From Utility to Sanctuary: The Evolution of the Modern UK Bathroom

Q: Let’s start with the obvious — why are British bathrooms often so, well,
uninspiring?

Honestly, I think it comes down to history. Most UK homes just weren’t built with bathrooms in mind as part of the living experience. They were squeezed in later, shoved into corners, or tacked onto box rooms. You end up with spaces that are either freezing, oddly shaped, or barely big enough to turn around in.

When we bought our current house, I almost didn’t go through with it because of the bathroom. I mean, the rest of the house was fab — great light, good-sized garden, sensible layout — but that bathroom? Turquoise tiles, beech veneer units, a leaky bath, and just… a vibe, and not the good kind.

Q: Did you always care this much about bathrooms?

Not at all. I used to think of them as places to get clean and get out — nothing more. That changed when we renovated the bathroom in our old house. We’d knocked through the separate toilet and bathroom, removed an old water tank, and built a walk-in shower with loads of space. It became a room we actually enjoyed spending time in. And once you’ve had a bathroom that works beautifully, it’s hard to go back. So when we moved into this place and saw the cramped, wonky little room waiting for us, I had that pit-in-stomach moment. But also — I’d done this before. I knew we could make it work. We had to delay it a bit because we were doing the kitchen at the same time (don’t recommend that level of chaos unless you thrive in dust), but once we got stuck in, the ideas started flowing.

Q: What was the biggest surprise during your own bathroom redo?

Oh, definitely the plaster! As soon as the tiler took off the old turquoise tiles, the wall behind them basically gave up the will to live. The plaster just crumbled into dust. We ended up having to re-plaster the entire room. It turned what we thought would be a cosmetic job into a full-scale overhaul. And of course, all this was happening while managing two kids, one slightly baffled husband, and a kitchen that was also under siege. That said, I’m glad it happened — it gave us the chance to rework the space properly and make it feel brand new.

Q: What was your design vision? Did you stick with what worked before?

Sort of. In the old house we’d gone for white tiles and grey walls, but this time I wanted to flip that. We did grey subway tiles halfway up and white above, and I love it. I still think subway tiles are timeless. I did briefly flirt with the idea of herringbone, but the mental image of trying to line those up after two coffees and a toddler meltdown stopped me in my tracks. We reused a few ideas that had worked before — a big round mirror from M&S, an Anthropologie deer vase that’s been in about five different rooms, and my favourite star-print window film (way prettier than frosted glass). My mum actually helped me apply it — we had a right giggle trying to get the bubbles out.

Q: Did you feel overwhelmed by all the choices?

Absolutely. Honestly, designing a bathroom should come with a therapist. Between mixer taps, towel rail styles, shower heads, and about nine million different tile shapes, I had spreadsheet fatigue. Every online shop looked like it had slightly different shades of grey, and you can only squint at swatches under kitchen lighting for so long before everything blurs into “stone grey 42B.”

That’s why I loved finding inspiration in other places — not just Pinterest (which, let’s be real, is a fantasy land half the time), but real design pieces. One article I found especially grounding was this one on Dezeen about 10 minimalist bathrooms. The way they used white space, natural light, and architectural simplicity made me realise I didn’t need to cram everything into our room. Just getting the layout right and the textures feeling good could do most of the work.

Q: What did you splurge on, and where did you save?

We saved a lot by shopping through eBay UK. Our Tavistock sink unit? Found on eBay. Burlington taps? Also eBay. Even our quirky little towel rail was sourced through a seller who stocked discontinued models. In total, we saved well over £1,000 — and honestly, I don’t think we compromised on quality at all. But I do think if you’re going to splurge, do it on one gorgeous, anchoring piece. I recently came across 34 St John — they do these stunning bathroom units and finishes that feel luxurious
without being showy. Their marble-topped vanities? Dreamy. If we were redoing our bathroom now, that’s exactly where I’d start — one piece that gives the room its vibe.

Q: What about the layout? Any challenges there?

Plenty. We knew we wanted both a shower and a bath, but space was tight. So we had to go for a ‘space-saver’ bath — the kind with one corner chopped off. I was nervous it would feel cramped or odd, but it actually works really well. The wide end is perfect for a proper soak, and once the screen went in, it looked like it had always been there. I also made sure we didn’t box ourselves in with heavy cabinetry. By ditching the old built-in units and using freestanding storage, we made the room feel much larger — even though the footprint didn’t change at all.

Q: What’s your favourite thing about the finished space?

Oh, so many things. The way the light hits the tiles in the morning. The way the mirror softens the room when the candles are on at night. The towel rail that actually keeps things warm instead of just looking the part. But honestly? It’s how it feels. Whether I’m running the bath for the kids (who inevitably splash half of it onto the floor) or sneaking in for a 20-minute soak when everyone else is finally quiet, it’s become a space that feels calm. And considering I nearly walked away from this house
because of the bathroom? That’s quite the turn-around.

Q: What about international ideas — do you ever look outside the UK for
inspiration?

Absolutely. I’ve been browsing through Canadian listings recently — blame my new late-night habit of scrolling PropertyMesh.ca just to see how other countries are laying out their homes. And I have to say, the way Canadian homes prioritise the bathroom is impressive. More light, more space, smarter layouts. Even in their smaller homes, the bathrooms feel intentional. It’s made me realise how much we often treat bathrooms here as an afterthought. But they deserve better. We start and end our days in them. They should feel like a place that sets the tone — not just somewhere to chuck the laundry basket.

Q: What would you say to someone putting off their own bathroom project?

Start small. You don’t need to change everything all at once. Swap the shower curtain, reseal the bath, repaint the walls. Then tackle the next bit. It’s like layering — each step brings you closer to a space that reflects you and your routines.
And don’t worry about being trendy. Go with what you love. If it makes you smile when you walk in, job done. Also: measure everything. Twice. And then once more. Learned that the hard way.

Final thoughts?

I think bathrooms are finally having their moment. And rightly so. They’re no longer just utilitarian — they’re part of how we experience our homes. So if yours is a bit grim, or a bit cramped, or just a bit tired — give it some love. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours. Let me know — what’s the one thing you’d change about your bathroom first? Or have you
already tackled it? I’d love to hear your stories — or your disasters! (We’ve all had at least one.)

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.