Creating a stylish en suite

If you’re thinking about creating extra bathroom space in your home, the Real Homes expert panel can help you get the best from your space.

How much space do I need to add a new en suite for my bedroom?

Geoff Wells says: 'The essential elements in an en suite are a shower, basin, mirror, towel rail, WC and lighting. If the layout is well planned, you could have an en suite with minimum dimensions around 150x 130cm. Pay for a professional design, with drawings to suit your measurements and tastes, and you can visualise what can be achieved realistically.

‘I would say the most practical layout in a small en suite would be to install a corner shower and, if possible, a corner wash basin and a corner WC. This is because corner vanity units are especially suitable for smaller bathrooms, making the most of an unused area to really maximise space. Consider other space-saving solutions such as corner baths and sinks, too, and go for-wall hung sanitaryware, cabinets, taps and towel rails to leave floor space clear and to ensure accessibility. Planning properly is vital to optimise the use of your space – choosing the maximum cubicle size possible, for example, for the best showering experience. The minimum size should be an 80cm quadrant; I think this is still quite small, but nevertheless it’s one of the most popular and bestselling sizes we see.

‘My single top tip to maximise use of space, though, is to ensure that the en suite’s door opens outwards into the bedroom. This way, you really open up the space inside and the door won’t collide with any sanitaryware.'

Geoff Wells is a bathroom planning expert with Dolphin Bathrooms (dolphinbathrooms.com).