all the different types of bathrooms designs such as, small bathroom designs or modern bathroom designs. By doing this you will be able to get an idea of what type of bathroom deign you want to achieve, and what your individual needs are. For example, if you are after a family bathroom, it will require looking into a more luxurious bathroom design idea with a nice bath and splash proof surfaces.

Planning a Bathroom Layout

There are so many bathroom layout designs and layout ideas to choose from when starting your bathroom renovation journey. The layout you choose will depend on many factors from the function and size to who will be using the bathroom. Choosing the right and a good bathroom layout is very important. Each layout can contribute to different bathroom design effect, below we will highlight few benefits.

5 Bathroom design which create a visual impact – How to gather bathroom design ideas

Bathroom view upon entrance – Think about your bathroom layout

An important aspect of bathroom design is to make sure that your bathroom design has a good visual impact when you first see it upon entrance. At the starting point of a bathroom layout you want to see the bath or basin first, not the toilet. So when you are brain storming bathroom design ideas, make sure that you think about your bathroom layout.

One key piece:

Choose one key bathroom design aspect to make it the star of the room. Whether it is a freestanding bath, a beautiful vanity or a luxurious tiled shower. This way your renovated bathroom will have a clear and seamless bathroom design.

Symmetrical layouts:

If your bathroom layout and proportions lean are symmetrical, enhancing the structure is important. Try plotting a symmetrical layout through aligned architectural gems such as an original sash window.

Make space:

Having space around each fitting is a smart bathroom design aspect to make. This is because the extra space will allow comfortable use of the fixtures. Make sure to pay attention to the swing of the shower doors, if you have limited bathroom space choose inward opening doors or an over-bath shower. If you do want to incorporate a shower in your small bathroom design then think about creating a wet area and not a tiled shower box. A wet area opens up the space as it involves having a single glass divider instead of glass on all sides. If you have a small bathroom then steer away from installing an acrylic shower box as it will close up the space and also make your bathroom design look dated.

Ask experts – For bathroom ideas

Seeking help from a professional will allow you to see beyond your current bathroom layout or any bathroom design ideas that you may see online. You will be amazed how even the smallest bathrooms can be transformed into a sanctuary with creative design ideas from bathroom designers.

When starting your bathroom renovation journey, it is important to understand the kind of layout that is possible to have to create a functional bathroom design. The layout of your bathroom will mostly revolve around where your pipework is located. Although it is possible to relocate pipework, it will require significant amount of work and permits from council. Thus, the first step to bathroom renovation is locating where your toilet will be. We recommend choosing a bathroom layout following the directions of the home floor joists. If you do want to change the position of the toilet then it is possible but you will have to involve an architect. The architect will then draw waste pipes from the current council pipes to the new position of the toilet. This will then be submitted to the council to approve. Once it is approved then your bathroom renovator will build the pipes. The building of the pipes will not take too long but it is hard to predict how long the council takes to approve the drawings. It could take 2 weeks but it could also take 4.

After the position of the toilet is located, you will need to consider where the basin, bath and shower will be placed. Make sure to brainstorm your own bathroom design ideas you want, because at the end of the day it is your bathroom! Pipework regarding the basin, bath and shower tend to be more flexible than the toilet for repositioning. Search for keywords such as Bathroom Design NZ or Bathroom Design Trends to gather inspiration.

Once you have your desired bathroom layouts and design inspirations you can create your mood boards and explore samples for possible products. Don’t forget to look into towel rail placement and heating options. No one wants to walk to the other side of the bathroom to get a towel after a shower.

What Is The Best Layout For a Bathroom?

What is the best layout for a bathroom? The options are endless. There are many different bathroom layouts that you can choose from that would be best suited for your needs. Below we have given 4 popular bathroom layout that may align with your needs. When asking the question, what is the best layout for a bathroom? There is no right answer, and everyone has different uses in their bathroom plans.

1. Statement Bath Layout

This bathroom layout may be something you’d want to consider in your bathroom plans, if your bathroom is big enough to fit a bathtub. You’d want to utilize that space and install a bathtub in your bathroom design ideas. Place your freestanding bath in the middle of the room or close to a prominent feature, like a window, to make it the center of attention.

More details on this bathroom renovation

2. Over-bath Shower Layout

If you’re eager to add a bathtub into your bathroom layout but there isn’t enough space for everything. You can choose the over-bath shower bathroom layout. That way you’re able to incorporate a bathtub into your bathroom plans. What is the best layout for a bathroom? This bathroom plan might be perfect for you if you have children as it would be useful when bathing them. For this bathroom plans, you can either install an electric shower over the bathtub or replace your current faucets with ones that have a hand-held shower mixer.

3. Bath and Shower Layout

This bathroom layout is if you have a big bathroom you’re looking to spruce up. For this bathroom layout, a big space is necessary if you’d want to add a bathtub and a shower. With this bathroom layout, you’d want to design the space on how frequently you’d use it. If you prefer baths, then you’d pick a bigger bath and a smaller shower. If you prefer showers over baths, then you’d pick a smaller bath and bigger shower. If necessary, you’d also have double basins in your bathroom plans. What is the best layout for a bathroom? This bathroom plan will be perfect if you love taking baths and taking long showers as well.

More Bathroom Layouts…

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Growing Family Home Bathroom Renovation

4. Shower room layout

For this bathroom layout, it would be considered a ‘wet room’. This means that your entire bathroom would need to be waterproof. This bathroom layout would only have a shower, toilet, and vanity sink. If you’re looking to incorporate a bathtub in your bathroom plans, then this bathroom layout may not be for you. By separating one end of a long, narrow room with glass doors or a screen to create a walk-in shower, you can build a shower enclosure. A small room will have more space thanks to bi-fold doors.

Want more information on bathroom layouts?

Check out our blog on bathroom layout, costs and design.

Bathtub vs Walk-In Shower?

Bathroom Trends 2023

Keep up to date with the new bathroom trends 2023. There are always new trends every year and it’s hard to keep up to date with them. Whilst you may not feel the need for a full bathroom renovation, you can replace a feature or two to keep your bathroom modernize. Or if you’re looking to make your bathroom modern you can also switch a few features. Below we have listed a few bathroom trends 2023.

1. Backlit Mirrors

Consider backlit mirrors in your bathroom design ideas as they’re efficient due to them being LED lights and use less energy and last longer than ordinary lightbulbs. Not only that, but they’re also easy to install. Backlit mirrors also eliminate any shadows that you’d normally get from regular lighting fixtures. Add a backlit mirror to your modern small bathroom ideas.

Urban Luxury Bathroom Renovation

Elegant Bathroom Renovation

2. Terrazzo Floors and Walls

For your bathroom design ideas, consider opting for terrazzo floors and walls as their materials are highly sustainable and environmentally friendly. Because terrazzo is so strong and resilient compared to other types of tile, it is perfect for use as flooring in areas with a lot of foot traffic. Terrazzo is a material that is genuinely one-of-a-kind and is available in almost any colour imaginable, from eye-popping hues to natural tones, making it possible to create anything. Consider adding this to your bathroom plans.

3. Rich Earthy Hues

When it comes to choosing a colour scheme for your modern small bathroom ideas, it can be tricky. We suggest adding earthy hues to your colour scheme. Either combine many shades inspired by nature or stick to the multiple saturations of a single hue. Whatever option you select, the result should be beautiful and serene. It’s a straightforward yet powerful technique for establishing a connection with nature indoors.

4. Geometric Tilework

If you’re opting for a modern small bathroom ideas, then adding geometric tilework to your bathroom design ideas might be the finishing touch you need. Adding geometric tilework will have an eye-catching structure by adding a sharp-edged form that isn’t captured by more organic designs. Using geometric tiles to create a focal wall in your bathroom can brighten up the area and perhaps give the impression that it is larger than it is. Which is what you’d want in a modern small bathroom design as you’d want to create an illusion that your bathroom is bigger than it is.

5. Minimalist Wall Sconces

You can’t go wrong with add wall sconces into your bathroom design ideas. Your bathroom will have an eye-catching structure by adding a sharp-edged form that isn’t captured by more organic designs. Because of their extreme versatility, geometric shapes can stand out by using bold, yet understated, colours and sizes. patterned tiles Using geometric tiles to create a focal wall in your bathroom can brighten up the area and perhaps give the impression that it is larger than it is.

6. Sliding Doors

If you have a modern small bathroom ideas, then switching to a sliding door would help give your bathroom more space. Especially if you’re looking a master bathroom ideas. That way you’re able to create more space in your modern small bathroom for decorations.

photo-1585412727096-409979b24724?ixlib=rb-1.2, Kitchen Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation Auckland

Example of a bathroom sliding door | Photo Credit – Unsplash

7. Closed Storage

Having open shelving may add decorations to your wall and you’re able to put plants and little decorations on those shelves to complete your bathroom design. Having closed storage will conveniently conceal all your belongings, which would otherwise attract unwanted attention and further clutter up your little bathroom. One of the trends of bathroom ideas 2023 is to have closed storage, which is not only a sensible solution but will also give your space a cleaner, more modern appearance. Perfect for your modern small bathroom design.

8. Glass Shower Door

When having a small bathroom, one main goal is to make the space look bigger. Which there are many different factors that contribute to creating that illusion. In your modern small bathroom ideas, think about having a glass shower door. It is primarily because glass doors provide the impression that the room is much larger thanks to their transparency and ease with which they blend in with the rest of the wall. They also have a very opulent, glossy appearance.

Need more inspiration?

Read our blog on bathroom trends 2022

Family Bathroom with Design Ideas NZ – Factors to keep in mind

The family bathroom is usually the biggest bathroom in the household. Fixtures, fittings and finishes with low maintenance and durability should be kept in mind during the research process. A trendy bathroom design in New Zealand is using porcelain tiles in the family bathrooms. Porcelain tiles are perfect for family bathrooms as they are very hard wearing and will still look amazing in years to come. They are low maintenance which is a must for family bathrooms. For vanity ideas try double top on basins and mirrors, allowing movement is crucial in a busy environment such as the family bathroom.

Also think about who will be using this family bathroom. Do you have younger children or older teenage/adult children? You should ask yourself these questions and discuss this with your bathroom designer. It is important to tell your designer about who will be using any particular bathroom so the bathroom designer can recommend relevant storage solutions, functionality and materials for your bathroom renovation.

Bathroom design ideas with young Kids – How to design you

How to Design a Master En-Suite Bathroom

The master en-suite bathroom is the place to explore luxurious materials and complex lighting scheme. Try look into luxury bathroom design ideas and modern luxury bathroom designs and trends. The en-suite bathroom is the space to splash out expensive modern bathroom ideas such as a steam shower or elaborate in a sound system. This bathroom is a perfect environment to explore all your design options as it is majority used by responsible adults. Research bathroom design ideas and indulge in luxe surfaces to match your individual style.

If your en-suite bathroom layout is quite limited, get creative with small bathroom ideas such as a simple bathtub paired with a sectioned area for the toilet and basin.

Planning Shower Rooms, Wet Rooms and Guest En-Suites

Guest en-suites and shower rooms usually have a small footprint. Therefore, it is important to use space-saving fittings and a cloakroom basin. Keeping it simple and safe through the use of thermostatic valve showers and are easy to clean is a must.

The first thing to consider during the small bathroom design process for your shower room is what type of floor you will have. Will it be a tray or tiled floor? Despite the texture of the floor choosing an anti-slip option is essential. Steel trays are a perfect option for an anti-slip flooring and often have a matter finish providing additional grip. If you are wanting tile floors for your small bathroom design it is extremely important to choose a matte finish for grip rather than a gloss which will be very dangerous.

After considering the texture of the floor for your small bathroom design idea, it is important to think about the width of the panels. If the panels are larger than 1100mm a bracing bar for stability is recommended. Bracing bars can be either fixed to the wall or celling, this mostly depends on the bathroom design. Enclosed showers are also very popular bathroom design with some homeowners rather than a walk-in shower. A big benefit of an enclosed shower design is that it heat is kept within the showering area.

Pick the Perfect Bath

The bath in a bathroom is a key component. Baths come in many different shapes, styles, and materials, and consequently there are bathroom design ideas for every different budget, style and need.

Some popular bathroom design ideas are freestanding stone, composite, and cast-iron baths. Baths that are at the high of the price spectrum offer substantial benefits compared to cheaper inset steel and acrylic bathroom tubs. Composite bath rubs are warm to touch and can be repaired very easily and iron baths have the best hear retention properties.

Find the Best Brassware

When designing your bathroom and researching potential design elements, brassware is one of the most important elements to consider. Brassware is the structure and working parts of a bathroom with continuous water flowing through them. Therefore, it is important the chosen brassware is durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of daily use.

All the elements that make up the bathroom require brassware. We highly recommend investing in quality brassware to ensure longevity. Brassware are usually wall mounted which make it harder and a hassle to fix. Thus, investing more when picking out your fixtures and structures of your bathroom will pay dividends later. Another quick tip we recommend is to pick out products that suit the water pressure of your property.

Prioritise Bathroom Lighting at Bathroom Design Stage

Smart bathroom lighting ideas are gaining popularity between homeowners. Smart bathroom lightings have a massive impact to the result and should be planned on the early stages of your bathroom renovation journey. This is to ensure all key fittings are illuminated properly.

Bathroom lighting plays an important part to the overall atmosphere of your bathroom. It holds the power to make a small bathroom look bigger and a large bathroom feel more intimate. Lighting can make your bathroom seem like a spa-like sanctuary or a busy family bathroom feel fresher and crisper. Try incorporating layers of light such as a dimmer option and separate circuits which allow you swap between bright light and softer lighting.

The lighting in a bathroom is just as important as the positioning of bathroom fixtures. The mood and atmosphere of the bathroom set by lighting choice should be decided during the design and research process prior to signing off any designs. Try incorporating two lighting circuits, one for the down lights and another for feature lights such as recess lights, under basin lights, wall lights or marker lights. For showers and vanity areas and areas around your bathroom aim for sufficient task lightings.

Smart lighting controls also provide the option for pre-programmed settings. This will automatically change the lighting scenes to cover every aspect of the day. From dim early morning lights to gradual illuminating lights to fit the daytime and a relaxing soft light to create a peaceful atmosphere for the evening to relax and unwind. Look out for wireless lighting controls when designing your bathroom.

Our Top 12 Bathroom Lighting Ideas from our Bathroom Designer Cici

1. Balance Practicality with Mood-Creation

The best way to start any design process is to analyse your current space and its properties and how it’s going to be used. Most bathrooms can be spilt into zones; the vanity area, the bath, and the shower area.

Task lighting is generally concentrated around the vanity. Around the vanity you want bright light, but be practical with the installation locations such as, LED lighting in vertical rows down the side of the vanity mirror as opposed to above. The correct placement of lights will provide a more flattering light with less shadow creations.

In more tight areas, look at mirrored cabinets with integral lighting as a simple and effective solution to make the space look bigger. Layering lights and building an option to switch between lights to fit a particular atmosphere is highly recommended by many bathroom designers.

2. Be Smart with Spotlights

Lighting can have a massive impact to your bathroom atmosphere and should be planned early to ensure all key fittings are illuminated properly. We recommend using sufficient task lightings around the shower and vanity areas, and ambient lighting for the bath.

The main light of the bathroom design ideas is usually provided by recessed downlight. Instead of positioning them in the ceiling in a central grid, decide which feature you wish to highlight and locate the down lights accordingly. Another tip one of our bathroom designer Cici recommend place lighting on the walls to accentuate its role in the design to make the room seem bigger rather than placing lighting on the centre ceiling.

The latest smart lightings come with controls that allow pre-programmed settings to create the perfect atmosphere for any occasion.

3. Go for a Luxe Look

Having a statement lighting is very popular bathroom design idea. Whether it is a crystal lighting, all-out glamour is the way to go.

More Inspiration…

Modern Bathroom Renovation North Shore

4. Light up the Vanity

Choosing the correct lighting can create different looks for your bathroom throughout the day, night and seasons. In most rooms and bathrooms you will likely need several types of lightings, as one central light won’t do every job. This can be easily achieved through layering lights.

Wall lights are a perfect option for down lighters. Down lighters have become very popular with its array of different styles. Placing wall lights on your bathroom vanity can add interest and ambiance to your focal wall and overall bathroom design.

5. Integrate Lighting into the Ceiling

Bathroom lighting has to work on so many levels. It is crucial to think about how you will use the bathroom at different times of the day.

In the mornings you want your bathroom to be bright and functional especially around the mirror. In the events you want to be able to wind down and take a relaxing bath or shower. Having bright lights pointing in all directions along the wall will create a relaxing space around the bathrooms with no danger of dazzling beams. Recessed walls and ceilings are a perfect way to hide spotlights and LEDs.

6. Mix Materials for Character

With the increase in the last innovations, now you do not have to completely overhaul a scheme in order to make a difference in your bathroom design.

Effective lighting can transform your bathroom by defining space and highlighting the bathroom design schemes. It can also create atmosphere and interests to the area. Not only does lighting help transform the atmosphere of your bathroom but different textures and materials can change it too.

Bone china gives a gentle, ambient glow and prismatic glass exaggerates and intensifies light. Whereas aluminium and other metals bring more of an industrial feature and greater visual impact to your bathroom plan.

More Inspirations…

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7. Install a Large Pendant

Beautiful lighting fixtures are the equivalent to an artwork or luxury furniture in a living area. It can transform the bathroom and is a good starting point for your bathroom design plan.

8. Evoke a Spa-Like Atmosphere

Lighting is a strategic way to create a soothing bathroom atmosphere that is as indulgent as your favourite spa. To plan this start by working out how you use the bathroom and plan your bathroom ideas and design schemes.

If you are someone who prefer a bath, focus on atmospheric bathroom lightings that create ambience near the bath. Waterproof light fittings are recommended to add inside the bath and shower to create a luxurious spa effect as they shimmer through the water. During your bathroom design process introduce layers of illumination through using lighting effects at different levels. For example, if your bathroom layout has a bath in front of a window you may want to choose to light the windows with tow miniature up lights and one narrow beam downlight over the tub.

9. Keep the Bathroom Lighting Hidden

Set the mood lighting within cabinetry and niches so you can’t see the source. These types of lights must be designed for bathroom use and IP rated according to proximity to water. This should be designer during your bathroom planning process and advised with your bathroom designer and electrician.

LED bathroom lighting ideas are more energy efficient than normal bathroom lighting. These lights are 50-90 per cent more energy efficient and are the best options for uplighters, downlights and LED ropes. Try incorporate LED lighting fixtures during your bathroom planning and bathroom design process.

10. Make a Statement

Low-slung pendants and statement chandeliers now come in bathroom-friendly designs. If you are wanting to incorporate statement fixtures in your bathroom design make sure to select designs which are made from moisture-resistant materials such as chrome, lacquered brass and nickel.

It is important to consult with your bathroom designer during the planning process to find bathroom lighting and fixtures that have the correct levels of IP according to the area it will be place.

11. Create Drama with a Bold Fitting

Recently, bathroom designers recommend overhead lighting fixtures. Overhead lighting fixtures are perfect to bridge the gap between your bathroom floor and high ceilings. Ceilings, especially in the bathroom are usually a blank canvas unlike floors where tiles can be incorporated. A perfect modern bathroom design you can incorporate is using pendants to help link the whole space together. While it cannot be seen as an atmospheric light source, this modern bathroom design can make the space feel cosier.

12. Choose Antique Style Fittings for Glamor

Bathroom lightings does not need to be boring. Bathroom lighting ideas should be decorative too and a perfect way to give your bathroom character and a modern design twist.

Choose fittings that match the other accessories within the room and choose a bulb colour tone that complements these design aspects. Some modern LEDs can give a vert stark image, while white light can make the bathroom seem cold. On the other hand warmer light tones can provide a more welcoming bathroom atmosphere.

Do I Need a Certain Light for a Bathroom?

As mentioned above, it is important to incorporate lighting fixtures that are bathroom friendly. Bathrooms especially have strict design regulations you must follow. To ensure that your chosen lighting fixture is certified for bathroom use, identify its IP rating is appropriate for the area it will be located in.

How Do You Light a Small Bathroom?

Lighting a small bathroom can be scary as there is a risk the space can look smaller. It is best to start analysing the area you will be working with, with your bathroom designer. Plan the space, its properties and what the space is going to be used for.

Most bathrooms can be easily spilt into zone: the vanity area, the bath, and the shower. A perfect modern bathroom design scheme is to think about installing spots or LEDS in vertical row down the side of mirrors that will be placed above the vanity. By doing this it will give more flattering light with less shadows.

In compact areas such as in a small bathroom design, try opt out for mirrored cabinets with integral lighting.

Good lighting schemes offer more than mere practicality. A good lighting scheme in your bathroom or small bathroom design is an easy way to transform your home. It can make a space seem larger and airier. It can also play with proportions and disguise less flattering aspects of your bathroom. Good bathroom lighting fixtures can radically change the mood of your bathroom layout and design, running the spectrum from dramatic and enlivening, to soft and relaxing.

A well planned lighting structure and design can even make a basement bathroom feel as if it is above ground.

Achieve Beautiful Bathroom Flooring

How to plan design a bathroom? One of the first steps during your bathroom renovation journey is to think about what type of flooring a bathroom design you want to achieve. Porcelain, natural stone, terracotta are all possible bathroom floor tile ideas that provide a luxurious yet practical flooring design. Our bathroom designers recommend taking practicality into consideration when designing your bathroom floor. Avoid materials that are unsuitable for wet environments such as wood flooring.

Modern Small Master Bathroom Ideas

What is the best layout for a bathroom? How do you make the most out of a small bathroom? While we can’t necessarily change the size of our bathrooms, it doesn’t mean we can’t change it to suit our needs and aesthetic. Make the most out of your small bathroom with these following ideas.

1. Install a sliding door

If you have a small master bathroom and want to utilise the space as much as possible, install a sliding door instead of having a regular door. This is a great feature to include in your master bathroom ideas as it can make your modern small bathroom look bigger.

Take a look at this vintage bathroom

2. Use a large-scale pattern

A key tip to create the illusion of space in your small master bathroom ideas is using large scale tile pattern. Using larger tiles can help make your modern small bathroom look bigger due to having fewer grout lines. You’re also able to put the tiles on both floors and walls. You’d want to continue using the same tiles as it would create a more cohesive look in your master bathroom ideas.

Bathroom renovation North Shore

3. Install a skylight

If possible, think about adding a skylight into your master bathroom ideas. This is a fantastic idea for a small master bathroom since it will use diffused natural light rather than direct artificial light. Allowing as much natural sunlight as possible in your master bathroom ideas would help make your modern small bathroom look more spacious.

4. Floating Vanity

Another popular feature that many people choose to make their modern small bathroom look bigger is having a floating vanity. For a small master bathroom ideas, you’d want to have enough space for storage, and you’d want to have closed storage to make your modern small bathroom look cleaner. Having a floating vanity allows for storage space underneath the vanity for storing items in basket.

View more photos from our case study of this bathroom renovation.

5. Install under cabinet lights

Installing under cabinet lights will add more lighting to your modern small bathroom ideas as it will also part of your bathroom lighting. Under cabinet lights are usually used with LED lights which are cost efficient last a long time, so you won’t need to constantly change the lights. Consider this in your bathroom design ideas as cabinets and countertops darken spaces underneath. Adding cabinet lights will get rid of the darken spaces and help make your modern small bathroom look bigger.

6. Expand the mirror

For your modern small bathroom ideas, think about expanding the mirror instead of having a small mirror in your bathroom plans. Expanding your mirror will help maximize space in your master bathroom and help make the room feel bigger. Mirrors can improve and brighten a space.

7. Choose fixtures with storage

Space is limited in a small bathroom, so storage is important. You’d want to make sure you utilise space and ensure that there is enough storage for everything even if it’s for a master bathroom. Storage is an important aspect to consider in your bathroom plans as you’d need space to put your items. If possible, pick a mirror that has shelves at the back of it. A place to store a few things that you use daily. This would be a great addition to your bathroom design ideas.

Ensure you don’t make these mistakes in your small bathroom design by having a read of our blog.

Ensure you Cater for Bathroom Storage

At the starting point of your bathroom design scheme, think about bathroom storage ideas. Particularly the amount and type of storage you need that will tailor to your specific requirements and lifestyle.

Bespoke joinery can be made to fit the space and style of your bathroom design. A popular modern bathroom design for a small bathroom is a vanity unit wrapped in tongue and groove panelling to match the wall and built to the same height. This will make your small bathroom and small bathroom design look less obtrusive whilst achieving good storage options for your bathroom.

What Else do I need to Consider when Planning a Bathroom?

So, how do you design a bathroom and what else do you need to consider when planning a bathroom?

Shiny new fittings can highlight imperfections of your original bathroom space, so it is worth updating architectural elements such as doors, plinths and cornicing. A simple skim of plaster can tidy up a scrappy messy ceiling and a well-dressed windows will also help contribute in making a change to your small bathroom/bathroom.

Don’t forget to keep some budget for beautiful bathroom accessories that will bring the whole bathroom design together. Make sure you are incorporating plenty of lovely toiletries and think towels as a finishing touch to your luxurious new bathroom layout and design.

Will an Extra Bathroom Add Value to your Home?

A common question our bathroom designers get asked is whether adding an extra bathroom will add value to your home. It will most certainly will and a bathroom renovation and change up of your bathroom design will significantly pay off when selling your home.

Some ways you can add an extra bathroom is turning an adjacent box room into an en suite. Turning a unused area of an upstairs landing to a bathroom is a perfect renovation project. A cloakroom can be turned into a shower room if there are no shower rooms upstairs or in the bathrooms. However, plumbing a new room is easier and cheaper to renovate into a bathroom if it is located next door to an existing bathroom or above a kitchen. This will allow limited pipework making the bathroom renovation process more affordable.

What Makes a Good Bathroom?

The secret to a good bathroom is measured entirely on how well the space supports individual needs. Every individual will have their different priorities. For example, a family bathroom might require booth a bath and a shower and a lot of storage options. Whereas an en suite might just need a small shower and toilet.

In both situations the bathroom layout is key and understanding the bathroom layout of your space is a good place to start. Think about both lighting and storage and what the best ways of achieving these are for your own bathroom space.

When designing a bathroom, where do you start?

Create your ideal bathroom layout plan! It is important to have good knowledge of your current layout. Be aware of where your pipelines are and start constructing a general layout.

How much does a bathroom renovation cost?

The price for each renovation process varies. The cost depends on what type of materials and fixtures you decide to use for your bathroom. Some materials are sufficiently more expensive than others. Try out our bathroom cost calculator to get a rough estimated cost: https://superiorrenovations.co.nz/bathroom-renovation-cost-calculator-auckland-homes/

Is it difficult to renovation your bathroom?

Not at all! With the right team and guidance from a professional such as a designer and/or builder renovating your bathroom should not be difficult nor scary.

Further Resources for your house renovation

Featured projects and Client stories to see specifications on some of the projects.
Real client stories from Auckland

Need more information?

Take advantage of our FREE Complete Home Renovation Guide (48 pages), whether you’re already renovating or in the process of deciding to renovate, it’s not an easy process, this guide which includes a free 100+ point check list – will help you avoid costly mistakes.

Download Free Renovation Guide (PDF)

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Bathroom Renovation

Guide On Small Bathroom Renovations: Layout, Costs and Designs

April 10, 20230

This article has been updated to include further content to reflect the current trends of 2023.

Do you have a small bathroom that you dream to renovation, or do you simply wish for a fresh new look? Small bathroom renovation can be seen as a challenge. However, with the right composition and layout, you will be able to the most out of your small bathroom. Small bathrooms have a charm of its own, throughout this blog we will cover few key elements that you help you enhance your small bathroom.

This article with cover…

Different types of layouts for your small bathroom.
How to maximise the space for your small bathroom – Top 10 Tips
Cost for small bathroom renovation.
Tips when renovating your small bathroom on a budget.
15 Mistakes to avoid for a small bathroom renovation.

Small Bathroom Layout

After a long day at work, everyone wants to come home to a relaxing bath to unwind or have a rainfall shower. To some, this may be a reality, however, to some these luxury fixtures maybe just a long-term dream. Even though small bathroom designs have a charm of their own, sometimes it may be a daily struggle and stress, due to the limitation of space.

Do not worry, we have good news! With a well-planned layout, all your struggles and inconveniences will be solved. However, there will be a few compromises that will need to be faced, including tearing out your tub.

Just by the simple act of rearranging the layout of your bathroom, you can make a tremendous difference. The figures below, highlight the ideal layouts we have picked out, that will work with the most common small bathrooms. These layouts do not need any demolishing and will allow you to keep the same footprint.

