Style your bathroom on a budget

It may be the smallest room in the house, but it’s possible to have big ideas about the bathroom without a sacrificial spend.

The latest trend is for eclectic spaces, devised using a variety of materials and finishes, some not traditionally associated with bathing and showering spaces, proving that it’s the perfect place to showcase creativity.

And with showrooms now aggressively renegotiating deals with their suppliers, there’s never been a better time to give your bathroom a sleek, chic and prudent makeover.

Here are our frugal bathroom finds:

Jura wash stand

Jura wash stand from fired earth (www.firedearth.co.uk) allows the luxury of freestanding furniture without losing out on space.

Oblic range compact bathroom

The Oblic range from Villeroy & Roche is ideal for boxy rooms.

Ergonomc bathroom

Contemporary ergonomic design means that both the sink and the toilet have reduced in size but not function. The Aria corner suite is from Shires (www.shires-bathrooms.com)

Alcove shower

Make use of an awkward alcove by incorporating your shower into the space, like in this Flair Namara shower (www.flairshowers.com).

Tiled Silkstone shower

Bathroom tiled in Silkstone from Antica (www.anticaceramica.it).

Bathroom accessories

A heated towel rail will bring a real sense of comfort and luxury to the room. A few carefully chosen accessories can pack a punch.

Grohtherm shower

Stylish showers can create a strong style statement. This Grotherm 1000 shower is available from Bassetts (www.bassetts.ie).

Classic bathroom

Classic collection paints AN.02.82 on wall and NO.10.60 om cupboards, both by Crown. (www.crownpaints.ie)

Tight space bathroom

Shires new Remo range has been designed to maximise versatility making it ideal for tighter spaces. (www.shires-bathrooms.com)

His and hers basins

Scarabeo Sqaure his and hers basins from Shires Bathrooms (www.shires-bathrooms.com)

White wood bathroom

Bathroom furniture from Rhatigan and Hick (www.rhatiganandhick.ie)

Concept bathroom

Concept by Ideal Standard (www.idealstandard.ie)

Bathroom storage space

Find your niche: During the building or revamping process, create little niches in your shower area for cosmetics to curb clutter. This design is by Lirna Kee of Kee Interiors (www.keeinteriors.com), photography by Philip Lauterbach.

Bathroom storage

Get a range of storage solutions to help maximise your bathroom's space at Howards (www.hsw.ie).

Top tip:

Even with all the special offers on bathroom wares and tiling, it’s often the fees for plumbing and tiling that make the project seem expensive retrospectively, counsels Liz LaCumber of Gallery 23.

Shop around for quotes but seek references, as quality of work is as important as value.

Share your knowledge

Which of these bathrooms (if any) is you favourite?

Have you found any bathroom steals that deserve to be on this list? Tell us in the comments!