Title:
Practicality
Vs
Appearance
Author:
A.Jeffers
Date Written:
Jan 2007
Date Updated:
04 Dec 2007
When writing articles on any aspect of bathroom furniture or bathroom equipment, it is wise to stress the most important point, being that a bathroom, or any room, should be designed around the needs of the users.
At its most basic level, the installation must be practical, catering to the needs of those individuals who will most frequently use it.
Physical Heights:
Physical suitability is a major aspect to consider, covering: working surface heights, available floor space, ceiling to floor height, and the likelihood of physical stress or impact damage. It would not be sensible to install bespoke benches or pre-fabricated bathroom units at, for example, a working height of 4ft if you are only 3ft tall. Whilst this is obvious, it illustrates that physical height has practical implications, particularly if you have small children.
Types of bathroom furniture and fittings for which physical height should be considered include bath surrounds and bases, tiled wooden frames/panels encompassing sinks and shelves, artificial floors, vanity units and shower tray bases. The success of all of these in practice is dependent on those who will use them.
The issue of physical height is closely followed by the intended life span. How long do you want and expect the installation to last in terms of wear and tear or suitability? Wear and tear is unavoidable and brings into play the issues of material build and manufacturing quality.
Materials Consideration:
Material consideration should be considered together with aesthetic suitability. Whether a large oak bench is durable or not, it would be an eyesore in most modern bathrooms. It would not be tolerated, regardless of its physical prowess. Besides this, woods with grains are not the most hygienic materials to use. They encourage bacterial growth, having crevices in which the bacteria breed. Woods are also prone to water absorption, which, if the wood is untreated, encourages mould growth and physical distortion.
We all want our bathrooms to look clean, tidy and presentable, but the most attractive materials and features aren’t always the most durable, appropriate or economically sound choices.
Real Life Example:
On a personal level, when I was younger, we had a corner mounted wash hand basin. Our bathroom is physically small and the washbasin was literally tiny. Whilst it looked petite and attractive on its pedestal, which again was installed for decorative purposes and not for load bearing, it was infuriating to use. It was awkward to get washed on an angle and the physical size of the washbasin proved impossible.
I was even more reluctant than normal to get out of bed in the morning knowing I had to confront that washbasin. Eventually other family members felt the same intensity of dislike towards the washbasin and it was replaced.
Instead, we chose a full size wash hand basin. Whilst it did not compare aesthetically with its predecessor it was much more practical, meaning it compromised the appearance/practicality argument.
Advice:
This is the approach I would advise anyone take in deciding upon bathroom furniture – to approach the design and choice of bathroom furniture primarily from a practical and functional perspective, and then choose the most aesthetically pleasing from the remaining practical options.
Many ready made, pre-fabricated bathroom suites are available, and if you have plenty of available space your options are not limited, depending on the available budget of course. Assuming expense is not an issue, sink tops and bathroom units and cabinets are available in a vast range of colours, textures, sizes and shapes and whatever your needs or preferences there will be something that is suitable for you.
Consider what you want from your bathroom; perhaps compile a list or answer questions like:
How often will I use the bathroom furniture? What kind of bathroom furniture do I need? Can I retain any of my existing appliances? If so, will the new furniture clash or match? How much money do I have available? Who will use the new bathroom regularly?
From the above questions you will have grasped the idea. Although it seems obvious and needless to say, actually reading lists of questions like the one above, makes us think about the relevant issues at hand. They allow us to make more informed and planned decisions on issues that would normally be taken for granted and missed.
From personal experience, never choose appearance over practicality. Even a gold-plated sink top would prove worthless if getting washed in it was a cramped and cold experience. The bathroom is used everyday in most households, and it is wise to remember this when choosing bathroom furniture and accessories.
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