• The Shop
    • Shop All
    • The Artists
  • The Blog
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Interiors
    • City Guides
    • Beauty
    • Life
  • The Edit
    • Fashion
    • Beauty
    • Interiors
    • Kids
  • About
0
24th August 2015

Bathrooms: Making the most out of small spaces

Life - By Alexandra Stedman
Bathrooms. They excite me far more than other rooms in the house. Maybe it’s because my bathrooms have always been so tiny, they’ve seemed easier to achieve. I’ve been looking forward to sharing photos our new ensuite, and I’m sure my husband is too, as I’ve been making us both shower downstairs until I finished taking these photos!
Hooks: Wilkinson

Our bathroom is pretty much as small as it could possibly be. But to me – it’s perfect. Yes, again, we had to compromise (I was desperate for marble tiles but even for our tiny surface area, they were way out of our price bracket), but I’m so happy with how it has turned out.

Sink: Victoria Plumb. Towel holder: £6.50, Ikea. Hand towel: £12.99, H&M Home
Unsurprisingly, we went for a monochrome scheme – it was just easier that way to keep it looking chic and expensive looking. The white tiles were pretty much the cheapest ones available at Topps Tiles – but we went with square rather than Metro tiles for a change and the grey grout keeps it modern looking (and easier to keep clean!). H&M Home sufficed for most of the interiors.
Shelf: £52, Rowen & Wren
Taps: Victorian Plumbing. Soap: £14, L:A Bruket
Bathroom shopping was difficult, as I was suddenly in a field I had no knowledge on – was it a rip off, was this shop naff? I basically came to accept that all bathroom shops are the same – there really isn’t much between them in regards to stock, pricing etc. After deciding Burlington sinks were just too pricey for what possibly won’t be our ‘forever’ home, it really was a case of just picking one that did the job and didn’t look too cheap – and was small enough not to get in the way.
Mirror, £35, Cox & Cox
Towel radiator: Wickes. Towel: £4.99, H&M Home
The basic style of our bathroom was based on Cowshed, with a bit of The Hoxton Hotel, Holborn, thrown in (how middle class of me!). We were lucky to have a friend help us with the tiling, as that saved a huge amount of costs. Pinterest, was of course, a huge inspiration (see my ‘Dream Bathroom’ board here).
Shower Door: Elegant Showers
Shower taps: Victoria Plumb
I HAVE A COWSHED BUILT IN SHELF (the one thing I wouldn’t compromise on). 
Shower head: Victorian Plumbing
I am really liking the mix of patterns and shape tiles that are going on, now. And I just love opening the door into my little tiled haven…even more so that I’ll actually be able to shower in it now this post is up!

By Alexandra Stedman

Fashion Editor, Blogger, Realist

Popular Posts

THE BEST (AND THE MOST STYLISH) AFFORDABLE KITCHENS

HOW TO ACHIEVE YOUR PERFECT STAIR RUNNER

WHY I FEEL WEIRD ANNOUNCING I’M PREGNANT (IN A POST WHERE I TALK ABOUT BEING PREGNANT)

Frugality Shops

You might also like

  • AFFORDABLE ART: WALL OF ART
    AFFORDABLE ART: WALL OF ART
  • AN HONEST AIR FRYER REVIEW (FROM A SCEPTICAL CONVERT!)
    AN HONEST AIR FRYER REVIEW (FROM A SCEPTICAL CONVERT!)
  • ALEX’S TOP DECLUTTERING TIPS
    ALEX’S TOP DECLUTTERING TIPS
  • HOW TO REUSE YOUR MATCHBOXES
    HOW TO REUSE YOUR MATCHBOXES

You May Also Like...

  • Design: Cos x Hay

  • Interiors inspiration: bathroom

  • Interiors: Hallway

« How To Be Parisian (in London)
Quick Style Update: Turtleneck T-Shirt »

Comments

  1. Anna Proffitt says

    24th August 2015 at 7:34 am

    I have recently discovered H&M home, they have such nice things! I can't wait to get some goodies for m student room!

    Anna | aforvogue

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      24th August 2015 at 11:53 am

      Once you've found it, there is no going back…

      Reply
  2. Laura says

    24th August 2015 at 7:45 am

    You have done such a fabulous job on your bathroom, and with your loft conversion in general, it all looks beautifully done! I always swoon over bathrooms and kitchens on Pinterest but find them hard spaces to decorate in reality, so many decisions to make! Well done!

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      24th August 2015 at 11:54 am

      Thank you!! Yes – so hard to decide which finish you want when Pinterest makes everything look so good. Kind of why I stuck to black and white, made the decision making much more manageable!

