DESIGNING A SUN-SOAKED BATHROOM IN THE UK
We wanted this family bathroom to have a quietly transportive feeling - warm light, sun-washed tones, and patterned tiles that feel lifted from a Mediterranean courtyard.
INSPIRATION BEHIND THE DESIGN
ORIGINAL BATHROOM
The inspiration for this space was rooted in the Mediterranean. My clients spend a lot of holiday time there and feel naturally drawn to its warmth, authenticity, and character. This project became an opportunity to reflect that connection, translating those influences into a considered, elevated design that feels both personal and timeless.
LAYOUT
The existing layout of the bathroom worked well, so we chose not to make any structural changes. Instead, the focus was on enhancing the space, introducing underfloor heating and layered lighting to elevate both comfort and atmosphere.
We replaced the bidet with a bath the clients knew they would truly value, and transformed the former shower-bath into a dedicated wet room. This creates a far more seamless experience and aligns beautifully with the relaxed, Mediterranean feel of the space. The WC was repositioned slightly to allow for more space around the bath.
Retaining the core layout not only helped manage costs, but more importantly, it respected what already worked. The positioning of the bath makes the most of the sloped ceiling, drawing the eye upward and allowing natural light to flood in, whether that’s soft daylight or glimpses of the evening sky.
A floor-standing towel rail was positioned beside the bath for practicality, but it also acts as a sculptural feature, adding to the overall character of the room.
DEVELOPMENT STAGE
COLOURS & TEXTURES
We moved away from the colder white and blue palette, introducing a soft, sun-washed yellow to the walls and a richer, buttery yellow on the bespoke vanity which looks really warm and golden at night. Painting the Velux window in white helped to further brighten and modernise the space.
Drawing on Mediterranean influences and coastal tones, these warm yellows are balanced with blue through the patterned wall tiles and decorative details. Underfoot, terracotta-toned tiles, rich in variation with notes of orange and soft brown, bring a relaxed, grounded warmth to the room.
Layering texture is key to creating a space that feels both inviting and considered. Porcelain tiles were selected for both the floor and walls, offering durability and low porosity without compromising on character. Gloss finishes across the sanitary ware and mirrored in the wall lights, sit beautifully against the warmth of natural wood and softer painted surfaces.
The wall colour, ‘Jane’ by Coat Paints in a soft-sheen finish, has a subtle chalky quality and a creamy depth that works particularly well in a bathroom setting both functionally and aesthetically.
FURNITURE, FIXTURES & FINISHES
Careful consideration was given to how each fixture and finish would sit together within the space. Brass, in particular, can vary significantly in tone, so we specified consistent finishes for the primary fittings, including the shower. Elsewhere, subtle variations in antique brass across the wall lights, towel rail, hooks, soap caddy, and toilet roll holder, introduce a softer, more layered feel. This subtle nuance ensures the scheme remains cohesive without feeling overly uniform or staged.
KEY MOMENTS IN THE DESIGN
The arched shower niche and oval freestanding bath introduce softness, offsetting the more angular lines of the shower enclosure and vanity.
The Pamplona Blanco wall tiles from Quorn Stone, draw inspiration from traditional Italian Majolica, bringing pattern and a sense of craftsmanship into the space.
Underfoot, the Salamanca tiles from Quorn Stone evoke the warmth and character of a Spanish interior.
The bespoke vanity, designed by AF Interiors and made by Parker & Howley, acts as a focal point. Reeded drawer fronts, a timber worktop and a stone countertop basin create layered texture, and deep drawers provide generous, practical storage. I am so glad we went for something bespoke and personal.
Antique brass fittings run throughout, adding a subtle patina and a gently lived-in quality.
LIGHTING
Instead of a single ceiling light which was there in the original space and providing very little light or ambience, we went for four dimmable spotlights in warm white, with two pendant sconces either side of the mirror, with the option to have the different lights on separately.
MEASUREMENTS
Hopefully this helps inspire you that it you really can do a lot with a small space. Here’s a breakdown of the measurements of the room and furniture in it, below:
Room: 2.6 × 2.3m (approx)
Ceiling Height: 1.3m - 2.3m (sloped)
Wetroom shower: 1.2m x 0.7m
*Shower includes two glass panels and glass door from The Glass Warehouse. Glass panels are all 2.1m high, the end panel is 700mm wide and the side panel and door are 600mm wide.
Bath: 1400 (L) x 750 (D) x 570 (H) mm
Vanity Unit: 600 (W) × 525 (D) x 840 (H) mm
Toilet: 820 (H) x 375 (W) x 650 (D) mm
THE END RESULT
The result is a bathroom that invites you to slow down and stay a little longer. It feels warm, considered and quietly characterful, with an effortless quality, designed not to be styled for show, but to be genuinely lived in and enjoyed every day.
Bathroom installation by https://www.radleyveale.com/