Shrinking spaces

Homeowners today are contending with ever-shrinking spaces, with today’s newbuild properties typically smaller than 30 years ago, and the average size of a bathroom now standing at just 4.4m². In fact, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) estimates that the average size of a one bedroom newbuild home is just 46m² – that’s the same size as a tube carriage.

Yet, despite these space issues in the home, the bathroom remains an important part of our lives. It is increasingly becoming an important place for sanctuary in the home, and with a growing shift towards ‘Instagrammable’ bathrooms, installers are left with a challenge. How to create the perfect bathroom that addresses this issue of space?

The wall-hung way

With homeowners increasingly seeking out design-led solutions, installers are, in turn, having to come up with bathrooms that are stylish yet overcome these space constraints – in short, a practical, flexible, and attractive space.  As a result, manufacturers are developing a number of bathroom solutions that maximise space without compromising on style and wall-hung toilets and sanitaryware are one simple way to achieve this.

By concealing the cistern behind a stud wall, a wall-hung toilet reduces the outward projection of the furniture. And, where space is paramount, opting for wall-hung ceramics can make a real difference – the ability to conceal the cistern and lift the toilet’s footprint off the floor can make even the smallest of bathrooms instantly appear bigger. Opting for wall-hung ceramics can also enable toilets to be easily installed in those tricky spots on a project, such as under a window, in a narrow wall duct, or under a sloping ceiling.

Cleverly concealed fixings and the inclusion and position of water inlets also make life easier for installers, and with the cistern concealed inside a drywall, there is no need for additional studding.

Maintenance is also made safe and simple with these systems. A good concealed cistern will allow full access to the cistern internals through removal of the flush plate or removable shelf.

Wall-hung furniture can offer your customers the opportunity to upsell finishing touches to a project with the option of adding stylish flush plate finishes such as textured rustic wood or slate designs to shades that blend harmoniously into the desired colour scheme. Best in class prewall frame systems, like Geberit Duofix, can also offer homeowners a variety of location choices, including remote actuated flush buttons which enable the flush to be located away from the cistern.

Design solutions

If wall-hung isn’t possible for the task at hand, you can talk instead to your customers about the importance of saving even a few centimetres in such a small space. Back-to-wall toilets with concealed cisterns are another effective and stylish way to streamline the space. By hiding the cistern in the wall or furniture, it can offer a simple, yet effective, solution for smaller spaces.  

Alternatively, opting for simple, slim design solutions can create valuable space. Geberit’s Selnova Compact and Renova Plan series, for instance, offer a suite of compact and slimline furniture options, including short projection WCs and smaller-depth basins. Crucially, too, both ranges also incorporate a number of smart storage solutions like vanity units, tall shelving, and mirror cabinets, helping add value and design appeal to the project. 

The bottom line

When we consider the ever-present issue of shrinking space in today’s home, the opportunity to offer advice and upsell with innovative systems is a win-win for the installer and customer – as well as the perfect opportunity to grow your reputation by acting as a bathroom advisor as well as installer.

Visit www.geberit.co.uk for more information.