Toilet Design

When decorating the living room, bedroom, children's room or kitchen, many homeowners completely forget about this «triviality» as the toilet room. Yet this is also a space where residents spend considerable time. Therefore, it is important that comfort is maximized here: both in terms of using plumbing fixtures and in terms of design.

How to Decorate a Toilet Room

What are the specific features when arranging spaces with different sizes and layouts? Find out below.

Design: Olga Chernenko
1 Square Meter Toilet Room

This is the smallest version of a space, but it can still meet modern fashion trends. First of all, pay attention to the toilet: it is recommended to buy a wall-hung or built-in model. Shelves should be wall-mounted. When choosing ceramic tiles, preference should be given to light and cool tones: silver, white, pink, blue, etc. If dark shades are used, it visually reduces the volume of the space. It is also undesirable to use any prints.

2 Square Meter Toilet Room

Here, the main points of decoration are exactly the same as in the previous case. But now you can use corner sink or toilet models. The color scheme implies pastel tones and small patterns or prints.

Design: Maria Dadiani
Spacious Toilet RoomDesign: Nikita Morozov

Here, design ideas are limited only by financial possibilities. With sufficient space, you can plan a combination of the bathroom and toilet rooms. In such a case, in one place you can arrange a toilet and a bathtub (or a shower cabin) as well as a washing machine. Cabinets can be both wall-mounted and floor-standing. The color scheme can be any.

Modern Toilet with SinkDesign: "Studio 40"

One of the most important problems designers face when decorating such spaces is rational use of space. This can be helped by a so-called mini sink. This is a compact sanitary fixture, which is a reduced version of the standard model. The smallest size of a mini sink can be only 20 cm, shape – regular or corner. You cannot wash your head in such a sink, but space can be saved for sure. The main purpose of such a fixture is to wash hands after using the toilet. If the space is spacious enough and there is already a washing machine in the room, you can buy a sink designed specifically for installation above this household appliance.

Combined BathroomDesign: Shperling Design Studio

Despite the fact that most homeowners complain about this arrangement of sanitary fixtures, there are also advantages to a combined layout:

• you get a more spacious room;
  
• savings on finishing and repair, since you won't need to paste wallpaper or lay tiles on an additional wall, as well as install a separate door.
  

As practice shows, a combined bathroom is quite acceptable if there are no more than 3 people living in the house. The decorative style can be any: classic, high-tech, Japanese design or minimalism. For small spaces, the last option is best suited. The design of combined toilets and bathrooms is based on separate zones: washbasin, bathing and toilet areas. Sanitary fixtures and furniture are arranged linearly or radially.

Rectangular or Square-Shaped Toilet Rooms

In the first case, sanitary fixtures, cabinets and washing machine are installed along one wall in the room. The bathtub is usually placed opposite the door. In a rectangular toilet room, the sink and toilet are mounted facing each other. The bathtub (shower cabin) is placed opposite the entrance. In an elongated toilet room (sometimes it happens after a self-planned reconfiguration), all main fixtures – toilet, bathtub and sink – are placed in a row.

Design: Natalia Guseva
Toilet in an Apartment: What Is Included in the Repair

If you want your toilet room to look original and be comfortable to use, then you first need to carry out repairs in it, namely:

• replace old pipes, and new ones (if possible) hide in the walls;
  
• if «masking» is not possible, special structures should be made for stacks and drainage to cover the pipes (remember about the possibility of quick access to valves and taps on stacks);
  
• look for new plumbing fixtures in the store;
  
• replace floor covering and carry out ceiling and wall finishing.
  

What to Choose for Toilet Wall Finishing

The main problem here lies in the fact that it is a space with high humidity. Therefore, attention should be paid to material selection with maximum care. There are several options for using various materials, each of which deserves closer examination.

Gypsum Board

This refers to non-standard, moisture-resistant products. It differs from regular ones in the absence of cardboard in its composition, instead of which a special water-repelling substance is used. All sheets of moisture-resistant gypsum board have higher density, marked as GKVLS and with a greenish color. There are a couple of methods for using these sheets.

1. First, aluminum profiles are mounted on the walls to which the gypsum board sheets are then attached. This method of finishing is also interesting in that it allows you to mask utilities: pipes, stacks and electrical wiring. The last one will also get additional protection from moisture. The downside of this finishing method is a slight reduction in the toilet room area.
   
2. The second method involves gluing GKVLS sheets. The difficulty here lies in the careful preparation of the wall surfaces, which must be absolutely flat. But as a result, the room area remains virtually unchanged.
   

Remember not to forget that the area around the bathtub should be finished with more moisture-resistant materials: plastic panels or tiles. At the final stage, gypsum board can be coated with water-repelling paints or use cork covering.

Ceramic TilesDesign: Lidia Pfeiffer and Olga Fradina

This is a classic material that remains relevant for decorating toilet rooms. Ceramic tiles have quite a few advantages:

• durability: the service life exceeds any other materials used for toilet room finishing;
  
• hygiene: tiles are easy to clean with both cleaning and disinfecting agents;
  
• attractiveness in an aesthetic sense: the market offers a huge selection of tiles differing in shades and textures.
  

If you decide to finish the toilet with tiles, remember that this process is labor-intensive and requires professional skills, tools, and equipment. Therefore, it is better to use the services of a master if you lack experience.

