A bathroom renovation is one of the most rewarding home improvements you can make.
As the place where your day begins and ends, creating a space that feels both functional and beautiful can make a real difference to everyday living. But transforming your bathroom isn’t just about choosing tiles or picking out a sleek shower – it’s a project that needs careful planning, expert knowledge and professional installation.
At Joe Newton Electrical, Plumbing and Heating Services, we’ve worked with homeowners across Dorset to design, plan and install everything from compact cloakrooms to luxury spa-style retreats. With years of plumbing and electrical expertise, our team understands the balance between style and practicality. To help you take the next step, here’s our guide to planning, designing and creating your dream bathroom.
From Inspiration to Installation: Planning Your Bathroom
Every great bathroom starts with a vision. Perhaps you’ve seen inspiration in a magazine, spotted a design on Pinterest or admired a hotel bathroom you’d love to replicate at home. Whatever your style, the planning process is crucial to ensure your new space not only looks the part but functions seamlessly.
- Layout First, Always: the starting point is the layout. Think about where your toilet, sink, shower or bath will sit. The position of existing soil pipes (the waste pipes from toilets) is especially important, as these are more complex to relocate. While small adjustments can often be made, moving a soil pipe entirely may add significant cost and complexity. Our experienced plumbers can advise you on the most practical solutions.
- Clearance Spaces: comfort comes from more than just style – it’s about how your bathroom feels to use day to day. Recommended sanitaryware clearance spaces ensure you can move around easily without the room feeling cramped. For a bathroom with a separate shower, bath, toilet and basin, you need a space of at least 1.7m x 3m. If your bathroom is smaller, you may need to compromise on certain features, but clever positioning, such as fitting a bath under a window or sloping roof, can still make your wish list possible.
| Bath | Aim for a bath height of 500–600mm with a side clearance of at least 530mm. |
| Basin | A comfortable basin height is between 760mm and 1,190mm. Allow at least 510mm clearance in front and ideally 760mm side to side. |
| Shower | The minimum comfortable enclosure is 760mm x 760mm with 610mm clearance outside for access. |
| Toilet | For close-coupled models, the overall height should be 595–800mm with a seat height of 390–460mm. Allow at least 760mm side space and 510mm clearance in front. |
- Plumbing & Electrics: water pressure, pipe sizes and your hot water system are all part of the equation. For example, if you dream of a large rainfall shower, your system needs to be able to deliver consistent water pressure. Likewise, bathrooms have strict electrical safety rules – extractor fans, underfloor heating and lighting must all be installed by a registered and competent electrician.
- Style Choices: from sleek modern basins and floating vanity units to classic roll-top baths and traditional taps, your chosen fixtures will set the tone. It’s worth thinking about how your bathroom design flows with the rest of your home – a well-coordinated look creates a sense of harmony.
Taking time at this stage means fewer surprises later and a smoother journey to the bathroom you’ve always wanted.
Maximising Small Bathrooms: Tips from the Pros
Not every home has the space for a large en-suite but small bathrooms and cloakrooms can be just as impressive when designed smartly. With the right approach, even the tiniest space can feel bigger, brighter and more functional.
- Compact Fixtures: wall-mounted toilets, corner basins and combination vanity units are designed to save space without sacrificing comfort. If you don’t have space for both a separate shower and bath, a shower-over-bath combination can give you the best of both worlds – practicality for everyday use and comfort for when you want a soak.
- Pocket Doors: traditional hinged doors take up valuable floor space. Installing a pocket door that slides neatly into the wall can free up extra room for fixtures or simply make the space easier to navigate.
- Think Vertical: shelves, cabinets and hooks can be installed higher on walls to avoid swamping the space and tall, slim storage units can fit into tight corners.
- Storage Solutions: built-in shelves or recessed wall niches are excellent for storing toiletries without cluttering surfaces. Mirrored cabinets double up on functionality while helping to bounce light around the room. Mirrors can also make small spaces appear larger.
- Light and Bright: natural light is ideal but when that isn’t possible, layered lighting works wonders. Combine overhead spotlights with subtle LED strips under cabinets or around mirrors. The right lighting instantly makes a compact bathroom feel more spacious.
A professional installer will know which products work best in smaller rooms and how to make the most of your layout.
Creating a Spa-Like Bathroom at Home
For many homeowners, the bathroom is more than just a practical space, it’s a place to unwind and recharge. With the right features, you can turn your bathroom into a home spa that rivals your favourite hotel.
- Feature Lighting: lighting sets the mood. Soft, dimmable wall lights, LED strips behind mirrors or even colour-changing lights give you control over the atmosphere, whether you’re getting ready in the morning or enjoying a relaxing soak at night.
- Warmth and Comfort: heated towel rails are now a standard luxury but underfloor heating takes things to another level. Imagine stepping out of the bath onto warm tiles – a small detail that makes a big impact.
- Rainfall Showers and Statement Baths: a generous rainfall shower or a freestanding tub instantly creates that spa-like feel. Pairing these with high-quality fixtures ensures longevity and a touch of everyday indulgence.
- Smart Touches: from anti-fog mirrors with built-in lighting to digital shower controls, modern technology is finding its way into bathrooms. These features combine practicality with a premium feel.
- Sound and Atmosphere: nothing completes the spa experience like calming music. Built-in Bluetooth ceiling speakers or discreet wall-mounted sound systems allow you to enjoy soothing playlists or meditation tracks while you relax. Combined with warm lighting and aromatherapy, it creates a truly immersive escape.
Of course, adding these extras requires planning. Large showers, heated floors and integrated sound systems place extra demands on plumbing, electrics and installation, so professional expertise is essential to avoid costly problems.
Bringing It All Together
Your bathroom should work for you – whether that means maximising a small space, refreshing a tired design or indulging in spa-style luxury. The common factor in every successful project is combining creative design with professional expertise.
At Joe Newton Electrical, Plumbing and Heating Services, we bring both under one roof. Our experienced team handles plumbing, electrics and heating with the same attention to detail, ensuring your bathroom looks stunning and works smoothly for years to come.
Give us a call on 01305 318558 or complete our online enquiry form for a free, no obligation consultation and quote. Let’s bring your bathroom vision to life!