To achieve a functional bathroom layout for a small space, it’s important to consider every aspect of the design, from fixture placement to materials and finishes. Your designer can help you create a cohesive design that maximizes space and functionality while still reflecting your personal style and preferences.

One of the key considerations when designing a small bathroom layout is fixture placement. You will need to prioritise the placement of key fixtures such as the toilet, sink, and shower/bath to ensure that they are easily accessible and functional. For example, you may want to place the sink near the door to allow for more space in the rest of the bathroom, or opt for a corner sink to free up more floor space.

In addition to fixture placement, you can incorporate multipurpose elements into the design to save space and enhance functionality. For example, you may want to choose a vanity with built-in storage or a medicine cabinet with a mirror to serve dual purposes. By incorporating these elements into the bathroom design, you can maximise functionality without sacrificing style.

When it comes to choosing materials and finishes for a small bathroom layout, it’s important to select options that are both durable and visually appealing. Porcelain or ceramic tile is a popular choice for bathroom flooring and walls because it is moisture-resistant and easy to clean. A designer and a renovation company can help you choose the best materials and finishes for your bathroom based on your preferences and budget.

Your designer will also help you choose the right accessories and storage solutions that maximise functionality in a small bathroom design. This may include towel racks that double as shelving, wall-mounted storage solutions, or even a built-in shower niche to provide additional storage space. By incorporating these small details into the design, you can create a bathroom that is both functional and visually appealing, even in a small space.

In summary, achieving a functional bathroom layout for a small space requires careful planning and design. By prioritising fixture placement, incorporating multipurpose elements, choosing durable materials and finishes, and selecting accessories and storage solutions that maximise functionality, you can create a bathroom that meets your needs and reflects your personal style.

Small Bathroom: Full Size Bathroom Layout

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Dimensions: 40 square feet (5’ x 8’), Fixture: Sink, Toilet and Tub Shower Combo or Luxury Shower.

The most common dimensions of a small bathroom are 5’ x 8’ and requires a minimum of 36 to 40 square feet to be considered a full bathroom. If your small bathroom has similar measurements, you have a standard-sized small bathroom. We have two different layout recommendations that you can consider to jazz-up your bathroom. Depending on your bathing preferences there are two options you can choose from.

Choose a modest tub-shower combo, shown on the left-hand side figure, or.
Choose a fancy shower with multiple shower heads.

Whether you decide to choose option one or two, we can guarantee you will be able to towel off with ease without hitting or dumping on your door or toilet.

Small Bathroom: Three-Quarter Bathroom Layout

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Dimensions: 36 square feet (6’x 6’), Fixtures: Sink, Toilet and Standard Shower.

A three-quarter bathroom is another common small bathroom size and are usually 6’ x 6’ in dimension. This type of bathroom meets the minimum requirement of a full bathroom. A small bathroom is considered a full bathroom if it consists of a toilet, vanity, shower, and bathtub. Our recommended layout for this type of small bathroom, consists of a toilet, vanity, and shower. We like to keep the layout simple for a few reasons.

Reason one: Having a bathroom in a limited space can take up too much space.

Reason two: The bathroom can give a bulky image giving your bathroom a cramped feeling. As we are working with limited space, we want to aim to keep the layout simple and have a smooth traffic flow. Another idea to keep your small bathroom spacious, you can position your shower or vanity in the corner.

Small Bathroom with a Separate Tub and Shower

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Dimensions: 45 square feet (5’ x 9’), Fixtures: Sink, Toilet, Tub and Shower.

DSC02157-1024x683, Kitchen Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation Auckland

Small Bathroom with a Sliding Door

Having a small bathroom that has both a bathtub and shower may sound like a tricky dream to achieve. However, with a well-planned layout, nothing is impossible! To achieve fitting both fixtures into your small bathroom, and having an enough space to get in/out of your tub and shower, the ideal size of your bathroom should be no less than 45 square feet. Shown on our recommended layout plan above, we can see that there will be limited space for dressing and undressing. Therefore, to make your small bathroom dreams come true and have enough space we recommend swapping out your average swing door with a sliding door.

Narrow Small Bathroom

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Dimensions: 27 square feet (3’ x 9’) or 32 square feet (4’ x 8’), Fixtures: Sink, toilet, and shower.

Homeowners with narrow and small bathrooms, usually struggle to arrange the placement of essentials fixtures. Most customers find that most standard-sized fixtures stick out too much or interrupt with traffic flow. But do not worry! We have some universal tips that may help with this problem.

Outward Swinging Door: An outward swinging door will offer benefits, such as getting in and out of the bathroom with ease, as well as allows you to make the most out of your narrow bathroom.
Sink and Toilet Side by Side: By placing your sink and toilet along the same wall, this gives the bathroom a cleaner look, as well as creates storage and foot traffic along the other walls.
Wall Niches for Sink and Toilet Cistern: Using wall niches prevents your sink and toilet cistern from sticking out too much. You should consider using wall niches if a standard-sized sink and toilet are too big.
Shower Against the Short Wall: Make your narrow bathroom look more spacious and help arrange the rests of your fixtures, by placing your shower against the short wall.

Small Bathroom: Tiny-Half Bathroom Layout

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Dimensions: 20 to 30 square feet, Fixtures: Toilet and sink/shower.

A tiny bathroom layout is one of the smallest bathroom layout you will find, with dimensions between 20 to 30 square feet. Often, homeowners use these tiny bathrooms as a half bathroom that only contains a toilet and a sink. However, even though the space is small, you can still make use of the space and create a full bathroom without the need to carve out extra space. How? Is it very simple, use a sink faucet converter. With a sink faucet converter your sink can do double-duty as a shower and a sink without the extra space. But note, you will need to make sure you get a drain installed on your floor.

Small bathroom owners, there is no need to envy big bathrooms. With a simple layout, you can make your small bathroom look more spacious and more comfortable. Feel free to contact us for more information regarding renovating your small bathroom.

How to Maximise the Space for Small Bathroom Renovation?

In most cases, the bigger the home there is a lack of evenly distributing the space. There are usually a lot of excess storage or closet space, but only one or one-and-a-half bathrooms. Yes, extra storage may sound very appealing, however adding an extra bathroom to your floor plan can have great benefits. It will pay off significantly when you ever decide to resell your home and will make your life easier if you have a large family, or ever decide to expand your family.

If you find a little bit of extra space in your home, maybe you have an extra closet space you do not use, or there is corner in your living room you can close off. Or even if you have unnecessary space in your home that needs a bit of love. We recommend you consider converting it into a bathroom!

10 tips you can maximise the space for a small bathroom renovation.

1. Take in account of fixtures and solutions of your small bathroom

The next step when you have finalized the location of your small bathroom is to make a design plan. Do not underestimated the size of your small bathroom. Even small bathrooms need a bathroom layout and bathroom design, that include the essentials- a sink, lighting, a toilet, and other fixtures (mirrors and cabinets).

Depending on the size of the space you are wanted to renovate, turning a moderately sized closet into a full bathroom can be a challenge. However, give up hope just yet! If you are effective with your space, you can use space-saving fixtures such as fold-up tubs, corner showers or half-footprint tubs.

2. Be Careful with Plumbing

Make sure where you are placing plumbing fixtures, if possible, try to locate them near existing water and sewage lines. By doing this, it will be a huge time and money saver, as you will not need to pay extra costs to relocate pipes. Another aspect to take caution, is adding fixtures to your small bathroom design. Make sure to check the structure of the floor before making any further additions. This means you will need to ensure the floor maintain the weight of new fixtures if the floor seems like it will not support the weight you can alternatively reinforce the floor by adding more joists.

3. Plan for you Towel Hanging Space

Since you will be working with limited space, suing a washstand that comes with built in towel bars can be a great space-saver.

4. Windows and Venting

A crucial aspect of a small bathroom renovation that is often ignored during the planning process is venting and window space. The main concerns are usually focused on plumbing; however, a form of ventilation is very important and required to avoid any development of mold and mildew.

If the circumstances of your new small bathroom cannot fit a window, you can use fan vents to help keep air circulating. No one wants a stuffy bathroom, by investing in a fan vent it will reduce stuffiness, as well as prevent any development of mold or mildew.

Ultimately, you should consider talking to your contractor about which option, whether it is installing a vent or adding a window, is best fit for you!

5. Taller and Leggier Tables are your Best Friend!

Opting for tall, open base tables will significantly take up less space in your floor plan. Remember it is important to make the most of your small bathroom space.

6. Simplicity is Key

The overuse of colour and patterns can give your small bathroom a negative effect. When colour and patterns are overdone, especially in smaller spaces, it will make the bathroom look enclosed, cluttered and claustrophobic. To avoid this, we recommend using paint or tiles with bright, simple colours that will make your small bathroom feel and look more open.

7. Simple Storage Solutions for Small Bathroom Designs

Extra storage in the bathroom is always a nice touch to have, however, storage should not be put in at the expense of mobility. Especially for small bathrooms, storages and fixtures should be spaced out so they are accessible and still have room in the bathroom for movement.

If space is very limited, where the vanities are taking too much room in the small bathroom, you should consider using medicine cabinets instead or small racks instead!

Remember, before going ahead with any construction on your small bathroom, make sure you are keeping everything up to code and your local ordinances. Have a look at the permits for your town or suburb.

8. Use a pedestal sink

pedestal sink can be a stylish and space-saving solution for a small bathroom layout. This type of sink sits on a pedestal, taking up less floor space than a traditional vanity.

9. Use floating shelves

loating shelves can be a great way to add storage space to a small bathroom layout without taking up any floor space. These shelves can be mounted on the wall, providing a space to store toiletries, towels, or decorative items.

10. Install a wall-mounted toilet

A wall-mounted toilet can be a great way to maximize space in a small bathroom layout. This type of toilet is mounted to the wall, freeing up floor space and making the bathroom feel more open.

Cost for a Small Bathroom Renovation

Average Cost to Remodel a Small Bathroom

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Option	Material (NZD)	Labour (NZD)	Removal & Disposable (NZD)	Total (NZD)
Bathroom Installation	$566-$1420	$636-$850	$70-$425	$1273-$2688
Countertop Installation	$141-$1420	$70-$212	$7-$42	$219-$1669
Flooring	$84-$183	$495-$919	$42-$850	$622-$1953
Lighting Fixture Installation	$70-$169	$212-$311	$7-$14	$290-$495
Shower Installation	$350-$450	$495-$636	$42-$70	$1033-$1415
Sink Installation	$141-$353	$424-$495	$21-$134	$587-$983
Toilet Installation	$141-$707	$495-$636	$14-$28	$651-$1372

In New-Zealand to remodel a small bathroom can be expected to range anywhere from $2,122 to $21,228 NZD more. When wanting to do a full remodel of your small bathroom you can either go with low-end fixtures with DIY labour, or high-end fixtures installed by a licensed contractor. There is a price difference between the two options. With DIY labour, you will be expected to pay approximately $99 NZD per square foot, in contrast $353 NZD per square foot with a licensed contractor.

Remodeling your small bathroom is an easy, inexpensive way to increase the value of your home and to update the look of your home. On average, 66% of your remodeling cost will be retained back after you sell your home, as updated homes are statistically found to sell a lot faster. If your primary goal of remodeling your small bathroom is to sell, we recommend choosing inexpensive but new fixtures. New fixtures usually add extra value to a sale, rather than high-end fixtures.

For skilled DIYers who have the tools and experience, remodeling a small bathroom is a great task to take on. However, it is recommended that you consult with a licensed professional before undertaking any projects to ensure plumbing pipes and other necessities are up to code.

Remodeling your Small Bathroom by Function

The planning process of your small bathroom remodeling journey can vary depending on the room’s function. The function of each room determines on what type of finishes you install. For example, for a children bath you would usually use less expensive and function fixtures, such as a basic bathtub and new surrounds. However, on the other hand, for a master or main bathroom you may use high-end finishes, such as a glass tiled walk-in shower and glass mosaic features. Functions and fixtures used for guest bathrooms usually consists of a mixture of both two extremes.

Powder Room Remodel

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Powder Room

Remodeling a powder room is the perfect opportunity for a DIY project. The final costs of this type of bathroom usually fall below $990 NZD for a basic DIY remodel. On the other hand, a professional remodel will cost $1,981 NZD on average. A powder room can be referred to as the main floor half bathroom that is intended for guest use. These bathrooms usually consist of only a sink and toilet, with a simple set up requiring less plumbing and electrical assisting. A powder room are grouped with smaller bathrooms, with dimensions around 15-25 square feet.

Guest Bathroom

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Guest bathrooms fall under the mid-range category, with a cost of $212 NZD per square foot for remodeling. Unlike powder rooms, the guest bathroom is a private three quarter or full bath set for overnight guests. We have no recommendations when it comes to remodeling a guest bathroom beyond personal preference of fixtures and finish choice. Let your imagination go wild!

Read more on Guest Bathroom Designs here.

Master Bathroom

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Master Bathroom Client based in Redvale.

Read more about Sarah’s bathroom renovation journey here.

Master bathrooms are the focal point when to comes to selling your home. Remodeling master bathrooms usually consists of increasing space, which require moving walls, electrical, plumbing, and engineering and architectural concerns. Therefore, can significantly increase costs.

Kids Bathroom

A child’s bathroom is primarily focused on functionality. You will be expected to pay approximately $141-$253 per square foot, covering costs for lower end finishes and functions, for more practical use rather than aesthetic design.

Other Price Factors

When hiring a general contractor, you may need to organize a various subcontractor, such as framing, plumbing, electrical subcontractors, and the drywall and tiling professionals. This may sound scary and a hassle but do not worry, there are some organizations, like the team at Superior Renovations that organize everything for you!

Overall Small Bathroom Renovation Costs

Remodel and renovation are used interchangeably, the two words are very similar yet slightly different. Remodeling refers to changing the appearance of the bathroom, whereas renovation is more about repairing and updating. Taking away the old and dated fixtures and bring in the new and modern fixtures.

The cost for small bathroom renovations will vary depending on what type of finish you want. For example, hardwood floors or glass tiles are generally more expensive per square foot compared to vinyl. High-end finishes will ultimately be more cost effective but will have its benefits when it comes to re-selling your home.

Here is a breakdown of the costs that goes into renovating your renovations.

Note: Price are per square foot so will vary depending on the size of your bathroom, as well as what type of finish you are after.

Types of Installation	Cost
Hardwood Floor	$4.25-$11 NZD per square foot. Small bathrooms usually vary between 20-40 square foot so hardwood floor, it will be cost between $84-$452 NZD.
Tile	: Ceramic floor tiles usually cost between $21-$28 NZD per square foot. Compared to hardwood floors, ceramic floor tiles are more durable in wet and steamy environments.
Mirror Installation costs	$247-$672 NZD.
Painting	To hire a professional to will cost $254-$693 NZD. However, is this a perfect DIY job to save a bit of money as a cost of paint will cost between $42-$141 NZD.
Installation of Lights	$113-$424 NZD.
Cabinet Costs	$636-$1273 NZD.
Glass Shower Enclosure	If you are after a modernized bathroom without a shower curtain, a glass enclosure will be the perfect update. This will cost $778-$1910 NZD.

Gutting & Demolishing and Half to Full Bathroom Redoing

Demolition costs of a small bathroom will cost between $707-$2122 NZD. Demolishing your previous bathroom does not require any specialized tool but does require some basic knowledge about demolition. You must understand what processes to take before going further with your demolishing, such as understanding electrical wire and plumbing are located. If these processes are followed feel free to make this your next DIY project, or else you can always contact a professional to do the job.

Adding a Shower to a Half Size Small Bathroom

The addition of a shower will convert your half/three quarter bathroom into a full bathroom. Adding a shower will have the same costs and considerations. Adding a shower to your half bathroom will require to make more space or a new layout with plumbing and possibly new electricals. This process will cost an average of $4953 NZD.

Retiling a Small Bathroom

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Photo Credit: Tile Depot NZ

Renovating your small bathroom equals getting new fresh tiles. Fresh new tiles equal a luxury contemporary look for your bathroom! The average costs for new ceramic or porcelain titles are approximately $1415 NZD. There is also the option for glass or stone tiles, but these can be more expensive.

Read more about bathroom tiles here.

Want More Space?

Whether you want to install and new bathtub or a new shower in your small bathroom, you will need to make more space. As a result, you may need to alter the layout of your current bathroom and shift around your plumbing to accommodate new drain locations. To redesign the layout, this is going to require hiring an architect or a structural engineer. This will usually cost an average of $7000 NZD, but prices can vary if it is just expanding your bathroom.

More on Bathroom Costs…

Bathroom Renovation Cost Calculator for New Zealand

How Much does it Cost to Renovate a Bathroom New Zealand

Tips when Remodeling your Small Bathroom on a Budget

Not everyone can afford the luxury of spending thousands on remodeling/renovating our small bathroom, and that is okay! You can still update and refresh the look of your bathroom with these simple upgrades.

Re-grout your tiles for a fresh look.
Give your bathtub a resurface.
Refinish your cabinets and give them the extra shine!
Install new faucets.
Re-paint your bathroom. A perfect DIY job.

Do It Yourself? Or Hire a Pro?

Inspections are usually put into place when you are selling your home. If your next DIY project is remodeling or renovating your small bathroom make sure your work is up to code standards. When doing DIY work in general, remember to check with local and national codes. As well as getting the proper permits and inspections done. In this an important aspect to consider not just to sell your home but also for safety reasons. Since a bathroom is a wet environment, there are many requirements, specific electrical and safety hazards that must be followed!

DIY projects is usually an alternative homeowners consider when trying to save money. Sometimes the quality of the bathroom can fall, resulting the bathroom looking cheap affecting the resale process. Remember, the bathroom is one of the top selling points when it comes to home selling. Therefore, we recommend homeowners with the right experience and tools to go through with the DIY projects for your bathroom. Alternatively, there are always licensed professional contractors just a call away.

8 Mistakes to Avoid for a Small Bathroom Renovation

Designing a small bathroom can be a challenge, but with the right approach, you can make the most of the space you have. Here are some mistakes to avoid when designing a small bathroom

1. Not Having a Budget

Many first-time renovators do not priorities time to plan their costs and budgets before renovating their small bathroom. Not having a detailed understanding of the costs and your set budgets will cause major setbacks along the journey. It is important to know what aspects of your bathroom you are wanting to repair or replace and know what your cost limits are. Find a company that respects and fits your budget. By doing this, it will prevent any bumps along the journey- including not being able to complete the renovation.

2. Poor Ventilation

Air circulation and having a good ventilation system for your bathroom is key. This is often overlooked resulting in many bathrooms with poor ventilation. Poor ventilation equals a damp bathroom and the growth of mold and mildew. No one likes having a damp, suffocating bathroom. There are always alternative ventilation options, such as extraction fans if your bathroom does not come with a window.

3. Poor Finishes

The most common mistake people make when trying to budget or cut corners is not using good quality trades and products. When budgeting, we recommend prioritizing investing in good waterproof fixtures and the best finishes you can afford. These aspects will contribute to making your bathroom look and feel more luxurious.

4. Wrong Choice of Materials

The bathroom deals with a lot of wet surfaces due to all the washing and splashing of water. Therefore, it is crucial you select materials that are suitable to high amounts of moisture. This is especially important for your vanity top, cabinets, and tiles as the necessities for a long-lasting bathroom. We recommend avoiding materials made from wood, metal and porous. These materials are more prone to either rot, rust or gathering more bacteria.

5. Bad Lighting

Bathrooms with dim lighting may make your bathroom selfie look amazing. However, bright lightening is an important aspect to a good functional bathroom. Having good crisp lighting in your bathroom makes it easier to clean and a provides shadow-free lighting to make tasks such as applying make up easier. Imagine all the mildew and mold growth you will miss when cleaning in dim light!

Lighting is essential in a small bathroom layout, as it can make the space feel brighter and more open. However, poor lighting can have the opposite effect, making the bathroom feel dark and cramped. When it comes to lighting, it’s important to incorporate multiple sources of light, such as overhead lighting, task lighting, and natural light if possible. For example, you can install a bright ceiling light, a mirror with built-in lighting, and a small table lamp for task lighting. Additionally, you can install a frosted glass window to allow natural light to enter the bathroom while still maintaining privacy.

6. Unskilled DIY

It may be very tempted to have a go at plumbing or tiling your bathroom yourself. Many homeowners think due to the size, renovating the bathroom is a simple process. However, there are approximately up to 10 to 12 trades involved. Renovating your bathroom is not as easy as it seems, so make sure you consult with a professional before moving forward.

7. Neglecting Storage

When it comes to a small bathroom, storage is critical. Neglecting storage can lead to clutter and disorganization, which can make the bathroom feel even smaller. Incorporating storage solutions such as shelves, cabinets, and baskets can help maximize the available space and keep the bathroom tidy. A great way to optimize storage is to use vertical space by installing shelves or cabinets above the toilet or door. Additionally, you can use storage solutions that can serve dual purposes, such as a mirror with built-in storage or a shower caddy that hangs from the showerhead.

8. Oversized fixtures

Using oversized fixtures in a small bathroom can make the space feel cramped and overwhelming. Instead, opt for smaller fixtures that are specifically designed for small spaces. For example, you can choose a pedestal sink or a wall-mounted sink instead of a larger vanity. Additionally, you can choose a compact bathtub or a walk-in shower instead of a traditional bathtub with a shower curtain. Using smaller fixtures can help free up space in the bathroom and create a more open and airy feel.

9 . Bad Placement of Fixtures

Just having good-quality fixtures and a nice design means nothing without good placement. Placement is very important. No one wants to walk straight into a toilet, or have a toilet placed right behind the toilet. It is crucial you consider the placement and think about what placements work and what do not. This is where designers are here to help!

10. Overcomplicating your Bathroom design

When designing a small bathroom, it’s important to keep the design simple and minimalist. Overcomplicating the bathroom design can lead to a cluttered and overwhelming space. Instead, opt for a limited color palette and simple, clean lines. For example, you can choose a neutral color for the walls and add pops of color through accessories such as towels or artwork. Additionally, you can choose a simple, streamlined sink and vanity instead of a more ornate option.

11. Choosing the wrong materials

Choosing the wrong materials can make a small bathroom feel even smaller. For example, using dark tiles or heavy drapes can make the space feel closed off and claustrophobic. Instead, opt for light-colored tiles and sheer window treatments to create a more open and airy feel. Another small bathroom idea is to use mirrors strategically to reflect light and make the space feel larger.

12. Using too many patterns in your Small bathroom Design

While adding patterns and textures can be a great way to add visual interest to a small bathroom design, it’s important to use them sparingly. Too much pattern or texture can make the bathroom design feel busy and overwhelming, so consider using a single patterned tile as an accent, or incorporating texture through accessories such as a woven basket or a fluffy bath mat. Another small bathroom idea is to use a patterned shower curtain, which can add a pop of color and pattern without overwhelming the space.

This bathroom that we renovated in Titirangi, shows that when cleverly designed, a small bathroom design can incorporate patterns. Our client did not want a generic contemporary bathroom design but wanted art deco tiles to create a visual impact. Hence, we chose patterned white and black tiles in a small size for the flooring. However, since it was a small space, we decided to keep the patterns and colours of wall tiles simplistic. We installed matte white subway tiles for 2 of the walls with black grouting to match the floor tiles. The other 2 walls were painted a neutral white. In order to bring some warmth within the bathroom design, we installed cabinetry with wooden oak paneling with black trimmings to promote continuity with the rest of the bathroom which created a cohesive bathroom design.

Project Spotlight: See full project specifications + Before and After pictures

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This bathroom design shows that patterns can be used in a small bathroom without making the design too overwhelming.

DSC00129, Kitchen Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation Auckland

Beautiful Artisan tiles used on the floor for a beautiful art deco tiles.

13. Ignoring the door swing

When designing a small bathroom, it’s important to consider the swing of the door. If the door swings inward, it can take up valuable floor space and make the bathroom feel even smaller. Consider using a pocket door or a barn door that slides along the wall to maximize the available space. This small bathroom design idea can also add a unique touch to the space.

As seen below, we created a barn style sliding door for this bathroom we renovated below in Greenhithe, Auckland. This was done to maximise the space within this small bathroom. We wanted to ensure that we fitted a large bathtub, toilet, vanity and shower. As the corridor outside was very narrow, we could not build a door that swung out towards the corridor and in order to accommodate a toilet next to the door we could not build a door that swung inwards.

Project Spotlight: See full Project details + Pictures for this Vintage Bathroom renovation in Greenhithe.

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Custom built Barn Door installed in this Vintage bathroom renovation in Greenhithe, Auckland

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Matte Black trimmings in this barn sliding door.

14. Not Utilising the corners

Corners can be a great place to add storage or fixtures in a small bathroom. Consider installing a corner sink or a corner shower to free up space in the center of the room. Additionally, you can use corner shelves or cabinets to store toiletries or towels. This small bathroom idea can help you make the most of every inch of space available.

15. Forgetting Functionality

While aesthetics are important in any bathroom design, it’s essential to prioritize functionality in a small space. Make sure to choose fixtures and storage solutions that are practical and easy to use. Additionally, consider incorporating features such as a handheld showerhead or a medicine cabinet with adjustable shelves to make the space work for your needs. These small bathroom ideas can help you create a beautiful and functional space.

There are many ways you can change up your small bathroom. All you need is to find the right layout that best fits your needs. The key elements to make your small bathroom renovation less hectic have been highlighted throughout this blog.

Can you remodel a bathroom for $5000?

Yes, this is possible if you are a DIY project. However, if you are wanting to work with a professional renovation company it will cost more. At Superior Renovations our bathroom renovations start at $18,000 NZD. This includes service before and after, design, supply and project manage. You can find more information at https://superiorrenovations.co.nz/how-much-does-it-cost-to-renovate-a-bathroom-nz/

Does a bathroom need a window?

Yes, it is very important your bathroom has a window or a ventilation system. This will help keep the air circulating and reduce the growth of mold or mildew. If you do not have a window, you can opt for a ventilation system.

How do you renovate a small bathroom?

You can either start your small bathroom renovation journey with a professional renovation company or DIY. DIY projects are only recommend to homeowners with the right experience and tools, as bathroom renovation can be very complex. If you have any enquiries or want to start your renovation journey feel free to contact us at 0800 199 888.

Need more information?

Download Free Renovation Guide (PDF)

Related queries:

How much does it cost to renovate a house NZ?

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Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation

Bathroom Design Ideas For Classic, Vintage, Modern And More

July 12, 20220

How to design a bathroom? There are many steps and factors that you need to consider before you get started. Some say that your bathroom is almost like your very own spa. It’s a room in your house where you go to relax by taking a hot shower or soaking in the bathtub with wine and a movie. Which is why it’s important to think about the layout of your brand-new bathroom and which kind of style you might be going for. There are many bathrooms design that can be suited towards your needs and your families.

Contemporary Bathroom Design Ideas – How to Design a Contemporary Bathroom

There are many bathrooms design NZ that can be suited to your home. As you know there are many different bathroom styles available to you. Our contemporary bathroom design ideas reflect a more design approach with flowing curves, hard angles, and geometric patterns. This bathroom design is starting to appear more in homes nowadays as we move away from traditional bathroom design. Of course, this is all about preference. So, if you’re move interested in a traditional bathroom design then we can make that happen for you.

What is the difference between contemporary bathroom design and modern bathroom design? Firstly, the main difference are the years. Modern design begun around 1920s and 1930s. Secondly, you can also tell the difference between the two based on the different looks. Modern bathroom design is characterized by clean lines, neutral colours, and natural materials. This will help give the house or the bathroom a minimalistic aesthetic.

Contemporary bathroom design often draw inspiration from modernism and mid-century modern and doesn’t commit to a single aesthetic. It can have many different aesthetics, but they all tie together and make the room look nice and not overwhelming, Contemporary bathrooms also use glass and metal materials to even copper as this can work very well in a contemporary bathroom style. Which is why this bathroom style gets mistaken for a modern bathroom style.

Whilst traditional bathroom style use more wood, stone, and porcelain materials. Whereas contemporary bathroom designs use synthetics material like laminates and plastics, granite, stone, and stainless steel. This is what you’ll see in a contemporary bathroom. When trying to see which style is which, keep an eye out on the materials that are used, and you’ll have a rough idea.

Guide to small bathroom renovations

8 Elements of a Contemporary Bathroom Design in NZ

1. Clean Lines

Contemporary bathrooms feature unbroken horizontal lines. Curvy, undulating planes are not relevant here, and cabinet hardware is kept simple.

2. Authentic Materials

How to design a bathroom? With a contemporary bathroom you’d want to choose materials that have and authenticity to them. We should be celebrating materials like wood or concrete instead of trying to alter them.

