From 59d2fe286f811aee8143c8598ae45878232d977d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Vincent Verbruggen Date: Sat, 7 Mar 2026 11:51:57 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] vault backup: 2026-03-07 11:51:57 --- .../Bathroom - Codex recommendations.md | 259 ++++++++++++++++++ .../Bathroom Blueprint Future.svg | 245 +++++++++++++++++ .../Bathroom Blueprint copy.svg | 234 ++++++++++++++-- .../Home improvement/Bathroom Blueprint.svg | 160 ----------- Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom.md | 161 +++++++++-- 5 files changed, 862 insertions(+), 197 deletions(-) create mode 100644 Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom - Codex recommendations.md create mode 100644 Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom Blueprint Future.svg delete mode 100644 Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom Blueprint.svg diff --git a/Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom - Codex recommendations.md b/Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom - Codex recommendations.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8323d66 --- /dev/null +++ b/Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom - Codex recommendations.md @@ -0,0 +1,259 @@ +# Bathroom - Codex recommendations + +> Created: 2026-03-07 +> Purpose: Separate scratch note with Codex recommendations, inspiration directions, and source links. + +--- + +## Context + +This note is separate from `Bathroom.md`. + +It is based on: + +- ![[Bathroom Blueprint.svg]] +- The current draft layout shown there +- Current bath design and technical guidance reviewed on 2026-03-07 + +--- + +## My Read of the Room + +- The footprint is compact but not tiny: about `4.9 m2`. +- The stepped top-right corner is useful, not awkward. It gives you a natural shower zone. +- The outward-opening door is good because it preserves usable floor area. +- The room can probably support `bath + shower + toilet + vanity`, but only if you are disciplined about fixture sizes and storage. +- The largest unresolved planning item is still the toilet position. That decision drives plumbing complexity, clearances, and whether the bath remains worth keeping. + +--- + +## My Strongest Recommendations + +### 1. Keep the shower in the existing nook + +- The `~1000 x 1000` shower nook is one of the best things about this layout. +- It already creates a wet zone without needing a complicated enclosure. +- If you want a cleaner look, use a fixed glass panel or very minimal enclosure rather than a visually heavy shower cabin. + +### 2. Decide whether the bathtub is truly essential + +- If the bathtub is a real use case, keep it and make it deliberate. +- If the bathtub is mostly hypothetical, removing it is probably the single biggest upgrade to practicality. +- A tub removal would likely buy you some combination of: + - easier toilet placement + - larger vanity + - better circulation + - calmer sightlines + - more useful storage + +### 3. Use a wall-hung vanity with drawers + +- In a room this size, drawers are materially better than doors. +- A wall-hung vanity keeps more floor visible and makes cleaning easier. +- If possible, pair it with a mirrored cabinet rather than only a flat mirror. + +### 4. Keep the finish palette calm + +- This room will benefit more from visual calm than from lots of feature moments. +- Use fewer finish changes than your first instinct suggests. +- Aim for: + - one main tile family + - one vanity material + - one metal finish + - one restrained accent color + +### 5. Spend money on invisible performance before visible styling + +- Prioritize ventilation, waterproofing, drainage, lighting, and storage planning before decorative upgrades. +- Bathrooms punish bad hidden decisions much harder than most other rooms. + +--- + +## Design Directions I Think Fit This Room + +### Warm spa + +- Large-format matte porcelain in warm off-white, sand, or light taupe +- Oak or walnut vanity +- Brushed nickel or stainless taps +- Soft integrated mirror lighting +- Sage or clay accents + +Why it fits: + +- Works well in a compact room +- Feels calm rather than cold +- Ages better than trend-heavy contrast schemes + +### Quiet hotel + +- Seamless floor-to-wall tile palette +- Floating vanity +- Frameless or near-frameless shower glass +- Recessed niche +- Very low-contrast grout + +Why it fits: + +- Makes the room feel larger +- Gives the bath and shower a more intentional feel +- Works especially well if you want the room to feel expensive without adding visual noise + +### Vintage modern + +- More character in the floor tile +- Vanity with more furniture presence +- Framed mirror +- Decorative sconces or warmer vanity lighting +- Brushed brass or aged metal accents + +Why it fits: + +- Good if you want something less generic +- Pairs well with older building character +- Needs discipline so it does not become busy + +--- + +## What I Would Probably Do + +If the bathtub must stay: + +- Keep the shower in the nook +- Keep the outward-opening door +- Use a compact wall-hung vanity with drawers +- Use a mirrored cabinet +- Reassess the radiator position early +- Use large matte tile and keep the palette light and warm + +If the bathtub is optional: + +- Remove the tub +- Keep and improve the shower zone +- Spend the gained flexibility on toilet placement, vanity width, and storage +- Consider underfloor heating plus a smaller towel radiator instead of letting the radiator dictate the plan + +--- + +## Things To Lock Before You Shop + +- Toilet position +- Existing drain and supply locations +- Whether the bath stays +- Radiator strategy +- Vanity width and depth +- Door clearance around all fixtures +- Fan position and duct route +- Lighting layout +- Whether the shower will be curbed, low-threshold, or fully curbless + +Do not buy taps, mirrors, or tile before those decisions are stable. + +--- + +## Practical Guidance I Would Follow + +### Ventilation + +- For bathrooms up to `100 sq ft`, Home Ventilating Institute guidance is `1 CFM per sq ft`, with a minimum of `50 CFM`. +- Your draft room is about `53 sq ft`, so the baseline is roughly `53 CFM`. +- In practice, I would treat that as a floor, not a target. Long duct runs, bends, and quiet operation requirements usually justify going above the minimum. +- A humidity sensor and run-on timer are worth it. + +### Flooring and slip resistance + +- Do not pick polished floor tile for this room. +- Confirm the manufacturer classifies the tile for `Interior, Wet (IW)` use under `ANSI A326.3`. +- For the shower floor, be even more conservative. + +### Waterproofing + +- Treat the shower waterproofing system as a system, not as a pile of compatible-looking parts. +- Keep it simple enough that the installer cannot improvise critical details. +- Flood-test the shower before tile goes in. + +### Lighting + +- Use layered lighting: + - general ceiling light + - mirror task lighting + - shower light if needed + - optional low-level night lighting +- A backlit mirror looks good, but it should not be the only useful light at the vanity. + +### Storage + +- Plan storage for boring items, not aspirational styling: + - toilet paper + - spare toiletries + - cleaning supplies + - hair tools + - medicine + - laundry overflow +- Recessed shower niches are usually worth it if planned early. + +--- + +## Common Failure Modes + +- Keeping the tub by default and regretting the loss of space every day +- Choosing floor tile for appearance first and wet performance second +- Treating the fan as a checkbox instead of a real moisture-control system +- Buying a flat mirror when a mirrored cabinet would solve actual storage pressure +- Letting the radiator location stay unchallenged +- Overusing feature tiles, contrasting grout, and multiple finishes in a compact footprint +- Solving aesthetics before plumbing reality + +--- + +## Current Design Signals Worth Paying Attention To + +- `Houzz 2025 Bathroom Trends` reports wet rooms at `16%` of renovated bathrooms, with half of those homeowners saying the choice helped them use space better. +- The same Houzz study says `36%` of renovated bathrooms include wellness-oriented features, led by upgraded lighting at `30%`. +- `NKBA 2026 Bath Trends` points toward light neutrals, large-format flooring, wood-faced vanities, matte or brushed faucet finishes, larger showers, and layered lighting. +- Houzz search data in 2025 also points