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The result is that a lot of homes have small bathrooms, whether it’s the family bathroom or an ensuite that’s been squeezed in adjacent to the master bedroom. Fortunately, even the smallest bathrooms can look great with the right colours.
Read on as we look at four bathroom colour ideas for small bathrooms.
White is hailed as the best colour for small rooms because it naturally reflects light, making spaces look bigger. That might work in bedrooms or reception rooms, where other colours are used to add depth.
However, many bathrooms will already be dominated by fixtures that are white – your sink, toilet and bath. Having all white walls can make the space look bigger, but it might come at a cost to the overall look and feel of your bathroom.
That said, if your bathroom has plenty of other colours – from the floor, shower, shower curtain and towels – you can’t beat white walls for adding a spacious appearance.
If you want the light-reflection of white without the overwhelming all-white appearance, and off-white shade can work wonders in your small bathroom. Shades like seafoam, linen and cesco are light enough to create a spacious look but still have a tinge of colour to distinguish them from your porcelain features.
With all the warmth and steam from baths and showers, one of the main issues with small bathrooms is that they feel stuffy. A good way to counteract this is with a cool colour. Unlike warm shades such as red, orange and yellow, cool colours create a breezy look that’s ideal for small bathrooms.
A subtle pastel blue shade can keep things light and airy, while a more striking blue is perfect for a feature wall or shower panels.
Green is another cold bathroom colour idea for small bathrooms, which can stop the space feeling stuffy and uncomfortable. Another benefit of green is that it creates a natural look, conjuring ideas of breezy spring days and leafy surroundings.
If you’re adding a feature wall, green and olive offer a classic, organic look, while striking lime provides something truly vibrant. For a base colour, a pastel green or subtle mint will give your small bathroom a good balance of colour and light.
While the colour ideas above provide a bit of insight and inspiration for your small bathroom, the most important advice is to choose a colour you love. Small or large, you’ll be using your bathroom every single day, so you’ll want it to be a space you’re happy in.
At Igloo Surfaces, you can choose from bathroom wall panels in a spectrum of stylish colours. With a 10-20 year guarantee on all panels, you can rest assured your bathroom will stand the test of time, whatever the colour.
Feature walls have become a design staple for rooms throughout homes over the past decade. It’s no surprise to see the trend making its way into the bathroom too. A bathroom feature wall adds a backdrop to those quick showers and long baths, as well as tying your design together with a unique focal point.
To give you a bit more inspiration, we’ve curated a list of seven bathroom feature wall ideas that will bring your space to life.
When you’re lying back in your bath or enjoying the steam from the shower, it’s nice to close your eyes and imagine you’re in a luxury spa. With a wood-look feature wall, you won’t have to close your eyes.
Natural wood is used in spas and saunas across the world, but it can be difficult to maintain in your own bathroom – not to mention pretty costly. With PVC panels, you can create a wood-effect feature wall that’s practical and looks great. For something a little different, try the driftwood ash wall panel.
Some of the best bathroom feature wall ideas are those which add an interesting pattern to your design. While your favourite patterns might be overwhelming on all four walls, a feature wall allows you to get the balance just right in your bathroom.
Echo the refreshing just-showered look with a water droplets pattern, or just add some sparkle to one of your walls.
Going back to the natural materials, brick is another sought-after look that adds character and depth to your space. But like wood, it’s not the most practical option for a room that’s wet and steamy by nature.
Thankfully, there are a selection of bathroom wall panels that offer the exposed brick look without the rough surface and porous mortar. Go for a classic red-brick appearance or opt for something a bit different with a lighter, more modern brick effect.
If you want a bathroom feature wall idea that makes you happy every time you step foot in your bathroom, why not go for a splash of your favourite colour? As with interesting patterns, vibrant colours can easily become overwhelming on all four walls – but not with a feature wall.
From striking lime and pink to classic shades like red and blue, using a solid colour on your feature wall is a great way to make your bathroom a bit more you.
From marble and graphite to concrete and granite, there are so many bathroom feature wall ideas when it comes to stone. It’s one of the most sought-after materials throughout the home, but is usually eye-wateringly expensive to purchase and install.
With a selection of stone-look panels to choose from, you can get the best of both worlds with a stylish appearance that doesn’t break the bank.