PaintingDesign: Olga Pochueva

Decorating a toilet with paint is also considered classic. Unlike tiling ceramic tiles, painting walls can be done by yourself. Special compositions made on a latex basis or water-dispersible paints are required here. The work sequence:

• leveling walls using plaster or spackle (if defects are small);
  
• painting with a roller.
  

Decorative Plaster

A high-quality modern material that is resistant to moisture and steam. These compositions are safe in an ecological sense, «automatically» form a waterproof layer, are easily applied to surfaces and do not crack over time. Using decorative plaster, you can create a monochrome or ornamental wall that will differ in some texture. However, the finishing process is laborious and time-consuming.

Plastic Panels

This material belongs to the budget category and is easy to install (installation can be done by yourself). Plastic repels moisture 100%. Today manufacturers offer a wide range of panels that can be not only colored but also imitate natural materials like marble, granite or wood. Installation is done in one of two ways.

1. With a wooden or aluminum lathing fixed to the wall. Self-tapping screws and anchors are needed if the wall is made of brick, blocks or monolithic concrete.
   
2. Gluing. In this case, the surface must be well prepared to make it flat.
   

Works should begin with the farthest corner of the toilet, gradually moving towards the door. At the final stage, corner elements are installed.

Wallpaper

Previously, using this popular finishing material was impossible. However, today there are moisture-repelling wallpapers with special labeling – three waves. When choosing, preference should be given to vinyl or acrylic materials. When performing works, it is important to carefully glue the seams – the weakest point of wallpapers.

At the end of this section on finishing, it should be added that for the floor, ceramic tiles are best suited, and for the ceiling - moisture-resistant gypsum board. In the latter case, a two-level option is possible.

How to Choose a Toilet

This important plumbing fixture can have several construction options. Depending on the installation method, there are three types of toilets:

• corner (wall-mounted): suitable for small toilet rooms, as it has a flush tank installed directly in the wall, which saves space significantly;
  
• suspended: its basis is a metal frame rigidly attached to the wall (can withstand a weight of up to 400 kg);
  
• floor-standing: the most common variant, where the fixture is attached to the floor. It has two variations: compact and with a separate tank placed on top.
  

Lighting in the ToiletDesign: "Studio 40"

The first thing to pay attention to is the class of protection of fixtures (IP21-41), which is related to high humidity in the room. To choose lighting correctly, you need to consider:

• the design of the toilet: if it is classical, then regular incandescent lamps and traditional shades will suit, for the hi-tech style choose LED fixtures enclosed in chrome (nickel-plated) housings with straight shapes;
  
• ceiling height: if they are far away, then pendant lights should be used, single shades look better on low surfaces;
  
• finishing material: for gypsum board ceilings, spot LED fixtures are suitable. A classic stuccoed ceiling is better equipped with a suspended shade.
  

Design in the Toilet

The most appropriate interior design for the toilet room is to maintain a unified design of the space, so that there is no feeling of discomfort when moving. Essentially, style is an idea that hides flaws and emphasizes the advantages of the toilet room (toilet design photos are shown below). What is currently most popular?

• Minimalism. This is a toilet design in an apartment, done in light tones. It implies a small sink and mirror without decoration.
  
• Classic style. These are flat shades and traditional plumbing fixtures. Gold leaf and marble will suit well.
  
• Eco-style. This design for a toilet room implies the use of real plants and natural materials: decorative stone, wood. Colors can be bright.
  
• Retro style. This toilet interior combines simplicity and comfort. To fully match the style, it is not necessary to look for antique items: you can buy styled plumbing fixtures that function as modern ones but have a retro appearance.
  
• Countryside style. The toilet interior implies that wood imitations should dominate in finishing materials (you can use real material, but it will cost more, plus an antiseptic treatment). Suitable are yellow, white shades or sea wave color. Additional elements can include curtains, vases, mats and even live flowers.
  

How to Visually Increase the Area in a Toilet

First of all, you should use light monochrome tones. Also suitable are stripes on the wall, stretched upwards. Don't forget about the mirror: it should be large, which visually increases the volume of the room. Use more glossy materials. Lighting also plays its role: in a small room, install large wall sconces that give bright, penetrating light throughout the space. You can also connect the toilet room decoration with a 3D floor, which will also visually increase the space.

Some Unusual Designer Ideas

The wall in the toilet can be decorated with a large panel or landscape painting (you can use photo wallpapers with an image of a city). When creating decor, it is appropriate to use seashells that remind you of summer and create a cozy, peaceful atmosphere. If someone in the family likes to read in the toilet room, you can provide a special shelf where books can be placed along with clocks or other items.

Features of Selecting Furniture for the Toilet

Pay attention to the material of manufacture: it should be moisture-resistant. The best and cheapest options include plastic and MDF. These are materials that do not require special care and are easy to clean. If you hang shelves, choose the height correctly so that elderly people or children can reach the desired item easily. For a large space, it is more appropriate to buy a furniture set that will ensure a unified style in the room.

Repair of the toilet room, finishing and related design decoration will take a lot of time and money. However, well-chosen materials, style and lighting guarantee you a comfortable and attractive space that will naturally fit into the overall interior of the house.

Original examples of decorating small-sized toilet rooms.

Design: Elena Franchyan, Boris Matveev; Faber Group Architecture BureauDesign: Shperling Design

On the cover, design project by Zhenya Zhedanova