toward more interest in white oak bathroom vanities, vintage bathroom vanities, and warm metal accents. + +My interpretation: + +- The safe center of the market is moving warmer, calmer, and more natural. +- That aligns well with your room. +- I would avoid cold gray, polished chrome everywhere, and busy patterned surfaces unless you want a more stylized result on purpose. + +--- + +## Source List + +### Technical and planning + +- Home Ventilating Institute: bathroom ventilation sizing + - https://www.hvi.org/resources/publications/bathroom-ventilation/ +- Home Ventilating Institute: certified products directory + - https://www.hvi.org/hvi-certified-products-directory/ +- Tile Council of North America: `ANSI A326.3` product use classifications + - https://tcnatile.com/national-standard-ansi-a326-3-now-requires-hard-surface-flooring-manufacturers-to-provide-product-use-classifications-based-on-their-slip-resistance-properties/ +- Schluter: shower system installation guidance and water testing reference + - https://www.schluter.com/schluter-us/en_US/kerdi-shower-kit-installation-instructions +- Schluter: shower system installation handbook PDF + - https://assets.schluter.com/asset/570120892212/document_i2tt9fh4sp2n562jmirhppbv4o/Shower%20System%20Installation%20Handbook.pdf + +### Trend and inspiration + +- Houzz: 2025 U.S. Bathroom Trends Study + - https://www.houzz.com/magazine/2025-u-s-houzz-bathroom-trends-study-stsetivw-vs~183227801 +- NKBA: 2026 Bath Trends Report announcement + - https://nkba.org/press/nkba-kbis-releases-annual-2026-bath-trends-report/ +- NKBA: 2026 Bath Trends Report overview + - https://kb.nkba.org/research/nkba-kbis-2026-bath-trends-report/ +- Houzz: 2025 emerging summer trends report + - https://blog.houzz.com/2025-u-s-houzz-emerging-summer-trends-report/ + +--- + +## Use This Note For + +- Deciding whether the bathtub stays +- Narrowing the aesthetic direction +- Building a shortlist for tile, vanity, lighting, and ventilation +- Sanity-checking contractor proposals + +Do not use this note as a substitute for verifying actual plumbing constraints, local electrical rules, waterproofing details, or fixture dimensions. diff --git a/Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom Blueprint Future.svg b/Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom Blueprint Future.svg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..707b247 --- /dev/null +++ b/Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom Blueprint Future.svg @@ -0,0 +1,245 @@ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Bathroom Blueprint (Future) + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + E: 1500mm + + + + + + + + A: 2500mm + + + + + + + + F: 2600mm + + + + + + + + B: 1000mm + + + + + + + + C: 1000mm + + + + + + + + D: 1600mm + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Bath + + + 1800x800 + + + + + + + + + + + + + Shower + + + + (~1000x1000) + + + + + + + + + + Sink + + + + + + Shelf 800x250 + + + + + + + + Light (420mm) + + + + + + + + Vent + + + + + + + + + + + 600 + + + + + + + + 550 + + + + + + + + + 0 + + + 500 + + + 1000mm + + + + + + + Legend + + Wall + + Shower + + Water + + Radiator + + Door + + Light + + + + Vent + + + \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom Blueprint copy.svg b/Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom Blueprint copy.svg index 9c568ee..8bbe7f1 100644 --- a/Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom Blueprint copy.svg +++ b/Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom Blueprint copy.svg @@ -19,43 +19,237 @@ Bathroom - Blueprint + fill="#333">Bathroom Blueprint (Current) - + + + + points="0,0 0,2600 2500,2600 2500,1600 1500,1600 1500,0" + fill="white" stroke="none" /> + + + + + + - + + + + - + - - - - - - 1500 + E: 1500mm + - - - - - - 2500 + A: 2500mm + + + + + + + + F: 2600mm + + + + + + + + B: 1000mm + + + + + + + + C: 1000mm + + + + + + + + D: 1600mm + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Bath + + + 1850x850 + + + + + + TISKEN baskets + + + + + + + + + + + + + Shower + + + + (~1000x1000) + + + + + + + + + + Sink + + + 550x350 + + + + + + Shelf 800x250 + + + + + + + + Light (420mm) + + + + + + + + Vent + + + + + + + + + + + 