Suite Success

No longer a cramped pokey wash room tagged on to the master bedroom, the en suite has evolved into a personal haven kitted out for luxurious pampering.

1. Planning and designing an en-suite is the ultimate opportunity for self-indulgence. While the main bathroom may have to cater for other people's needs - children and guests - the en suite is for you and your partner to enjoy, so think hedonistically when it comes to decorating.
2. While space constraints are generally the most prohibitive factor in installing an en suite in your home, there are ways and means of making the space at hand fit the bill. The smallest space in to which you could fit an en suite bathroom would be 1.5 x 2 metres. If you wish to have only a sink and toilet you could fit it in to an area as small as 1 x 1 metre.
3. A disused box room or an alcove on an corridor or landing could be adapted to accommodate an en-suite, although you'll need to consult an architect to explore the possibility of doing either.
4. Current trends emerging from the continent, lean towards open-plan living/bathing spaces, in which traditional barriers are dissolved by eliminating the doors between the bedroom and the en suite. The en suite is effectively in the bedroom, an option that may sound a little dubious, but with careful planning can look extremely chic and function very effectively. Use different floor levels or materials to demarcate the space, or alternatively, clear or frosted glass sliding doors or a 'foldable' screen, will help link the bedroom and bathroom, offering privacy without cutting the two areas off.
5. Once you have decided what space to devote to the en suite, you must give consideration to the layout of the sanitary-ware. Think about what exactly you want in your en-suite: a shower or a bath, or both? Or just a toilet and a sink?
6. The proximity of the en suite to your bedroom means that you may have to consider practicalities that don't apply to a regular bathroom. Minimise potential problems by installing low-noise sanitary-ware and fit dimmers on all lights. Have light and fan switches fitted separately so that they can be used separately. If you choose to incorporate your en suite into your bedroom you will need adequate ventilation to prevent steam from dampening your clothes, curtains and bed linen.
7. If your en suite is small there's no need to scrimp on style - you can create the illusion of space with a few clever tricks. Try sliding doors, which avoid the issue of space being taken up with a door swinging inwards or outwards. Opting for an open doorway rather than an actual door will also allow you extra room.
8. When buying sanitary-ware choose pieces that are specifically designed for smaller spaces. Opt for wall-hung fittings rather than freestanding ones to maximise floorspace and specially designed corner units to make the most of awkward nooks and recesses. A shower will obviously take up less room than a bath, and a fold-in shower door will mean that you avoid taking up space with a door that swings inwards or outwards. Alternatively, you could transform your bathroom into a wet-room, although make sure it's properly tanked to prevent leakages.
9. As a room, the en suite is complementary to the bedroom, and the design should reflect this. Aim to achieve a smooth decorative flow between the two rooms by coordinating colour schemes, textures and materials.
10. To add interest, experiment with textures, such as textured tiles or marble, rather than wild colours and avoid themes, since every detail, image and colour you choose will have more presence in a small space. Using similar accessories and fittings or themed artwork will also help to provide a visual link between the two rooms.