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Designing a Bathroom That Lasts: Style Meets Function
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As Flair’s interior design partner, I’m excited to share the first of my blogs on creating bathrooms that combine style with lasting functionality. Renovating a bathroom can be one of the most exciting and sometimes daunting projects in the home. Unlike redecorating a bedroom or living room, this is a space you won’t change often. Research from Flair Showers shows that the average bathroom lasts up to 20 years. That’s two decades of daily use, which makes every decision, big or small, worth careful consideration.
Over the years, I’ve specified Flair shower enclosures for countless client projects because of their focus on thoughtful design and exceptional quality. I always encourage clients to view their bathroom as a long-term investment. With that in mind, here are my tips for creating a bathroom that’s not only stylish and functional but one you’ll still love twenty years from now.
Start with the Mood: Colour & Texture
The first step isn’t choosing a shower or tiles; it’s defining how you want your bathroom to feel - Design with your senses in mind always! Calm and spa-like? Bold and modern? Warm and inviting? Once you have the mood in mind, colours and textures will follow naturally.
- Start with warm neutral bases: Soft neutrals & earthy palettes stand the test of time. They also create a subtle backdrop for accents and accessories. These bases work well with most design styles - from minimalist japandi to more classic elegant styles, so you can refresh your space with small changes without needing a full redesign.
- Add texture for warmth: Using natural stone & tiling in the right colour, with the right finish can really elevate your bathroom space. The balance and warmth can be achieved by layering different textures with accessories - this not only softens the design but also adds depth and character. We want our bathrooms to be a place that is a haven and mixes function with luxury to feel inviting & soft, rather than clinical. Even small touches like a wooden vanity unit, luxurious towels & plants in rattan baskets brings warmth & elegance to your bathroom.
- Play with colour confidently: Adding personality through colour can bring your bathroom to life. To make sure your space stays adaptable, choose enclosures and finishes like brushed brass or gunmetal grey that work beautifully with a variety of colour palettes. Flair colour finishes complement brassware across RT Large & the St James ranges, so you can coordinate seamlessly while still refreshing walls, towels, or accessories over time.
This combination ensures your bathroom reflects your taste today, while remaining adaptable to future updates.
Choosing the Right Shower Enclosure
Your shower enclosure is the star of the bathroom. It anchors the design and is used multiple times a day, so it’s worth investing wisely.
When helping clients choose, I recommend they think about:
- Layout & access: Walk-in showers offer effortless access and work beautifully in contemporary larger spaces. Sliding or bi-fold doors are excellent for smaller bathrooms where every centimetre matters. Flair’s Baby ILI range is ideal for attics or dormer bathrooms where ceiling height is limited.
- Style statement: Frameless enclosures bring a clean, minimalist feel, while framed versions add definition and structure. Fluted or clear glass, as well as framed wetroom screens, can introduce subtle texture and visual interest. For wetrooms, a rotating deflector helps reduce splashing while creating an additional, yet practical, design element.
- Flexibility: Wetrooms can be modular and be tailored to suit individual needs, whether creating a spacious spa-like retreat or a compact, functional showering zone.
- Functional details: The little touches are what make the difference; curved, strong handles for comfortable grip, quick-release rollers for easy cleaning, and countersunk hinges that look beautifully streamlined. Flair have mastered these subtle details, and clients often notice a huge difference in function (& style!) when they have installed a Flair door, having had something else previously.
Designing for Longevity / future proofing your bathroom
Most bathrooms are in place for around 20 years, so thinking ahead is essential. A walk-in enclosure with a low threshold isn’t just stylish, it’s practical at every stage of life. Neutral tiles, flexible layouts, and modular Wetroom designs allow you to refresh the space with accessories rather than a full remodel, keeping it feeling modern even a decade or two on. Investing in high-quality enclosures and fittings reduces the hassle of repairs or replacements down the line, ensuring the space grows with you instead of needing a full redesign.
People often fall in love with the tiles, mirrors, or paint colours, but it’s the subtle, well-designed features that shape your everyday experience. A shower door that glides smoothly, glass that’s easy to wipe down, or flush hinges that look effortlessly streamlined, these are the details you’ll appreciate day after day. When built to last, as Flair shower enclosures are, they continue to bring value for years.
By combining thoughtful planning, durable materials, and attention to detail, you create a bathroom that’s not only beautiful and functional today, but remains effortless, stylish, and enjoyable for decades.
Why I Recommend Flair
I often get asked why I partner with Flair, and my answer is simple: they combine design with durability in a way that really matters in bathrooms. Their collections cover a wide range of styles and budgets, so whether you’re after something sleek and contemporary or more classic, there’s an option that fits.
What sets Flair apart, in my view, is their attention to detail. From curved handles that feel natural in the hand to quick-release rollers that make cleaning straightforward, they think about how people will live with their bathrooms day to day, not just how they’ll look in a brochure. It’s that kind of thinking that makes a bathroom feel truly considered in every aspect of the design.
Final Thoughts
Creating a bathroom that lasts is about balancing style with function. Start with a vision, choose timeless colours and textures, and invest in a shower enclosure that combines quality and clever design.
Your bathroom isn’t just a practical space, it’s where your day begins and ends. With careful choices and a focus on longevity, you can create a bathroom that feels like a sanctuary today and remains just as enjoyable for decades to come.
Visit www.laneinteriors.ie to find out more about Tammy's work and projects to date.