Essential Design Elements For Any Low-Maintenance Bathroom

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Arbour Wisteria' wall tiles from Original Style. Image credit: Original Style.

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I remember an advertisement from my childhood that compared cleaning the shower to a prison sentence. A hilarious anecdote as a child turned into an all too harsh reality when I moved into my first place and was faced with the mammoth effort that is trying to keep up the cleanliness of a bathroom. 

Cut to today, there’s a growing trend in bathroom design that’s reflective of our need for simplicity and minimalism in functional spaces that have often demanded a lot of upkeep.

With low-maintenance bathroom design, we no longer have to worry about spending large periods of time cleaning difficult-to-reach areas or complicated surfaces. From small innovations such as touchless tap fixtures to larger changes like stone cladding installation, there are some great design elements available now for crafting your perfect low-maintenance bathroom.

The switch to a low-maintenance bathroom is essential for a fast-paced lifestyle, so try utilising these design elements in your own bathroom and say goodbye to the endless task of scrubbing and sealing.

Invest in Easy-to-Clean, Non-Porous Surfaces 

Investing in non-porous surfaces is integral when it comes to keeping a clean and sanitary space. Highly porous materials (like marble and other natural stones) stain and scratch easily and can ruin the overall look of your bathroom design.

Elysian Calacatta Gold Vein Matt Marble Effect Wall Tiles by Walls & Floors. Image credit: Walls & Floors.

For a non-porous and simple surface for your bathroom, look to use glazed porcelain stoneware that is hard-wearing, scratch-resistant and non-absorbent. Porcelain stoneware does not need to be sealed regularly and will be able take being cleaned in harsh chemicals (whereas natural surfaces can only be cleaned with soapy water).

Choosing large-scale tiles with minimal grout lines makes a bathroom easier to clean and provides a smooth, continuous flow for a luxury look. Avoid using penny tiles or mosaic designs in your bathroom which require a lot of grout and are hard to keep looking good.

Consider Design Elements that Aid in Moisture Control

Being able to keep your bathroom ventilated is essential for ensuring the room is fresh and free of any insidious mould. If your bathroom layout doesn’t include any windows, consider installing a strong exhaust fan to extract the damp air and keep the circulation going within your bathroom. This can help prevent the buildup of mould and mildew and also get rid of any unbecoming smells. 

You could also consider installing other moisture control solutions, such as heated floors or towel warmers. These can help dry any lingering dampness that comes from regular use of your bathroom and also adds a warm touch for those cold winter nights. 

Utilise Simplistic Layouts with Integrated Storage

When it comes to dynamic bathroom design, no space is too small if you have the right storage solutions to hand. You can better utilise the space you have by investing in integrated shelving and wall-hung storage, making the most of all surface areas. Not only can built-in storage help keep the floor and surface areas from becoming cluttered, but it can also help keep your bathroom clear and thus, easier to clean.

Try adding a wall shelf to display bathrom objects and make the most of a dead space. Image credit: Molly Mahon

Consider Maintenance Requirements for Light vs. Dark Colour Schemes

Both light and dark neutral tones in a bathroom have their own pros and cons. For instance, lighter shades are likely to bring a certain airiness to the overall look, although lighter colours are not forgiving and show up any stains or marks. You should also consider the grout colour when laying tiles - white grout is notoriously hard to clean, so a darker shade is better for a low-maintenance bathroom.

Darker bathrooms are modern in style and are more forgiving, but they also come with their own range of problems: greasy marks can be really highlighted on walls painted a dark hue, while limescale would also be more prominent against a darker surface.

Wall-hung fittings

Wall-hung fittings are great for a low-maintenance bathroom as they allow light and air to travel around them, creating the illusion of a bigger space, as well as freeing up the floor, making it an easier area to clean.

Image credit: GROHE