Eight The List experts share their tips and tricks for avoiding the common bathroom pitfalls

Bathrooms are an essential space within any home, still their importance is often overlooked in design. From quick skincare routines to evening soaks in the bath, this room is arguably the biggest self-care space in your home. Yet a damp towel and unflattering lighting can start your day off completely wrong, making it a non-negotiable for your bathroom to be an environment of ease and uplift. Falling into these common bathroom traps can make the space feel awkward and impractical. Luckily selected members of The List by House & Garden have collaborated to ensure you avoid these mistakes, directing you towards a path of bathroom bliss.

Prioritise Practicality

A bathroom first and foremost must be practical. Whether hoping to avoid damp or figuring out logistics of your shower controls. The perfect bathroom is succinct with perfect functionality, and following these tips will ensure you don't kick yourself after your design is complete.

"As with most spaces around your home, ensuring you have plenty of storage in your bathroom is such a key element and is not always top of the list when clients approach us to refurbish their space." Jane Duncan Interiors says, "However when this is thought about in the very early stages, this enables us to design the space to allow for hidden storage such as recessed mirror cabinets or niches in the shower area to store all your toiletries. This creates a much clearer space in which to relax and avoids the need to buy additional storage accessories."

"Too many items on the countertop can make the bathroom look messy and disorganised," explains Anna Callis, Founder & Director at The London Basin Company. "Minimise clutter by using storage solutions like cabinets or shelves to keep toiletries and other essentials out of sight."

Catchpole & Rye declare that "clever placement of heated towel rails are a great way to keep your towels warm, tidy and to reach. Placing them too far away from either the shower or bath is often a common mistake."

Kitesgrove recommends that "when considering the setting out position of sanitary ware within a shower enclosure, always be sure to locate the shower controls away from the shower head, and not directly underneath them, so that you can turn the shower on without your arm being soaked in the process."

"Privacy is a personal preference and may depend on what level of the building you are and your view or if you're overlooked, but ideally it is important to allow for privacy and still enhance the natural light available, plus taking into account the layout and location of the windows," says the team at Alison Henry. "You can dress the windows ornately with curtains, blinds and sheers to add a sense of theatre and also contrast against the mainly hard finishes within a bathroom."

"Showers over baths are a great option where space is at a premium and you wish to have both," says the team at Catchpole & Rye. "Shower hoops can be ceiling mounted to give the optimum height and with shower curtains available now in wonderful stripes and scalloped edges, this design can make a really bold statement and focus point for your bathroom."

Alison Henry says that a bathroom should have ventilation. "This is important to ensure the bathroom dries out after use especially if there is no window and fresh air available, as it is not always easy to try to accommodate at a later date and can also lead to a build of moisture, dampness and potentially mould."

The devil's in the details…

Whilst the practicality of a bathroom is important, the decoration details cannot be overlooked. Creating a space in every room that reflects the needs and style of its inhabitants is imperative - even in a bathroom.

"Many people fall into the trap of only installing downlights, which unwittingly cast unflattering shadows and create an overly bright, sterile atmosphere." Therefore, Rachael Gowdridge recommends that you "opt for a refined approach: layered lighting. Begin by introducing an elegant overhead feature light on a dimmer switch, and pair with IP-rated wall lights. By wiring these lights to separate circuits, you gain the flexibility to adjust the brightness depending on your mood or activity. Placing wall sconces on either side of the mirror is another flattering way of incorporating task lighting, casting an even glow when applying make-up or shaving."

"If possible when designing the bathroom layout, try to ensure there is no direct line of sight towards the WC as you enter the space as this will help to create a more considered and balanced feel overall," says Kitesgrove. "Moreover, the vanity area within a bathroom tends to be the most aesthetic viewpoint, with joinery elements and sanitary ware as well as decorative lighting and accessories, so prioritising this view can further this considered feeling."

“Don’t decorate the bathroom in isolation from the bedroom that it's closest to" declares Olivine Design. "The colours and patterns of these two rooms should help and feed off each other, rather than thinking the bathroom should be a neutral clean space."

London Basin Company's take it that "a decorative basin allows for customisation and personalisation. You can choose from a wide range of styles, colours, and patterns to create a bathroom that reflects your individuality and design preferences."

“Taking the tiles from the floor to the wall in one seamless finish, makes the room seem larger than it is. This also then gives you a wonderful splashback for the sink, or wet room, especially in smaller bathrooms.” Says Olivine Design, reflected in their design of this colourful bathroom.

Catchpole & Rye believe that "keeping everything at one level can make the room feel cramped. By adding a beautiful high-level cistern, you break the midline by using height, creating a less cluttered feel and a lovely feature within your room."

"Bathrooms can feel cold and austere due to hard, reflective surfaces," says that team at Rendall & Wright. "Soften the space with art, rugs, wallpaper and fabrics to create a more inviting environment."

We hope that the tips and tricks within this article can assist you on your journey to the perfect bathroom catered towards your needs.

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