Copper has taken over in the last few years, appearing everywhere from kitchen utensils to light fixtures. Now, you can even have it in your bathroom with a copper-effect wall panel. The metallic look will add warmth to your bathroom, without the cold surface you would normally get with a copper feature.
If you want your space to really stand out, a vibrant image could be the perfect bathroom feature wall idea for you. Choose from a waterfall, beach or a stylish location like London or New York to transport yourself whenever you enter the bathroom.
Or add your own image with our innovative Arctic Infinity custom panels.
From copper, stone and wood to colours, patterns and images, Igloo Surfaces can turn your bathroom feature wall ideas into a reality. Our high-quality bathroom wall panels come in a variety of stunning designs, all with the same water-resistance, durability and easy installation.
To make things easier, many customers ask ‘can you put bathroom wall panels over tiles’? Read on as we provide everything you need to know.
The good news is – yes, you can put bathroom wall panels over tiles. At Igloo Surfaces, our wall panels have been designed with convenience in mind, so they can be installed directly over existing tiles.
That saves you a lot of time removing the existing tiles or the cost of getting someone in to do it for you. It also allows you to sidestep the mess caused by removing tiles, and potential damage to your bathroom floor when all those tiles are coming off the wall. It will even save you a trip to the tip to get rid of all the waste too.
The process of putting bathroom wall panels over tiles is much the same as installing them onto a bare wall, as outlined in our 15-step guide.
However, to summarise, you simply need to add adhesive to the corner sections and fit them to the wall, measure up and cut the panels to size, apply adhesive to the tiled wall and corner trim, then place the panel on the wall and smooth out any air.
All that’s left after that is to add the side edge joint strips and top trims.
As explained above, putting wall panels over tiles is certainly an option for your bathroom. The final question to ask is whether you should do it. To make that decision easier, it’s worth considering the various benefits bathroom wall panels offer compared to tiles.
First and foremost, they provide a more modern look. Bathroom wall panels are available in a vast array of styles, giving you a lot more freedom when it comes to the design of your bathroom.
On top of that, they’re easier to clean. Once you have put bathroom wall panels over tiles, you’ll simply need to wipe them down to keep them hygienic and looking at their best.
Finally, they’re durable and long-lasting. Made from hard-wearing PVC, your bathroom wall panels will continue to work well and look great long into the future. For added assurance, we provide a 10-20 year guarantee with all our products.
Ready to put bathroom wall panels over your tiles? Igloo Surfaces offers a selection of modern, hard-wearing products that allow you to do it with ease. Browse our full range of bathroom wall panels today to find the right style for your bathroom.
Read on for six bathroom wall covering ideas, from unique textures to immersive images.
Natural textures can add another dimension to any bathroom. Here are three bathroom wall covering ideas that use natural textures without the cost.
Natural stone is one of the most high-end looks for any bathroom. But it can come with an equally high-end price tag. Using PVC wall panels, you can add the chic appearance of stone without the eye-watering costs. Choose from a range of styles including black marble, polished stone or even understated grey concrete.
Exposed brickwork has emerged as a long-standing trend over the last decade. Unfortunately, bricks and mortar aren’t the best at dealing with constant exposure to moisture. Using brick effect wall panels, you can combine the sought-after look with much-needed water-resistance.
Wood can create the feel of a sauna or spa in your bathroom. However, much like brick, wood itself isn’t particularly conducive to the splashes and spills of a bathroom. Wood-effect panels allow you to get creative, without the same high-maintenance going forward.
Feature walls have become a design staple in recent years. Bathrooms are no exception, where an interesting design can create a backdrop for those relaxing soaks after a long week at work. While patterned wallpaper is obviously unsuitable for bathrooms, PVC wall panels allow you to add this focal point without compromising on function.
Transport yourself to somewhere truly serene every time you head to the shower. A waterfall panel is the ultimate backdrop for calm, complementing the running water of your bath or shower. Or maybe you’d prefer the warmth and relaxation of a Caribbean beach from a palm tree wall covering?
If your favourite place in the world is a little more specific, why not add a location-based image to your bathroom walls? Make your bathroom quintessentially British with a Big Ben backdrop, or turn it into a bathroom that never sleeps with the Statue of Liberty front and centre.
While interesting textured effects and beautiful images are perfect for some, one of the best bathroom wall covering ideas is simply to add your favourite colour. This can be tricky with tiles, as the amount of grouting required can break up the colour too much.
