Stacey Gillies Bathroom Designer, Auckland

I love designing bathrooms and ensuites whether a renovation to an exisitng space or a new build. These spaces for retreating, relaxing, prepping and titavating play such a key part of our daily regime that it is vital the spatial design and aesthetic is top notch. The transformations that can be made are so exciting and it can really change the way homewones live – for the better.

Below I talk about the considerations we take when crafting modern ensuites and bathrooms that seamlessly complement the home and adjoining bedroom to create a harmonious and cohesive aesthetic.

Holistic Design of the Master Ensuite Bathroom

An ensuite is not an isolated space but an integral part of the design of the master bedroom suite. The synergy between the ensuite and the adjacent bedroom is at the heart of the bedroom design where we need to seamlessly integrate two important and highly used spaces in the home.

Ensuite Ideas for Small Spaces

Small spaces demand a thoughtful approach, and as your interior designer I work with you to look first and foremost at the spatial design considerations before we look at the aesthetics.

More than likely you will have a shower, vanity and toilet for starters. With space at a premium we can look at options for storage whether that be beautiful shelving and/or cabinetry to hide away all your bits and pieces.

There are some standard rules around placement of the fittings.  For example – you want to ensure your toilet is not the first thing you look at when you walk in.   Obviously this is quite hard if the space is tight.  What about your door into the space – a sliding cavity door can be most effective in small rooms.

Allow space for towel ladders whether vertical or horiztantal rails and don’t forget the space for your toilet roll holder.

The layout of an ensuite is not an isolated decision but a strategic element that considers the overall flow.

Family Bathrooms

If you have the pleasure of space then you can create a beauitufl spa like setting. A lovely bathtub can play the feature in the space while the additional fittings complement and work in harmony with each other. Check out this family bathroom tub.

Colour sets the tone for the room - look at the location of your bathroom within the home - does it get natural light or a lot of sun? The colours of finishes whether tiles, paint or wallpaper can really transform your bathroom.

Wet Room or Not?

A wetroom is where the bathroom is tiled fully floor to ceiling (up the walls). “A space fully built with materials designed to get wet. All the materials used in a wet room can withstand moisture.” (HGTV) . This allows you to have fun with tile selections, mixing up patterns, textures and colour.

If you don’t go for the wet room style of bathroom then you will need to tile in the required areas (above the vanity, around the bath and within the shower space. Budget may play a role in the decision.

Tiles as a Connecting Thread

Tiles, often the visual focal point of an ensuite or bathroom become the connecting thread in our interiors' approach. Whether it's a subtle transition from bedroom flooring to ensuite tiles or a shared colour palette, the tiles act as a visual bridge, ensuring a seamless connection between the two spaces. Tiles not only enhance the individual beauty of the ensuite but also contributes to the overall cohesion of the entire area. With a large array of tiles to choose from, this can be an overwhelming decision for homeowners, luckily this is what we do best and gain a lot of satisfaction from. We have access to a quality range of stunning tiles that will create that hotel-inspired bathroom you dreamed of.

Bathroom Lighting

Lighting is a key player in setting the mood, from bedroom pendant lights that find echoes in ensuite fixtures to strategic lighting placements that accentuate the shared design language, we love lighting and how it can create a mood. Our approach to lighting ensures that the transition from bedroom to ensuite is a fluid experience. For family bathrooms, we love wall sconces with just enough over head lighting.

Bathroom Fittings

We pay meticulous attention to fixtures and fittings, ensuring that they not only serve their functional purpose but also contribute to the overall story. Quality products, easy to clean with durable finishes is vital in a heavily used space such as a bathroom or ensuite while the overall style of the fixtures and fittings are co-ordinated to ensure a consistent theme. We can source the best fittings for you from our range of quality suppliers here in Auckland.

Cabinetry & Storage

Cabinetry whether custom designed or off the shelf - there are ample options from finishes, texture and sizes. Drawer or door? Really it depends on how you like to live in the space - what do you need to store? If you want to hide away the hairbdryer, tongs, electric toothbrush then it pays to really think about the type of storage you require. As part of our design investigation we will understand from you the requirements and find the best solutions as part of the over design scheme.

Heating

Underfloor heating is a no brainer if you live in the cooler parts of the country - something than can easily be done if you are doing a new build but can also be added in a bathroom renovation. Aside from underfloor heating you can think about heated towel ladders that work efficiently by way of an inbuilt timer. Who doesn’t love a warm towel after a shower.

Suppliers

Finally, here are some of my go to suppliers for quality product: Plumbline, Artedomus, Tile Space, Tile People, Material Space, ABI Interiors, European Ceramics.

Reach out if you need help or book my 90 minute interior design workshop, it’s one-to-one and give you some design direction to get started with.

Stacey Gillies is a Auckland interior designer, writer, and former fashion stylist.  Stacey brings an international design sensibility to her Auckland interior design projects through beautiful materials, quality finishes and painterly colour palettes. Her expressive spaces extend beyond mere decoration; they capture the clients’ unique identity translating this into a physical form.