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I’m an interiors expert:
Here’s how to keep your bathroom feeling warm during the chilly months
Abbas Youssefi, interiors expert at Porcelain Superstore highlights the best ways to take the chill off your bathroom
this winter
Creating a warm and cosy atmosphere in your bathroom can really enhance your overall experience and make it a more inviting space. Unfortunately, winter often has other plans.
Bathrooms can sometimes feel like one of the coldest rooms in the house during the winter months. The practical need for ventilation and other heat loss-related issues can also create a chilly experience.
The weather has also definitely had an impact. Searches for ‘warm bathroom ideas’ have shot up by 125% since the start of December and continue to trend upwards - and it's no surprise. With temperatures in the UK hitting as low as -14C, and further cold snaps projected for late January/early February, people are feeling the chill in 2024 already.
“Early morning showers and late night loo visits are never fun, but they can feel even worse during winter.” Says Abbas Youssefi, Co-Director and bathroom expert at Porcelain Superstore.
“Putting the heating on is a surefire way to warm your bathroom up. I mean, who doesn’t love wrapping up in a toasty towel the second you hop out of the shower? But this can cause your bills to shoot up.
“With a few key changes, you can make your bathroom more energy-efficient and stylishly cosy this season, without turning up the heat.”
Abbas shares some of his key tips to help your bathroom feel warmer this winter.
Close seals on windows/doors
Poorly sealed windows and doors can be one of the biggest causes of heat loss for your bathroom. Proper sealing helps conserve energy, keeping the room warmer for longer. This helps reduce heating costs, making your room feel pleasantly warm for less.
Check to make sure the seals around your windows are in good condition, if they’re crumbly or weak, definitely consider replacing them. Options can include foam tapes, weather strips, and gaskets. Do the same for your door. If your door has some pretty big gaps, it might be time to consider replacing it as well.
Check your ventilation cover
While most bathroom vents are sold with a cover, there could be times when the cover is removed or lost during cleaning or renovations. In some cases, this creates a gap to the outside, allowing heat to escape and cold air to blow through. In other instances a cover might be jammed open, causing the same issue.
Check your bathroom vent to make sure it’s in place and working properly. If there are signs of wear and tear then it could be a good time to replace it. It’s also a good idea to check the seals around your ventilation system to make sure they’re also in good working order.
Use soft lighting bulbs
Soft lighting can make a huge difference in any room. Our brains associate warmer light temperatures with a sense of warmth and comfort, - think candlelight and a toasty fireplace. Soft bulbs help to diffuse shadows, minimise contrast and create a more gentle transition, making the space warmer and more relaxed.
To incorporate softer light, install dimmable LED bulbs with a warm colour temperature and add a dimmer switch to adjust the intensity to create the perfect atmosphere for you. Experiment with light sources like overhead lights, wall lights, vanity lights and cordless touch lights for some interesting variety.
Add plush towels and rugs
As with any room, soft furnishings can have a huge impact on the look and feel of a room. Used on hard flooring, rugs can help you avoid cold floors, keeping your feet (and the rest of you) warm. This can be a game-changer on cold mornings and late-night visits. Rugs are great insulators, providing an additional layer of insulation on floors and reducing heat loss through hard surfaces.
They can also introduce colour, texture and interest to a room, providing a psychological boost to back up feelings of warmth. This also works well with other soft furnishings like towels, bathrobes, mats, curtains and more. Consider materials like bamboo or fluffy cotton to add texture and comfort.
Rugs and other soft furnishings can be a magnet for wet and moisture, so it’s important to hang them up to dry thoroughly after each use and wash them regularly to keep them looking their absolute best.
Invest in curtains (yes, really)
Bathroom curtain ideas might seem like an unusual addition to a bathroom. But they are an incredibly versatile style choice that also helps to create a warm, relaxing and inviting space.
During colder seasons, windows can be a source of heat loss in bathrooms. Curtains can provide an additional layer of insulation to help keep warmth in and cold out. Curtains that brush the floor and bunch slightly to create a seal can be incredibly effective.
It’s important to choose curtains that can handle the changing conditions of a bathroom. Be on the lookout for fabrics such as linen, cotton or polyester - these are lightweight, machine-safe, quick-drying and easy to clean.
Incorporate warm woods
Warm woods carry the same benefits as warm and soft light. They not only add a nice natural element to the space but also evoke feelings of warmth and comfort.
Cedar, bamboo, acacia and rubberwood are all popular choices for bathroom items and furnishings and can fit well with a wide variety of styles and designs. Additions can be big or more subtle, depending on your look. Panels, shelves, containers, organisers, bath racks and just a few ways you can incorporate wood into your bathroom for a warmer look.
It's essential to select wood items that are suitable for high-moisture environments like bathrooms. Make sure wood furnishings have a suitable finish or sealant to protect the wood from moisture and humidity. Additionally, proper ventilation in the bathroom can help maintain the integrity of the wood over time.
Explore a warmer colour palette
Making significant style changes to your bathroom during winter can often feel like a big undertaking, but just adding warmer tones like reds, oranges, yellows, or earthy tones like terracotta or taupe can make all the difference.
Explore small but effective ways to incorporate warmer tones. Painting walls can be a great way to start. Look at colour options for bathroom furniture cabinets, shelves, or even small accessories such as soap dispensers, toothbrush holders, frames or storage containers can make a subtle impact.
I’ve already mentioned woods, but metals like copper or brass accents can also be a fantastic addition.
Change things up With lively houseplants
Nothing makes a bathroom feel quite alive like vibrant houseplants. Green plants add a burst of lush and earthy colour, creating a contrast with the cooler tones normally found in bathrooms.
When looking for plants, consider things like natural light levels, humidity, and care requirements. Choose ones that thrive in bathroom conditions like ferns, peace lilies, aloe vera and philodendrons.
Playing around with pot designs like warm ceramics and terracotta can also add a subtle style element. use suitable pots and containers to prevent water damage. Incorporating plants into your bathroom decor can be a simple yet effective way to create a warmer and more vibrant space.
Abbas Youssefi, Interiors Expert