For this bathroom design idea, cabinets will lack any kind of decorative features like face frames or mouldings. Everything has been reduced to its most basic forms and components; there are only the necessities here. Cabinet and vanity doors have smooth, single-plane surfaces. Bathroom tiles design will be perfectly flush with the grout.

For this style, we’re going for a cleaner, simpler design. Once you consider having tiles patterning on the wall or chose more complex tiles then we’re moving away from the simpler design of the contemporary bathroom.

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Bathroom tiles design perfectly flushed with the grout

Interested? More information here.

3. Lack of Clutter

If you love to organise and keep your space nice and tidy, then this style is perfect for you. Contemporary bathrooms have a minimalist aesthetic which is why you can incorporate asian themes into your bathroom. This is due to how everything is put away and everything has a home to go to. Nothing will be left on the countertops except for the necessities.

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A bathroom does not have to be cluttered with toiletries. It can be a beautiful space but it is important to think about storage before choosing your fittings. A mirror cabinet is a perfect way to increase storage in your bathroom which can be seen in this bathroom. The mirror cabinet is from Methven which we get from our supplier Reece.

4. Contrast

Our designers use contrast to provide interest and drama to contemporary rooms instead of using ornate décor and details. For example, textural bamboo cabinets blend with polished concrete. Modern interiors keep to hues and colours that are at opposite ends of the colour spectrum. Your bathroom would be more pleasing if there is a wow factor.

DSC00169-1, Kitchen Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation Auckland

This bathroom is a great example of a bathroom design that combines different textures and patterns within a small bathroom space to create a cohesive bathroom design.

Mistakes to avoid in your bathroom design

5. Simple Lighting

Once more, simple shapes take precedence over anything extravagant or detailed.

6. Open Space

This is a crucial component when designing your contemporary bathroom. How to design a small bathroom? Whilst the space might be small, You can always create the illusion of space by making your bathroom more open and having more light in. The style is characterised by floating vanities, wide flooring, and a general sense of lightness and airiness.

7. Colours

Contemporary bathroom design ideas can use many different colours. There isn’t just a specific colour tone or shade you need to stick to. Whilst some people do agree that contemporary styles lean towards cooler colours. Others have disagreed used colours that fit well with them and they own style. It’s more important to consider how your material selections and colour choices interact.

8. Chrome

Because it is elegant, polished chrome is widely used in modern fixtures. Many of the faucet and fixture designs that are so effective originate in Europe, where chrome is preferred because it is durable, simple to clean, and true to the material.

One of our displays in our renovation showroom showcases a dark contemporary bathroom with chrome fittings as it is one of the most popular finishes for our clients. It works really well with modern and contemporary bathrooms. Our renovation showroom showcases 5 displays of renovated bathrooms and 3 Kitchens so clients can explore different materials and get ideas for their own renovation.

Visit our showroom at 16B Link drive, Wairau valley, Auckland – See what you can explore

How to Design a Modern Bathroom? Modern Bathroom Ideas

How to design a bathroom? Modern bathroom design may be for you if you enjoy a clean, uncluttered appearance that keeps the focus on the architecture. Continue reading for essential information about this well-liked bathroom design, including its essential components, colour schemes, fixtures, and finishing touches.

Modern-Style Bathrooms at a Glance

Flat-panel doors and drawers on floating vanities
Simple faucets and hardware
Frameless mirror
Simplified or integrated lighting
A neutral, minimalist colour scheme
Finishes and materials should be repeated for a consistent look.

What You Won’t Find in Modern Bathrooms

Door faces with carvings or ornate knobs
Detailed wainscoting, millwork, or moulding
Vibrant colours and patterns, unless used as a small accent
A unorganised approach to materials and finishes as opposed to simplicity and consistency

Neutral Colour Palette

For your modern bathroom ideas, you might want to consider using a neural colour palette. A modern bathroom design will lean use more crisp, clean white, subtle neutrals and black. Accessories such as bath towels and plants add a splash of colour in your modern bathroom design.

Colours for Modern Bathrooms:

Neutrals – Beige, slate, putty dove grey and taupe.
Black and white – Matte black and architectural white
Pops of colour – Teal, chartreuse, red and blue

Floating Vanity

How to design a small bathroom? Not only are floating vanities popular with modern bathroom designs but they’re also very useful when thinking of a small bathroom design. They create more space in your bathroom for more storage use underneath and provide you with an opportunity to be creative.

A floating vanity works well in a modern bathroom and should be incorporated into your modern bathroom ideas as they help provide a light, streamlined look. Choose engineered quartz, marble, granite, or a solid-surface material in a neutral colour for the top. Combine with undermount sinks for a seamless look that is also easy to clean.

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Floating Vanity in this bathroom renovation

See how the floating vanity allows more storage space underneath. – See project specifications + More pictures

Design Detail – Vessel Sinks

In a modern bathroom design, vessel sinks can be a striking alternative to undermount sinks. Simple rounded or rectilinear shapes in white, glass, or stone are ideal. This is a design detail you’d want to think about in your modern bathroom ideas.

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Vessel Sinks in Bathroom Design

View here for more bathroom design ideas

Key Element – Breathing Space

Creating an open space bathroom can also help improve the visual effect of the room. How to design a small bathroom? Space does not matter when it comes to creating breathing space in a modern bathroom design. The space between objects is just as important as the objects themselves in a modern bathroom design. Consider clean-lined furniture on bare floors or a neutral rug, crisp white walls and bare windows, or a single sculptural vase on an otherwise empty surface in your modern bathroom ideas.

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A calming bathroom design in our renovated bathroom in Albany

Can Modern Be Colourful?

Of course, a modern bathroom design can be colourful. A modern bathroom focal point is on material and structure, rather than a specific colour tone or surface pattern. If you’re thinking of adding colour into your bathroom design ideas try not to use busy patterns as that will take away the modern style. Instead opt for bold hues to an upholstered piece or a bunch of glass vases.

Design Detail – Sculptural Lighting

For your modern bathroom ideas consider using pendant lights as they really stand out in a modern style. Consider choosing a sculptural shape in gleaming gold, copper, or silver, matte black, wood, or white.

Rustic Style Bathrooms

If you’re an outdoorsy, adventurous person who loves nature then having a rustic style bathroom is perfect for you. You’d feel right at home with materials like stone and rough-hewn wood beams.

Rustic Style Bathrooms at a Glance

This style entwines the outdoors with warm, cosy textiles and raw natural materials, as you’d expect in a rustic bathroom. If you’re interested in creating a rustic bathroom design, here are some elements to consider:

Handcrafted wood beams, cabinetry, and wall panelling
Natural stone floors, accents, and wall treatments
Hammered or matte finishes on dark metal hardware
Natural-inspired colour palettes
Patinated materials, such as natural wood, copper, and stone

What You Won’t Find in Rustic Bathrooms

Lush colour palettes
Cutting edge trends
Immensely polished finishes like chrome
Lucite, moulded plastic and man-made materials
Mix and match approach to finishes and materials

Nature-Inspired Colour Palette

For a rich, cosy look, repeat the hues of natural materials such as stone and warm woods with paint colours and accents in similar shades.

Colours for Rustic Bathroom

Neutrals – Buttermilk, cream, straw, wheat, stone
Earth tones – Chestnut, mushroom, umber, terra cotta, sepia
Spicy hues – Cinnamon, saffron, pumpkin, chili pepper, baked apple

Furniture-Style Vanity

Some bathroom design ideas you might want to consider wood or wood like vanities with furniture style details like legs and open shelving. The example below shows one of our clients take on a rustic bathroom but adding gold accessories to give in a more rustic luxury look and feel.

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Wooden Vanity with brushed gold tapware in this Rustic Bathroom design in Westmere

Rustic Bathroom Renovation in Westmere – See full project specs + Pictures

Design Detail – Vessel Sink

A stone or copper vessel sink can be the focal point of a rustic bathroom or powder room. Look for natural shapes that are rounded and organic, and that have a tactile texture or patina.

Natural Stone

Bathroom design NZ uses natural stone for their rustic bathroom design. Stone floors, counters and wall treatments help deliver a natural texture to a rustic bathroom. You might want to try incorporating slate, fieldstone, travertine, soapstone, and pebble tile are all rich, earthy materials in your rustic bathroom design NZ.

Design Detail – Weathered Metal

Patina is common in rustic-style metal finishes, which are softly gleaming or matte rather than shiny or high-gloss in a rustic bathroom design NZ. For bathroom design ideas try cabinet pulls, faucets, and lighting in dark, weathered metal finishes like oil-rubbed bronze, antique brass, or hammered copper are ideal. Choose something more whimsical, such as twig- or stone-shaped hardware.

Finishing Touches

Tie up your rustic bathroom design NZ with wood, stone, or copper accessories. You’d want to use finishing touches with nature incorporated into it through nature art or photography. That way it will give your bathroom an outdoorsy vibe. Consider using these finishing touches in your bathroom design ideas.

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Gold coloured finishing touches for this rustic bathroom

Want a more close up look on these finishing touches? Check out this case study!

See the different bathroom trends 2022

Cottage Style Bathrooms

Cottage style bathrooms aren’t seen as much in bathroom design NZ as most people either choose modern or cotemporary bathroom design NZ. With that said though, cottage style bathrooms find beauty in simplicity and can be the change you may need. When thinking about bathroom design ideas for this style, you’d want to incorporate these elements:

Open shelving
Wall panelling
Freestanding bathtub
Simple hardware
Natural wood accents

What You Won’t Find in Cottage Style Bathrooms

Cottage style bathrooms mainly priorities on rustic and simplicity charm. Which is why when planning your bathroom design ideas, you’d want to avoid any modern elements. Here are some elements you won’t see in a cottage bathroom design NZ:

Busy patterns
Cluttered surfaces
Super sleek finishes

Heritage Hues

Simple, natural colour palettes are preferred in cottage style bathrooms. White with crisp black trim is a popular option; for deeper hues, consider nature-inspired neutrals and other classic colours. For your bathroom tiles design you might want to consider using these colours to help tie the room together.

Colours for Cottage Style Bathrooms

Crisp contrast – Black, White, Cream
Natural neutrals – Stone, Buttermilk Khaki, Straw, Grey
Other classic colours – Deep Green, Barn Red, Sage, Denim Blue

Shaker Style Vanity

How to design a bathroom? With different bathroom styles, they all have different elements that are required to complete the look. For a cottage bathroom design NZ, you’d consider getting a shaker style vanity. This vanity is well suited for a cottage bathroom.

Shaker cabinets can be painted or simply finished to show off the natural beauty of the wood grain. Cabinets with flat panels and furniture-style designs in natural wood tones can also look good for your bathroom design ideas.

Design Detail – Barn Lighting

Cottage bathroom design ideas for lighting can come in different shapes. You can choose from a bold shape barn lighting which can add a stylish touch to your bathroom design. Another option is going with a cylinder shape vanity lighting or a simple glass bell with filament bulbs. Lastly, you can look for pendants and sconces made of traditional galvanised steel or vibrantly coloured powder-coated steel. This will elevate your bathroom design ideas.

Design Detail – Subway Tile

Bathroom tiles design for this bathroom is going with subway tiles. This is because subway tile is crisp, clean, and reasonably priced, and it pairs well with almost everything. It bridges the gap between rustic and modern aspects with ease. For a novel twist, try mixing it with dark grout. Consider using subway tiles in your bathroom tiles design.

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Subway tiles with dark grout combines with black hexagonal tiles with white grouting

Read our guide on bathroom renovations

Claw-Foot Bathtub

Having a claw foot bathtub will most definitely be the star of the room. Including a claw foot bathtub in your bathroom design ideas will help add character to your cottage bathroom. The only problem is that not every bathroom floor can handle the weight of a claw foot bathtub. An alternative to this would be having a freestanding pedestal bathtub, consider this as a backup plan in your bathroom design ideas.

Design Detail – Sliding Barn Doors

How to design a small bathroom? Having a sliding door will help eliminate the space that is needed for the bathroom door. This is perfect for a small bathroom as it will provide you with more space to decorate your bathroom and storage area as well. The only downside to this is that a sliding door does not provide 100% complete privacy like a normal door. Including this into your bathroom design ideas will add a more cottage character to your cottage style bathroom.

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Sliding Barn door was created for this bathroom’s entrance due to the tight space in the corridor and to avoid the door opening into the bathroom. This provided more space for all bathroom fixtures without being congested

Sliding bathroom door = See full details of the bathroom + All before and After pictures

Trough Sink

In your bathroom design ideas, you may want to consider getting a trough sink and it will add to the appeal of a cottage style bathroom. This type of sink is ideal for busy households because it is made of white fireclay or porcelain and has multiple faucet options. When installed as a drop-in with a lovely wood counter. A trough sink strikes the perfect balance of functionality and elegance.

Wall Panelling

Panelling can be tricky especially if you are planning to renovate with an old home, but we can always work around it to give you the cottage appeal. It’s been said that shiplap panelling can add an architectural interest in your home and really set the tone for your cottage bathroom. Some bathroom design ideas may also be using beadboard panelling as well.

Finishing Touches

To finish off decorating your bathroom, we recommend woven baskets, striped rugs, modern stools, and matt black hardware. As this will go well in your cottage bathroom style. You may also want to add some artwork surround nature or farm life. Farmhouse-style bathrooms combine rustic appeal with modern sensibilities that value simplicity.

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The matte and intricate fixtures of the tapware combined with white ceramic fixtures make the bathroom what it truly us – a classic vintage bathroom design in Greenhithe, Auckland

Pastel Tones

Your bathroom should feel nice and relaxing the second you step in. The bathroom is the place where we can relax after a long day. To create a more relaxing environment in your bathroom, opt for using pastel, neutral colours to create a comfortable atmosphere.

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Example of using pastel tones in bathroom | Photo Credit – iStock

Pastel – Coloured Tiles

Stuck on bathroom tiles design? For your cottage bathroom you can choose a timeless style for your bathroom tiles design. Or you can opt for a peachy pink, or powder blue. Keep in mind that you can use your bathroom tiles design to frame your bathtub or make a little statement wall.

Soft Creamy Towels

Towels add colour and texture, instantly calming the atmosphere in your cottage bathroom. Add delicate pastel hues to your decor to give it a cottage atmosphere. You may match them to a prominent element, like pastel tiles, or combine multiple hues for a shabby-chic look.

Traditional Bathrooms

Another popular bathroom design NZ. It’s often said that the bathroom is the place you relax so you’d want to make sure all your accessories and furnishing all work well with one another to create a harmonious scheme. How to design a bathroom? For a traditional bathroom you’d want to incorporate unique pieces that helps give the room a timelessness feels. It’s best to avoid any modern furnishing or accessories.

7 Elements of a Traditional Bathroom Design

1. Cabinets with Character

In your traditional bathroom design ideas, you’d find cabinets with character in this style. Cabinets and vanities in traditional settings are defined by rounded legs, carved door faces, and ornate knobs. Be sure to pick a vanity with these features to add character to your bathroom.

2. Antique Style Lighting

In your bathroom design, you’d want to ensure that you aren’t picking any modern lighting fixtures. Lighting fixtures for a traditional bathroom is unique and ornamental. Instead of tubular or streamlined fixtures, consider curvy antique sconces.

3. Calming Colours

There will be no bright colours in a traditional bathroom design as that will move away from the style. In this bathroom design colour scheme opt for neutral colours like black, grey, or white. If you want to be a bit more creative and add colour you can choose a pale green or blue colour.

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Neutral colours in this bathroom

View more details here.

Check out our bathroom renovation in Ellerslie

4. Plenty of Moulding

Moulding is important in a bathroom as it can help add decoration to the room, help protect wall surfaces and cover any gaps in the walls, floor, ceiling, or cabinets. This may be something to consider in your bathroom design ideas.

5. Lots of Details

Details are important in a bathroom. In such a small space you can make the room seem big just by the details. How to design a small bathroom? The attention to detail in a small bathroom is one of the distinguishing features of traditional spaces. In traditional settings, tilework, millwork, and cabinetry all have extra ornamentation.

6. Unique Tilework

Bathroom tiles design may be a bit trickier for a traditional bathroom. We recommend choosing a lighter colour and veining for your bathroom tiles design. An example may be choosing something like a Carrara marble material. Another option may be to use a black and white hex tile floor for your bathroom tiles design.

7. Stand – Along Storage Cabinets

In a traditional bathroom style, artistry is brought forward and shown more than functionality. In many traditional bathrooms design, you’d see that vertical cabinets are used as linen closets.

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Stand – along storage cabinets | Photo Credit – iStock

Design Highlights of a Traditional Bathroom

Calm Colour Palette

Traditional bathroom colour scheme tends to lean towards softer and relaxing instead of bright colours. You can opt for wood tones or deeper shade of grey or blue for a richer look in your bathroom.

Colours for Traditional Bathrooms

Soft neutrals – Snow white, cream, silver, beige
Serene hues – Sage green, misty blue, blue-grey
Rich colours – Espresso, slate, chocolate, navy

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Use of soft neutral colours | Photo Credit – iStock

Use of soft neutral colours in bathroom renovation in Avondale

Design Detail – Dressing Table

Having a dressing table in your bathroom might sound odd but in a traditional bathroom style, it makes perfect sense. Not only does this dressing table work will with light hues stone but it also has a double purpose. More storage spaces! How to design a small bathroom? Creating more space and making sure you have enough storage areas to eliminate any clutter is essential.

Elegant Stone

Another element that can contribute to your traditional bathroom design is having stone floors, counters, or wall treatments. This can be a focal point in your bathroom style. A bathroom tiles design idea for you can be using rectangular and square pieces to create a basketweave effect.

Classic Bathtub

This is another bathroom style that you can integrate a claw foot bathtub, or you can stick with a classic pedestal style bathtub. Though if that isn’t what you’re looking for you also choose a freestanding bathtub as that will still stick with the style.

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Example of claw foot tub | Photo Credit – iStock

Before and after pictures on one of our bathroom projects

Finishing Touches

In a traditional bathroom, the right details create a sense of luxury and pampering. Classic brushed nickel and oil-rubbed bronze faucets and hardware hit the right note. Finish with an antique stool, embroidered hand towels, a vase of flowers, and a pretty tray filled with bath products.

Industrial Style Bathroom Design

This style of bathroom can come in different many colours and different accessories but still stay within the style. This bathroom style might not be right for everyone. If you love raw materials and utilitarian spaces, then this style is perfect for you.

Industrial Style Bathrooms at a Glance

In an industrial style bathroom, you won’t find any busy patterns or bright colours. It’s often stated that raw materials and tough fixtures would be the star of the bathroom and take centre stage. Some elements to look for in an industrial bathroom:

Exposed raw materials
Minimal details
Glass and stell shower enclosures
Trough and basin sinks
White subway tiles

What You Won’t Find in Industrial Bathrooms

Surface ornamentation plays no part in this bathroom design as it focuses more on the beauty of how things work. Here are some elements you won’t see:

Light or pastel hues
Luxurious comforts
Elaborate moulding
Delicate fixtures

Minimalist Colour Palette

Unlike other bathroom styles, you’d want to avoid using any bright or pastel colours as that will not be on theme with your industrial bathroom design NZ. The colour palette for this bathroom will be from the raw materials you use with a tiny bit of saturated colour included.

Colours for Industrial Bathrooms:

Saturated colours – Navy, rust orange, royal blue, brick red
Shades of grey – Charcoal, cement gray, slate
Black and white – Matte black, architectural white
Neutral colours in industrial bathroom | Photo Credit – iStock

Freestanding Bathtub

A freestanding bathtub is popular and it often a key feature that many homeowners purchase in their bathroom design idea as a freestanding bathtub goes with most bathroom styles. Your freestanding bathtub can a focal point in your industrial bathroom, and you can choose from a white or silver bathtub as well.

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Adding modern functional elements to a historic Epsom bungalow to suit the lifestyles of new homeowners

Adding modern functional fixtures to a historic Epsom bungalow – See before and After pictures

Glass and Steel Shower Enclosure

If you look at any industrial bathrooms, you’d be able to see that matte black fittings look amazing for this style. It really makes the room pop! For your shower you can get a black framed shower door made from steel or aluminium. These materials are vital for this style. You can finish the look off with a sliding door or a glass shower door.

Hardworking Raw Materials

To add authentic character to your industrial bathroom design, focus on using raw materials like stainless stell, brick, timber beans and concrete. This would be a main point in your bathroom rather than having paint. Another benefit to this is that this material won’t deteriorate as quickly as other materials.

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Example of raw materials used in industrial bathroom | Photo Credit iStock

Need more inspiration? View more photos from our bathroom renovation in Half Moon Bay.

Design Detail – White Subway Tiles

Bathroom tiles design can be trick with an industrial bathroom design style. We recommend going with the white subways tiles as it provides the bathroom with a clean, crisp look. You can increase your contrast by adding dark grout to your bathroom tiles design.

Design Detail – Hefty Sliding Doors

For such a complex bathroom, you’d want to go all out with this style. We recommend choosing a sliding door to finish off the room. Larger, heavier-duty sliding doors are a factory-inspired take on the barn door trend that are ideal for industrial bathrooms. Furthermore, heavier sliding doors offer more privacy than standard wooden barn doors.

Finishing Touches

An industrial bathroom style is not for everyone as there aren’t many opportunities for you to add colour or have decorative flourishes. Finishing touches for this bathroom is just a few carefully chosen details are enough to complete the space. Exposed pipes, gear like faucets and hardware, metal stools and potted plants are excellent choices to finish off your bathroom design NZ.

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Example of exposed pipes and hardware | Photo Credit – iStock

Designing a bathroom can be tricky sometimes as there are many different styles that may be best suited for you and your aesthetic. Some people put a lot of work and effort into making sure their bathroom is perfect and others don’t. It’s all about preferences and if you’re interested in these bathroom styles, be sure to check out our showroom and speak to our bathroom designers to plan your dream bathroom.

Kitchen Renovation, Media

Kitchen Displays At Our Auckland Showroom: Detailed Breakdown

April 11, 20220

We have recently opened a renovation showroom in Auckland with 3 displays of renovated kitchens, 5 displays of renovated bathrooms as well as a design studio. We are the first of its kind in New Zealand as this is not just a manufacturer’s showroom but a showroom where our clients can see the quality of our workmanship as well as explore the myriad of renovation materials that are available today.

Our showroom was created to highlight essential storage in kitchens, the different range of revolutionary materials available today as well as different kitchen designs.

With the creation of this showroom, we decided that it would be a good idea to create an article explaining the different materials used in our kitchen showroom display designs and their features as well as benefits for families. The idea is to educate our clients about the revolutionary and innovative renovation materials available today.

Difference between our showroom and other kitchen showrooms in Auckland ⇓
Our lead renovation designers Cici and Dorothy – examples of their prior work ⇓
Highlighting our modern matte black kitchen in our kitchen showroom ⇓

– Overall design highlight
– Premium Acrylic boards for cabinets – features and benefits
– Leather finish benchtops – Features and Benefits
– Silgranit Sink – What exactly is Silgranit?
– Soft close technology for cabinets
– No handle set up + Push open cabinets
– Maximising storage solutions in a sleek kitchen
– Waterproof Laminate floors
– who are these types of materials/kitchens good for?
Highlighting our Classic kitchen in our Kitchen showroom ⇓
– Overall classic design explained
– highlighting 60mm polished benchtop
– Handcrafted cabinet fronts
– Feature walls
– Premium luxury materials
Contemporary Kitchen in our Kitchen showroom ⇓
– How to achieve a great design which is budget friendly
– Premium Acrylic cabinet fronts Vs Mid-range acrylic cabinets
– Combination of different materials to create a contemporary style
– Creating continuity with benchtop and splashback
– Why is this kitchen more budget friendly than the other two?

Renovation showroom vs Kitchen manufacturer’s showroom – Why we are different? ⇑ (Back to the top)

Chances are that if you are renovating your kitchen, you are also changing its flooring, painting the walls, and moving electric sockets around. With kitchen manufacturing companies you will have to find the additional trades, handle supply deliveries, and manage the process.

Most showrooms that you see in Auckland are kitchen manufacturing companies that have a showroom where they display their quality of kitchens. You will mostly meet a designer that designs your kitchen which is then manufactured and installed at your home. They do not however provide other trades like electricians, builders, plumbers, painters, or a project manager. You will also have to go to flooring companies to select your flooring, choose a painting company, and organise other trades.

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Our Renovation showroom in 16D Link drive, Wairau Valley, Auckland. Our renovation showroom has 3 kitchen displays, 5 Bathroom displays, a Design studio and 100s of renovation materials for you experience. We encourage our clients to visit our showroom to see the quality of our workmanship.

In our case, we are a renovation company that specialises in project management. When renovating a kitchen with us, our project manager will come to your home and measure your kitchen are and discuss your design ideas. Our lead kitchen designers Dorothy and Cici will then create your kitchen design using CAD and sketch up. Our project manager will then give you a fixed quote and with all the specifications for your project as well as timeline.

Before accepting our quote, we would encourage you to visit our showroom to see the quality of our workmanship. Once you have accepted our proposal, we will first finalise your kitchen design and once approved, it will be manufactured in Auckland which would take from 2-3 weeks.

While the kitchen cabinets and benchtops are being manufactured, we will take you to our flooring, lighting appliance supplier showrooms to select all your other fittings for the kitchen. We will then install your cabinets and benchtop, install your flooring, and provide all trades like electricians, flooring installers, painters, plasterers, plumbers, builders and you will have a dedicated project manager to oversee the entire renovation process.

Cici and Dorothy – Our in-house Renovation and Kitchen designers (Examples of their kitchen designs)– ⇑ (Back to the top)

Cici and Dorothy come with an extensive experience in designing renovation spaces which are functional yet beautifully designed. They both worked together to create our kitchen showroom displays as well as our bathroom showroom displays. They create initial designs on sketch up but also create 3D renderings and models using CAD for our renovation clients. They are an asset to our company not just because they are very good designers but they also have extensive knowledge about the evolving renovation materials of today.

A kitchen renovation in Massey – Take a look at the design phase behind this Kitchen renovation.

The kitchen renovation pictured below was designed by Dorothy and managed by our project manager Jin. It was primarily designed to renovate a closed off kitchen into an open plan kitchen with an area to entertain.

The pictures below show the transformation of a kitchen renovation that we carried out in Massey, Auckland. The kitchen was a closed off room which was demolished an open plan living which is often why many of our clients get their kitchens renovated. A bar area was also created which was extended from the kitchen. Dorothy and our client decided to use the same renovation materials as well as cabinetry for the kitchen as well as bar to maintain continuity in the overall kitchen design.

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Before the kitchen renovation

Design draft 1

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Design Draft 2

After the Kitchen was Renovated

Design drafts Vs Reality of the kitchen

Elevation 1 Kitchen design Vs Completed Kitchen

Elevation 2 Kitchen design Vs Completed Kitchen

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Elevation 3 Kitchen design Vs Completed Kitchen

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Other drafts initial designs

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Read: Before, and After pictures + design specifications of a kitchen renovation in Massey designed by Dorothy

1st Display – Modern Matte Black kitchen in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland ⇑ (Back to the top)

Dorothy designed this kitchen for our kitchen showroom keeping a minimalistic and sleek design in mind. This kitchen also highlights different storage solutions as well as in cabinet organisation that you can incorporate in your kitchen design to make it more functional.

This kitchen showroom display also highlights the revolutionary renovation materials that are available today. These renovation materials ensure that cleaning up and prolongs the durability of the kitchen.

The key features of this kitchen showroom display includes:

Premium Acrylic boards on MDF boards for all kitchen cabinets and drawers
Stone engineered benchtop with a leather finish
Timber Veneer boards for floating shelves
Glass Splashback
Downdraft rangehood on the island
Large induction stove on the island
Hidden fridge and dishwasher
Pull our rubbish and recycling bins
Full length pull out pantry with drawers
Pull out condiment cabinet
Magic corner for corner cabinet
Hidden drawers
Soft close cabinet and drawers with a push open technology
Silgranit sink with a insinkerator
Waterproof SPC laminate floors

Design stages for the kitchen display done by Dorothy

You can see some of Dorothy’s preliminary designs for this display for our kitchen showroom. This is one of our most interactive kitchens in our showroom because practically all storage and appliances are hidden behind the cabinets. Our clients spend most of their time on this kitchen because there is always a surprise behind each cabinet/drawer that they open.

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As mentioned above, the materials and and functionality of this kitchen makes it a unique kitchen display. The materials are innovative and revolutionary for the families of today. Kitchens are no longer serve the same purpose that they did in the past. They are now a hub of entertainment and often a place that the whole whole family congregates around in the evenings or for a quick breakfast before school or work.

