Most of us know what temperature we like our house to be in winter, but sometimes keeping the bathroom warm is an afterthought. Many of us like bathroom tiles’ smooth minimalism, yet they can be rather chilly to the touch. Want a warmer bathroom that doesn’t compromise style or ramp up energy bills? The good news is, there are more ways than one to create a cosier bathroom.
Underfloor heating
If you’d like a bit of luxury in your bathroom (as well as warmth), maybe it’s time to consider underfloor heating.
There are two types: electric and water-powered underfloor heating. The running costs of water underfloor heating are generally more affordable. To ensure those energy bills are manageable, make sure your bathroom is properly insulated first. Don’t leave the underfloor heating on when you don’t need it.
Installing underfloor heating is the type of renovation that you’ll want to consult a specialist about. It’s a good idea to pop into a bathroom showroom to see some real examples of how you could incorporate this feature into your bathroom.
Rugs
Of course, you may be looking for a lower-budget solution. If so, getting one or two classy rugs for your bathroom could be the way forward.
Stepping out of the shower onto a soft rug is also a much more enjoyable experience than setting your feet on bare tile.
Look for rugs with a high-tog rating if you want to notice a significant difference. Rugs with a felt back can block some of the cold air that may be travelling up from lower levels of the house.
Heated towel rail
Heated towel rails are available in many different styles. They can also help lift the temperature of your bathroom while keeping your towels warm and toasty.
What’s more, they can be quite cost-effective, using the central heating system in winter and the electric heating element during summer.
Keeping the towels dry also helps reduce the room’s moisture, lessening the chance of dampness or mould.
Warm lighting
Sometimes it’s not just about heating the air itself, but also creating a warm impression in your bathroom. Use canny tricks like warm lighting to create a space that feels warmer than it is.
Kelvins are the measurement used for colour temperature. The lower the light’s kelvins, the warmer you can expect it to appear. Bathroom lighting that is around 2,700K will produce a warm glow and should also make it easy for tasks like applying makeup if you have a warm skin tone. For cool skin tones, you may prefer a light that is around 3,000K. This light would be more neutral, but not so cool as to make the bathroom look uninviting. However, a large part of this is down to personal preference.
Warm colour scheme
Of course, we can’t forget the actual colour scheme of the bathroom.
If you enjoy getting creative with your interior design, the bathroom is a great place to experiment! Try bold mustard tiles or olive, woodland tones for a fun, warm look.
Wallpaper was one of the more impractical bathroom trends of the 90s. But luckily, it’s now possible to get waterproof wallpaper specially designed for bathrooms. You could use this to create a bold, rich feature wall in your bathroom.
Or keep it neutral with warm beige or hints of salmon pink. The “greige” look is very on-trend and may work for you.
It’s up to you what lengths you want to go to make your bathroom warmer. It could be a full-scale renovation or a few simple tweaks. Either way, a warm bathroom is an achievable goal!