600 + + + + + + + + 550 + + + + + + + + + 0 + + + 500 + + + 1000mm + + + Legend + + Wall + + Shower + + Water + + Radiator + + Door + + Light + + + + Vent + + \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom Blueprint.svg b/Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom Blueprint.svg deleted file mode 100644 index f22e1ab..0000000 --- a/Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom Blueprint.svg +++ /dev/null @@ -1,160 +0,0 @@ - - - - - - Bathroom Blueprint (DRAFT) - Coordinates in mm — F/E corner = (0,0) — Y increases upward - - - - - - - - - - A - - - B - - - C - - - D - - - E - - - F - - - - - - - 2500 - - - - - - 2600 - - - - - - 1500 - - - - - - 1000 - - - - - - 1000 - - - - - - 1600 - - - - - - - - - - - - Bath - 1850x850 - - - - - - - - - - - - Shower - (~1000x1000) - - - - - - - - - - Sink - - - - - - - - - - - 600 - - - - - - - - - - 550 - - - - - - - - 0 - 500 - 1000mm - - - - - - Legend - - Wall - - Shower - - Water - - Radiator - - Door - - diff --git a/Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom.md b/Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom.md index ff3b793..895c97c 100644 --- a/Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom.md +++ b/Personal/Areas/Home improvement/Bathroom.md @@ -9,18 +9,24 @@ Describe what the bathroom looks like now: dimensions, fixtures, materials, condition. -- **Dimensions:** _TODO (L x W in cm/m)_ -- **Ceiling height:** _TODO_ +- **Dimensions:** L-shaped, see blueprint. Long edge (F) 2600mm, top (A) 2500mm, bottom (E) 1500mm, nook 1000x1000mm +- **Ceiling height:** 2400mm - **Current flooring:** _TODO_ - **Current wall finish:** _TODO_ - **Fixtures:** - - Toilet: _TODO (type, condition)_ - - Sink/vanity: _TODO_ - - Shower / bathtub: _TODO_ - - Mirror/cabinet: _TODO_ -- **Plumbing location:** _TODO (which wall carries the supply/drain lines)_ -- **Ventilation:** _TODO (extractor fan?)_ -- **Electrical:** _TODO (outlets, lighting, heated floor)_ + - Sink/vanity: 550x350mm on wall F, 50mm from wall E (between bath and door) + - Shower: ~1000x1000 nook (top-right corner), water point middle of wall B + - Bathtub (current): 1850x850, upper-left corner along wall F, water point middle of bath on wall F + - Bathtub (planned): freestanding corner bath ~1800x800 (no brick surround) + - Mirror: large mirror with diffuse ring light (keeping) + - Shelf: wall A, 800mm long, 250mm deep, 500mm from wall F — want to keep something similar here (visual break, not necessarily storage) + - Sink-side storage: two [IKEA TISKEN suction cup baskets](https://www.ikea.com/nl/nl/p/tisken-mand-met-zuignap-zwart-90498528/) on wall F next to sink — functional but need a nicer replacement +- **Plumbing location:** shower water on wall B, bath water on wall F +- **Ventilation:** vent on wall D (centered on radiator, no window). Connected to whole-house mechanical ventilation — single motor just behind the opening. Currently always open, causing heat loss. +- **Electrical:** + - Ceiling: [Philips Hue Devere](https://www.philips-hue.com/nl-nl/p/hue-white-ambiance-devere-grote-plafondlamp/4116631P6#specifications) — 420mm, 1100mm from wall F, 700mm from wall A (keeping) + - Mirror: [Philips Hue Adore](https://www.philips-hue.com/nl-nl/p/hue-white-ambiance-adore-badkamerspiegel-met-verlichting/8719514340992) — bathroom mirror with integrated light (keeping) +- **Heating:** towel rail radiator on wall D, 600mm wide, 600mm from door — needs replacing. Tado smart heating system with pre-heat scheduling. --- @@ -28,16 +34,20 @@ Describe what the bathroom looks like now: dimensions, fixtures, materials, cond What should the new bathroom achieve? -- [ ] _TODO — e.g., walk-in shower instead of bathtub_ -- [ ] _TODO — e.g., double sink_ -- [ ] _TODO — e.g., heated floor_ -- [ ] _TODO — e.g., specific style/aesthetic_ +- [x] Keep the bathtub — replacing with a freestanding corner bath (~1800x800, no brick surround) +- [x] Keep the shower in the existing nook +- [x] No toilet (no room, not needed) +- [ ] _TODO — style/aesthetic direction_ --- ## Blueprint -![[Bathroom Blueprint.svg]] +### Current +![[Bathroom Blueprint copy.svg]] + +### Future +![[Bathroom Blueprint Future.svg]] --- @@ -48,7 +58,7 @@ What should the new bathroom achieve? | Floor tiles | | | | | Wall tiles | | | | | Shower screen | | | | -| Toilet | | | | +| Bathtub (freestanding) | | | | | Sink / vanity | | | | | Faucets | | | | | Mirror / cabinet | | | | @@ -96,6 +106,99 @@ What should the new bathroom achieve? --- +## Things to Think About + +### Ventilation — Upgrade the Vent Grille +- The bathroom connects to a whole-house mechanical ventilation system (single motor behind the vent opening on wall D). There is no separate bathroom fan — the central system provides extraction. +- **Problem:** The vent is always open, which means continuous heat loss and unnecessary suction when the bathroom is dry. The motor runs regardless. +- **Solution: humidity-sensitive vent grille.** These exist and work without electricity — a polyamide strip inside the grille expands/contracts with moisture, mechanically opening/closing the shutter. When humidity rises (shower, bath), the grille opens fully. When the room is dry, it closes to a minimum, reducing heat loss and balancing airflow across the house. +- **Options:** + - **[Aereco EHT²](https://www.aereco.com/products/air-inlets/eht2/)** — wall-mounted humidity-sensitive inlet, fully mechanical (no power), up to 52 dB acoustic insulation. Designed for exactly this use case: existing mechanical ventilation with passive grille replacement. This is the most directly applicable product. + - **[Aereco humidity-sensitive exhaust grilles](https://www.aereco.com/product-control/humidity-sensitive/)** — if the vent is on the extraction side (which it is), Aereco also makes extraction-side grilles that modulate airflow based on room humidity. + - **Electronic alternative:** A humidity sensor switch (e.g. Topgreener TDHS5, Lutron Maestro MS-HS3) could control a motorised damper, but this adds wiring complexity. The passive Aereco approach is simpler for a central system. +- **During renovation:** This is the ideal time to swap the grille. The duct behind it is already there. Just measure the duct diameter/opening size and match an Aereco or equivalent product to it. + +### Lighting +- Both lights are Philips Hue White Ambiance — tuneable colour temperature (2200-6500K) and dimmable via the Hue app or automation. No hardware dimmer needed. +- The Devere (IP44) covers ambient, the Adore handles task lighting at the mirror. That covers all essential layers. +- If adding anything, a small accent (LED strip in a shower niche) is the only gap. Not essential. + +### Waterproofing — Do Not Cut Corners +- The entire shower area and bath surround must be tanked (liquid membrane or sheet membrane) before tiling. This is non-negotiable. +- Extend waterproofing at least 150mm beyond the shower/bath edges. Many professionals recommend tanking the full wet wall floor-to-ceiling. +- The floor should be fully waterproofed, especially at the bath and shower zones. +- Use flexible waterproof tape on all inside corners and pipe penetrations. +- Get this inspected before tiling — you cannot fix it later without ripping tiles off. + +### The L-Shape: Use It +- The nook (1000x1000) is a natural shower enclosure. A single glass panel or frameless screen is all you need — the walls do the rest. +- The L-shape creates a natural separation between wet zone (shower/bath side) and dry zone (sink/door side). Lean into that. +- Consider where the towel rail goes — the wall between the sink and the door (wall E, 550mm segment) or the inside of wall D above the radiator. + +### Style Directions Worth Exploring +- **Warm spa:** matte stone-look porcelain, oak or walnut vanity, brushed nickel, soft mirror lighting, muted green or clay accents. +- **Quiet hotel:** seamless tile palette, floating vanity, frameless shower glass, minimal grout contrast, concealed storage. +- **Vintage modern:** characterful floor tile, more furniture-like vanity, framed mirror, decorative sconces, warmer metal finishes. + +### Plumbing: Keep It Where It Is +- Moving drain lines is expensive and disruptive (especially in concrete floors). If the current drain positions work, keep them. +- Moving supply lines (hot/cold) is much cheaper than moving drains. Adjusting tap positions on the same wall is usually straightforward. +- If