Some of the top interior design experts share their ideas and inspirations in creating the dream bathroom space.
Sheryl Tan, Director @ Pavillion Creation
“Everyone knows that it’s generally not a good idea use wood in the bathroom, especially in our humid weather; it’ll rot, get mouldy and fungus will grow on it. But that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to use wood surfaces in the bathroom. I would love the opportunity to design a toilet using specially treated wood on both the walls and floor. I think it’d be amazing to have a forest-theme or a back-to- nature feel in the bathroom.”
Katy Chong, Senior Designer @ Artistroom
“There aren’t many options for storage in the bathroom, so cabinets are still ideal. Always try to build them higher so they avoid getting splashed by water and are easier to clean. I also like to create little niches in the wall, or build concrete ledges in the shower area to hold the bottles.”
Nikki Hunt, Founder & Principal @ Design Intervention
“A dream bathroom, for me, is a room with plenty of space and a view to die for. There can be few things more decadent and relaxing than lounging in a nice, warm bath with soft music in the background and a lovely view to gaze at. I would advise homeowners to use wallpaper in the bathroom. As long as the room is well ventilated, you can use wallpaper. Just make sure you keep it in areas that don’t get wet and you consider where the edges of the paper are.”
Terence Neo, Director @ Oblique Interiors
“In Asian homes, the bathrooms are usually the least prioritised space in the house. But I think it’s worthwhile designing a bigger bathroom and making it as comfortable and as inviting as a bedroom. My perfect bathroom would be spacious and luxurious, complete with rustic stones and full pebble-wash.”
Vincent Ang, Director @ Black N White House
“I prefer using a lighter colour palette, like grey or off-white, in the bathroom. These colours work harmoniously with the sanitary ware, which are usually white. But designers are always restricted in the bathroom. Most homeowners usually want to box up the major sewage pipes to hide them but this ends up taking up a lot of space and making the room feel even smaller.”
John Chan, Director @ Neu Konceptz
“There are a few tricks you can use to try to maximise the space usage in the bathroom. For example, you can use a semi-recessed washbasin to save a bit more space or reposition the bathroom entrance so the door won’t take up space when it’s open. And I suggest forgoing the bathtub as most bathrooms in local homes really can’t afford the space.
Lee Chi Ho, Director @ The Orange Cube
“Although mirrors can definitely make the space look bigger, it’s not necessarily a good idea to install them in the bathroom. Our humid weather means that most bathrooms in Singapore are inadequately ventilated. Over time, the mirrors will tarnish and end up looking dirty and unkempt, so I suggest keeping mirrors to a minimum. Instead, you can use controlled lighting to make the bathroom appear larger.”
