Emily Murray of The Pink House reveals her interior makeover secrets
As the award-winning founder and editor of interiors blog The Pink House and author of Pink House Living, Emily Murray is well-known for her distinct style and quirky finds. This month, Emily is teaming up with premium bathroom designer Geberit to reveal her top design tips and interior makeover secrets.
What are your top three tips for bathroom design?
1) Start with considering the layout of the bathroom – ensure that you can easily access the basin and toilet, that you have a wall on which the towel rail can go, and that you’ve made the most of any view or design feature in the room.
2) Plan your storage from the start. Make sure you can hide away those products you don’t want the world to see, that the space stays clutter-free and easy to clean, and you’ve got places to keep bulky items like loo rolls and bins.
3) Don’t be afraid of colour!
What should be the key focal point in a bathroom? Why?
A bathroom is like any other room - choose something you love to look at or a certain feature to focus on. If you’re not lucky enough to have a fireplace (my all-time bathroom dream) or architectural feature then choose a wallpaper or picture you love - just make sure you hang it out the way of any potential splashes. Or keep the focus on your bath or taps - I’m a sucker for a beautiful brass tap.
Are there certain styles of units/furniture that suit any size of room/theme?
Geberit has a wide range of excellent bathroom units for any size of bathroom and in a variety of finishes. I’m a particular fan of the Acanto range with its slim bathroom furniture that offers lots of storage space even in small bathrooms. There’s even a magnet board which allows you to position storage boxes wherever you need them – and you can switch them around at any time. I also love using vintage furniture as a base for sinks or as a quirky storage solution.
Free standing or fitted bathroom furniture?
It depends on the size and style of the bathroom. If there’s lots of space I do like the luxury of freestanding furniture for that bespoke look. But where space is tight, as it often is in urban bathrooms, fitted storage and furniture is often the best solution as it helps you make the most of every inch.
What’s the biggest mistake people make in bathrooms?
Thinking you can’t add personality and it has to be completely chrome and clinical. A bathroom is one of the few spaces where you can truly relax and take time for yourself, so it’s well worth considering what design will help *you* chill out
Is paint or wallpaper better for bathrooms?
It depends on your personal preference. I used tiles on the lower half of the wall and wallpaper on the upper half in my last bathroom. I’ve also designed bathrooms with tiles and paint, and the walls of my new shower room will be covered in waterproof plaster.
Would you keep colours neutral to keep a sense of calm?
Personally, I find pattern and colour more calming than neutral colours, so think about what works for you by considering the design of those rooms you find most relaxing, or even which clothes you wear when you’re chilling out. You might find that an all-black bathroom is your idea of heaven, for example!
How do you make a bathroom a sensory oasis?
It’s no use your bathroom just *looking* good - you have to think of all your senses. I love how Geberit have ensured all their basins and toilets are tactile and designed for easy cleaning. And my new fave candle is the Green Stem from Miller Harris X McQueens, which smells like you’ve just walked into a florist. And don’t underestimate the value of a toilet that’s not only easy to clean, but keeps *you* really clean too. I’m having the AquaClean Sela wall hung shower loo from Geberit in my new bathroom - the water spray cleans you properly – adjust the water pressure to suit - and there’s even a dryer, meaning you don’t even need any loo roll.
What finishing touches would you recommend? Are plants a good idea?
Plants are ALWAYS a good idea in a bathroom - they add to the calming atmosphere and soften the hardness of the sanitary ware. If your bathroom has natural light then real plants are a great option - just check the ones you go for are happy in a fairly humid environment. If there’s no natural light (or even if there is) then faux plants are a great alternative. Ikea, Abigail Ahern and OKA all have realistic-looking options.