It is no longer a separate room but a room in the living space with an open plan setting. Children and adults often cook their meals together which makes it important that the materials used to create your kitchen are durable and easy to clean/maintain.

“I wanted to show our clients that you can achieve a sleek and minimalistic look for their kitchen design without compromising on storage or functionality. Storage solutions of older kitchens are often either bulky or inconvenient for accessibility. The materials especially are an highlight for this kitchen because they are very durable and easy to clean.” explains Dorothy when asked about her vision for this kitchen showroom display.

Most people renovate their kitchens or even homes only once or twice in their lifetime which means that there is a serious lack of knowledge about the renovation materials of today. Our aim through this article is to educate our clients about the materials that we use as a renovation company as well as the materials in our kitchen showroom displays.

How much does it cost to renovate a kitchen in NZ (2022)

Cabinets and panels for all cabinetry – What are they actually made of?

All the cabinets and drawers fronts in this matte black kitchen are made of premium acrylic that is pressed on FSC certified MDF. The carcass or framework of the cabinetry is made of particle board.

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Premium Acrylic panels on MDF boards for all the cabinet and drawer fronts. Recessed Veneer below the stone engineered countertop gives the benchtop an appearance of floating.

What is MDF?

MDF or Medium density fibreboard is manufactured or engineered in a factory. It is made by breaking down any scrap/residual parts of hardwood which are bound with wax and resin. High pressure and temperature is applied to this to make them into panels.

Premium Acrylic panels by Laminex

We have used Laminex’s premium acrylic decorative boards which are pressed on the locally made FSC certified MDF. They have a great depth of colour with a matte finish that is made smooth to almost feel like velvet.

These panels are beautiful yet durable and very easy to clean. Some of the features of these premium acrylic panels are as follows:

They are fingerprint resistance – this means that you will not have to keep wiping off finger prints from the cabinets.
They are easy to clean as they do repel dust
They are scratch resistant – this is great especially for kitchens where it is easy to scratch the fronts by sharp objects.
Stain resistant – The fact that these cabinets cannot be stained means that you don’t have to worry about wiping any spillage immediately while cooking.
They are soft to touch and come with a 10 year warranty.

The panels we have chose for our kitchen showroom display is Metallic coal but it does come in 8 other colours which gives you alot of options when designing your kitchen.

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When you open one of our hidden drawers, you will see all the other colours that you can use to customise your kitchen in the style that you would like.

Benchtop used in this kitchen display

The benchtop is also engineered stone with a concrete look. Dorothy wanted this kitchen to have an overall matte finish for all its materials and hence the benchtop also has a matte finish. We work closely with the supplier UniQuartz that create beautiful stone engineered benchtops.

This benchtop is also soft to touch like the acrylic panels and has a leather finish (which means its not polished but has texture when you touch it).

The key features of this material is as follows:

It is stain resistant – this is great for when you are cooking and you don’t have to worry about any spills staining your benchtop
They wont crack easily if you put a heavy put or if something drops on it unexpectedly from any top cabinets.
They can withstand up to 410 degree Celsius without any damage to it.
You can wipe any spills easily with a cloth or paper towel
It has a textured feel to it when you touch it with a concrete look

The top edge of the benchtops have a shark nose that gives the benchtop a floating quality. This can be seen in the picture below.

All the floating shelves are made of Veneer board with a crown cut. Veneer board is basically MDF with real timber on the surface. The floating shelves add warmth to the kitchen and cut the monotony of the matte black cabinets. It also allows clients to display ornaments, crockery or wine making the kitchen homely.

Lynette and Henry’s modern kitchen renovation – Black Stone engineered benchtop with ingrained sparkles

No handle set up + technology used in cabinets

This kitchen does not have any knobs or handles to open the drawers or cabinets. All the lower cabinets have a shark nose at the edge, making it easier to grip and open them. There is a veneer board recessed strip between the benchtop and cabinet edge which has an LED light strip making it easier to see where you open the cabinets in the dark.

All the top cabinets use a ‘push open’ technology to open the cabinets which simply means that you push the cabinet and it opens. As the cabinets are finger print resistant, you will not find any fingerprint marks when you touch the top cabinets.

All the cabinet and drawers use a ‘soft close’ technology which reduces means that even if you slam the cupboards, they will slow down and close softly. This is great as it reduces noise in the kitchen and especially when young kids are in the kitchen.

Glass mirror splashbacks – Why a glass mirror splashback was used for this kitchen showroom display?

Tiles have always been the most popular choice for splashback for kitchens. Glass mirror splashbacks have seen a growth in popularity recently especially for modern and contemporary kitchen designs.

This glass mirror splashback in our kitchen showroom is coloured black to match the overall kitchen design. Contrary to popular belief, this splashback is resistant to heat as it is made of toughened glass and will will not break easily. Using glass mirrors is also a way of making your kitchen look more spacious. Glass splashbacks are also easy to clean compared to tiles as there are not grout lines.

Extensive Storage solutions for your kitchen design – Making organisation easy

Most of our kitchen renovations include making the kitchens into an open plan kitchen. Open plan kitchens often have the living and dining area in the same space as the kitchen. While open plan kitchens promote family interaction, they also pose a problem. The problem is that open plan kitchens need to look presentable and uncluttered at all times as they are visible from other living areas. This means that you should be able to store all your big appliances, condiments, pots and pans inside the cabinets comfortably.

Dorothy says that the ease of retrieving your appliances/condiments should also be considered when building internal storage or organisation for cabinets and drawers.

This kitchen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland is a great example of good storage with great internal organisation and everything is easy to find/retrieve.

Hideaway Dishwasher and Fridge in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Having your dishwasher and fridge hidden behind your cabinets gives your kitchen a seamless and sleek look. This is especially an advantage for open plan kitchens as there is an added emphasis on aesthetics in open plan kitchens.

So how do hideaway dishwashers and fridge work? The cabinet fronts are attached to the exterior of the dishwasher and fridge so from the exterior it looks like a cabinet.

We have created hidden dishwasher and fridge in our kitchen showroom to show our clients how they look and feel.

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Hidden SMEG dishwasher with cabinet front attached to the exterior of the dishwasher in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

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Hidden Fridge and Freezer with cabinet fronts attached to the exterior of the fridge in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

Pull out panty with drawers

The older pantries in our kitchens often just feature a large cabinet with shelves. We often store all our pantry items in the shelves and no matter how much we organise it, it always ends up looking cluttered. When retrieving items from behind, we have to move the items in front out of the way. This wastes time as and is also quite inconvenient.

This kitchen display shows a pull out pantry that you can build it within your kitchen with in built compartments as seen below. The in built drawers are see through from the sides which means that you can see all your pantry items which makes retrieving them easy.

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Pull out pantry with in-built shelves makes it easy for you to clearly see all the stored items and retrieve them. – This pantry can be seen in our matte black kitchen display in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland.

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Individual drawers in the pull out pantry

There are several types of pull out pantries that can be incorporated in a kitchen design. We did a full kitchen renovation in Papatoetoe which included creating pull out drawers in a pantry as opposed to the entire pantry being pulled out. In this type of pantry you can pull out individual drawers with see through plastic drawers making organisation of items and retrieving of them easy (see below).

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Kitchen renovation in Papatoetoe with individual pull out drawers built within the pantry.

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In this pantry, instead of building an entire pull out pantry, we instead created individual drawers that can be pulled out.

See full kitchen renovation specifications + Before and After pictures (for renovation above)

Magic Corner for corner cabinets in our Kitchen showroom

What exactly is a magic corner? Magic corner is a storage solution for corner cabinets or L shaped corner cabinets. It is often hard to get appliances or pots from the corner part of the cabinets which is where a magic corner comes in handy. The idea of a magic corner is to build a shelf which can be pulled out completely. See below for the magic corner that we installed for our matte black kitchen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland (at Wairau Valley).

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Magic corner in our kitchen showroom for our matte black modern kitchen

As is the case with a pantry, magic corners come in various designs depending on the preference of our clients. You can see a few examples of different magic corner styles that we have used in our clients’ kitchen renovations around Auckland.

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Kitchen renovation in Hillsborough

Kitchen renovation in Papatoetoe

Kitchen specifications + Before and After renovation for Hillsborough Kitchen renovation (Picture above left)

Kitchen specifications + Before and After renovation for Papatoetoe Kitchen renovation (Picture above right)

Pull out bins + Recycling bin in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

Pull out bins and recycling bins have become popular with clients because they are more hygienic than bins that are on the floor beside the kitchen. They also make the kitchen area look less cluttered without a bin on the floor. This kitchen showroom display has two full sized pull out bins which are installed next to the sink for easy disposal of rubbish.

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2 Full sized bins that can be pulled out from the cabinets in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

Some examples of pull out bins that we have incorporated in client kitchen designs. As you can see the bins in our client homes as seen below are half length bins as there is also a drawer beneath it. The size of bins depends on your preference as some of our client s prefer to empty the bins more often than others.

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Kitchen renovation in Papatoetoe

Kitchen renovation in West Harbour

Pull out condiment cabinet in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Pull out condiment cabinets may not be a necessity in a kitchen but it makes organisation easy. Condiment drawers are usually built around near the stove for easy access while cooking. Our kitchen showcases just that in the picture seen below.

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Pull out condiment cabinet in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Most of the kitchens we have renovated include a condiment cabinet like this in its kitchen design. Some examples of pull out condiment cabinets can be seen below in our kitchen renovations that we have completed in Auckland.

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Hidden drawers with a drawer in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

Dorothy’s vision for this particular kitchen display in our kitchen showroom was to create a sleek look especially from the exterior. This meant that smaller drawers like cutlery drawers would create smaller lines in the exterior which would not make things look seamless. Hence, Dorothy decided to incorporate smaller drawers within the big drawers as seen below in our kitchen showroom display.

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Smaller hidden drawers within the larger drawers to create an even and seamless look from the exterior.

Downdraft Range hood with a large safety induction cooktop in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

The induction stove top was designed to be installed in the kitchen island for this kitchen design. The induction stovetop is by SMEG and has a safety feature which means that even after you are done cooking, it is safe to touch and will not remain hot. This is especially good for households with young children.

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Large induction stovetop from SMEG with a safety feature in our kitchen showroom in Auckland. The downdraft range hood goes back into the benchtop when not in use.

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When you need to use the downdraft range hood, you simply press a button and it comes up.

Keeping to the seamless design in mind, Dorothy decided that having a rangehood at the top of the stovetop might make the area look cluttered and cumbersome. Hence she decided to include a downdraft range hood which goes back into the benchtop when not in use. In order to use it, you just have to push a small button and it comes back up.

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When in use the downdraft range hood comes up from the benchtop. This can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland (Wairau Valley).

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Electric downdraft rangehood.

In order build a downdraft rangehood you need to have an island that has space behind the rangehood as the electric mechanisms need to be built behind and under the cabinet of the benchtop.

In built Microwave, 2 Ovens and a Steamer Oven

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In built 2 Ovens, Microwave, and Steamer Oven from SMEG – Can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

This kitchen really shows how sleek and functional a kitchen design can really be. In the picture above, you can see that there are 4 appliances that are built in within the cabinetry. As they are not switched on, you cannot see the light on the touch screen. There are 2 ovens, 1 microwave, and a steamer oven built within the cabinets. Originally Dorothy wanted to include an inbuilt coffee machine instead of 2 ovens but we did experience some supply issues during the creation of our showroom so we decided to forgo the in-built coffee machine.

Silgranit sink from Blanco in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

There are a diverse set of sinks that can be included in your kitchen depending on your preference and kitchen design. There are many types of sinks available like ceramic, stainless steel, stone sinks, and silgranit. We have used Silgranit sinks for 2 of our kitchen displays in our kitchen showroom due to its popularity with most of our client renovations as well as its many features and benefits.

What exactly is Silgranit? These granite sinks are made of a composite material made up to 80% of quartz sand. Quartz sand is the strongest part of granite. They feel like stone and are easy to clean, is stain resistant, very strong and can withstand high temperatures therefore making them suitable for todays modern kitchens.

Features and Benefits of Silgranit from Blanco – Why our designers prefer this above other materials?

Promotes healthy living as it has a build in patented protective formula called Hygiene+Plus. It reduces growth of kitchen bacteria by about 98%.
Stain resistant – Unlike white or ceramic sinks that stain easily from red wine or food, silgranit sinks do not stain. All you have to do is rinse it with a tap to clean. You will not require to use any cleaning solutions or scrubbing.
It is very strong – 80% of silgranit sinks are made of quartz which is the strongest component of granite. This means that it will not damage with any type of heavy pot falling on it. It is very resilient and will not chip off, crack or break.
Heat resistant – It is heat resistant up to 280 degree Celsius which is incredible for pots that get very hot while cooking over a flame. Even if you have a boiling water tap installed in your sink it won’t damage your sink.
Scratch resistant – Silgranit sinks are scratch resistant which is an incredible feature of sinks.
New concrete line – Concrete finish and look has become increasingly popular in contemporary kitchen designs of today. Blanco now has most of its style in a concrete look and finish that elevates the overall design of the kitchen.
Blanco black (a statement line) – White or light coloured benchtops are always quite popular with our clients. Blanco has a range of silgranit sinks that provide a beautiful contrast to light coloured benchtops.

Waterproof Neptune SPC (stone based laminate) flooring from Tile Depot for this kitchen display

In the past any kind of Acrylic or laminate flooring would not have been a good choice for kitchens or bathrooms as they are prone to warping when in contact with water. Tiles were mostly used as they are easier to maintain and are resistant to water. Tiles however, are hard on your feet when one is standing on it for too long which can make you tired easily. Tiles also get cold in winter and you often have to put mats or rugs to comfortably stand them unless of course if you have underfloor heating.

We have been increasingly using Neptune SPC in our kitchen renovations because it combats all the negative aspects of other types of flooring. So what exactly is Neptune SPC flooring?

Neptune stone based waterproof flooring is a revolutionary type of flooring from Tile Depot. It is a floating flooring and can be laid on top of any type of flooring. This type of flooring is made of multilayered stone polymer composite but it looks and feels like wooden planks. It has a limestone core that makes it stable and 100% waterproof.

Key Benefits of of Neptune SPC for your kitchen renovation

100 percent waterproof
Easy to apply on any floor
100% free of orth0-pthalates and other harmful substances like plasticizers
It has a UL Green Guard Gold certification which means that it is great for people who have allergies or sensitive skin
It has a built in SE+ anti-bacterial surface that protects the floor against harmful bacteria
Neptune comes with a sound absorbing technology so you don’t have to install a separate underlay
It is stain resistant which is great for kitchens floors
It will not fade
It cannot be easily scratched or dented
Easy maintenance – as you only need to vacuum it and occasionally mop.
Cost Effective
Very durable and will last you a long time

We have used Neptune SPC flooring for all our Kitchen displays in the kitchen showroom. Most of our clients prefer using Neptune for their kitchens compared to other flooring materials as it is a high traffic area and needs materials that are durable and easy to maintain.

If you look at the picture of our kitchen showroom below, you can see that Neptune flooring simply looks like wood. It comes in several colours based on your preference for your kitchen design.

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Neptune SPC flooring in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

Is this type of Kitchen design for you? – Consider the materials and design

There are 100s of materials that you can mix and match to create countless variations of any kitchen design. This means that you can use different materials and get the exact same design of any kitchen. This also means that you should consider the materials of your kitchen carefully before renovating.

Dorothy and Cici often as several questions and they try to understand the lifestyle of the family. It is important to design the kitchen based on your lifestyle instead of fitting your lifestyle around your kitchen design.

This kitchen is great for families with an open plan kitchen. Aesthetically it would be beautiful in an open plan living due to its seamless yet simple kitchen design. It has a sleek uncluttered look with ample storage which makes it a very functional kitchen. We built this kitchen keeping in mind the hectic lifestyles of today and chose materials that are durable and easy to clean. Most of the materials are scratch resistant, stain resistant, water proof and easy to maintain with just a wipe or a vacuum. This would also be a great kitchen for families with young children as the materials are so durable.

This kitchen however, would not be so great for rental properties as the materials used in this design are premium and hence not cost effective for rental kitchen renovations.

Display 2 – Classic Kitchen in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland (Handcrafted) ⇑ (Back to the top)

Each kitchen display in our kitchen showroom is designed for a particular purpose. The matte black kitchen (first display) that we discussed above was designed to show the innovative materials available today as well as storage solutions that can be incorporated within a kitchen design. The previous kitchen was also a perfect kitchen for busy families with young children and hence the materials chosen to design the kitchen were easy to maintain and were durable.

This kitchen in our kitchen showroom is to showcase the craftsmanship of our kitchens and the luxury materials that can transform a kitchen design. The skillset required to craft this kitchen is a lot harder than the other kitchens in our kitchen showroom. This is because all the cabinets are handmade and not made in a factory. This kitchen was designed by Cici who is our lead kitchen designer.

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Classic kitchen display in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

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Classic kitchen with luxury materials that are hand crafted – Can be experienced in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Cottage Style kitchen renovation in Mangere – before and after pictures + project specifications

Design Phase for our classic kitchen display

Cici wanted to design a kitchen in a classic and timeless style which would be suited for clients that lived in Villas or homes with a classic overall style. As mentioned above, this kitchen was renovated to show the premium and luxury materials available today. It is also a handcrafted kitchen which means that the cabinets were handmade instead of manufactured in a machine. This requires considerable skill from our cabinet maker but the result of that is a beautiful and timeless kitchen design.

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We asked Cici what inspired her to create this particular kitchen design and she said “Classic kitchens are quite popular with some of my clients, especially the heritage homes and Villas found in Epsom. A very modern kitchen design does not really suit these homes. Classic Kitchens have a timeless feel and can be customised in many ways to still incorporate modern storage solutions. This particular kitchen is very similar to one of the kitchens I designed for my client in Epsom. It has many fine details and is completely hand crafted by our cabinetry maker so it makes it even more special. In order to see the details you should definitely visit the showroom in Wairau”.

Handcrafted cabinet fronts in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Why are these cabinet fronts so special compared to the others in our kitchen showroom? The actual cabinet fronts are made from MDF which are then cut by hand to make the paneling around the cabinet fronts. This requires quite a high skill set compared to manufacturing the cabinet fronts in a machine.

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Handmade cabinet fronts in our classic kitchen display in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

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White handcrafted drawer fronts with soft close drawers

All the cabinet fronts in the kitchen are spray painted using ‘half black white’ matte finish lacquer paint expect the cabinets on the island which are spray painting using ‘Madison blue’ with a matte finish lacquer paint.

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Resene lacquer paint with a matte finish was used on the cabinets.

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All cabinet fronts in the classic kitchen were painted with ‘Madison blue’ to create a beautiful contrast with the white cabinets.

Creating contrast with colour for this kitchen design

Most classic kitchens have a neutral palette when it comes to cabinets as neutrals never go out of style or trend. Such kitchens usually incorporate colour in their kitchen design by using colourful tiles or brass tapware. Cici however went with this blue for the island to give it a more cottage style classic kitchen. Blues have always been very popular in classic country kitchens and she wanted to create a contrast that would really make the kitchen a showstopper. The fact that most kitchens are open plan, it becomes even more important to to pay careful attention to the aesthetics of your kitchen design. Cici believes that kitchens need to add to the beauty of your living space instead of just being a functional space to cook.

Cabinet door handles – Why Cici did not choose a no-handle set up for this kitchen design?

As most of our clients choose a no-handle set up for their cabinets, we were curious why Cici chose to incorporate door handles and knobs for this kitchen design. When asked this question Cici explained as follows:

“While I would use a no handle set up for contemporary and modern kitchen designs, I generally do not recommend that for more classic or traditional kitchens. Of course if a client wants a classic kitchen with a no-handle set up then I would design it for them in the way they like, after all it is their kitchen and they should have it designed the way they like it. However, classic and tradition design styles have something that are vital to their design and I try to stick with the basics for such kitchen designs. I incorporated simple matte black handles and knobs for this kitchen keeping with the classic theme. If I was designing a more traditional kitchen then I would have chosen more ornate handles. Classic kitchens however, have a simple and timeless feel to it and is often made with more solid quality materials.

Handcrafted Rangehood cover with classic detailing in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

While we used SMEG’s stainless steel rangehood, Cici wanted to make it look like a vintage hooded chimney. She did not want to make it too ornate as that would be too traditional but decided to add some detailing like the cabinets. The hooded rangehood is also hand-made like the cabinet fronts with MDF that has matte lacquer painted on it.

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Handcrafted detailing in our hooded rangehood in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

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Handcrafted hood on top of a range hood to give it an appearance of a chimney

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Handcrafted detailing in the hooded chimney in our kitchen showroom for our classic kitchen display

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The hooded chimney is made above the SMEG over head rangehood

Soft close cabinets with BLUM hinges

We mostly prefer using BLUM for all our cabinet technology as well as hinges as they are definitely the best hinges in the market. We also use Hafele for hinges as well as in storage (like magic corners etc) solutions for cabinets. BLUM is New Zealand however, has had some supply issues in the last few months so we have had to find other suppliers like Hafele instead of BLUM.

This classic kitchen in our kitchen showroom however, uses BLUM hinges and soft close technology. Soft close technology in cabinets makes such a difference when cooking in the kitchen with your family. When cooking we are often prone to closing the cabinets with force as its not always easy to carefully close the cabinets. This makes BLUM’s soft close technology very helpful when cooking in a chaotic kitchen.

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Soft close drawers with BLUM technology in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

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BLUM hinges used in all cabinets in this classic kitchen

” I wanted to add simple black handles and knobs to all the cabinets and doors to keep the overall design classic and I also wanted the focus to be on the detailing of the handmade cabinet fronts. Black was an easy choice as it complements the white cabinet fronts as well as the blue cabinet fronts” said Cici about her choice for choosing matte black handles for the cabinets.

60mm Polished Stone engineered Benchtop – Why is it unique?

You may wonder why a 60mm benchtop would be anything special for this kitchen design. This is because this benchtop is not just one slab of engineered stone. In fact, this benchtop comprises of two separate sheets of engineered benchtops that are joined at 45 degrees which is called the mitre joint to create a 60mm benchtop. 60 mm benchtops

You need a high set of skill level to join two separate benchtops and this technique can only be carried out by a very experienced professional. Keeping with the classic theme, the benchtop chosen by Cici was a marble looking matte benchtop with a polished look. A polished look mere means that the benchtop is smooth to touch instead of having a texture like our matte black kitchen that we discussed above.

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60mm engineered stone benchtop which combines to separate pieces of the benchtop to form a single benchtop.

60mm benchtop are not very common as mostly common types of benchtops are 30mm. The engineered stone benchtop also have veined lines to mimic the natural lines found in marble.

Guide on designing Classic, Contemporary, Modern, Traditional, Cottage style, and Industrial kitchens – all elements explained

Feature walls in our Classic kitchen display in our Kitchen showroom

Feature walls are great to add a designer element in any kitchen. There are two feature walls in this kitchen with each serving a very different purpose.

The first feature wall that you can see below is to add depth to the kitchen and to give it a luxurious look. The tiles used on this feature wall are 3 dimensional and are sheets which are of a size 256 X 297X 8mm. They combine a stunning combination of marble and gold metal mosaic. We used these tile sheets from Tile Depot and these tiles are specifically called ‘Mosaix Lux Gold Herringbone White 275 x 303.

The beautiful tile sheets from Tile depot were used to add a touch of luxury to this feature wall. They are installed in a Herringbone style and are a combination of stone engineered to look like marble as well as gold metal. This can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland (Wairau Valley).

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A close up look the feature wall. You may not be able to see the 3d effect in this picture but it can be seen in our kitchen showroom.

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LED lights installed below the cabinets light up the feature wall which draws your eye to the wall.

We often put LED lights below the cabinets if we want to showcase a feature wall. This feature wall needs to be maintained well if you do not want to damage it. It should not be cleaned with abrasive liquids, harsh acid or abrasive scrubs as they will scratch the gold surface of the metal. Hence this type of feature walls with groves should be used as a splashback in areas where you do not cook and where much cleaning is not required.

This brings us to the splashback that we have used in the cooking area of this classic kitchen display in our kitchen showroom. We have used simple white gloss subway tiles for the cooktop area which we got from Tile Depot. White subway tiles are a key feature of classic kitchen designs and we wanted to find a way to integrate them in this kitchen design. The glossy finish of these tiles also make them easy to clean and are perfect as a cooking splashback. Using two different sets of tiles as splashbacks in the kitchen also create interest and provide depth to this kitchen design.

Vintage Appliances to match this classic kitchen design

Cici did not want to include very sleek or modern appliances as they would be an eyesore for a classic kitchen design. We work very closely with kitchen things and decided to choose a standalone cooktop with a vintage design from their SMEG appliance collection. SMEG is known for its range of appliances in all kinds of styles like traditional, contemporary, vintage, classic and modern.

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SMEG standalone cooktop with 6 gas burners, 1 warming tray, bread oven and roast oven – this can be seen in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

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This cooking range has similar detailing in its front like the cabinet fronts and elevates this elegant classic kitchen design.

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Small warmer oven

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This beautiful vintage SMEG cooking range has gorgeous old style knobs and gas burners which combine elegance and modern functionality

This SMEG cooking range is a piece of art with beautiful vintage detailing in its oven fronts, old style dial knobs, big handle and 6 gas burners that are reminiscent of a timeless classic era.

Silgranit Sink with a marble texture and matte look from Blanco

We have discussed it the length the benefits of Singranit sinks above but we will still highlight what the key features make Silgranit sinks from Blanco the perfect choice for any kitchen design. Silgranit sinks are made of 80% quartz which is the strongest component of granite making them very sturdy and will not crack or break. They are also scratch resistant as well as stain resistant which means that you can wash your dishes without any worry about damaging your sink.

It can also withstand temperatures up to 280 degrees Celsius and has a patented protective formula called Hygiene+Plus which reduces kitchen bacteria by 98%.

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Concrete finish Silgranit sink from Blanco – It can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

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Subline 700-U level sink. It is an undermounted sink with a large U shape tap. The end of the sink can be extended out to wash vegetables with ease.

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Silgranit sinks from Blanco

This classic kitchen display in our Kitchen showroom has a Silgranit sink with a concrete look and finish.

Hideaway Dishwasher and Hidden Rubbish Bins can be seen in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

Hideaway dishwashers and fridge have become quite popular with our clients especially for open plan kitchens. This is so all the big appliances can be tucked away in cabinetry to give it a uniform look.

Cici decided to incorporate the dishwasher within the cabinetry for this classic kitchen. The cabinet front is attached on top of the door of the dishwasher as can be seen in the picture below.

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Built in dishwasher in our classic kitchen display – In our Kitchen Showroom in Auckland

Pull out bin and recycling bin in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Pull out bins have become quite a common feature with all our kitchen renovations. They are practical, hygienic and give your client an uncluttered look in their kitchen area. This is a full sized bin and recycling bin with a hidden drawer inside for any rubbish bags.

Waterproof Neptune stone based floors for kitchen floors

We used waterproof Neptune flooring from Tile Depot just as we have for all our kitchen displays in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland. As discussed above Neptune stone based flooring is a revolutionary type of flooring which looks like wood but is stone based laminate. It has many features and benefits that promote durability and easy maintenance.

Some of the features include:

Scratch resistant
stain resistant
100% waterproof
soft on the feet so you won’t experience foot fatique when cooking for long
Looks like food
Absorbs sound which means that you wont hear heavy footsteps

We used a darker and more rustic looking colour for the classic kitchen to imitate real oak flooring that is usually found in classic kitchen designs.

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Neptune Stone based floors in our classic kitchen design in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Display 3 – Contemporary Kitchen in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland (Small Kitchen design) – ⇑ (Back to the top)

This kitchen display is truly unique in the fact that it combines a wide variety of textures, colours and materials to form a contemporary kitchen design. This kitchen was designed by Dorothy to show our clients that it is possible to create a beautiful yet functional kitchen when you have a small space available. This kitchen boasts materials that are designed to show our clients that it is possible to renovate a beautiful kitchen and be budget friendly.

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Our contemporary kitchen design can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

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This kitchen is renovated using a diverse set of materials to create contrasts as well as adding some creative elements to form a contemporary design.

Some of the key highlights in the kitchen are:

Waterfall stone engineered benchtop
Stone engineered splash back that continues till the ceiling
Mid-Range which acrylic panels on MDF cabinets
Melteca black board used for black cabinets
Soft close drawers with Hefele hinges and runners
Wood Benchtop using Plywood extends out of the kitchen island
Gold stainless steel frame with glass shelves doubles
Black floating shelves
Undermounted Stainless steel sink with gold brass tapware
Induction cooktop and rangehood from SMEG
Waterproof Neptune flooring

Kitchen Layout guide – Which layout is best for your kitchen space?