replacing the bath, confirm the new one fits the same drain position or plan a short drain extension. + +### Heated Floor — Probably Not +- At 2400mm ceiling height, adding underfloor heating raises the floor ~15-20mm (mat + adhesive + tile build-up vs direct tile). That eats into an already low ceiling. +- With Tado you can pre-heat the room via the towel radiator on a schedule, which largely solves the cold-floor-in-the-morning problem. +- A good towel rail radiator replacement gives you warm towels and room heating in one. Prioritise that over underfloor heating. +- If you still want warm feet, a small electric bath mat is a zero-build-up alternative. + +### Tile Choices +- Large format tiles (600x600 or larger) with thin grout lines make a small room feel bigger. Fewer grout lines also means less cleaning. +- Light colours reflect light and help compensate for the lack of a window. Dark feature walls can work but keep them to one wall max. +- Consider the same tile on floor and walls (or floor and lower walls) for a seamless look that visually expands the space. +- Non-slip rating matters, especially for the shower floor. Look for R10 or R11 rated tiles in the wet zone. + +### Storage +- In a small bathroom, surface clutter kills the feel fast. Plan recessed niches in the shower wall during the build — much cheaper than retrofitting and they do not eat floor space. +- A mirrored cabinet above the sink gives storage and a mirror in one. +- If the vanity is wall-mounted (floating), the visible floor underneath makes the room feel larger. +- **Wall A shelf (existing: 800x250mm, 500mm from wall F):** The current shelf breaks up the long wall nicely. Consider replacing with a similar floating shelf in a material that matches the new design (e.g. solid oak, stone-look composite, or a tiled niche built into the wall). It does not need to be deep — 150–250mm is enough for candles, a plant, or decorative objects. +- **Sink-side storage (replacing TISKEN baskets):** Options that look better than suction cup baskets: + - Wall-mounted wire or metal basket shelf (e.g. matte black steel) — screwed in, not suction + - Small floating shelf or pair of shelves next to the mirror + - If the vanity has drawers, move most items inside and keep the wall clean + - A recessed niche in wall F next to the sink (decide during tiling phase — cannot add later) + +### Light Switch: Need a Physical Switch with Smart Control +- The Hue lights are smart-controlled, but a physical wall switch is still needed (guests, muscle memory, building codes in some areas). +- If someone flips a dumb switch and cuts power, the Hue bulbs go offline. A smart switch solves this. +- **Options compatible with Philips Hue:** + - **Philips Hue Wall Switch Module** — installs behind your existing switch plate. The physical switch stays but toggles a Hue scene instead of cutting power. Easiest drop-in solution. ~€40. + - **RunLessWire Click for Philips Hue** — wireless, battery-free (kinetic energy). Pairs natively with the Hue Bridge. Can be placed anywhere, no wiring. ~€35–50. + - **Friends of Hue switches (Senic / Gira)** — built-in wall switches using Zigbee Green Power (no battery). Premium look, proper wall-plate form factor. Pair directly with Hue Bridge. €50–100+ depending on brand/finish. + - **Inovelli Blue Series** — Zigbee 3.0 in-wall switch with built-in humidity sensor (useful for a windowless bathroom). Does **not** pair directly with Hue Bridge; requires SmartThings or Home Assistant as a bridge. More complex but more capable. ~$50. +- **Recommendation:** The Hue Wall Switch Module is the simplest if you already have a switch plate. If you want a clean wireless option with no wiring at all, the RunLessWire Click is worth considering. + +### Radiator Replacement +- The existing towel rail radiator on wall D needs replacing. Same position works (vent is above it, plumbing connections are there). +- Size the replacement to the available space: 600mm wide, fitting between the vent above and the 600mm gap to the door below. +- Consider a vertical towel rail if you want more hanging space — a taller, narrower unit could work if the vent position allows it. +- With Tado controlling the