Small washbasins will make a big entrance in the next year, says InHouse

From antibacterial hand-wash to gel sanitizer, our hands have never been cleaner, and whilst some restrictions may have eased, it's unlikely that we will ever forget the importance of hygiene in the prevention of viral spread. We may have created some feeling of safety in our homes, but what happens when restrictions are lifted, and friends and relatives can finally come over?

The smallest room in the house is likely to become the biggest bathroom trend, according to the design experts at InHouse Inspired Room Design. "It's impractical to stay at home forever and for many of us, it simply isn't possible - so we will all naturally shift focus to reducing risk. Having a cloakroom, or simply a washbasin near the front door will become a priority for many homeowners," says Wayne Dance, MD at InHouse.

"Being able to wash our hands before entering the rest of the house has always been the best defence in reducing viral spread and until now, we've been able to be a bit more relaxed. It's not just guests that will need to be vigilant, it's just as important for all of us to remember to wash our hands the moment we return home."

"Installing or redesigning a cloakroom is a task that historically has often dropped to the bottom of the priority list, but that's about to change. We've already seen increasing interest in small vanity cabinets, downstairs toilets and cloakrooms. It makes absolute sense for homeowners to prioritise what will fast become one of the most important investments in any property. There are some great vanity cabinets for small spaces, so design isn't compromised in small spaces but over time, expect to see designs change. Don't be surprised if we start to see vanity cabinets with concealed washbasins, even washbasins installed in hallways, become part of future interior design," says Wayne Dance.

One small room, one giant leap
Whilst most large home already incorporate a downstairs toilet, finding space in the smaller home can be tricky. The latest generation of designer vanity cabinets are perfectly scaled for small spaces, either newly installed or a redesign of an old-fashioned cloakroom. Never let lack of floor space compromise your design style, it simply doesn't need to.

With purest appeal and industrial oxide finishes, the Solitaire 6910 brings contemporary panache to petite places. Focus on priority, but never function. Easy to clean, with zero joint water-resistant edging, silent closures and uncompromising German engineering

With hygiene high on the agenda, the ingenious Krion washbasin countertop with cut out towel holder from the Pelipal collection, makes light work of cleaning. Made from almost impenetrable surface, with matt finish and velvet like touch - Krion is the perfect topping for any contemporary vanity unit.

Beautiful mirrors have been part of hallway designs for many years, so adding a stylish wall hung bathroom cabinet beneath an LED mirror needn't look out of place. Of course, the growing trend for freestanding washstands and vanity cabinets with ingenious LED integrated cabinet lighting could make it really easy to incorporate hand washing facilities into hallway or cloak room.

With the Leonardo range from Pelipal, ingenious LED lighting, top notch cabinets that include luxurious glass and wood finishes, small vanity cabinets are perfectly scaled to ensure the same design gravitas of larger statement vanity washstands.

6 top tips for designing small cloakrooms

1. Bathroom design is to create a space where function and aesthetics merges effortlessly, and cloakrooms and downstairs loo's need particular consideration. With less storage space available, they can easily look cluttered and the less clutter, the less cleaning.
2. Small cloakroom and bathrooms naturally have less floor space.  Visually, the clearer the floor, the larger the room appears, so hang cabinets and sanitary wear from walls to create a little extra visual space.
3. Petite, off-the-shelf cabinets frequently lack design acumen, so look out for bathroom manufacturers that design furniture specifically for bijoux spaces. Even the tiniest cloakroom can accommodate perfectly scaled contemporary pieces without the need for deep packets and expanding wallets.
4. Mirrors instantly increase visual space, but go large with caution. If you overdo it, a compact bathroom will appear more cluttered. And this is why you shouldn't put mirrors on opposing walls. Opt for contemporary mirrored cabinets with integrated lighting to reduce visual clutter that all too often makes a room appear smaller.
5. Neutral wall colours and cabinet finishes are things to consider if you want your bathroom to give the appearance of being just a little larger than reality. Things to think about - high gloss lacquers play with the light throughout the day and are a breeze to keep sparkling clean. Glass fronts add chic style and the latest beautiful wood finishes are all low maintenance.
6. The most important thing is to never overlook the importance of high-quality finishes and innovative lighting solutions. In a small space, you are closer to everything, so compromising on quality is always a mistake. Soft close fittings are a pleasure to use and no more than a nudge of the hand sufficient to close.

The Pelipal collection is available from InHouse's UK and Ireland network of retailers. For details please contact InHouse Inspired Room Design at www.inhouseltd.co.uk or call 01661 842304.

Media contacts:

Sophie Langley

Transform Communications Ltd

Tel (01225) 863846

sophie@transformcommunications.co.uk