Overall design concept for this kitchen design

Dorothy wanted to design a contemporary kitchen for a small space which could showcase a variety of contrasting materials and textures to suit most budgets. So what is a contemporary kitchen design? Contemporary should not be confused with modern. A modern kitchen design focuses on sleek and simplistic design like our matte black kitchen design we previously discussed.

Contemporary designs focus on using renovation materials that are popular at a current period of time. You can say that contemporary materials are a mix of various styles and its design elements change as the current trends or materials change in popularity.

“I used all the materials for this kitchen design that are cost effective but also quite popular in the current renovation market. Just like the matte black kitchen, I used Acrylic boards for half the cabinets, however to make it more budget friendly I used the Acrylic panels that are from the mid range as opposed to their premium range. To contrast these white acrylic cabinets I used MDF Melteca black boards for other cabinets as this is also quite a popular material in the renovation industry too. I also used engineered stone for all benchtops as well as the wall which acts like splashback. It is quite common to use the same material for benchtops and the walls because it creates continuity which makes a small space appear larger. Other popular trends of today include floating shelves and hence I tried to incorporate that within this kitchen design. Some of the key designer features of this kitchen include the stainless steel open shelf, floating breakfast bar and a wine fridge” explains Dorothy about the over design of this kitchen.

Elevation 1

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First initial draft of the kitchen design done by Dorothy. Here you can see all the different elements that she talks about above.

Kitchen display in our kitchen showroom in Auckland – Reality of elevation 1

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This kitchen display shows how colour is used to create contrast and interest in this kitchen design. – This can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland.

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Initial drafts of this kitchen design show the floating cabinets, black cabinets, white acrylic cabinets, and the floating breakfast bar on the right.

Elevation 2

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This kitchen elevation shows the stainless steel rack for drinks with stainless steel frames and glass shelves. This shelf adds to the overall aesthetic to the overall kitchen design. You can also see the floating breakfast nook on the bottom left of the picture. You can also see a feature wall partition on the left side of the kitchen. This is great if you want an open plan kitchen but do not want your kitchen to be wholly visible from the living areas.

Kitchen display in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland – Reality of Elevation 2

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The kitchen display designed based on the elevation about – This kitchen can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland.

Other elevations of this kitchen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

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A different elevation of the same kitchen design

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This elevation shows that Dorothy used the same engineered stone for the benchtop as well as the entire wall to promote continuity.

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This kitchen elevation shows the island with a floating benchtop attached on benchtop

A combination of Acrylic panel cabinets (White cabinets) and MDF Melteca board cabinets (Black cabinets) – Can be seen in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

The materials chosen for this kitchen design were chosen not just because of their current popularity but also to make it affordable for an average Aucklander. In the end the cost of your kitchen renovation will greatly depend on whether you have chosen mid-range materials or ones that are more on the side of luxury.

White cabinets – what are they actually made of?

The white cabinets are made of MDF and then the acrylic panels are attached to the surface. The panels are from the brand ULTRAglaze with the actual product being high gloss white Alabaster. They are different from the modern matte black kitchen discussed above as they are not scratch resistant or fingerprint proof. This makes them more cost effective than premium acrylic boards used in the matte black kitchen. You will have to take care to maintain these cabinets as you may have to wipe them down for fingerprints and food splashes so they do not stain. These panels come in various different colours which gives you much room for customisation.

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A range of colours available for our clients to choose from for their Acrylic panels.

The material for the black cabinets is not Acrylic panels but it is MDF with a layer of black paper sheet. This is from the brand Melteca and are fire resistant and do repel water. They came in over 200 colours which gives our clients many options to create any type of colour combination for their kitchen design.

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High glass white acrylic panels are used for all white cabinets in this kitchen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland.

The finish of the white cabinets is glossy which means that it reflects light and is very smooth to touch. The black Melteca cabinets on the other hand have a ‘pearl’ finish which means that they are matte and have a textured feel to it when you run your hands over it. This shows that different textures and sheens can be combined together to form a great overall kitchen design.

Below, you can see the range of colours available from Melteca and the number of customisation options you have when renovating your kitchen. Another brand that we work with which is quite similar to Melteca is Bestwood and they too carry a wide range of options in colours.

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A sample range of Melteca colours that can be seen in our design studio in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

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Samples of the Bestwood range in our design studio in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

All of the hinges used in our cabinetry is from Hafele and have a soft close set up.

Engineered stone benchtop and splashback in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Creating continuity

One of the aims to create this kitchen display in our showroom was to show how it is in fact possible to create an aesthetically beautiful kitchen within a small space. Some of the ways to create an illusion of space in a small kitchen design is to create continuity. This was done in this kitchen by using a lighter shade in engineered stone for the splashback as well as benchtop above the already white cabinets.

Benchtop with a waterfall edge on one side

The benchtop and splashback are made of engineered stone with a polished finish. A polished finish just means that it is smooth to touch and it has a matte finish. It has a look of marble and have natural vein lines that you see naturally occurring in marble. in It is also 20mm in width and this width has started becoming popular in the last few years. The edge of one of the sides of the island has a waterfall edge which basically means that the engineered stone extends to the floor of the kitchen, hence the waterfall. This benchtop is from the mid range of engineered stone and not from the premium range that is used in our classic kitchen display discussed above. Using the mid-range engineered stone makes this kitchen more budget friendly as compared to our classic kitchen display.

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Waterfall edge for one side of the island can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Floating shelves, feature divider/wall and stainless steel open shelves – in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Dorothy and Cici usually try and incorporate floating shelves in small kitchen spaces as it opens up the space and also adds to the aesthetics of the kitchen. If you had full top cabinetry in a small kitchen design then it will close the space up and make your kitchen look cumbersome. Hence, Dorothy decided to create one full length storage cabinetry in black and for part of the kitchen she decided to add black floating shelves to contrast with the white stone on the walls.

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Black floating shelves with LED lights against a white stone wall adds interest to this small kitchen design

Drinks cabinet – Stainless steel frame with glass shelves

Dorothy also wanted to add another colour to the kitchen instead of just white and black to make it more appealing and to add a designer element to the kitchen. This drinks cabinet is made of brushed gold stainless steel frame and glass shelves and is a perfect way to display your glassware as well as drinks. This brushed gold colour also matches the tapware and chandelier found in this kitchen display in our kitchen showroom.

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This drinks cabinet has a stainless steel frame in brushed gold/brass with glass shelves. This makes it a perfect display cabinet for drinks. This brushed gold also matches with the tapware as well as the chandelier in this kitchen – This can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Feature wall – can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Feature walls can be anything that is added on a wall for design purpose. It can be a wall that has designer tiles on it, wall paper or you can built an entirely separate walls that act as a divider.

The reason we built this feature wall is to show our clients that they can create dividers with their homes. It is also great for clients who have an open plan kitchen but do not want their kitchen to be fully visible from their living areas.

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The feature wall of 4 vertical wooden beams can be seen next to the drinks cabinet in this design created by Dorothy

The kitchen display in our kitchen showroom shows the 4 vertical wooden beams next to the open drinks cabinet

Floating breakfast nook – extends out from the stone benchtop

Any kind of wooden element in any design brings some warmth in the kitchen to make it look cozy. This breakfast nook extends out of the benchtop and is attached on top of the benchtop. It creates a separate area for people to eat meals or even do for kids to do their homework.

The fact that it is a completely different material that is attached on to the benchtop also creates depth in kitchen and adds to its design.

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The wooden looking breakfast nook that extends out from the benchtop. You can also see a wine fridge at the bottom left of the breakfast nook.

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Elevation 2 of the breakfast nook – This can be seen in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

Floating breakfast nook – what is this material made of?

The wooden benchtop is made of two different pieces of plywood that is joined together at 45 degree in a mitre joint to form a 50mm box. It is hollow inside so it is relatively light and can be easily attached to the benchtop without any strain on the stone.

We do not have bar stools for this kitchen display but we do plan to get them in the future. A sleek set of bar stools can be fit under the floating breakfast nook.

Brushed gold for the tap, stainless steel frame and feature chandelier

As Dorothy wanted to add some colour to this kitchen design, she decided to add 3 components with brushed gold. The feature chandelier, brass gold tapware and stainless steel frame are brass gold and even though they are not big components, they do add a great contrast.

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Chandelier with brushed gold trimmings that match the U-shaped tap and frame of the open shelf

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Brushed gold u-shaped tap matches the stainless steel frame of the drinks shelves and trimmings of chandelier. The nozzle at the end of the tap can be pulled out and stretches till the stainless sink.

Stainless steel frame with glass shelves of the drinks cabinet matches the tap as well as the chandelier

Neptune Waterproof Flooring from Tile Depot

All our kitchen displays as well as clients prefer installing Neptune flooring for wet areas because of its many benefits. This revolutionary flooring is a composite of polymer and limestone that happens to the strongest component of quartz. The limestone in Neptune flooring makes it 100% waterproof which is a great quality to have for your kitchen flooring.

It also resists the growth of bacteria, is stain resistant, scratch resistant, sound proof and soft on your feet. Dorothy chose a slightly lighter shade than the matte black kitchen for this kitchen design and it can be seen in the picture below.

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As you can see the flooring in this kitchen looks like it is made of real wood and not engineered Neptune. It is also easier to maintain and will last you a longer time that other materials. This flooring can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland.

Appliances in this kitchen

Dorothy used the standard induction cooktop and in built top rangehood for this kitchen from SMEG. This induction cooktop is from the mid-range of SMEG and not from the premium range like the one in the matte black kitchen she designed. The matte black kitchen was to showcase innovative materials and appliances but this was designed to fit into most budgets. The induction cooktop in the matte black kitchen does not remain hot once cooking is done so its safe to touch its surface. This induction cooktop however, does not have that safety feature and will remain hot for a few minutes after cooking is done. This means that you have to be careful if children are present in the kitchen.

Who is this type of kitchen design good for?

This kitchen is suitable for most families or even rental properties as it budget friendly and easy to maintain. Some of the materials are however, not stain resistant which means that it is advisable for you to wipe away and spills once you are finished cooking. Most spills will not stain the benchtop or cabinet fronts even if you do not wipe them straightaway.

However, spills like red wine, beetroot juice and turmeric should be wiped off sooner rather than later to avoid staining. This however may not be a great kitchen design for people who prefer more classic and traditional kitchen designs.

Where from now?

If you are looking for a kitchen renovation quote then the best way would be to ring us at 0800 199 888 to secure an on-site visit with a project manager. At the end of 3-4 days you will receive your detailed proposal as one complementary design of your kitchen.

Alternatively, we encourage you to visit our showroom at 16B Link drive, Wairau Valley where you can first hand look at the quality of our workmanship. You can also secure an on-site visit with the showroom consultants when you visit our showroom.

Further Resources

Ideas for Bathroom renovations in our bathroom renovation gallery of bathrooms we have renovated in Auckland
Ideas for Kitchen renovations in our kitchen renovation gallery for kitchens we have renovated in Auckland
Featured projects and Client stories to see specifications on some of the projects.
Real client stories from Auckland

Bathroom Renovation, Kitchen Renovation

10 Mistakes to Avoid in Your Kitchen Design by our kitchen designers

September 27, 20210

When thinking about your kitchen design, you often think that it will mean a lot of fun and creativity. Kitchen renovations are not cheap so if you are looking at renovating or designing your kitchen then you would have thought long and hard about it. It’s a change that you’re willing to invest in to create a better space and environment that is best suited towards your aesthetic and liking. Not every kitchen design works for every family. An open plan kitchen design could work for some family dynamics while an separate kitchen might work for others.

Getting the kitchen design is vital for a fully functioning kitchen that works for your family and a space that you can enjoy in as a family.

Although the second we get into the process of designing and changing up our space it can become overwhelming. What colour goes best? What style is better? There are a hundred questions popping through your mind to ensure that you’re not spending thousands to end up making a mistake. Kitchen designers however are trained to put your vision into a working and fully functioning reality which is why they are often an integral part of a kitchen renovation process.

It is also easily possible to make mistakes when designing your kitchen so we created the top 10 mistakes that our designers have outlined that you should avoid during a kitchen renovation. We have also outlined the top design trend in kitchen design as well as bathroom design to find out what most Aucklanders prefer in terms of style.

10 Mistakes to Avoid in Your Kitchen Design

There are many mistakes that are bound to happen when you’re designing your own kitchen for the first time. Kitchen designs require more thought as they are many factors, elements, and materials to consider which can make you unintentionally make these mistakes.

Here are 10 mistakes that you should avoid in your kitchen design.

1. Not Planning your Kitchen Design Properly

Planning and creating a new kitchen suited towards your needs or changing it to make it more modern is always exciting. You finally get to create a new space that you know you’ll love and enjoy spending time in. But it can be overwhelming as you’re looking on Pinterest for kitchen ideas and whilst they look good, they might not be the most functional for you. Not planning your kitchen design properly is a common mistake that people make as there’s so many factors to consider.

When thinking about your kitchen design, consider these 3 things.

Convenience and Practically

When designing your kitchen, always have in consideration of making your kitchen convenience and practical for you and your family. Consider separating each section of the kitchen into 5 zones for consumables, non-consumables, cleaning, preparation, and cooking. Doing this will ensure that your new kitchen will be organised and easy for you to use and within reach.

Optimise your Kitchen Capacity

Storage plays a huge factor when designing your kitchen as there are many things we need to store in the kitchen. You want to create a kitchen that has heaps of storage space for your kitchenware and appliances. Consider including overhead cabinets and shelves to help reduce clutter in your kitchen.

Read: Kitchen Layout guide to building a functional kitchen in 2021

How to Design your Kitchen Layout (Dos and Don’ts).

Knowing the right layout for your kitchen is an important step to consider when designing your kitchen as you’d need to decide where your main kitchen components go like kitchen sink, countertop, fridge, etc. Picking the right layout for your kitchen will help eliminate any future clutter and help ensure the functionality and efficiency of your kitchen construction.

Do put ceiling lights along countertops

Having good lighting in your kitchen is important as it can create mood lighting and create a nice atmosphere in the room. Putting ceiling lights along the countertops will create more light for the work area. Using recessed lights will be perfect for installing lights along the countertops and help open up the kitchen space. This can also eliminate any dark corners on your kitchen counter.

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Example of having lights under the counter | Photo Credit – iStock

Don’t position your fridge near a wall

In your kitchen design layout, the biggest mistake you can make is putting your fridge right next to a wall. This can be a problem as you might not measure enough space between the wall and your fridge. Which can result in not being able to open your fridge door all the way, which can be a bit annoying. Try to keep your fridge away from the wall so that the fridge door can open all the way.

Do get an island if space allows

A kitchen island provides more counter space in your kitchen as well as a place where everyone gathers. The kitchen can be the heart of your home and having an island tend to be where everybody goes. Whether that be to eat, work, or simply have conversations. Having a kitchen island incorporated in your kitchen would be highly recommended.

Don’t put your waste basket too far from the sink

It’s always a good idea to put your waste basket close to the sink as it makes it easier for you to dispose of any rubbish. The most popular idea to put your kitchen waste basket is inside a cabinet. One of those pull out rubbish bins, that way you’re able to hid the bin and mask any odours that might occur.

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Pull out waste basket near sink

Unsure about kitchen layouts? Check out one of our blogs discussing kitchen layouts and find the one best suited for you!

2. Not Considering the Kitchen Work Triangle

Ever heard of the kitchen work triangle? The kitchen work triangle is a theory that states a kitchen’s three main work areas should form a triangle. The triangle makes it easier for you to reach between your cooking, cleaning, and food storage area with ease, while also providing enough space between them to avoid crowding and for other people to walk through.

Although the kitchen work triangle might not be suited towards you needs, it comes as suggestion from our designers as following the kitchen work triangle will make your kitchen more efficient and we’ve achieved the kitchen work triangle in our past renovations.

3. Not Allowing for Storage Needs

Having adequate storage in a kitchen is crucial as we can often run out of space. Sometimes we may be renovating our kitchen to create more storage space to make our kitchen more organised and less cluttered. Kitchen storage is not limited to being confined to a wall or base cabinets. There are heaps of different ways you can make the most out of your storage space. For a modern design kitchen, consider using open shelving or wall cabinets with glass doors.

4 Ideas to Utilise Storage Space in Your Kitchen

Make Use of Cabinet Doors

Cabinet doors are often left empty as putting stuff there can cause them to be in our way when trying to find what we need in our kitchen drawers. Thought the inside of your cabinet doors is filled with storage possibilities and this is something you should consider utilising your storage space in your kitchen. You could install hooks to store pans or add a slim rack to stash your pot lids and keep all your pots and pans in one place.

Hanging Rack for Pots and Pans

Constantly tired of digging in your kitchen cabinet trying to find the right pan/pot to use? Installing a hanging rack in your kitchen for pots and pans can help eliminate clutter in your cabinet and provide more space for other kitchenware or appliances. That way you can see all your pots and pans in one setting and be able to easily take it out and use it.

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Example of a hanging pot rack to utilise space

Utilise Wall Space

Make the most out of your wall space by installing a knife magnet which displays all your knives in a row. But if that seems too dangerous with kids running around, consider putting in open shelves in your wall space in your kitchen. Having open shelving can be used as extra storage space and it will also become part of the kitchen décor which you could add small plants or succulents.

Give Your Island Drawers

Considering going for an island kitchen layout? To get more storage space, always choose to have drawers in your island. That way you have more storage space for your kitchenware and island handles are often hidden so at first sight, people won’t even notice that your island has drawers.

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Kitchen Island with drawers

4. Not Having Enough Bench Space

Ensuring that you have enough storage space is as important as creating enough bench space in your kitchen. Most household nowadays have appliances like a toaster, coffee machine or an air fryer, and if you’re someone that loves purchasing small kitchen appliances or decorations then making sure you have enough counter space is important

3 Tips to Utilise your Bench Space

Incorporate a Kitchen Island

Having a kitchen island provides another space for food preparation or you could add some barstools and create an eating, working or entertaining space to. Not only does a kitchen island create more storage, it’s also a nice space to entertain people and if you like creating a charcuterie board, the kitchen island makes a great space to take photos and gather friends and family around.

Finished kitchen renovation in Epsom

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3D Design of Kitchen

See more 3D design photos of this kitchen!

Ditch the Double Sink

How often do you end up using 2 sinks? If you answer rarely, only consider sticking with one sink. Having one sink leaves you with more bench space for food preparation, decorations, or appliance placement. Having 2 sinks are always nice but if bench space is more important to you then having one sink is ideal. Especially if you have a small kitchen. Having one sink provides you with more bench space.\

3. Induction Cooktop

Not only are the induction cooktop used as a stove but when they’re turned off then can even be used as another space for food preparation. Can be a place to put your groceries, ingredients, or a mixing bowl without worrying about it spilling or falling. The best thing about having an induction cooktop is that they’re discrete, so depending on the angle it can be invisible. Another bonus is that the cooktops heat up and cool down quickly.

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Induction Cooktop in Kitchen

Notice how the induction cooktop blends in with the counter. At first glance you don’t notice the cooktop unless you look at it closely.

See more photos from this kitchen renovation

5. Hindering Ventilation

When thinking about your kitchen design, always consider ventilation. Ventilation plays a huge part in your kitchen as cooking produces lots of smoke, steam, and odours which can irritate eyes and skin. Having good ventilation in your kitchen can create more comfort as kitchen hoods can provide ventilation to control the air temperature.

How to Improve Ventilation in Your Kitchen

Use a Range Hood

Kitchen hoods are one of the best ways to improve ventilation in your kitchen. Not only do they help remove steam when cooking but they also filter out grease as well. Using your kitchen hood properly means to turn it on when you start cooking and not during the middle or at the end. Be sure to clean your filters regularly to maintain good ventilation.

2. Open Windows

As we all know, opening windows helps let in fresh air which can help get rid of any odours in our house. It’s something that we do whenever it’s sunny. Opening windows during food preparation and when you’re cooking can help improve ventilation in your kitchen. The open window doesn’t have to be in the kitchen, it can be in another room. Whatever works for you as opening any window can help circulation in your house and improve ventilation.

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Window in the kitchen, letting natural light in

See more of this kitchen renovation

Use a Splatter Guard

Using a splatter guard is another way to improve ventilation in your house as they can help prevent any grease and grim from flying around. The splatter guard can also help protect your cabinets and splashback. The splatter guard is a more affordable option and won’t take up any valuable space and is easy to wash.

Invest In an Air Purifier

An air purifier is another useful way to improve ventilation in your kitchen as well as your entire house. This option may not be everyone due to how expensive air purifiers can be, but they do come with great benefits and it’s something to consider. Air purifiers helps remove bad odours and is portable so you can move it to whichever room you want.

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Example of air purifier in room | Photo credit – iStock

6. Forgetting about power points

Power points is the last thing that comes to mind when designing your kitchen as they’re a small item that you need. Whilst power points are essential to have in your household and kitchen, the main problem with power points is placement. Where should power points go in your kitchen? You can’t put them near sinks, and they also need to be well placed so that you can access them easily and prevent overload.

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Power outlets that can be pushed back into the counter

This is a great example of installing power outlets into your island or countertop as they can be pushed back into the counter or island and won’t be in the way. Makes it more convenient and less of a tangled mess of wires when using kitchen appliances.

Check out this kitchen renovation in West Auckland

7. Not being creative enough with the design

Picking the right colour for your kitchen can be challenging. Having the right colour scheme can change the aesthetic of your kitchen. It’s almost tempting to have an all-white kitchen as white can go with anything. Use colours to add contrast to your kitchen and try refrain from having an all-white kitchen, unless that is what you’re after. Installing a nice splashback with a pattern or design can make a huge difference in your kitchen.

Check our our blog discussing kitchen colour schemes

8. Poor Lighting

Having good lighting is important as lighting can change the room and adds functionality and it a key component to a great kitchen design. Unfortunately lighting comes as a last thought just like power outlets which is why we need to avoid this mistake. This is an important step to consider as nobody likes having a dark kitchen or uneven lighting.

Best Lighting for Your Kitchen Design and Where to Put Them

What is Task Lighting?

Task lighting focuses on a specific area to provide targeted illumination for accomplishing tasks. This is useful lighting to have in your kitchen as it can be put under your cabinet for extra lighting. Having a well-placed task light can define and highlight the areas of your kitchen where you’re chopping, washing, or serving food. Having task lighting will get rid of any dark countertop corners and remove any shadows. LED strips are perfect for this.

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Example of task lighting in kitchen

See more about this kitchen design

What is Ambient Lighting?

Ambient lighting is used to create a modern and illuminate the room. While there are many different options to choose from when deciding on what lighting you want. The most popular is recessed lighting. These lighting fit right into your ceiling and makes your kitchen look sleeker, while giving ample light to your space. The key thing to remember when using recessed lights is the placement as you want them to look appealing on your ceiling.

When choosing recessed lights, always go for white light bulbs.

What is Accent Lighting?

Accent lighting is purely used as decorative lights that adds to the existing lighting in your kitchen. There are many different lights you can use for accent lighting like a wall lights or pendent lights. Accent lights creates a soft focus on certain key elements in your kitchen based off where you put them. This is one of the versatile kitchen lighting ideas as you can put them wherever you like and there are no limitations.

9. Not asking for professional advice

We love sticking to a budget and creating our own little project that we can do ourselves. There are many different ways that you’re able to change up your kitchen without having to rip everything apart or take things out. But it’s always wise to ask for professional help as it can help you save thousands of dollars and prevent you from making any expensive mistake.

10. Choose the wrong tapware.

When picking finishing touches for your kitchen, there are many different styles and design that you may like. Be careful to always pick finishing touches that are the same style as your kitchen design. You don’t want to have your new kitchen looking odd with different finishing touches. If you’re after a contemporary kitchen, stick with brass tapware.

What is our Design Process?

Design processes can be tricky and confusing if it’s not explained to you properly. Especially if it’s your first time choosing the right company to make your design come true. To ensure that you understand what happens, here is our design process.

Site visit

Once you’ve had your first consultation with our designers, the next step will be to arrange a time that works for everyone so that our designer can have a site visit. This is a required step as our designers are about to take measurements and have a more in depth discussion with you about what you want and what’d you like.

Designing the layout

Based on the measurements taken from the site visit, our designers are then able to starting researching and designing the best layout or style that is bested suited for you. While they’re designing the perfect layout, they’ll also give suggestion based on the structure. We try our best to design a bathroom or kitchen that is based off your requirements but our designers do make suggestions here and there.

Colour Design and material choosing

Once we’ve finished designing the layout, we add some colour and materials that you have picked out for your kitchen or bathroom. During this process, our designers Cici and Dorothy are able to go with you to pick out colours and fittings and be able to give suggestions along the way.

Finalise all the fittings and appliances

Lastly, we finalise all your fittings and appliances in the design and from then on, they’ll email you the finished 3D design that they have created for you. From then you can discuss with our designers about any changes you’d like to make. Once you’ve approved of the design, then we’re able to start renovating and making you one step closer to having your dream room!

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One of our 3D kitchen designs

Want more information about the process? Here is how we work with you!

Key Mistake to Avoid Making in the Design Process

The main mistake that you should avoid making in the design process is not communicating with our designers properly. Communication is an important step when renovating as miscommunication can create problems and end up having you wasting thousands on something you don’t like.

Advice From Our Designer

When trying to design your own kitchen or bathroom by yourself, our designers advice is to make sure that your design makes the space highly functionally and aesthetically pleasing but making your space aesthetically pleasing is a personal choice. Some more advice for you when you’re designing your own kitchen or bathroom, you should always question why you want to redesign the space. But most importantly, our designers have advised that you should always seek out professional help.

Before starting on your design, you need to first consider what kind of style would suit you best and go well with the rest of the house. To provide you with the best information possible, we’ve asked Cici and Dorothy our in house designers on what they think is the most popular style and trend for a kitchen or bathroom design. Our in house designers Cici and Dorothy both said that the most popular style for bathroom or kitchen is contemporary and modern.

Our in house designer Dorothy said, ‘that most clients prefer modern or contemporary design as they both has simple elements to boost the room size and tend to be naturally brighter.”

Down below, we have listed some elements that you need to make your bathroom or kitchen style look contemporary or modern.

Elements of a Contemporary Bathroom Design

Contemporary bathrooms just so happens to be the most popular bathroom style. We’ve also asked our designers on what style is popular when it comes to bathrooms and they both said contemporary. This style is most popular as you’re able to incorporate some modern features here and there.

Here are 6 elements that you need for your contemporary style bathroom.

1. Neutral Foundation

When thinking about having a contemporary style bathroom, neutral hues is the way to go when thinking about colour choices. Contemporary bathrooms mainly use white, black or a neutral colour for the overall look of the bathroom. Pure white or black foundations work best, and it allows you more freedom to decorate your bathroom to your liking. Later on in your bathroom decorations, you can also be able to accentuate the setting with a vibrant greenery and natural earthy materials. You can always use some vibrate colours as well to frame the room and give it a unique vibe.

2. Introducing Natural Elements Throughout

Designing a contemporary bathroom can be challenging as there are only certain elements you can choose that is within your style. Introducing natural elements throughout your bathroom can play a vital role to create a perfect symbiosis between modern sleek and timeless traditional. Opt for using natural materials like choosing natural instead of man-made materials. Look for hardwood, bamboo, cork, or stone to bring a bit of outdoors into your bathroom.

Natural Elements you can Add to your Bathroom

Widen Windows

Consider having bigger windows in your bathroom instead of small one. This can add a sense of tranquillity in your bathroom. Having a wider window also helps let in fresh air which is good for ventilation and getting rid of any damp bathroom smell. Having wider windows also helps let in more natural sunlight which provides your bathroom with a more natural look.

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Wider windows in bathroom

Natural Light

Allowing as much natural light into your bathroom will provide a natural element and make the bathroom feel more open. Try to avoid covering your windows during the daytime as you’ll block the natural light. If you’re concerned for your privacy, consider incorporating plants outside your bathroom window. So you’ll be able to enjoy the outdoor view from your bathroom while still maintaining your privacy.

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Natural sunlight in bathroom

Check out this bathroom renovation in Redvale

Add Greenery

Adding some succulents or plants to your bathroom decoration can help add vibrancy and natural focal points to your bathroom. Some plants can decrease levels of certain pollutants, reduce airborne dust, increase humidity and lower stress levels for people who see them.

3. Clean Lines

Clean horizontal lines are a main element of a contemporary bathroom as this can be applied to bathtubs, cabinets, and fixtures. Curvy, undulating planes have little relevance in a contemporary bathroom. Though the sharpness of certain elements can be softened with smooth angles as well. Think rectilinear in your cabinet choices to keep it basic.