However, with wall panels, you can choose from a spectrum of vibrant colours which will be displayed without the interruption of grouting. Go bold with red, green and blue or opt for something more subtle like fawn, pastel blue or soft grey.
Whatever your favourite bathroom wall covering idea, Igloo Surfaces can help you make it happen in your home. Our PVC bathroom wall panels are available in a range of styles, from solid colours and subtle patterns to bold images and natural effects.
All panels are easy to fit, 100% waterproof and impressively low maintenance, so you’ll never have to compromise on performance to get the look you want. If you have any further questions about our products, don’t hesitate to contact our team.
The problem is that removing them can be costly, time consuming, messy and pretty stressful. So, what’s the alternative? In this post, we’ll discuss the various options for covering tiles and which of them comes out on top.
Decorative stickers are probably the easiest way to cover tiles. However, they’re also the most temporary solution. Water-resistant stickers can be applied on top of old tiles in various sizes. However, as you might expect, they’re not going to stand the test of time and the finished look isn’t particularly attractive.
If you’re simply looking for a different colour, and don’t mind the appearance of tiling itself, tile paint could provide the solution. Available in a wide range of colours, it’s applied over tiles and grouting, drying quickly for a waterproof surface.
The main downside is that you get what you pay for. The end result simply looks like paint over tiles.
Another way to cover tiles is using a decorative coating or ‘microcement’. Tiles will need to be sanded down with an oscillating grinder before a bonding bridge or primer is applied. Microcement can then be added to the walls for a smooth, uniform surface.
It’s worth noting that microcement requires a suitable varnish to protect it from moisture, which adds to the already arduous process of covering your tiles this way. By this point, it probably would have been easier to just remove the tiles from the wall!
Often hailed as one of the best ways to cover tiles, adhesive tiles offer a quick and easy ‘peel and stick’ application. Working on ceramic and porcelain as well as a range of other surfaces, they allow you to cover your bathroom tiles with ease.
However, the surface created by adhesive tiles is never truly watertight. Tiles are simply stuck as close together as you can place them, meaning there’s always the chance that water can get through tiny gaps.
When you’re looking for the best way to cover tiles, it’s hard to see past PVC wall panels. Available for both bathrooms and kitchens, PVC panels eliminate all of the problems highlighted with the alternative methods.
They’re cost-effective and long-lasting with a 10-20 year guarantee. They’re easy to fit on top of existing tiles and completely water-resistant.
On top of everything else, they look great, providing a completely new surface on top of your tiles, with a vast array of style choices. Plain colours, subtle patterns and effects or bold images – the choice is yours.
At Igloo Surfaces, we believe PVC wall panels are the best way to cover tiles by some distance. If you want to see for yourself, you can order up to four product samples for just £1. You’ll be given a £5 discount code with your samples, to claim that cost back if you choose to make an order.
Alternatively, if you have any questions about our panels, feel free to get in touch on [email protected].
In this post, we’ll aim to cover all bases, providing a comprehensive buying guide for bathroom wall panels.
The first question for many buyers will be ‘what exactly are bathroom wall panels?’ In short, they’re PVC panels that are fitted to cover your bathroom walls.
Panels come in a range of sizes, but are typically made to cover the length of the wall (as opposed to tiles, where multiple tiles are lined up from the floor to the ceiling). They vary from 250mm to upwards of a metre in width, but are typically less than a centimetre thick, so they don’t eat away at the size of your bathroom.
Bathroom wall panels can be bought individually based on the requirements and size of your bathroom, or in shower panel kits, which come with two or three panels as well as everything you need to fit them.
Bathroom wall panels have a long list of benefits compared to their alternatives.
First and foremost, PVC bathroom wall panels are completely waterproof. This is a must-have for the surroundings of any bath or shower, where spills, splashes and moisture from steam are inevitable.
Because they’re made from versatile PVC, bathroom wall panels are available in a wide selection of styles. Solid colours, subtle sparkle effects, natural-look materials like wood and stone, and even detailed images. With bathroom wall panels, the choice is yours.
Bathroom wall panels are fitted using a tongue and groove system, so they don’t require masses of grouting between every panel to keep them waterproof. That makes them much easier to keep clean, with the panel itself simply wiping clean.
