It’s usually the smallest room in the house, so when it comes to a basement toilet, our decorating habits tend to sit in one of two camps—either we neglect it to focus on bigger projects, or we see it as an opportunity to experiment. Bold features we will be initially going to try out in the main living areas.
We err on the side of bold decorating choices, and encourage passionate designers to embrace colorful tiling, patterned wallpaper, accent lighting, and clever storage tricks to make the most of their space.
Read on for 9 ideas for transforming a basement toilet.
1. from where we start
The benefits of a basement toilet are many; Useful for kids, easy to reach for elderly relatives, less wear and tear in bathrooms and suites upstairs. But where do you put one? To save costs and hassles, locate a site within easy reach of your existing water supply and soil pipes—a good location is under a staircase, or you may cut off from the end of a long driveway. Experts suggest that for the toilet and sink you need a space of at least 80 cm x 140 cm.
According to feng shui principles, you should not put a toilet next to the front door, because any good fortune is really at risk of being thrown out.
2. Maximizing space
There are plenty of clever design techniques you can use in even the smallest of basement toilets. First, have the door open outward, sliding, or fold to make the least impact inside the room. For your bathroom furniture, choose a corner toilet in the shape of a triangle or wall-hung if you can fit it in the tank if possible.
Traditionally, a lot of space is taken up by mounting your sink on the floor or freestanding, so choose something wall-mounted instead—more space underneath can be used for storage baskets. Keep the taps unobtrusive, and avoid “waterfall” models in such a limited area – unwary guests can cause a flood.
3. Keep it tidy
Despite its size, the downstairs toilet is still a magnet for clutter. Packed storage or a wall-mounted furniture unit are absolute essentials, use clever storage solutions like drawer inserts, shelves above your door, and daily necessities cubbyhole on trays to keep them tidy.
Make good use of the space and it can double as a small shoe room. Interior designer, Kato Cooper of The Emporium Somerset, thinks it’s a good idea to fix pegs around walls to hang coats, hats, and scarves. “Don’t forget to stock up on shoes too,” she says. You can create custom shelves with small slots to group pairs together and store other items such as shopping bags and umbrellas.
4. Be bold with decoration
The downstairs toilet door will likely always be locked, and the space itself is usually fairly unobtrusive, so it’s a perfect opportunity to try a strong paint shade—like pink or mustard. “You can go crazy with wall coverings and colors, but for a sense of harmony, pair it with the color of the floor,” advises Peter Kane, director of The Natural Wood Floor Company.
We’re a fan of bold, textured wallpaper in the basement restroom, like Annie Sloan’s decoupage in collaboration with RHS. There’s been a major revival in the Bloomsbury decorative style aesthetic lately and decoupage fits right in with that. Annie says it’s a delightful decoration technique that has a lot of history.
Adding wallpaper is less labor-intensive than installing tiles, especially if you’re using wallpaper paste, which allows you to spread the adhesive directly onto the bathroom wall rather than the wallpaper itself.
5. Dimmable
Much of the open space in the basement is limited in terms of natural light, and some have no window at all, so providing effective lighting is vital. In addition to the usual wall or ceiling lights, an illuminated bathroom mirror or LED mirror can really help.
Also, consider adding a dedicated spot behind the bathroom that you can light up with downlights, says Sally Storey, creative director of John Cullen Lighting, “This will bring some indirect light into the space and add depth to the room.”
Play with perspective and present a large or decorative mirror to reflect and refract as much light as possible. Place this on the back wall, likely above the toilet, or choose to display a set of smaller mirrors – perhaps antiques or in matching frames – arranged close together for maximum effect.
6. Choose large size tiles
Tile keeps walls and surfaces sparkling, but don’t go for the obvious. “I often advise clients to choose tiles that are larger than they initially think because they create the illusion of a more luxurious feel in a small space,” says Chris Grainger, managing director of The Stone & Ceramic Warehouse. People often make the mistake of using small tiles or even mosaics here. These can be useful for creating intricate designs and patterns, but there are more exposed grout lines compared to larger format tiles. This, combined with heavy room use, means you’ll need to clean it frequently to keep the grout looking clean and fresh.
7. Consider comfort
There is nothing less welcoming than a cold shower. Heated towel rails are useful, as are slim, wall-mounted radiators in complementary colors (see bathroom mount for a good selection.)
When wall space is constrained, underfloor heating is the ideal solution – run it from your existing central heating system, or install an electric mat. See Screwfix for ideas and pricing. If there is no window, a well-maintained ventilation fan should be used. EnviroVent Ltd spokesperson Adam Selinger has this helpful tip: “If your exhaust fan can’t hold a postcard, it doesn’t provide enough ventilation, ideally you should replace the unit or clean the filter.”
8. Choose flooring wisely
A basement toilet will need a working eye when it comes to flooring – even in small spaces, poor quality flooring will affect the life of your bathroom. Consider vinyl flooring as a durable and cost-effective way to mimic more expensive patterns.
“Vinyl flooring is a great, inexpensive way to add color, pattern, and personality to a room without compromising safety or quality,” says David Snazel, hardwood flooring buyer at Carpetright. “In recent years, there have been many developments in design and methods that mean the effects that vinyl can create, such as tile or wood, are incredibly realistic.
Vinyl is made to be durable, heat and moisture resistant, plus it’s very easy to clean – perfect for your basement bathroom.
9. Traditional treasures display
Photographs, menu cards, cartoons, framed memorabilia… In upper class homes, the downstairs toilet has always been a place to hang cherished items with an ironic touch. “It’s the idea of being ‘entertaining,'” Alexandra Campbell, an expert on vintage homes, says. “An interior designer once told me that women always relay their ex-husbands’ lives to their basement restroom, which is why you get certificates, awards, school photos, etc. .”
Simplify this classic idea by creating a montage of family shots, or a visual history of your home in plain black frames.
He follows Beautiful house on instagram.
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