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Clean lines in this modern contemporary bathroom

4. Less Ornamentation

Contemporary bathroom designs requires little to no ornamentation as contemporary design is all about sleek, clean lines. White tiles with solid colours or natural grain and texture are preferred over ones with ornate patterns. Instead of using ornate details and décor, contemporary spaces tend to stick more to colours with hues that are on the opposite end of the spectrum.

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Example of lack of ornamentation | Photo credit – iStock

5. Simple Lighting

In contemporary bathrooms, simplicity is a running theme that extends towards lighting as well. Natural lighting is an important element to have in your contemporary bathroom as this can be easily achieved with the right choice of windows. Consider non ornate lighting fixtures or cone lighting on the walls, ample overhead lighting as well as top lighting for your vanity.

6. Lack of Clutter

Contemporary spaces have a minimalistic aesthetic and may not be well suited for everyone. Appliances and bathroom necessities like lotions, brushes, and appliances all how their own space hidden and tucked away so you’re not able to see it. Therefore it helps eliminate any clutter in the bathroom. Giving the bathroom a nice sleek look.

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Lack of clutter on sink counter

See more photos from our Bathroom Renovation in Titirangi

Elements of a Modern Kitchen Design

Nowadays, the most popular kitchen style ranges from modern or contemporary or a mix of modern and contemporary elements. We asked our inhouse designers on which style is most popular that our clients choose and they both said modern.

Down below we have come up with 8 elements that make a modern kitchen.

1. Flat-Panel Door Style

Having a flat-panel door style helps create a sleek look in your kitchen. This can also be referred to as a slab-door style and is a signature element of a modern kitchen design. This is best used for your kitchen cabinets and is one of the most popular style. Some modern kitchens may use the shaker door style, but that leans more towards a transitional kitchen.

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Flat Panel Door Style in Kitchen Design

See more of this kitchen design in Epsom

2. Frameless, fully-overlay cabinet construction

There are many names that are thrown around to describe this cabinet construction. What it means is that the door overlays the cabinet box, because when you look at the cabinets all you see are doors. Using these cabinets will allow you to have the exact same spacing between all your cabinets and drawers. This style is often use to create a more sleeker look for your modern kitchen design.

3. Sleek and Simple Hardware

Sleek and simple hardware can be integrated into cabinets as well as tubular or flat linear pulls. The sleek handles helps defines the cabinets. Modern kitchen cabinet are often pair with this type of hardware as it helps accentuates the lines of the cabinet. Full length cabinets are also a great option because it can add to the minimalist aesthetic and the horizontal lines will also be accentuated by the cabinet.

4. Lack of Ornamentation

The lack of ornamentation is where contemporary and modern kitchen stop being similar. In a modern kitchen, you won’t have or see any patterned tile shapes or colour with a modern design. The splashback is often glass to tie in with the sleek look and in a modern kitchen style, there will be no patterns or veining.

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Lack of Ornamentation in Kitchen Design

Check out more photos of this kitchen renovation in Albany

5. Reliance on the beauty of natural materials

While a modern kitchen lacks ornamentation, that doesn’t mean your modern kitchen can’t be decorate. Since they don’t use any ornamentation for decorations, modern style rely on natural elements and materials. Using natural characteristics in materials, like the horizontal grain of oak or the veining of marble can often be found to add variety to the kitchen.

Tips to Bring A Natural Feel To Your Kitchen Design

Incorporate Large House Plants

Adding natural elements like houseplants can help add a natural feel to your kitchen. This is a great way to decorate your kitchen. If you kitchen has any free space and receives lots of natural light then adding large house plants that do well with the environment can make it look more natural and open up your kitchen a bit more.

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Example of house plant in kitchen | Photo Credit – iStock

Wood

Wood has always been a popular natural element to add to any design as there are many things that can be constructed out of wood. Like flooring, cabinets, furniture, etc. Using wood accents helps create a natural look that contrasts well with foliage and light and will do well to provide your kitchen with a natural feel.

Skylight

Being able to incorporate a skylight in your kitchen will definitely give your kitchen a natural feel. Having a skylight brightens up your kitchen with the amount of natural light coming in and can create a warm atmosphere. Although, skylights may not be for everyone or is too expensive to install, consider having large windows. Having large windows in your kitchen is also a great way to let natural light in, making the space feel more open.

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Example of having natural light from large windows | Photo Credit – iStock

6. Use of Horizontal Lines

In a modern kitchen design, they all share the same tendency to using horizontal lines. They can either be wide or long stacks of drawer cabinets lined in a row. The hardware of these cabinets are set long and horizontal so that they’re able to accentuate the lines of the drawers.

7. Consistency in style of accent pieces

In a modern kitchen style, all accent pieces like bar stools, lighting, chairs and tables should stay consistent in colour and style or else you end up having an eclectic kitchen rather than a modern kitchen. Sleek bar stools and pendant lights are consistent with a modern style and in some cases, you can add some colour to your accent pieces and you kitchen can still look modern.

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Consistent accent style pieces across the kitchen design

To conclude, the design process can be tricky especially if it’s your first time. Creating your own design can be fun as you’re able to create something you know you’ll love. But there are many mistakes that you can make and hopefully with the help of this blog, you’re able to avoid these mistakes. This blog also contains elements of a contemporary bathroom and elements of a modern kitchen as those two styles are the most popular at the moment as said by our designers Cici and Dorothy

Following this guide will be sure to help you avoid any mistakes that you could make in your kitchen design and tips to ensure that you don’t make these mistakes in your kitchen design. So get out there and start designing a space that you’d love and enjoy spending time in!

Already have all your own trades and you’re comfortable managing them for your kitchen renovation?

Although we don’t recommend if you haven’t renovated a kitchen before and/or you don’t have trades people you can trust, most renovations if not all comes with it’s own surprises because not all homes are the same – this is where experience/project management plays an important role in minimises risks to maintain costs/delays giving you higher certainty of outcome/quality backed by associated guarantees and warranties.

However, if you do intend to manage the kitchen renovation yourself, it does work out more cost effective to contact a kitchen cabinetry manufacturer directly to get the kitchen cabinets designed, manufactured and installed – leaving you to manage the other trades such as flooring, demolition, painting, plastering, splashback/tiling, electrician, plumber, and sometimes a carpenter/builder.

Try Little Giant Interiors cost calculator below to see what you can expect to pay for cabinetry.

Further Resources

Ideas for Bathroom renovations in our bathroom renovation gallery of bathrooms we have renovated in Auckland
Ideas for Kitchen renovations in our kitchen renovation gallery for kitchens we have renovated in Auckland
Featured projects and Client stories to see specifications on some of the projects.
Real client stories from Auckland

House Renovation

A Guide For Your Smart Home Essentials. Benefits and Tips

August 12, 20210

In our digital world, technology is constantly changing and getting better which should come as no surprise that people have invented ways to make our homes smarter and our lives easier. But if you’re still unsure about investing into smart homes, then this article is perfect for you. There are plenty of benefits to having a smart home, keep reading to find out more!

Smart homes may seem convenient for others, but others may also struggle with the idea of smart homes. Smart homes are a huge change and can impact how you and your family live for the next few years. When considering your kitchen or bathroom renovation and design consider installing some smart home appliances.

Curious about smart bulbs or exploring the new amazing capabilities of your new voice assistant? There are many researches that can be found on smart homes NZ and how you can make your house a smart home. Best thing about it, is that you don’t need a full house renovation to make your house a smart home. Having some kitchen design ideas with smart solution home ideas can work wonders in just one room. This can be done in many ways and you’ve probably come across two keywords that is repeated in all your research findings. Smart home and home automation. So what are the differences between those two key terms?

If you assume that these two terms are somewhat similar, you are correct! These two terms are closely related, but they do refer to different things that makes them different from one another.

Smart homes in NZ refers to electronic devices and sensors that can be controlled over the internet or your own local network like your phone, computer and other devices. These devices most often have their own separate app that you’d use to control within certain ecosystem. And it also doesn’t require a full home renovation for it to work. For example, Alexa is a home assistant smart device that you can set up and make it towards your liking. As Alexa is a part of Amazon, there is a separate app needed in order to set up you Alexa.

Home automation refers to a methodology for using smart home devices. The purpose of home automation is to make devices work automatically so that it can response to what you’re doing. While also requiring little to no interaction with any app or physical interface as we try to incorporate this into smart homes NZ.

For example, Philips Hue smart bulbs. You can set them up to a certain ‘scene’ or lighting for a movie night. With a smart home, you’ll open your smart home app to adjust the lighting. But, with home automation, you can set up an automation that can detect when you’re watching a movie and adjust the lights for you. While this can be done to any room you pick, consider going for a full home renovation to be able to have all those nice features in every room.

Content:

7 Benefits of having a Smart Home
Cost of Setting up and Running a Smart Home
How to get started on a Basic Smart home
Top 4 energy efficient Smart appliances
Creating Smart bathrooms
The future of Smart Kitchens in NZ
Tips to have a secure smart home security system
Our top 4 automation systems

7 Benefits of Having a Smart Home in NZ

1. Entertainment

The main form of entertainment we indulge in nowadays is connecting our streaming services to our Tv’s. Which provides you with a bigger screen to watch your favourite movie or tv show on. When first starting to invest in smart homes, Google Chromecast or Apple TV is a good starting point. These are smart home gadgets which can be controlled via voice if you have a compatible smart assistant. Not only is it exclusive to watching movies and tv shows, it’s also another way to blast your music while doing chores.

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Example of Chromecast/Apple Tv

2. General Appliances

There are many appliances that be control towards your smart home and make your life easier. There are a huge variety of smart appliances that you could choose from. Few examples are fridges, ovens, heaters, air conditioners, which those appliances are able to give you notifications. A popular appliance that most people have in their homes are automatic vacuums which will send you a notification once it’s finished or if it’s stuck somewhere in the house. Some appliances can be controlled on your phone or by using voice commands. Voice commands only work if you have a smart device, like Alexa or Google Assistant.

3. Lighting and Temperature Control

Are you all comfy and warm in your bed but forgot to turn the lights off? With your smart home appliances like purchasing smart lights, you can turn the lights off from your phone and stay in your cocoon of warmth. Having a smart thermostat in your household can also be controlled from your phone or using voice command.

4. Home Security

Security plays a huge part in our lives as we want to keep our belongings secure. With a smart home, you’re able to control your gates from your phone. Install cameras which you can also see from your phone and purchase a smart doorbell which comes with a camera. Works best if you’re connected with Wi-Fi.

5. Sustainability

Smart home appliances are environmentally friendly and can be sustainable for you as there are gadgets and appliances that can track your energy usage and water consumption. This can help you use less energy and water.

6. Remote Access

The best thing about investing into a smart home is that everything can be controlled from your phone no matter where you are as long as you have a strong internet connection. Think you left the lights on while you’re on vacation? Worry no more because with remote access, you’re able to turn the lights off from your phone.

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Remote Access through your smart phone | Photo Credit – iStock

7. Accessibility

Smart homes are easy to use and accessible to everyone. This can be extremely helpful with people who have a disability as they can use voice commands to turn things on and off and be able to control things without having to get up.

Cost of Setting up & Running a Smart Home

With upgrading your house, there will always be associated costs and creating a smart home is no different. Smart homes NZ do have smart home appliances and smart home technology that do cost significantly more due to the lack of interest and popularity in them. But it’s been predicted that these prices may drop and become more popular in the next few years. Running a smart home can also be costly as you’re introducing more powered devices to your house. Look at it this way, buying a house is an investment. Doing a full home renovation so that you love your house even more is also an investment. Setting up a smart home is also an investment.

Setup Costs

Setting up your smart home NZ or purchasing your very first smart home technology can cost significantly more than ordinary items that does the exact same things but with manual assistant. An example of this could be having LED bulbs. LED bulbs can range between $10 – $20. Whereas smart bulbs can range from $30 – $40. A little jump in price but it’s enough reason as to why consumers prefer not to adopt in smart home technology.

Running Costs

It’s no secret that having a smart home will incur additional running costs to your power bill. However, with intelligent choices and enough research, you can reduce your costs and lower you water and electricity usage.

Taking your time and carefully considering when choosing your smart home technology, setting up and managing your IoT (Internet of Things) appliances can have a positive impact on the cost in smart homes NZ.

Do Smart Homes Save Money?

Smart homes can indeed save money. As said before having a smart home is an investment that can pay off in the long run. To save money you’ll need to set up and manage the devices correctly. When setting up your smart home devices or items. Consider on-time and power consumption. Creating smart solution homes by choosing energy efficient smart homes technology. When you do a full home renovation, we encourage you to think about incorporating smart solution ideas in your full home renovation.

When purchasing smart bulbs, consider buying the more energy efficient LED lights. With many researches, LED lights are shown to be the better option as they run cooler, use less energy and last longer than incandescent bulbs. Studies have found that LED bulbs use between 75% and 80% less energy than an incandescent bulb.

Another benefit to encourage you to use LED bulbs is the extended lifetime they have. Most if not all LED bulbs have around 25,000 hours of life. Compared to incandescent bulb which can last around 1000 hours.

As said earlier, LED bulbs are significantly cooler than incandescent. Incandescent bulbs in the house can slowly increase the ambient temperature of the house, increasing the costs of cooling the house. When thinking about a full home renovation, consider opting for LED bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs in smart homes NZ.

Another way a smart home can help you save money is investing in purchasing a smart thermostat which can help you save on energy bills. Smart thermostats can allow excellent control over heating and cooling the house and you’re able to monitor the temperature with your phone.

How to Get Started with a Basic Smart Home?

Starting to move towards having a smart home is very exciting no matter if it’s one smart item or multiple smart items. But if you are looking to create an 100% smart home. It’s important to plan it out and consider smart home technology and smart solution homes. Which can help you get the best possible solution for your budget.

Planning

Thinking of having a smart home? But not sure where to start? There are many smart devices that is advertised to you. But not all of them are the right fit for you or your house. This is where planning becomes a vital stage of creating a smart home. There are many tools to help with this process and make your planning easier.

Firstly, you’d want to do research in which smart home device is compatible with your home. Start by writing down the different devices that would work well with your house. If there’s too many options, consider a pros and cons list of them all.

Secondly, you’d want to decide where you’ll place the device. The most popular place that people put their smart devices is usually in the living room or the kitchen. This is due to having easy access to power outlets. Some smart devices also have a wired network capability and can often work better when wired.

Once that is all sorted, you can go ahead and set up your smart device. You’d want to set up schedules which can help reduce your energy bills as well as playing around with it to get more comfortable with the app. Trying out all the features that your smart device can provide. This is a great way to slowly inch your way to making you house a smart house with smart home technology.

Installing

When it comes to setting up smart devices that are somewhat like Amazon Alexa, they are easy to set up. But with smart bulbs and smart outlets, it can be a different story entirely. If you need help installing new outlets or needing new cable runs. It’s the safest choice for you to hire an electrician who can do all the electrical work.

Top 4 Recommended Energy Efficient Appliances

1. Smart Thermostats

When renovating your house, consider purchasing a smart thermostat for your house. Or if you’re designing your house, switch out your old thermostat for a smart thermostat. This can help cut down on energy consumption. Smart thermostats help regulate and automate your heating and cooling. They can also be controlled from your phone.

smart-thermostat-with-a-person-saving-energy-with-a-smart-device-on-a-picture-id1192217349?k=6&m=1192217349&s=612x612&w=0&h=VdxrXzrgn1YjyQqJTq30tfVXzMAZV5s8-kNR-G0ucbc=, Kitchen Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation Auckland

Smart Thermostat which can be controlled from phone | Photo Credit – iStock

2. Smart Lighting

When designing your house, consider purchasing smart lighting that can connect to your smart home device. Having smart lights in your smart home means you can schedule when the lights turn on and off. Switching to LED bulbs will also help reduce your energy usage.

Check out some smart light bulbs from Bunnings

3. Smart Fridge

When considering your kitchen design, opt for a smart fridge as they are energy efficient and come with heaps of benefits. A smart fridge gives you an option to write a virtual bulletin board for your family with a ‘to do list’, reminders or quote of the day. Sick of having expired food in your fridge? With the smart fridge, the appliance is able to keep track of expiration dates, so you don’t waste any food.

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Smart Fridge with touch screen options | Photo Credit – iStock

4. Smart Outlets

Thinking of making your house more modern? Consider switching some outlets to smart outlets to make your house eco-friendly. Normal outlets constantly drain energy even when you aren’t using it and to stop it from draining energy, you’ll have to turn the outlet off. Not everyone has time to turn the outlet on and off everything. With the smart outlet, they automatically detect when you aren’t using it and cuts the power off. This is a great way to be more energy efficient.

How to Secure Your Smart Home Security? 5 Essential Tips

1. Set up your router correctly

A key tip when thinking about securing your smart home security is understanding that your Wi-Fi router is the doorway to your smart home. Setting up your router correctly by following all instructions and these tips will secure your home security. Therefore, eliminating the threat of a possible hacker.

2. Change the routers default name

It’s important to change your router name as keeping it as the default name will make it easier for people to find default login details. Using the default name will make it easier for others to gain access to your smart home. When changing the router name, be creative and remember to leave personal details out.

3. Set the password to something unique

Include capital letters, numbers and symbols in your password which can create a super strong password for your smart home security. You can also consider using a random password generator if you can’t come with anything. The generator will provide you options and be sure to write the password down somewhere in case you forget it.

4. Disable features you don’t use

There are many features that come with a smart device, and most times you’ll end up only using a few things. Be sure to disable any feature you don’t need like voice control on certain features. This is because if someone hacks into your smart device, they’re able to listen to your conversations and hear everything you say. Therefore, disabling features, you don’t use, eliminates the threat of that problem.

5. Enable multi-factor authentication

Enable a multi-factor authentication onto your smart home device is a great way to increase security and prevent others from hacking your smart home device. The best two factor authentication to use for a smart device is sending a verification code to your mobile device to gain access to the smart home device. As we always have our phone on us, if you get sent a verification code that you’re unsure off you can change the password on your smart home device or improve the security.

Benefits of Installing Smart Kitchen Appliances

1. Smart devices provide useful notifications

With technology growing, smart appliances are becoming trendy and somewhat useful. Based on the smart appliances you have, they’re able to send you notifications to let you know if you didn’t close the fridge properly, or if the dishwasher is finished. Mundane tasks that could let you get on with other things you need to do without worrying if you left the fridge open or not as your smart appliances or devices will send you a notification.

With smart appliances and smart devices, they’ll let you know if they’re malfunctioning, and you’ll be able to get them fixed before they actually break.

photo-1584091377126-3817650725fc?ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8Mnx8bm90aWZpY2F0aW9ufGVufDB8fDB8fA%3D%3D&ixlib=rb-1.2, Kitchen Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation Auckland

Notification received on phone

2. Energy efficient appliances cut costs

Although smart appliances are more expensive than normal household appliances, they’re a good investment to make when creating a smart home. Not only are you just investing in the appliance itself, but you’re also investing into the software and technology that is integrated into the appliance.

Smart kitchen appliances can help you track your energy consumption by letting you know which is using the most energy to help you cut cost. These smart kitchen appliances can be monitor on a regular daily basis from your phone.

3. Cooking made easy

With having a smart kitchen, it makes cooking easier as there are some smart kitchen appliances that lets you know important information. An example of this would be letting you know the perfect temperature for cooked meat which will eliminate any food poisoning. This makes preparing food safer.

There are some smart ovens that don’t require you to sit around the kitchen and keep an eye on the oven to make sure your food isn’t burning. The smart oven itself will cook your dish for you and then put it on ‘warming mode’ until you’re ready to eat. There are many benefits to having smart appliances in your kitchen and this is one of them.

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Example of a small smart oven | Photo Credit – iStock

4. Less worry when you’re on vacation

Constantly think someone is going to break into your house when you’re on vacation? With your smart home, you’ll be able to keep an eye on your home and eliminate any worries you might have. Having smart lights in your smart home will make your house feel less empty when you’re on vacation. Which can give an illusion of someone being home because the lights are on since smart lights are accessible from your device.

5. Smart Appliances

Some great smart appliances to add to your smart home kitchen are smart dishwashers and smart refrigerators. Smart refrigerators have a camera in the inside so, when shopping for groceries you’ll know what you need. Having a smart refrigerator also helps monitor and control energy usage and sends you a notification letting you know if there is a power outage or if you didn’t close the door properly.

A great feature that is included in a smart dishwasher is that if there were a leak, the dishwasher would let you know. Smart dishwashers stop working once it detects a leak and shut themselves off to protect flooring. Which is helpful as you’re able to get that fixed asap. These are some essential items to think about having in your smart home.

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Example of having a smart dishwasher and features | Photo Credit – iStock

How to Create a Smart Bathroom? 6 Tips to Help.

1. Voice control in the bathroom

With your smart device, you’re able to take advantage of using voice commands when showering or too busy to do it yourself. You can use your smart devices to adjust smart lighting or to change music. The best thing about this is that you can use any smart device to do this. Using a virtual digital assistant helps add another layer of convenience to your smart home and make your bathroom design more luxurious.

2. Smart shower

Are you always waiting for your shower to heat up before jumping in? With smart showers you don’t have to wait for the shower to heat up. Smart showers let you adjust the temperature towards your liking, so you can step into the shower with the perfect water temperature. Another benefit of a smart shower is that you can adjust a time limit for your shower to ensure that you’re not late for anything. Smart showers help lower your water usage and smart showers also come with Bluetooth speakers which can connect to your phone. Have a shower, have a party, have a concert.

3. Soaking tubs

Having a smart bathroom doesn’t always have to mean having smart appliances or a smart device. Creating a smart bathroom can be from how you design the space and keeping bathroom accessories organized. Standalone soaking tubs are a great way to help eliminate clutter in your bathroom. Having a standalone soaking tub in your bathroom will help replicate the experience of a spa treatment. If your bathroom has space, consider purchasing a standing bathtub in your bathroom design.

Although our past renovated bathrooms don’t feature all smart bathroom appliances and gadgets. The most popular item that most bathroom renovations are standalone tubs or soaking tubs. Check out a few of our bathroom renovations with a standalone bathtub below!

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Soaking Tub | Photo Credit – Unsplash

Standalone Bathtub in Greenhithe

Standalone Bathtub in Redvale

4. 21^st century toilets

Bidets have been around for a while now, most popular in Japan. Although people see bidets as a luxury product and unusual to have in your home. When thinking of 21^st century toilets, there are more products that aren’t bidets. So, if bidets aren’t your thing, don’t worry. There are other ways to smarten up your bathroom.

Smart toilets have motion sensors that can put the toilet seat up or down, depending on your preference. Some toilets will automatically flush on its own once you’ve finished your business. There are also smart toilets that can self-clean. Some benefits of having a smart toilet are that they’re environmentally friendly, reduce the risk of overflowing and some smart toilets can instantly clean themselves. This will definitely add a new element into your smart home. Consider them in your bathroom design.

Web_1200x900-Roca-Meridian-Back-to-Wall-Bidet-1-Taphole-White, Kitchen Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation Auckland

Example of Bidet in Bathroom | Photo Credit: Reece

5. Intelligent faucets

Smart faucets have been around for a while and some shopping malls have implemented them into public toilets. This is a great idea nowadays as it reduces the risk of and germs and bacteria spreading as those faucets are motion sensor. Consider smart faucets in your bathroom design. Having a smart faucet in your smart home will help lower your water usage and saves energy. Also eliminates bacteria spreading around the house if someone in the family is sick.

6. Design

Want a smart bathroom but on a budget? There are many different ways that you can create a smart bathroom without purchasing all the smart bathroom appliances. You can create a smart bathroom by purchasing small gadgets like a smart outlet to start off with. Changing your bathroom fixtures and fittings is a great way to create a smart bathroom without all the expensive appliances. Consider fittings and fixtures that can make your bathroom look smart in your bathroom design.

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Example of a smart bathroom design | Photo Credit – iStock

Check out our top 15 bathroom design trends blog for more inspiration

The History of Kitchen Technology

Kitchen technology has always been in the works since our technology has become more advanced. As it helps reduce the amount of work that we need to do in the kitchen. Since kitchen appliances have been around for a very long time, it’s hard to make changes to making your kitchen smarter. As decades go past, the design and style of kitchen appliances have become smarter, sleeker, and more energy efficient. Over the years there has been plenty of changes to create smart homes technology as well as coming up with smart solution homes to make life easier. Especially more creative ideas for small kitchen design as not everyone has the luxury of having a big kitchen.

High – tech Kitchen Trends

As often stated, the kitchen is the heart of the home. In your kitchen design idea, make sure to spend extra time making sure that the kitchen is perfect for your needs. As it is the heart of the home, we often spend a lot of time in there. Not only does it serve as a place where you cook, but a place where everyone can gather and where you can entertain guests. Or cooking a meal but also feeling included with friends and family. How to design a kitchen that can incorporate all these things? Smart home technology has come a long way and there are now smart kitchen appliances that you can purchase. Incorporate them into your kitchen design idea.

Total Integration and Automation

Due to the pandemic, everyone has spent most of the year stuck in their house. Some may have discovered that their house was lacking a bit in terms of entertainment and caring for their needs. It’s safe to say that we’ve had those days where we just want to be lazy. Having smart home technology can really help with being lazy on those days. Having total integration of your smart home devices will mean that you can control every smart home technology from your phone.

Smart homes NZ will need to have smart solution homes so that your device connected to smart home technology is flexible. Instead of having a full home renovation to make your smart home flexible. You can start small and consider kitchen design ideas to make space for smart home technology. Smart devices can be customised and will become more popular in the next few years to come.

Disaster Preparation

Due to climate change and the constant increase temperature of our planet, can cause natural disasters to happen more often. Homeowners are looking to be prepared for whatever my strike. We’d want to feel safe and comfortable knowing that we can survive instead our homes for an extended period. Which is ironic as many if not all of us have stayed in our houses for months, only leaving for groceries. Having these smart solution homes can help make your house more fun and enjoyable to live in if we were to be stuck inside for a long period of time.

To prepare, people are thinking how to design a kitchen? Sure, you’re current kitchen is fine but if you’re looking for an upgrade, you’d want to start thinking about small kitchen designs or kitchen design ideas based on how big your kitchen is.

Purchasing water storage systems, backup generators for refrigerators, long term food storage areas ad solar water heaters are becoming more popular for the unforeseeable future. Some research says that in the upcoming years. As we move into more of a technology age, new builds will also have some technology integrated into the houses to meet homeowners’ desires.

Self – Cleaning

We love a clean house. But sometimes it can be hard to motivate yourself to clean the house. With smart home technology, there will soon be more smart solution home ideas to make cleaning easier. With touchless appliances, robot vacuums with built – in mops and be able to introduce more voice control integration. That way you can just shout out to your smart device to start the vacuum and the vacuum starts. How cool is that! Especially if you need small kitchen design idea to make your kitchen more interesting. Having self-cleaning appliances are perfect for the lazy days.

Ever since the pandemic hit, we’ve been cleaning more often and sanitising everything. Not only that but we’ve been spending a whole year at home and more cautious around frequently touched surfaces in public spaces. How to design a kitchen that can also help reduce the spread of germs? Having smart home technology can help enable consumers to have touchless access and be able to control stuff straight from their mobile devices or through voice commands. This smart home solution will make your house even more safer during high risk times and more convenient for you.

Going Green

Nowadays, we are trying our best to reduce our environmental footprint. Therefore, resulting in kitchen design ideas that will ensure having a greener kitchen. Having a greener kitchen is expected to be the next upcoming trend for future kitchen design trends. Which you can think about adding in your small kitchen design idea. This is due to having more appliances that will be more sustainable and efficient.

Smart homes NZ requires smart solution home ideas to reduce your environmental footprint by purchasing smart home technology this is more efficient. Although having smart home technology uses power to work, you may be worried about your utility bill going up. But that’s not the case. Using smart appliances in smart homes NZ can help you reduce your utility bill due to them being energy efficient.

Devices to Expect in Kitchens of the Future

As we move more into the future, our technology will only gross and become more advance. Down below we have found 6 high tech that are already here or for the future that will make your time in the kitchen more fun. And what you can expect your smart home to look like in the next decade or so?

1. Countertop Projector

Countertop project has been introduced to the world for the last decade or so but not many people are interested in it. As it’s still in the works and coming up with ways to make it better. Here is just a few reasons as to why you should get one for your smart home technology. This device allows you to control other appliances, scan the thickness of food as well as being able to get tips on how to cook certain items.

Another added benefit is that the countertop project doesn’t take up any counter space as we all know counter space is crucial. It can also help improve your cooking and baking skill. When thinking about your kitchen design ideas, consider having a countertop projector to make your cookier easier. Unfortunately, there aren’t as many options available to purchase from in New Zealand so further research is needed.