As we’ll explain in more detail below, bathroom wall panels are impressively easy to fit. There’s no need for grouting and they can even be installed on top of existing tiles to save you time and effort.
Bathroom wall panels are made to last. The strong PVC can withstand all the bumps and knocks that come with the day-to-day use of a bathroom. For complete assurance, Igloo wall panels even come with a guarantee of 10-20 years.
From the affordable initial price to the fact they last so long, bathroom wall panels are certainly cost-effective. Guaranteed for at least 10 years, your investment will continue to pay off in the long run, where you would’ve needed to replace other products like bathroom wallpaper.
Whatever you’re buying for your home, you’ll want to know how to install it – and whether you’ll need any professional assistance. Wall panels are no exception, but thankfully they’re refreshingly easy to fit.
As you’ll see in our 15-step guide, you don’t need any specialist equipment or expertise. Just a fine-tooth saw, jigsaw and sealant gun plus a bit of DIY know-how.
Panels are fitted by adding the corner trim, bottom trim and adhesive before placing the panel on the wall. After that, you simply need to add side trims, top trims and a bead of silicone sealant at the bottom and around any pipes or fittings.
Best of all, the process is the same for walls with existing coverings like bathroom tiles. To avoid the messy and time-consuming tile removal process, panels can simply be fitted over tiles with the same great results.
The cost of bathroom wall panels depends quite heavily on the size of your bathroom or the space you’re looking to cover. Some people may only need to cover the area around their shower, which can be done with two or three panels for just over £200.
If you’re panelling the whole bathroom, you’ll want to buy more than three panels. With high-quality panels sold in packs of 4 for as little as £60, this can be equally cost-effective. To give you a better idea, a 3 x 3 metre bathroom would require around 12 packs of these smaller panels, costing just over £720 to transform the entire room.
Given that you don’t need to pay for professional installation by a tiler or decorator, the overall cost is typically much lower.
No bathroom wall panel buying guide would be complete without covering the different types of wall panel that are available. While older wall panels may have been made wood, PVC has now been accepted as the best material.
Broadly speaking, you can choose from individual wall panels which are larger in size (generally at least 1 metre in width), packs of smaller wall panels, or all-in-one shower kits, which include all the trims, caps, adhesives and sealants you need to install wall panels around your shower.
However, there’s also a lot of choice when it comes to the style of your wall panels, including:
The best way to see the style, quality and performance of bathroom wall panels is to try them for yourself. Take a look at our full range online to find a style that suits your home.
If you’re not quite ready to install them on your own bathroom or shower, you can order four samples from Igloo Surfaces for just £1. In doing so, you’ll receive a £5 discount code for any future orders, making your samples effectively free.
If you’re battling bathroom mould, read on to discover what could be behind this unsightly – and potentially unhealthy – issue.
Unfortunately, many bathrooms provide the perfect environment that mould needs to thrive – damp, dark, and poorly ventilated. When you take a shower or bath with the door closed, you’re trapping all of the condensation inside the room. This condensation then settles on your surfaces, where it eventually leads to the development of mould.
One of the best ways to prevent this is by installing an extractor fan in your bathroom. If you can’t have one installed, consider mounting a battery-powered fan near an open window. This will help the air to circulate, dissipating condensation so it can’t become a breeding ground for mould.
It’s obviously impossible to keep your bathroom completely dry. But by allowing excess moisture to sit around, you’re hugely increasing your chance of mould. As well as encouraging air to circulate, it’s important to keep your bathroom as dry as possible in between baths or showers.
If you have tile or vinyl flooring, make sure you lay down thick bath mats to absorb any spilled water. It’s also a smart idea to wipe down your surfaces regularly with a microfibre cloth, ideally after every shower. This will help to mop up excess moisture, preventing it from settling into cracks where mould could thrive.
Many people find that their grouting can easily become a mould hotspot. This is particularly true if your grouting has started to crack, as moisture can find its way through the gaps and cause mould to grow in the crevices between your tiles.
Although you can remove surface discolouration, it’s almost impossible to get rid of the mould completely because your grouting is porous. If your once-white grouting is showing clear signs of mildew, it may be time to regrout your bathroom – but be aware you may find yourself in the same situation a few years down the line.
For a permanent solution, why not switch to PVC bathroom panels? Available in a range of impressive finishes, panels are 100% waterproof and easy to wipe down – meaning mould has no chance of getting through the cracks.