schedule, the radiator does double duty: room pre-heating and towel warming. + +### Common Mistakes to Avoid +- Not budgeting for contingency (15% minimum). There are always surprises behind old tiles. +- Choosing fixtures before confirming they physically fit. Measure clearances: 200mm minimum from sink centre to side wall, 600mm clear in front of any fixture. +- Forgetting about the door swing — yours opens outward (good), so no conflict, but check nothing blocks it from the corridor side. +- Skipping a site visit with your plumber before demolition. Let them see the existing setup and flag issues. +- Over-specifying trendy finishes that date quickly. Neutral base, personality through accessories. + +### If I Were Optimizing This Layout +- Keep the shower in the existing nook unless plumbing constraints make it painful. That part of the plan is already doing useful work. +- Use a wall-hung vanity with drawers rather than a freestanding cabinet. In a room this size, visible floor area helps. +- Make the freestanding bath feel deliberate: consider a ledge or niche nearby, proper bath filler position, and enough surrounding calm that it reads as an asset rather than leftover compromise. +- Reduce the number of finish changes. A smaller room usually benefits from calm surfaces more than from visual variety. + +--- + ## Notes - @@ -104,6 +207,30 @@ What should the new bathroom achieve? ## Reference / Inspiration -Links, photos, or ideas collected. +### Current Sources Worth Trusting +- [2025 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study](https://www.houzz.com/magazine/2025-u-s-houzz-bathroom-trends-study-stsetivw-vs~183227801) +- [NKBA 2026 Bath Trends Report announcement](https://nkba.org/press/nkba-kbis-releases-annual-2026-bath-trends-report/) +- [Home Ventilating Institute bathroom ventilation guidance](https://www.hvi.org/resources/publications/bathroom-ventilation/) +- [Tile Council of North America slip classification overview](https://tcnatile.com/national-standard-ansi-a326-3-now-requires-hard-surface-flooring-manufacturers-to-provide-product-use-classifications-based-on-their-slip-resistance-properties/) -- +### Trends & Ideas (2025-2026) +- [Bathroom Trends 2026: What's In, What's Out — Decorilla](https://www.decorilla.com/online-decorating/bathroom-trends-2026/) +- [25 Bathroom Renovation Ideas for 2026 — The Coolist](https://www.thecoolist.com/bathroom-renovation-ideas-for-2026/) +- [10 Inspiring Bathroom Renovation Ideas for 2026 — Decor8 AI](https://blog.decor8.ai/post/10-inspiring-bathroom-renovation-ideas-for-your-2026-project) +- [Small Bathroom Layouts: Space-Smart Plans — Horow](https://horow.com/blogs/guide/small-bathroom-layouts-space-smart-plans) + +### Mistakes to Avoid +- [Bathroom Renovation Regrets — Emily Henderson](https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/bathroom-renovation-mistakes-and-tips) +- [10 Common Bathroom Remodel Mistakes — Tile Club](https://www.tileclub.com/blogs/news/10-common-bathroom-remodel-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them) +- [14 Bathroom Remodel Mistakes to Avoid — Home Art Tile](https://homearttile.com/bathroom-remodeling-mistakes-to-avoid/) +- [Common Bathroom Remodel Mistakes — Sweeten](https://sweeten.com/blog/home-renovation-process/common-bathroom-remodel-mistakes-avoid/) + +### Shower + Bath Combos +- [Walk-in Shower with Tub Inside — Empava](https://empava.com/blogs/new/bathtub-inside-walk-in-shower-layout-and-design-ideas) +- [Walk-in Shower Ideas for Small Bathrooms — Mobility Plus](https://www.mobility-plus.co.uk/blog/inspiration/walk-in-shower-layouts-small-bathrooms/) +- [Small Tub/Shower Combo Ideas — Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/photos/small-tub-shower-combo-ideas-phbr2-bp~t_712~a_24-136--30-231) + +### Budget & Planning +- [Bathroom Remodel Tips for 2026 — Block Renovation](https://www.blockrenovation.com/guides/bathroom-remodel-tips-for-2026) +- [Small Bathroom Remodel Costs 2026 — Badeloft](https://www.badeloftusa.com/buying-guides/small-bathroom-remodel-costs/) +- [Renovating Small Bathroom on a Budget — Half Price Baths](https://www.halfpricebaths.com/renovating-small-bathroom-on-a-budget-choosing-the-right-materials/)