Countertop projector can be small which is perfect for a small kitchen design as storage space is super important in a small kitchen design as you’d want to ensure that your kitchen is perfect.

2. Steam Oven

If you’re not a big fan of cooking, you’d love learning about smart solution home idea to make your cooking easier. This is where steam ovens come in. Steam cooking is becoming the healthier alternative to other cooking methods. Like frying or baking. Using the steam oven still provides the same taste as how you’ll cook it normally. This will eliminate the unnecessary oil that pops up when you cook.

An advantage of using a steam oven is that it’s energy efficient and have an energy efficient consumption system. With the steam oven, it can also cook your food faster than regular ovens which also helps you save energy. If you’re having a late dinner, using a steam oven would be more efficient as you won’t have to wait long to cook the food you’d want to eat.

3. Smart Scales

If you’re interested in eating healthy or staring a new diet like going on a calorie deficit. The smart scale may be able to help you out. Not only does a smart scale tell you how much something weighs but they can break down it’s nutritional value. So, you won’t have to search it up as it’s right there in front of you.

In some cases, you can even use the smart scale to weigh your entire meal and get all the nutritional value of it. If set up right, you may even be able to connect the smart scale with your favourite nutritional app to keep track. It’s small and light, which is perfect for a small kitchen design as you’d want to utilise all the space available.

4. Digital Backsplashes

In a small kitchen design, the most important thing is space. And knowing how to utilise the space. Having a digital backsplash instead of tiled backsplashes would prove more useful. Sure, it’s a bit expensive to have a digital backsplash but in the end, it’d be money well spent. This smart home technology can allow you to watch tv, look up recipes and be able to control your other smart home appliances.

Feeling bored of your tiled backsplash? With the digital backsplash you can change it to whatever you want. Whether that is photos of friends and family or artwork. Something that suits your aesthetic or mood of the day. you can. Change you backsplash every single day if you’d life. No need to go shopping and spending more money to change your tile backsplash when you get sick of it.

While this technology has yet to be introduced to the market. Consumers are already doing their research on how well the digital backsplash can benefit them. It’d make following a video teaching you how to make something much easier as you can use your entire backsplash as a screen. For small kitchen design ideas this would be perfection for decoration purposes as you have limited space to decorate as well as still being able to utilise your kitchen space.

5. Smart Oven Hood

Oven hoods play a huge part in making our kitchen functional helps with air circulation and help reduce odours. When you question how to design a kitchen. You’d always want to make space for an oven hood as that is crucial to have in your kitchen design ideas. Smart oven hoods will be able to provide you access with your favourite apps. Even comes with a built in camera so you’re able to live stream your cooking skills and techniques.

Once again, this is perfect for a small kitchen design idea as every kitchen needs an oven hood. So why not get a smart oven hood that is multi-functional!

6. High – Tech Lighting

As we slowly move into incorporating smart home technology in our homes. Smart homes NZ have introduced smart light bulbs and plugs as smart solution homes idea. This is due to them being easy to install and allow for total customization. As our technology evolves more, we’ll be able to control our lighting with our voice.

How to design a kitchen? Consider kitchen lighting as you’d want to make sure that every inch of the kitchen has light and not a dark corner. Consider ambient and task lighting in your kitchen design idea. In the next few upcoming years, windows and blinds can also be adjusted automatically to reduce sun glare, allow sunlight or darken a room based on your needs and activity.

Which Features Matter Most?

As consumers, we mainly only go for smart solutions home that can really benefit us. For example smart lights that we can control via voice command or from our smart devices. Which can lead to number of smart gadgets that don’t communicate well. Also resulting in have dozens of different apps to control your house.

To solve this issue and ensure that you won’t have this problem. Consider purchasing a smart home automation hub that can support all the devices you wish to have in your smart home.

Smart Sensors Protect the Home

There are many benefits to investing in smart home technology. Especially as they’re able to let you know how well they’re functioning and what needs repairing when faulty. Usually we wouldn’t notice if something was faulty unless it starts acting up. This can result in costly consequences.

Smart thermostats are able to provide alerts if your house loses power or if the temperature goes below or above your maximum or minimum temperature.

Having smart kitchen appliances can also help detect any water leaks. Alerting owner about any potential leaks. So you’re able to get it repaired before it gets worse.

How Environmentally Friendly are Smart Homes?

Smart homes have been known to be environmentally friendly with smart appliances as they help lower your water and energy usage. A popular smart technology that helps make your smart home environmentally friendly are smart thermostats. You can adjust the temperate from your phone and smart thermostats will automatically turn off if a door was left open. This can help minimize your carbon footprint.

Another way that having a smart home can help minimise your carbon footprint is having smart lighting. With smart lighting you’re able to control from your phone. This can ensure that you’ve turned your lights off when going on vacation. Wasting electricity and forgetting to turn lights off leaves a massive carbon footprint, so investing in smart lighting helps make your home environmentally friendly.

3 Reasons Why Smart Home Features Increase Your Home’s Value

1. Increased Security

Video doorbells are amazing smart home technology that you can incorporate into your house to increase your home safety and your house value. Having a video doorbell is now becoming more popular as people purchase their first homes. This allows you to see who is it at door from your smart device as we’re more cautious when it comes to opening the front door. While it’s unlikely that a burglar would push past you to enter your home, it’s also handy to avoid talking to door to door salesman.

Video doorbells works with wireless technology as they’re easy to install and provides a two way video and audio communication system. That way you can jokingly deny access to your friends and family.

Not only that, but your video doorbell also works as a security camera so you’re able to see when your package has been delivered. And for many other reasons like being able to see if someone was causing a problem or vandalising your property.

2. Fully Automated Home

Best thing about having one integrated systems that connects all your smart home technology in your smart home is that you’re able to control everything and anything at all times! This definitely creates a huge selling point to buyers as it brings more ease and convenience into your busy lives.

This is where your smart assistant like Amazon Alexa would come into play and be extremely helpful. As you can connect them all to your Alexa and control them from one app. This can work with any smart assistant and is not limited to Amazon Alexa.

Smart home assistants are completely voice controlled once set up and can be voice commanded to control your lights, home media, heating, air conditioner and many more. Not only can your smart assistant control your smart home technology. But it can also tell you information on just about everything. As smart assistants have AI technology, they’re able to learn from interactions and provide you with content that you’ll like.

3. A Warm Welcome Home

Currently, the most popular smart home solution is smart lighting system. They can add significant value to your home as it provides many benefits. Did you know that smart lighting can increase the security in your home? This is due to you activating them to turn on even when you aren’t home to give the illusion that someone is home.

After having a long day, you don’t want to come home to complete darkness. Having smart lights that can activate around a certain time is a great way to be welcomed home to lift your spirits. Especially when you can also control your air conditioning from your phone. You’ll walk into a perfectly lit warm household. Perfect for those cold winter days.

Another benefit of smart lights is that you’re able to customise the light setting. Perfect if you’re waking up early or going to bed late. You’re able to dim the lights so that you’re still able to see but also not wake or disturb anyone else.

Having the help of your smart assistant, you can tell them to turn the lights on and off as you leave an empty room which can increase the value of your house.

Having automated heating systems allow you to pre-set the heating so your house temperature is perfect at all time. This ensures that your home is always warm or cool but also stops you from wasting money and energy heating up your house when you’re not there. Forgot if you turned the heater off or not? With an automated heating system, you’re able to double check straight from your phone.

There are many great benefits to investing in smart home technology as they have your home more comfortable and convenient for you and your family. If you’re interested, look for smart home technology that will help increase security. Creating a warm, comfortable environment and potentially your dream home without the extra costs of having a full house renovation.

Top Smart Devices to Use in Your Smart Home.

There are plenty of smart devices that are coming out nowadays, which gives you as a consumer plenty of options. Though having too many options can be overwhelming. The top three smart devices to install for your smart home is the Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Siri aka HomePod.

Based on our research we have found some advantages of using these three smart devices. Advantages for Amazon Alexa is that it’s easy to use and easy to set up and Alexa has more than 10,000 skills. Alexa can answer anything you ask her although her response might not be the answer you want. Another advantage of Alexa is that it’s compatible with any device. A main disadvantage of Alexa is that you can’t trigger her from your phone and Alexa doesn’t always understand you inquires.

photo-1568910748155-01ca989dbdd6?ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8Mnx8YWxleGF8ZW58MHx8MHx8&ixlib=rb-1.2, Kitchen Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation Auckland

Amazon Alexa | Photo Credit – Unsplash

Google Home or Google Assistant is another popular smart device suitable for your smart home. Some advantages of Google Home are that they’ve proven that their AI is more advance than any other smart devices. A disadvantage of Google Home is that you can only summon it by saying ‘Ok Google”, which can become annoying. Another one is that Google Home also won’t understand your commands and inquires all the time.

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Google Assistant | Photo Credit – Unsplash

Lastly, another smart device that is the HomePod which is associated with Apple’s Siri and some advantages of this smart device is that it’s easy to set up because it works directly with your home kit app that is already installed into your phone. A big disadvantage is that this is only accessible via apple products. So, if you don’t have an apple product then the HomePod is not available for you to use.

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Apple HomePod | Photo Credit – Unsplash

Further Resources

Ideas for Bathroom renovations in our bathroom renovation gallery of bathrooms we have renovated in Auckland
Ideas for Kitchen renovations in our kitchen renovation gallery for kitchens we have renovated in Auckland
Featured projects and Client stories to see specifications on some of the projects.
Real client stories from Auckland

Bathroom Renovation

How To Make The Most Out Of Your Small Bathroom with Design

July 27, 20210

Small bathrooms are often a determining factor that decides whether you purchase a house or apartment. Renovating a small bathroom can sometimes seem pointless as you might not be staying there for too long or you might just not have any ideas. But even so, there are plenty of tips to design your small bathroom to give an illusion of space.

There are many different bathroom designs that would best suit your and your family’s taste. Our small bathroom design tips have been curated based on advice from our in-house designers as well as the trend we have seen with Auckland home owners.

In this article about small bathroom renovations:

17 Tips to Design your small bathroom design
Dos and Don’ts of Tilling Your small bathroom design
Design mistakes to avoid for a small bathroom design
10 Small Powder Room Design Ideas

How to make the most out of your Small Bathroom Design

Found the perfect place? Is the bathroom too small for your liking?

No matter where you live, bathrooms are always lacking in square footage. You want a home that you love in every room including the bathroom. Just because the bathroom is small. It just means it gives you a little side project to redecorate and design a bathroom to your liking.

But there’s no reason why having a small bathroom should stop you from creating a space that you love and enjoy spending time in. All it takes to improve your small bathroom is the right type of storage space. Some carefully placed decorations and a bit of optimism and effort to make it happen. Down below are 17 tips that we think will help you design your small bathroom and ways you can make it feel more open and spacious.

17 Tips To Designing and Renovating your Small Bathroom

1. Don’t Block the Sunlight

Natural light is best proven to style your small bathroom to make it feel open and spacious. Dark bathroom can dampens your mood and doesn’t look as nice compared to natural sunlight and having a dark bathroom won’t help make your bathroom feel open and spacious.

The combination of white wall and an abundance of natural light can make a space look a lot bigger. I your bathroom has a window, consider blinds, and get rid of your curtains. Especially if you have a mirror in the bathroom. The natural light will reflect and provide your bathroom with a sense of peace and makes it feel more open and spacious.

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Natural light from windows with blinds in Redvale

See the full bathroom renovation in Redvale.

2. Keep it Simple

Using larger tiles also helps make your small bathroom look more bigger. Especially with a simple design as well as using subway tiles and hardware. Keeping your bathroom simple also implies sticking with one or two colors as having too many colors won’t make your bathroom look more spacious. Here is an example of one of our renovated bathrooms keeping it simple with sticking with one or two colors.

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Simple colors used in bathroom renovation

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Simple bathroom tiles in Greenlane

See full bathroom renovation at Joanne and Steve’s in Greenlane.

3. Use Dark Accents

A style success that works well with designing a bathroom to make it look more spacious is using black and white with metallic hardware. When designing your bathroom, it’s good to keep dark accents in mind as they can help provide a pop of contrast in a white bathroom.

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Dark accents used in bathroom renovation in Redvale

Design tip: This vanity set was custom built to fit within this small bathroom design which utilizes the space well and provides more storage space.

4. Try Something Different

If you’re going for a more modern style in your bathroom, you should try mixing it up with traditional elements which can help create a rich and colourful bathroom. If you’re styling a bathroom based on a budget, invest on wallpaper as they are a great way to play with pattern or add a fun little flair without having to spend a ton of money and can fit within your budget. Just because the bathroom is small, don’t limit yourself to how much you can really do with the style.

If you’re feeling bold, go ahead and arrange a gallery wall on your bathroom walls.

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Spanish style mosaic tiles and brass gold sink

Mosaic tiles in Hillsborough

5. Opt for a Monochromatic Palette.

Finding the perfect colour for your small bathroom may be the hardest part of designing your bathroom. It can often feel overwhelming and to help minimise your stress by picking just one colour, switch to choosing a monochromatic palette instead. That way you have different shades of colour which would also work well with bathroom sinks, tiles, shower, etc.

6. Swap your Shower Curtain for a Glass Door

Ever notice how lucite and acrylic furniture tends to disappear and make the space look much bigger? Glass shower doors have the same effect. To make the most out of your space in your small bathroom, considering swapping out your shower curtain for glass doors as this will help make your bathroom feel bigger.

Glass Shower Door in West Harbour

Glass shower door in a project in Westmere

Bathroom Renovation in Greenhithe

Black and White Bathroom Renovation in Rosedale, Albany

7. Even if there’s room for two, consider a single sink to increase counter space.

Although having two sinks are nice, realistically how often do you really use two sinks? Even if there is enough space for two sinks, consider only getting one as you’ll be able to have more counter space allowing you more storage space for your skincare/beauty products. Most people use counter space more than the sink when getting ready, therefore eliminating the need for two sinks. To make your small bathroom feel larger, consider only purchasing one sink. Storage space is important!

Single sink in contemporary design in Titirangi

See full contemporary bathroom renovation in Titirangi

8. Hang a medicine cabinet above the toilet.

Most medicine cabinets are always hung above the sink with a mirror at the front which eliminates you the chance of having a big, beautiful mirror above the sink which can also help reflect natural light and make your small bathroom feel bigger. To solve this problem, you should hang your medicine cabinet above the toilet as it keeps it out of your way and provides you with another option for storage space.

9. Use open shelving to store towels or other pretty essentials.

Using open storage is a perfect way to make your bathroom look bigger and more open. In a small bathroom there is plenty of space on the wall for open shelves compared to having cabinets which can make the space feel compact and small. They also give you an option to redecorate where you put your bathroom essentials whenever you feel like it.

10. Take your shower tile all the way to the ceiling.

Experts agree that you should always take you shower tile all the way to the ceiling as it adds a feeling of height and draws your attention away from how close the walls are. Doing this will also help make your small bathroom feel more modern and make the shower space look larger. If you’re designing your small bathroom on a budget, consider purchasing white subway tiles as they’re an affordable and classic option for this look.

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Tiling to the ceiling in vintage bathroom renovation

Modern Vintage Bathroom Renovation in Greenhithe

11. Decorative Waste Baskets

Whilst creating an illusion to making your bathroom look bigger, there is only so much decorating you can do to keep up that illusion. One of the things you can decorate however you want is waste baskets. Waste baskets are nice and small and doesn’t take up space which is perfect for your small bathroom as every bathroom needs a waste basket.

There are several different ways to use a decorative waste basket in your bathroom. First, you can choose a beautiful leather waste basket which is an incredibly elegant option. Leather is very beautiful and quite versatile in terms of looks. Leather is mainly known to be a traditional brown or black colour. But those aren’t the only colours that can help decorate your bathroom. Colours like white, grey, pink, etc are also good in terms of boosting your design quality and there many other options for decorative waste baskets.

Another popular option that people have in their bathrooms for waste baskets is stainless steel waste baskets. Chrome is a great example of a stainless-steel waste basket as they are extremely versatile in bathroom design, due to their durability, reliability, and affordability. The shine of these metallic finishes is very attractive and can often serve as a small focal point of a smaller bathroom design.

12. Decorative Towel Hooks

Another decorating option for you when designing your small bathroom is towel hooks. Although they are some of the smallest bathroom accessories, that doesn’t mean you can’t find the most decorative towel hooks. For a bathroom that is mainly white, finding black towel hooks would give the bathroom more contrast and make it pop due to the dark accents. There are different styles that towel hooks come in like chrome, stainless-steel, matte black or white and many more. Each of these different designs will offer a unique yet traditional element to your small bathroom design.

Bathroom hooks have more than one purpose and there are many ways you can use them for. Since you are designing your bathroom, don’t limit yourself to different decorative ideas. Here are just a few examples on the different ways you can use bathrooms hooks. You can use bathroom hooks to hang shelves, mesh bags for storage, loofahs, and shower scrubs, hanging baskets, etc. Bathroom hooks are incredibly versatile and are worth using when decorating a small bathroom area so let your creativity shine through here!

13. Wall Mounted Bathroom Sinks

Wall mounted bathroom sinks are crucial to have when designing your small bathroom as you’d want to have as much storage space as you can and having a wall mounted bathroom sink opens up space underneath the sink for you to store bathroom essentials. Not only does having a wall mounted sink opens more space, but it also helps make your bathroom feel bigger which is what we want. There are plenty of various shapes and designs that can add a great level of sense to your small bathroom design.

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Wall mounted sink in Papatoetoe bathroom renovation

14. Bathroom Vanity Accessory Sets

There’s only so much creativity input that you can put into designing your small bathroom. But what all bathroom needs are vanity accessory sets which includes soap dishes, soap dispensers, toothbrush holders and other similar small accessories. Purchasing a bathroom vanity accessory set with increase the cohesiveness of your vanity area and is another thing you can decorate to your liking.

When purchasing bathroom vanity accessory sets, it’s important to find colours that best match your bathroom theme. It would be good to pick dark colours for your bathroom vanity accessory set if the theme of your bathroom is bright, as it will bring a bit of contrast and bring some colour to the room. Some common materials and finishes include ceramic, solid brass, chrome, brushed nickel, gold, and many more.

15. Magnifying Mirrors

You can never have too many mirrors, right? Magnifying mirrors are another small bathroom decoration that you can either put away or keep it on the counter. The mirror is perfect for the ladies when getting ready and applying their makeup. Since magnifying mirrors don’t take much space even if they were mounted on the wall. This is the preferred installation method for small bathrooms. To decorate the magnifying mirror some more, consider purchasing ones that have LED lighting which is useful for shaving, makeup, and similar things you may need it for.

Not only are the extremely useful, but they also come with a series of elegant design features that make a great addition of décor to your small bathroom. Main colours they come in are chrome, matte black, matte white. This is a great feature to consider as they’re highly likely to match well with your other bathroom accessories. This will create the perfect bathroom vanity area for yourself or a guest and receive compliments for your bathroom design. This magnifying mirror will be an additional with a wall mirror for better comfort as no bathroom is complete without a wall mirror.

16. Wall Décor

Wall décor is one of the best ways to decorate your small bathroom as there is limited space. Keeping your wall space empty eliminates potential storage space. Which limits you to how much decorating you can do for your bathroom. One of the most common wall décors in a small bathroom is wall art as they come in many different forms. Therefore, providing you with plenty of options to choose from. It’s important to choose a wall art that goes with the theme of your bathroom design to create a cohesive and comfortable space.

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Featured tile wall in Westmere

17. Ceiling Décor

Nowadays plants and succulents are very popular in households. They give people more creativity when it comes to decorating their house and provides a touch of colour. So why stop there? Add some hanging plants that thrive in humidity from the steam in the shower. It provides a touch of colour and gives you more decorating opportunities. Some plants that thrive well are aloe vera and ferns which is the perfect ceiling décor that you could have in your bathroom as finishing touches.

Another ceiling décor is lighting as that is another creativity opportunity for you to find the perfect lights for your bathroom that goes with your design. LED lights are most known to be used for bathrooms, but they might not suit your bathroom design. Ceiling décor is usually the last thought, but they are the most useful and most needed. Take your time and explore your options and pick what works best for your bathroom theme or style.

Dos and Don’ts of Tiling a Small Bathroom Design

When designing your small bathroom, there are many of tiles to choose from and different ways you can install them into your small bathroom. But there are many mistakes that are often made. These tips will help make your small bathroom look more attractive and spacious.

Due to the abundance of design and colors in the market nowadays. Choosing the perfect tiles for you can help make your small bathroom look bigger. Picking correct tile for your small bathroom takes planning and deliberations. This may be the biggest task you’d need to do before you can decorate your bathroom and requires a huge amount of patience. Before you invest into any materials, consider the following guidelines to help avoid an expensive mistake or something you’ll regret.

Do Carefully Measure the Space

Before you start making any major changes in your small bathroom, it’s best to measure the space beforehand and write it down which would help you find the right tiles you need, etc. Especially with smaller bathrooms, you’d want to make sure that the numbers are right to make the most out of the space. When calculating the amount of tile needed for floors or walls, you need to multiply the lengths of the area you are covering by the width to find the square footage. Double check your numbers before ordering and always purchase more than you need in case it’s not enough.

Don’t Scrimp When Buying Tiles

Why should you buy extra tiles? It’s always good to purchase more than you need as you never know when you might run out of material, and it can be frustrating as you’d have to pause the task to purchase some more and if you’re after custom tiles then it could take the supplier a few weeks to get more before you can finish your tiling. Ordering extra tiles are always useful as you might’ve miscalculated, or some tiles broke and cutting them up to fit into spaces. There are many reasons as to why you should always have extra tiles for future purposes. Check to see if your retailers offer refunds or exchanges on unopened boxes of tiles.

Do Think Small-Scale

If large tiles aren’t your style, there are many small-scale tiles that are the perfect fit for you that can make your small bathroom feel bigger. Using mosaic tiles are a great way to visually expand your small bathroom as they come with a variety of colors and style. Consider using glass mosaics tiles as they help deepen the illusion of having a bigger bathroom with more reflected light.

Don’t Underestimate Large Tiles

You may think large tiles won’t look good in a small bathroom due to the lack of square footage. You should think about using large tiles when designing your small bathroom. Because it can actually make your bathroom look bigger. Since our brain associates big tiles with a larger space, it gives off an illusion that a room is bigger than it is. If you’re considering large tiles treatment to your floors, consider continuing them up the wall to the height of a chair rail.

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Large 600 by 600 tiles used on the floors

More examples…

Ellerslie bathroom renovation with large 600 by 600 tiles used on the floors

Papatoetoe bathroom renovation with large 600 by 600 tiles used on the floors

Greenlane bathroom renovation with large 600 by 600 tiles used on the floors

Do Keep It Simple

Select a variety of soft-hued colors that are a few shades lighter or darker than each other when selecting tiles as this will keep the bathroom simple compared to having different colors and patterns as that will overwhelm the space and make it seem cramped which is not what we want. Keep it simple, consider smaller-scale design.

Don’t Skip the Preparation

This is an extremely important step that you shouldn’t skip when tiling a small bathroom. Before you start, ensure that the surface you’re working on is clean, smooth, and solid, otherwise it will cause tiles to crack of loosen and allows moisture to get behind tiles from uneven walls which can cause them to loosen and fall off. Which would be disappointing to see after completing this labor-intensive project. Also remember to remove any wallpaper from walls and sand the surface before applying tiles to prevent those things from happening.

Do Set Tiles in a Diagonal Pattern

Another way you can make your small bathroom be perceived as bigger is by tiling your tiles in a diagonal pattern which gives off an illusion that your bathroom is bigger than it actually is. Although doing diagonal tile patterns require more planning, precise measuring, and cutting and may seem easier to not diagonal patterns, this is something to think about as it would make your small bathroom feel larger.

Key tip before starting – Use a graph paper to lay out a scaled diagram of your floor.

Don’t Use Shiny Tiles for small floor tiles

When thinking about tiles for your bathroom, don’t consider glossy tiles or polished stone as they can be a hazard for you. Although they may look nice and luxurious in your bathroom, you will more likely injure yourself more in your bathroom than anywhere else in your house. Once those tiles get wet, they become slippery and when rushing in the morning you can forget that they get slippery. But if you are 100% sold on glossy tiles, there are tiles that have a low slip resistance which can help minimize risk of falls/injuries. Be sure to check with your retailer before purchasing.

7 Design mistakes to avoid in Renovating a Small Bathroom

Small bathrooms aren’t always ideal but we just have to make do. But that doesn’t mean you can’t improve it the second you get in there. Our bathrooms are supposed to be a relaxing space to end our days.

Thinking of designing your small bathroom to your style and standard? Don’t let your lack of square footage discourage your creativity side. Design and organization experts explained the mistakes people make in their small bathroom design that aren’t doing any favors to make your small bathroom look more open and spacious.

Down below are 7 mistakes you should avoid when designing your small bathroom.

1. Thinking Everything Needs to Be White

Nowadays a lot of people are going for a more modern design for their bathroom regardless of the size which entails having white sinks. White counters. White bathtubs, and white walls. Although using white isn’t a bad thing but using dark colours and bold patterns in a small space can make a huge impact in a small room and bring colour into it. Don’t be afraid to use colours!

Although you have limited space, don’t hold your creativity back!

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Use of colour on the floor and bathroom vanity

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Spanish Style mosaic tiles in Stanmore Bay

2. Keeping Everything Out in the Open

Storage is one of the most crucial things that you need in your small bathroom. Clutter has always been the enemy of small spaces. Without the proper storage space, you will end up having a cramped-up area eliminating your goal of making you small bathroom look bigger. This would be a good idea to purchase bathroom vanity accessories set that go with your colour theme as you can put your toothbrush, soap, toothpaste, etc. Minimizing the items on your bathroom counter, stick to 3 things which most of them include what you need in a bathroom vanity accessory set. Add a decorative item like a plant or succulent.

Often, we forgot to utilize our storage space under our sink as we tend to put our bathroom stuff on the sink counter. Have them on shelves that we have scatter around the bathroom. To avoid making this mistake, invest more into looking at storage spaces to hide your bathroom essentials to make the room look more organized and less cluttered. Remember to use the space under your sink.

3. Focusing on Décor Without a Purpose

Designing a small bathroom can be overwhelming as there’s only so much decorating you can do, and you can either have a bathroom that is overflowing with decorations or have a bathroom that barely has any decorations. Even if you don’t want to over decorate your bathroom with flowers, wall art or succulents you can purchase an open storage shelf and place functional items like towels. Gathering inspiration from Pinterest on how to decorate your small bathroom is also extremely helpful.

4. Limiting Yourself to Bathroom Specific Items

If other houses in your room have wall art, or flowers, consider purchasing some to put in your bathroom. Another design mistake to avoid is limiting yourself to ONLY bathroom decorations and let’s be honest here. Bathroom decorations aren’t always the best. Using decorations in the bathroom that you can find anywhere else in the house makes it feel homier.

Based on previous small bathroom designs. The best non bathroom decoration you could put in your bathroom are plants that thrive well with the humidity of the bathroom. Hanging plants are a most popular one.

5. Not Thinking Beyond the Vanity

Counter space is not the only storage space available! Skincare products, makeup tend to fill up counter space which creates more clutter and makes your small bathroom feel more cramped that it is. Although it’s easy to put most products near the vanity/counter because it’s easier for you to reach, they aren’t the most helpful. Consider getting a medicine cabinet with storage space or install some floating shelves to utilize that wall space.

6.Going Small Because the Room is Small

Go big or go home! Just because you have a small bathroom doesn’t mean you can’t purchase big items for your bathroom. In fact, only purchasing small items can make your small bathroom feel crowded and create clutter which is not what we want. Purchasing medium/big decorations can make a huge difference in a small space.

7. Letting the Room Flatter You

A key point to always remember is that you’re designing the bathroom towards your needs and your standards. Bathrooms are always a space that’s about taking a moment for yourself and self-care no matter the size. It’s a place where we go every night to relax.

Key tips – create good lighting using natural light. A dim bedroom may be nice, but a dim bathroom is not. A brighter space can brighten up your mood more so than a dark space.

10 Small Powder Room Design Ideas

Powder rooms only contain the essentials like a toilet, sink and a mirror. It’s mainly used for guests when they stay over or when you host get togethers. It’s a place where you and your guests can get ready. Touch up on their makeup or for people to recharge themselves. Powder rooms are a lot easier and cheaper to design as it’s a small space and won’t suffer from steam or humidity. Which opens a range of options when thinking about designing it. To gather inspiration for your powder room design, here are 10 small powder room ideas.