Instead of grouting, all that’s needed to fix our panels is a thin bead of silicone in between each sheet. This will create a water-tight seal, helping to protect your underlying wall from the effects of excess moisture.
Ready to say goodbye to grouting mould for good? Browse our full collection of bathroom and shower panels or give us a call on 01709 329117 to find out more.
At Igloo Surfaces, you can find the following trims:
The number and type of finishing trims you’ll need will depend on various factors. In this blog post, we’ll explain everything you’ll need to consider in order to choose the right finishing trim for your bathroom.
The shape of your bathroom is the main deciding factor when it comes to choosing your finishing trims. If your bathroom is a neat square or rectangle, this will make your job a lot easier – you’ll need four corner trims and then enough straight, external trims to cover the rest of the perimeter.
To work this out, measure the perimeter of your bathroom and divide this number by the length of the finishing trim you’re considering. At Igloo Surfaces, most of our trims measure between 2400 and 2500 mm.
If your bathroom is an unconventional shape, you’ll need to count the number of corners in your room and purchase your corner trims accordingly.
Although your PVC wall panels should reach your ceiling (you may have to cut them to size), you’ll still need to purchase enough ceiling trims to cover the top of each panel. Not only will this ensure a professional finish, but it will also provide a clean edge, helping to seal the gap and prevent moisture from seeping through to the wall beneath.
If your bathroom has a particularly high ceiling, bear in mind that you may need to add additional panel strips in order to cover your wall completely.
Practicality isn’t the only factor to consider when choosing your finishing trims. The look of your trims can transform the whole feel of your bathroom, either seamlessly complementing your panels or detracting from them completely.
At Igloo Surfaces, we stock edgings and trims in a wide array of colours. Whether your bathroom panels are an elegant grey, warm beige, or bold blue, we’ve made it easy to find the trim that matches perfectly. Alternatively, opt for classic white trims. These can frame your panels and help your chosen design stand out.
If you’re looking for inspiration, discover our full collection of edging, trims, and adhesives. Whatever the shape, size, and style of your bathroom, you’ll find everything you need to create your perfect finishing touches today.
Need help choosing your trims? Give us a call on 01709 329117 and a member of our team will be happy to help.
From design hacks to DIY tips, there are ways to cut costs (but not corners) when tackling a renovation. In this blog post, we’ll explain how you can renovate your bathroom on a budget – with truly beautiful results.
Getting your bathroom professionally tiled can be an expensive process. Not only do you need to factor in the cost of the tiles themselves, but also the cost of the labour to have them installed. This can quickly add up, especially if your bathroom is on the bigger side.
Bathroom wall panels are an attractive and cost-effective alternative. Whether you’re after sleek marble, subtle sparkles, or a bold photograph design, there are plenty of options to explore at Igloo Surfaces.
100% waterproof and boasting a 10-year guarantee, these practical panels are the perfect way to achieve a luxurious look without paying over the odds. Even better, they’re easy to install yourself – we promise. That means you won’t have to pay someone else to fit them.
‘Out with the old, in with the new’. When renovating, it can be tempting to fall into this trap. But if your existing bathroom contains elements that could be reused, you may as well be washing money down your (brand new) sink.
Instead of ripping out your functional bath and replacing it with a new one, for example, consider just changing the fixtures. Statement taps can transform the feel of your bathroom and are much more economical than a whole new tub. Or if you want to enhance the look of your shower, try fitting an all-in-one shower panel kit. This can create the appearance of a brand-new unit for a fraction of the cost!
Almost nothing will make a bathroom look dingier than bad lighting. High-quality LED lights don’t have to be expensive and are a simple way to update your style. Search for bulbs that can be housed in your ceiling panels or go for Hollywood glam with a lit mirror.
Because they don’t usually have large windows, bathrooms are typically the darkest room in the house. If you’ve been making do with inadequate lighting, you may be surprised at how big a difference new bulbs can make. The right lights will instantly make anywhere look clean and modern, and by placing them strategically in your bathroom, you can really freshen up your home.
Whatever your dream bathroom looks like, Igloo Surfaces can help you turn it into a reality. Discover our full collection of bathroom and shower panels today.
Got questions about our panels? Give us a call on 01709 329117! A member of our team will be more than happy to help.
