project insight
how we made a £10 sqm tile bathroom feel tailored
Bathrooms are often one of the most expensive rooms to renovate, but this project proves you don’t need deep pockets to create something that feels calm, thoughtful, and bespoke.
The original layout had the bath running lengthways, which made poor use of the space and left the room feeling narrow and awkward. We reconfigured the layout to make it more efficient, but did so in a way that avoided major plumbing changes—keeping the budget under control while still achieving a big improvement in how the room works.
The bath was set within its own niche, framed by a wall with an up-and-over surround. This gave the bath its own sense of place within the room, making it feel more like a designed feature than just a standard fixture. The niche creates a cosy, bespoke feel, offering both enclosure and emphasis, and turns a simple bath into the focal point of the space.
The wall tiles were just £10 per square meter and the floor tiles £12 per square meter, with the total tile spend coming in at around £400. Careful setting out played a huge role in elevating them beyond their budget. The bath height was set so that the bath panel could be finished in full tiles. The up-and-over surround of the niche was designed to be exactly one tile wide, creating a clear and deliberate frame. Across the room, the tiles on the boxing and the tiles around the niche all aligned, avoiding cut edges and creating a calm, continuous rhythm. Even though the tiles themselves were inexpensive, the care in placement makes the space feel more elevated and bespoke.
Lighting and the finishing touches were just as important as the structure. Soft, ambient lighting was combined with functional task lights, and a wall light above the bath created a relaxing atmosphere without the need for a harsh overhead spotlight. A fabric shower curtain was chosen instead of a glazed screen—saving around £150. More than just budget-friendly, it was a high-quality fabric that doesn’t cling and feels nothing like the shower curtains most people imagine. It tucks neatly behind the niche when not in use, softening the space and keeping it practical for family life. Hidden caddies keep bath toys out of sight, so the room remains calm and uncluttered, while a small stool provides practicality for bathing children and adds a gentler, warmer detail alongside the sanitaryware.
The sanitaryware itself was straightforward and came in at around £1000. By spending sensibly here, and putting design energy into layout, detailing, and a few key moments like the niche, the room feels tailored without breaking the budget.This bathroom shows how with careful planning, thoughtful layout, and attention to detail, even £10 tiles and modest fixtures can feel bespoke. The secret is knowing where to spend and where to save—a balance that transforms budget-friendly choices into something calm, considered, and refined.