Southampton Shower/Utility Room

Are you a bath or a shower person? It can be a divisive issue and one that can provoke arguments in a household. Not in this household where the main family bathroom had a large bathtub but no shower - in a household of shower lovers. They had removed the offending tub but needed the room sorting out to fit a wonderful, big shower. However, the family needed this room to work even harder. All the laundry was done in here, including drying. They didn’t want a dryer, but I immediately spotted a way to get the laundry racks off the floor and improve the whole room.

By dedicating one wall to laundry, we created a fantastic amount of storage the home was really lacking. Deep base cabinets meant their washer would fit as well as giving a laundry sink. Matching tall cabinets hid the boiler and provided more storage for towels and all the bed linens. By using the ceiling height we could give them lots of useful drying space with a ceiling rack and wall racks. By putting a dual fuel towel radiator here meant the laundry would dry, summer or winter, whether the central heating is on or not.

On the opposite side we have a beautiful, large shower with a pivot door to make best use of the space. Next to it is the vanity and smart loo. The vanity unit matches the laundry cupboards and with big, deep drawers will help keep this bathroom clutter free. The mirror cabinet has a built-in charging dock for toothbrushes and electric razors.

The colours were driven by these beautiful feather tiles that create a stunning focal point for the room. Large format tiles in the shower area will be easy to maintain and keep clean. Painting the room Setting Plaster by @farrowandball brings a warmth, soft light to the room. A soft pink can be the most flattering colour to have in a bathroom as it brings a soft reflected glow when you look in the mirror. Many people choose “watery” colours in a bathroom which conversely can make you look sick and pallid when you look in the mirror!