      Reply
  3. Lizzy Hadfield says

    24th August 2015 at 9:23 am

    I am loving all your interior posts so much!! In a couple of months I am moving into a new flat and I am going to keep looking to you for inspo! I am moving into a rented place, and it's perfect apart from one thing… the shower room is carpeted! Ahhh! It makes me cringe (for some reason!), the thought of stepping out the shower onto carpet. I have bought a GIANT bathmat to hopefully prevent any damage to the carpet – but I would love to know if you had an ideas as to how to make it work?? I am worried it is going to feel dirty and damp all the time!

    Shot From The Street | Fashion Blog

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      24th August 2015 at 12:24 pm

      Funnily enough, my parents have always had a carpeted bathroom – you get used to it! As long as you have a good bathmat and open windows (if there are any) after you shower -that's all I can suggest! x

      Reply
  4. Wonky Lauren says

    24th August 2015 at 9:39 am

    I'm loving all your home posts, your house is beautiful. I love the H&M home bits too x

    Wonky Lauren

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      24th August 2015 at 12:25 pm

      Thank you so much, I love H&M Home -just waiting for them to start making furniture!

      Reply
  5. PoppysStyle says

    24th August 2015 at 11:03 am

    Just perfect and H&M home are just the best…mixed with some IKEA:)

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      24th August 2015 at 12:26 pm

      There's high to low shopping, and then there's low to low (I fall into the second bracket) 😉

      Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    24th August 2015 at 12:12 pm

    I love it Alex! We have very similar taste and I love the accessories. Can I ask where the flooring is from please? x

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      24th August 2015 at 12:26 pm

      Thank you – I learnt a long time ago that clean and simple is always better for me! The flooring is from Topps Tiles x

      Reply
  7. Cover Girl says

    24th August 2015 at 6:46 pm

    Very cool!

    Reply
  8. Francesca Kolar says

    25th August 2015 at 9:24 am

    Your loft and bathroom is so pretty and really well curated, you definitely have an eye for it! I always struggle with the less is more concept! I have just gathered too much stuff (not all good) over time! Frankie 🙂 http://www.newgirlontheblog.me

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      26th August 2015 at 8:07 am

      Thank you! I've been reading Marie Kondo's book 'The Life Changing Magic of tidying' and it really helped my brain get through clutter! x

      Reply
  9. Kim says

    25th August 2015 at 1:03 pm

    LOVING how you've done your bathroom. All your interior posts have been fab. Very inspirational.

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      26th August 2015 at 8:06 am

      Thank you! And we're slowing doing our whole house (it has only been almost 5 years since moving in!) – so will update as we go!

      Reply
  10. Sheepskins fairylights says

    29th August 2015 at 10:10 pm

    Love it! Simple, stylish, interesting! Xx

    Reply
  11. Laura Buxton says

    6th April 2016 at 4:19 pm

    Hi Alex, totally understand if you're not willing to share, but I wondered how much it cost you to totally kit out your bathroom? I'm planning on ripping mine out and totally re-fitting, re-tiling and more it and I have no idea of costs! Thank you. Laura

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      6th April 2016 at 6:06 pm

      No worries at all, you're the second person to ask me in 2 days actually! Ours roughly cost £700 including tiles, units, tilers. But a friend tiled it for us for mates rates, and our builders fitted our toilet, sink etc as agreed when they started the loft – hope that helps! We bought everything separately and scoured the internet….tiles were super cheap Topps Tiles, Victorian Plumbing was a good site if I remember – and good old Amazon! xx

      Reply
  12. Jonathan Maguire says

    13th April 2016 at 3:59 pm

    Just perfect and H&M home are just the best…mixed with some IKEA:)
    Jonathan
    MyBedMyBath

    Reply
  13. Jessica says

    19th December 2016 at 12:16 pm

    Thanks for sharing

    Reply
  14. Hannah Williams says

    29th June 2020 at 11:34 am

    Hi. Can I ask what the measurements were for this space? I’m hoping to add an ensuite to my bedroom and it’s going to be tiny! I’m aware this post was from a while ago so no worries if you no longer have the info! Thanks xx

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      29th June 2020 at 2:19 pm

      Sorry I don’t have, plus I don’t actually think we really measured….mainly just asked the minimum requirements for a shower and drew it out on the floor! xx

      Reply
  15. Becky says

    29th October 2020 at 6:55 pm

    Have you ever tried the stick on tiles? I presume they go over existing tiles. We are hopefully buying a new house that has a dated bathroom but will be extending the house and changing layout (in about 3 years!) and so no point in spending lots of money on a new bathroom. I just want to try and update what is there already. Would love to know your thoughts.

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      2nd November 2020 at 3:25 pm

      I’ve never tried! But Medina from Grillo designs might have (she is amazing for temporary decor ideas!) x

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Fashion
  • Life
  • Frugal City Guides
  • Work
  • Beauty
  • Culture & Art
  • Food
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok

The Frugality Newsletter

Copyright © 2023 | All rights reserved | Design by Gatto

Sign up to The Frugality newsletter

For exclusive updates, musings and offers