1. Eclectic

There are many ways you can decorate your powder room with the eclectic theme. Eclectic powder rooms mainly consist of vintage decorations. This would be a perfect chance for you to transform a period dresser into a washbasin. If you are very interested in vintage items, and vintage theme rooms, then this is the perfect design for you.

2. Metallic

Metallic finishes on your powder room gives it the perfect touch to bring the whole room together. These finishes are currently trendy, and these touches can be applied to any rooms in your house. Using gold, copper, and bronze with polished nickel and chrome metal will give the room warm. But for a more luxurious upscale look, use marble and dark wood accents to compliment your metallic powder room.

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Example of metallic finishes | (Photo credit: Tile Depot)

3. Minimal

If you’re after a simpler design, then this minimal powder room idea is perfect for you. This design only requires a single colour to tie walls, fixtures and finishing touches together. Using a darker wall colour will create a dramatic and intimate atmosphere and a metal washbasin creates focus. When creating a minimal design, always opt for a light-colours floor as it bounces light around and will help keep the room from feeling small.

4. Oriental

After a more eastern décor? This oriental theme powder room design is the right fit for you. Create a custom vanity with a mosaic design and combine it with a patterned tile accent wall. Using a dark red wall colour will create a rich backdrop that invokes oriental designs and will help highlight the accent wall. Include an eastern-influenced vanity mirror and decorative lightning to complete the look.

Still stuck on ideas for your oriental design power room? Check out Pinterest for more ideas and inspiration.

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Red accent wall |(Photo credit: Tile Depot)

5. Rustic

Rustic powder room design has finishing touches that include wood and. You can create a more modern design to this rustic powder room look by using a natural wood vanity and a black metal mirror. To avoid a heavy cabin like feel to your powder room. Opt for lighter wood finishes, and white tiles to bring the room together.

6. Colourful

Be creative and have fun designing your powder room by making it colourful! Use bold colour wallpaper to create a theme and choose different colours for bath accessories that complement the wallpaper well to create a fun, simple, and colourful room. Go bold and have a different colour washbasin instead of sticking with the usual white colour ones. Contrast the room with simple white fixtures and finishes to keep it from overwhelming the room.

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Example of adding colour to bathroom |(Photo credit: Tile Depot)

7. Playful

Create a playful powder room by using fun wallpaper with different patterns and colour that provides the room with a more playful feel. Using an interesting wallpaper will add colour and interest as well as character to your powder room without overwhelming it and making it look busy and cramped.

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Playful wallpaper in bathroom | (Photo credit: Tile Depot)

8. Mid-Century Modern

Sick of the modern powder room design? With the mid-century modern design twist, you are sure to spruce up your powder room with this theme. Add a pop of colour to your walls, even your floors. Add in a nice rug to give it some colour. Make it interesting and include fun details like retro wallpaper, mid-century artwork and include some vintage vibes.

9. Organic

Love natural light? Love plants? This organic design is perfect for your powder room. Using light colour wood with earth-tone finishes and textures would make the room lighter. Include plants and river stone pebbles to tie the room together and make it more organic.

10. Urban

Make your powder room have characteristics of a city you love by using colours like black and white. Use dark walls and furnishings to visually expand the room. Also consider using large scale tiles to create a graphic pattern. To finish it off, use white in contrast to draw attention the key features in your powder room.

As you can see, there are many different creative ways to design your small bathroom and 17 design tips to design your small bathroom to make it more open and create the illusion of space. We have also included 7 mistakes that you should avoid when designing your small bathroom to help you avoid cluttering up the small space. If you’re on a budget and decided to DIY your own tiles in your small bathroom, we have also given a few dos and don’ts when it comes to tilling your small bathroom. Not only do we have tips for small bathrooms, but we also have 10 small powder room ideas to help make it more look more appealing and towards your liking.

With our helpful tips, you’ll be sure to design a beautiful bathroom and make your small bathroom look more open and spacious as the lack of square footage shouldn’t discourage you from designing a small bathroom towards your liking.

Bathroom Renovation, Media

Q & A with Holly (The Kitchen Hub) – Choosing the right tapware for your bathroom design

November 12, 20200

Bathrooms are often the smallest space in any home which means that they must find the right balance between functionality and aesthetics within any bathroom design. Even a decade ago, most bathrooms had a clinical look about them with white tiles or walls and standard shiny chrome fixtures. Bathrooms of today however are very different in terms of aesthetics as there are many more options to choose from.

One of the easiest ways to improve the look of your bathroom is to integrate statement taps within your bathroom design. Bathroom accessories are often overshadowed by bathtubs and vanity which means that they are often a secondary consideration when renovating. Most people don’t realise however that statement tapware can really elevate a bathroom design.

Statement tapware and basins can transform a bathroom whether you are doing minor upgrades or renovating your entire bathroom. In the last year or so we have seen an increasing number of our clients opting for designer tapware for their bathroom design.

Hence we decided to look for suppliers in Auckland that could fill this niche and hence our partnership with The Kitchen Hub was formed. The Kitchen Hub specialises in designer tapware for bathrooms and kitchens designed by leading designers in Australia, UK and the USA.

We met with Holly from The Kitchen Hub to understand a bit more about their company and the trends in tapware seen in Auckland.

This article will discuss the following:

Q & A with Holly – The Kitchen Hub’s process on narrowing down the right tapware for clients
Top 5 Tips on choosing the right type of bathroom accessories for different styled homes in Auckland

Meet Holly from The Kitchen Hub

“My role is to assist in promoting and advertising our bespoke collection of kitchen, bathroom and laundry products. My passion is to create brand awareness for our high-end boutique ranges that will assist our clients in discovering and selecting the right products for their homes. At The Kitchen Hub, we strive ourselves on offering unique brands that create luxury statements. Which is why I am always working closely alongside our clients to help provide innovative outcomes.”

Holly, Sales & Marketing Manager

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We sat down with Holly from The Kitchen Hub to see how she helps clients with their tapware choice

Superior Renovations: How can clients narrow down their choices amidst such an overwhelming tapware selection?

Holly: I usually first ask what kind of budget they are working with and how much they are willing to allocate towards the products that they are after. If they are working with a tight budget then I will usually point them towards Meir and our other more cost effective brands, or if they have a larger budget then I will suggest Astra Walker or The Watermark Collection.

Understanding the client’s budget helps me identify the brands that are suited for them. Once I have identified the brand, then I dive a little deeper and start to understand the design a bit more. This is where I ask what kind of build it is (new build or renovation) and whether it is contemporary or traditional design. This helps me narrow down to specific product ranges which I can then show to the client.

Superior Renovations: How do people choose through the various finishes? How do you help them choose?

Holly: Selecting finishes will depend on various factors. First I need to understand what the setting is and who will be using the tapware. If it is for a family home, then clients will be wanting something that is durable and easy to clean. So I tend to recommend a stainless steel or brushed finish, something that won’t show finger prints and is low maintenance. Sometimes, if clients have young children, I do suggest not to use a matte black finish. While most of our matte black finishes are electroplated and are very durable, they still tend be easier to scratch if they are not handled carefully.

Superior Renovations: What is the difference between living finishes and Sealed finishes?

Holly: Living finishes are becoming more popular for their raw and organic appearance. They are designed to change and evolve, so they will develop a unique worn appearance over time. But the aged look is not for everyone.

If our clients want a living finish then our go to would be either Astra Walker or Buddy. These brands offer of range of living finishes, including natural brass and aged brass, which are the most common finishes that our clients tend to go for.

If the client wants a finish that will remain the same over time then I would recommend our trending sealed finishes which are matte black, brushed brass, stainless steel, brushed nickel and gunmetal. These finishes are offered by various different brands which gives a bit more flexibility when it comes to product selection.

Sealed Finish

Living Finish

Superior Renovations: Are there any specific trends that you are seeing in bathroom tapware?

Holly: There are a couple of design trends that have started to emerge with bathroom tapware. I have noticed a lot of people are now going for coloured tapware, especially brass finishes, as opposed to standard chrome and matte black. Living finishes are also becoming increasingly popular for the more industrial and retro design look. Elevated tapware is coming back into fashion as well, with a lot of interest in our cross handle and lever options as opposed to standard wall mixers.

Top 5 tips on choosing the right tapware for your bathroom design

Tip 1 – Design your bathroom which complements the rest of your home

Every person is unique which means that the style of every home is different from the other. However, the 5 broad categories that most homes fit into is contemporary, Traditional, Modern, Rustic, and Industrial. Most homes are not however designed to specific style and often contain a mix and match of various styles.

Modern or minimalistic Bathroom designs

Modern bathroom designs usually have tapware which are sleek and with straight lines. The overall look of a modern bathroom design often features a minimalistic look with a clean and uncluttered look. Most modern bathrooms used to feature shiny tapware, but a growing trend has seen a shift towards black matte tapware. Matte black look adds a certain sophistication to a bathroom design. It is versatile and works with most colour schemes in a bathroom. Even with smaller bathrooms where the colour scheme is often neutral, black matte taps can add a great design element to the bathroom.

Read: TOP 15 BATHROOM DESIGN TRENDS IN NZ FOR 2021 BY DESIGNERS IN AUCKLAND

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If you are going for a Trendy and modern look for your bathroom then this range can be great to incorporate within your bathroom design.

Traditional Villas and Bungalows

Most bungalows and villas in Auckland feature traditional elements within their structure like hardwood floors, casement windows, and traditional chandeliers. The overall design of traditional homes can be carried on to bathrooms while still having modern luxurious like bathtubs and wet rooms. You can add a traditional element to your bathroom design by installing traditional tapware like the classic range from Aster walker. The classic range has taps and bathroom accessories are reminiscent of old Victorian and Edwardian times which come in over 23 textures and colours to suit most traditional bathroom tastes.

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Matte Black Olde English 3 tap set up used from the Astra Walker range. This set up is perfect for Villas and Bungalows that want to retain the old world charm for their homes.

Rustic Style bathrooms

There has been a growing trend in rustic style bathrooms in Auckland. We recently renovated two rustic style bathrooms which featured brass sinks and antique gold finishes. Rustic style bathrooms often feature elements of nature such as wooden accents, warm colours and matte brown or golden fixtures with an antique finish. If you are looking at adding rustic elements to your bathroom then changing your tapware could be a great way to do so.

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Elk Eco Brass is a great choice for a
Rustic bathroom

Icon range can be used for a modern
Rustic Style bathroom

Contemporary bathrooms

Contemporary styled bathrooms are one of the most popular in bathroom designs of today. The contemporary style borrows a bit of every style for a streamlined look. It is mostly a bit of old and a bit of new. There is a lot to choose from when you are designing your bathroom in a contemporary style. When choosing accessories for a contemporary bathroom, think about your colour scheme as well as your family situation.

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Contemporary bathrooms often feature basins which are placed above the countertop with tapware attached on the wall (Metropolis Black matte tapware from The Kitchen Hub)

If you do have a young family then opt for tapware which is shiny and not matte. Matte finish tapware leaves fingerprints on them a lot easier which means you will have to wipe it more often. Hence, if you have a busy household with young children then we would recommend you to use a shiny finish for your tapware.

Industrial style bathrooms

The industrial look was first inspired by the typical New York style apartments. Most industrial design takes clues from old industrial pipes and old factories. This style works great for apartments and architectural homes. However, if you love the look then you can add a vanity, basin or tapware in an industrial design without changing the whole look of the bathroom.

Tip 2 – Choose the right type of shape for your bathroom fixtures

Not all types shapes are right for certain bathroom designs or even the layout. When choosing your tapware make sure that you are choosing something that looks great but also something that is functional for your family. Think about your family dynamics and who is going to be using that bathroom. Are your young children going to use the bathroom, are adults or the elderly members? If young children or someone who is elderly are using the bathroom then it would be best to install a basin and tapware that is easy to use. Perhaps a single leaver which can be used with one hand is more suitable but if there are adults using the bathroom then you can install a 2-leaver set up for your bathroom.

Also think about your overall bathroom design to make decisions on the tapware that you choose. If you have a traditional or vintage look in your bathroom then opt for 3 tap set up for your basin. Use a separate hot and cold-water knob fixture to re-create a traditional vibe. Do not use a very sleek or shiny tapware and basin. Opt for more traditional looking basins and tapware. If you have a more modern or contemporary like set-up then go for large square sinks with tall-curved tapware.

If you have a small bathroom design then think about a smaller and less cumbersome vanity set up. Always choose your bathroom fixtures in accordance with the size of your bathroom. A lot of people make the mistake of buying bulky fixtures for their small bathrooms which often ends up becoming an eyesore when the renovation is completed. A great advantage now is that there are a lot of options when it comes to smaller vanities in various design and style options.

Further inspiration for small bathrooms

15 BATHROOM IDEAS FOR SMALL BATHROOM DESIGNS IN AUCKLAND – 2021 EDITION

Tip 3 – The type of finish you choose should depends on your family situation

Our clients often find it hard to choose the right finish for their tapware due to the countless options available today. They often struggle with whether they should get chrome, matte black, or a brushed finish.

Choosing the right type of sheen or finish is important as they determine how your bathroom will look as well as how you will be maintaining it. So we decided to ask Holly for her expertise in choosing the right finish for bathroom tapware.

When asked how she helped clients using the right finish she said “Selecting finishes will depend on various factors. First, I need to understand what the setting is and who will be using the tapware. If it is for a family home, then clients will be wanting something that is durable and easy to clean. So, I tend to recommend a stainless steel or brushed finish, something that will not show fingerprints and is low maintenance. Sometimes, if clients have young children, I do suggest not to use a matte black finish. While most of our matte black finishes are electroplated and are very durable, they still tend be easier to scratch if they are not handled carefully.

BATHROOM RENOVATION PHOTOS FOR OUR TOP 17 RENOVATIONS IN AUCKLAND

Tip 4 – Size of your bathroom

It is important to choose the correct size of tapware for the size of your bathroom. Getting the size of your tapware wrong can disrupt the overall look and flow of your bathroom design. Before you choose your fittings, you should measure up the space of your bathroom. Measure the space for your vanity, shower, toilet and the height available between your vanity and mirror for the tapware.

If you have a small bathroom then perhaps you can opt for a shorter tapware set up or even wall mounted tapware. If you have plenty of space available, then you can choose a long-arched tapware. The same goes for your vanity. If you have a small bathroom then make sure you measure the space available for your vanity before you go shopping. This will help you choose a set up for your bathroom in terms of aesthetics and functionality.

Tip 5 – Choose tapware that is compatible with your water pressure

If you are renovating your home, then chances are that you are going to be using your existing plumbing. Auckland homes that are built over 20 years ago often have low water pressure. Its always good to check the type of water pressure you are working with before you buy your tapware. You can get your water pressure checked by a professional or simply look at your water cylinder. If you have unequal or low water pressure, then your water cylinder will say ‘low pressure’. Unequal water pressure means that your cold water will have more pressure as compared to your hot water, hence unequal water pressure.

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This porcelain basin and 3 tap set up is perfect for villas with low pressure water (Edwardian Nickel black porcelain basin and tapware from the Astra walker range)

Read: 18 TOP TILE TRENDS IN BATHROOM DESIGN FOR 2021 – NZ EDITION

Newer homes do not have unequal water pressure which means that your cylinder will say ‘main pressure’. The pressure for hot and cold water for newer homes however is equal. Most villas and bungalows in Auckland have low pressure which means that you will have to find tapware which is compatible for low pressure. Most single leaver tapware is only suited for main pressure cylinders . If you have a low pressure water system and are not ready to change it to main pressure then you have to ensure that you choose tapware which is compatible for low pressure water cylinders.

Our Featured renovation projects highlighting bathroom accessories

Rustic Bathroom Renovation in Westmere

This rustic bathroom has all the classic features of natural elements that make a space look warm and inviting. The use of green tiles as a feature wall adds depth to the wet area by making it a calm and serene space. Matte gold is often used in rustic design and was hence used in the design of this bathroom.

Read – Full project details for this bathroom renovation

Tracey’s Artisan Style Contemporary Bathroom renovation in Titirangi, Auckland

This small bathroom was renovated in a black and white theme using designer tiles on the floors and white subway tiles on the walls. We also used a floating wooden vanity to add some warmth in the bathroom along with matte black tapware and shower fixtures keeping the theme in mind.

Read – Full project specifications for this bathroom renovation.

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Spanish Style Kitchen and Bathroom Renovation

Mary Stuart’s renovation was as much as a credit to her as it was to our designers and renovators. She had a clear vision tearing of converting an old closed off kitchen into an open and spacious Spanish style rustic kitchen. Her inspiration came from the arched hallways when she first bought her home. She was not afraid of bold colours and wanted to convert her bathroom and kitchen into a rustic villa reminiscent of Spain right her in Auckland see more

Further Resources for your house interior design

Ideas for Bathroom renovations in our bathroom renovation gallery of bathrooms we have renovated in Auckland
Ideas for Kitchen renovations in our kitchen renovation gallery for kitchens we have renovated in Auckland
Featured projects and Client stories to see specifications on some of the projects.
Real client stories from Auckland

What kind of bathrooms are best for contemporary bathrooms?

The great thing about contemporary bathroom designs is that they take elements from various styles to bring a cohesive bathroom design and look. This means that you have a lot of options when choose tapware or fixtures for bathroom designs. The growing trend however has been black matte in contemporary designs and stainless steel. If you have more questions about which tapware or bathroom fixture is best for your bathroom design then get in touch with our design team at 0800 199 888 ext 1.

Do I have to get my own designer?

Not when you are renovating with us. We have designers on our team which will help you choose the right bathroom fixtures and tapware for your bathroom.

Can I buy my own bathroom tapware?

We prefer working with our own suppliers in Auckland so we can maintain quality and workmanship. However if there is something that you prefer then bring it along and we can see what we can do.

Still have questions unanswered? schedule a no-obligation consultation with the team at Superior Renovations

WRITTEN BY SUPERIOR RENOVATIONS

Superior Renovations is quickly becoming one of the most recommended renovation company in Auckland and it all comes down to our friendly approach, straightforward pricing, and transparency. When your Auckland home needs renovation/ remodeling services – Superior Renovation is the team you can count on for high-quality workmanship, efficient progress, and cost-effective solutions.

Get started now by booking a free in-home consultation.

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Or call us on 0800 199 888

www.superiorrenovations.co.nz

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Jacquie

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I have recently finished a renovation in our 1930’s bungalow, updating the original (and I do mean original) kitchen and bathroom. Plus creating a new laundry and removing three fireplaces which created two new spaces including an office. From the initial appointment with Alison who came over and then provided drawings and a quotation, to the work with Frank, our project manager and the team, this has been a wonderful renovation experience. I would have described myself as a nervous-renovator prior to doing this, as I had never done a renovation before, but Frank, Alison, Sunny and all the team have worked so tirelessly and generously to create spaces that we love. Superior’s care in managing the project has meant that we have come away with much more than we originally sought to achieve and without the stress I hear others lament about when they renovate. I would recommend Frank, Alison, Sunny and the team at Superior Renovations wholeheartedly.

Ike Harris

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We engaged with three companies to completely renovate our downstairs and ensuite bathrooms. We elected to go with Superior Renovations as they provided us with a fixed price and specific timeline to complete the project (which two other companies could not do), and we were absolutely delighted with the end result. We love everything from the floor and wall tiles to the heated towel rails and from the LCD mirrors to the underfloor heating and soft close lids. We especially loved replacing the old tub in our ensuite with a walk-in shower.The entire process went incredibly smoothly, with the project being completed on budget and ahead of schedule. From the initial design phase to the final touches, nothing was too much trouble for the team. Superior Renovations conducted themselves with the utmost professionalism, ensuring every detail was perfect.Frank (Project Manager) and the team did such an amazing job. Totally professional outfit, top notch communication, all tradies were courteous, polite and respectful. Alex (Builder) was especially knowledgeable and offered great solutions as minor issues unfolded. Each stage of the renovation was completed on the day it was scheduled. The crew were always on time and mindful of our work from home arrangements. And I was also impressed with the floor protection that was laid out on the first day.Through no fault of Superior, we did encounter a major, unforeseen setback that delayed our renovation on the downstairs bathroom. Superior were patient with us while we sourced specialists to remedy the issue. But once that was all sorted, Frank and the team picked up the baton and charged ahead to the finish line, delivering two beautifully ‘superior’ bathrooms. We also experienced a minor electrical issue post-build. And even though it was unrelated to their renovation work, Frank promptly dispatched an electrician who quickly fixed the problem. Talk about above and beyond!In summary, we highly recommend Superior Renovations for anyone looking to undertake bathroom renovations in their home. We’re already talking about renovating the kitchen next and we’re so confident in Superior Renovations that we will most certainly be engaging with them to complete the task.A huge thank you to Frank, Alex and all the wonderful team at Superior Renovations:)

Greg Paget

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Just had my ensuite fully gutted and renovated. Very happy indeed. Great quality work, great communication throughout the process, and mostly great people to work with. Highly recommended.

Kalina Hristova

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Superior Renovations did an amazing job we would definitely recommend them for anyone looking for a high quality outcome. Our Project Manager Jacob was amazing, taking care of any minor adjustments we wanted, nothing was too much trouble.

Melanie Whittaker

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Absolutely love my new ensuite bathroom. Superior Renovations made the process so enjoyable, I'm truly delighted with the transformation from an old tired room to modern functionality.Jacob led a wonderful team of professionals who were considerate and efficient. He answered any query with reassurance and patience.I'm now looking at engaging them again for my main bathroom because I'm not fearful of renovating anymore and confident I'll get a superior outcome. They definitely lived up to their name!

Carolina Guerra

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Superior Renovations transformed our bathroom, and we couldn’t be happier. Cici, Jacob, Alex, and Ray were a fantastic team (Ray, our dog, is going to miss you). They tackled our old house’s quirks with creativity and attention to detail. We were especially impressed that they stayed within budget, even with a few surprises along the way. We’d definitely choose Superior Renovations again and highly recommend them.

Regina Cho

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Thanks Sunny, Jacob and the team for a great renovation. We had 2 bathrooms, the laundry room and front door re-done and very pleased with the results.

Kalpana Iyer

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Superior Renovations did a good job for our deck, they are professional and took on board any changes suggested by us and gave good ideas and advice.They took care of cleaning up all the mess after every job.Good value for money.Special mention to Cici, Frank & all the workers.😊 Thank you so muchHighly recommended 👍😊

Narelle Silwood

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It was a pleasure to work with Jacob and his team. They installed a lovely new kitchen which met all my requirements, it arrived on schedule and I was kept informed all the way through the project. Thanks Jacob ... you did a great job. Narelle

Gavin Botica

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I recently engaged the services of Superior Renovations for a complete renovation of my kitchen and bathroom, and I couldn't be happier with the results. The entire process went incredibly smoothly, with the project being completed on budget and ahead of schedule. From the initial design phase to the final touches, nothing was too much trouble for the team. They conducted themselves with the utmost professionalism, ensuring every detail was perfect. I highly recommend Superior Renovations for anyone looking to renovate their home.

Chinchien Lin

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We have our bathroom renovation scheduled later this week. Everything so far is awesome. They are very patient and nice to work with!My wife's dream of a bathtub is finally happening. Can't wait to see the final result!

Rajesh Kumar

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Great work done by Superior Renovation.Great service and efficient job.Big thanks to Jacob andthey team.Highly recommend.Got my 2 bathrooms renovated.

Narene Orchard

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We had the best experience using Superior Renovations. They had a good range of products available making it easy to pick the fixtures and fittings. The team were experienced and had great pride in their work, from the office to onsite we were treated like valued customers. The product we ended up with exceeded our expectations.

Jason Orchard

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We have just recently completed a renovation project with Superior Renovations, complete demo and redo of x2 bathrooms, laundry, extension to existing deck, custom cabinets built & new wardrobe system installed.
We have been completely OVERWHELMED and IMPRESSED by the professionalism of the whole team from start to finish. From the initial consultation, visiting the showroom, design team, admin correspondence, project manager and sub-contractors.
We couldn’t be any happier with the final product.
The whole process was extremely well streamlined, we were given timeframes well in advance and informed of any changes.
The whole process was surprisingly stress free and we felt like a valued customer throughout.
THANK YOU 🙏🏽

Dhruv Mehta

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Great experience with Superior renovations. I would highly recommend it for anyone looking to renovate their house.

Steve

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We engaged Superior Renovations to transform our 30-year old, tired looking and problematic bathroom into something world class - and wow! The end result is simply stunning. The team led by Frank did an absolutely fantastic job. This was our first major renovation project and the entire process was easy and hassle free. The team delivered on schedule, within budget and the quality of their work is outstanding. If you are considering renovating - do not go past these guys.

Linda Lee Meyer

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Just completed a large renovation in East Auckland with the Superior Team and can highly recommend their team's workmanship, skill and positive no problem approach to any task. I will certainly be a repeat customer if ever needed. Very positive experience.

Linda Meyer

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Wish I had given more of my renovation project to Superior earlier in the process. Superior team was knowledgeable, skilled and exception to work with. Will certainly be a repeat customer if ever a need comes up.

Emma Mildon

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From design to completion the team were professional and always keen to get the project right. We will definitely be using their services again. Even finished the job with a spotless clean.

Henry Popplewell

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My wife and I are absolutely delighted with the team at Superior Renovations - and the "superior" job and experience they delivered for us in renovating our ensuite and main bathroom. We are so pleased we chose them for our renovation.Everyone from Cici the designer, and Frank our wonderful and attentive project manager, down to the team of guys doing the heavy lifting were a real pleasure to deal with. We were kept informed every step of the way and everything was done to a very high standard. Nothing seems too much trouble for your crew (in fact Frank even became quite good at running after and catching our dog when the naughty little boy escaped), and they even helped me out with a couple of small extras around the house at no additional cost.Their pricing was very fair - no hidden extras, and they are such hard workers! But I think what impressed me most was that everything they promised was done exactly on the day they said it would be done, and at the time they said it would be done. They were a very respectful, friendly team who obviously take immense pride in their work.Thank you Superior team! Recommend 100%

Tag: bathroom design

Complete Guide to Bathroom Design & Bathroom Trends (2023)

In this article:

How to Design a Bathroom that Works for your Home & Bathroom Layout

Planning a Bathroom Layout

5 Bathroom design which create a visual impact – How to gather bathroom design ideas

Bathroom view upon entrance – Think about your bathroom layout

One key piece:

Symmetrical layouts:

Make space:

Ask experts – For bathroom ideas

Read more…

What Is The Best Layout For a Bathroom?

1. Statement Bath Layout

2. Over-bath Shower Layout

3. Bath and Shower Layout

4. Shower room layout

Bathroom Trends 2023

1. Backlit Mirrors

2. Terrazzo Floors and Walls

3. Rich Earthy Hues

4. Geometric Tilework

5. Minimalist Wall Sconces

6. Sliding Doors

7. Closed Storage

8. Glass Shower Door

Family Bathroom with Design Ideas NZ – Factors to keep in mind

How to Design a Master En-Suite Bathroom

Planning Shower Rooms, Wet Rooms and Guest En-Suites

Pick the Perfect Bath

Find the Best Brassware

Prioritise Bathroom Lighting at Bathroom Design Stage

Read more…

Our Top 12 Bathroom Lighting Ideas from our Bathroom Designer Cici

1. Balance Practicality with Mood-Creation

2. Be Smart with Spotlights

3. Go for a Luxe Look

More Inspiration…

4. Light up the Vanity

5. Integrate Lighting into the Ceiling

6. Mix Materials for Character

More Inspirations…

7. Install a Large Pendant

8. Evoke a Spa-Like Atmosphere

Read More…

9. Keep the Bathroom Lighting Hidden

10. Make a Statement

11. Create Drama with a Bold Fitting

12. Choose Antique Style Fittings for Glamor

Read More…

Do I Need a Certain Light for a Bathroom?

How Do You Light a Small Bathroom?

Read More…

Achieve Beautiful Bathroom Flooring

Read More…

Modern Small Master Bathroom Ideas

1. Install a sliding door

2. Use a large-scale pattern

3. Install a skylight

4. Floating Vanity

5. Install under cabinet lights

6. Expand the mirror

7. Choose fixtures with storage

Ensure you Cater for Bathroom Storage

What Else do I need to Consider when Planning a Bathroom?

Will an Extra Bathroom Add Value to your Home?

Read More…

What Makes a Good Bathroom?

Read More…

When designing a bathroom, where do you start?

How much does a bathroom renovation cost?

Is it difficult to renovation your bathroom?

Further Resources for your house renovation

Need more information?

Have you been putting off getting renovations done?

Guide On Small Bathroom Renovations: Layout, Costs and Designs

Small Bathroom Layout

Small Bathroom: Full Size Bathroom Layout

Small Bathroom: Three-Quarter Bathroom Layout

Small Bathroom with a Separate Tub and Shower