Bathrooms and Christmas gifts might not seem like two concepts that go together. However, we offer a range of bathroom accessories that make perfect Christmas presents! Whoever it is you’re buying for, we can help you find practical and stylish gifts for your loved ones.
So, on that note, let’s talk you through our Bathroom Christmas Gift Guide!
If you know someone who loves their home to be neat and organised, acrylic storage could be a great gift. Pick something out from our Serene range of acrylic bathroom accessories.
The Serene Collection Cosmetic Organiser is perfect for keeping your bathroom essentials neat and tidy. It works especially well for organising make-up, with handy compartments that are ideal for storing lipsticks.
The Serene Clear Acrylic Cotton Pad Holder is another great gift option. This stylish accessory allows you to store your cotton pads in an aesthetically pleasing way; say goodbye to unsightly plastic packaging!
Another great gift option is the Serene Collection Storage Jar. This stylish container suits any modern bathroom design and is perfect for storing small odds and ends that don’t have a home. You could also use to it store essentials like cotton buds or hair ties.
If you know somebody who’s constantly listening to music, you might want to gift them a Bathroom Music System. The Proofvision Bathroom Music System allows you to listen to music in the bathroom with ease; no more worrying about dropping your phone in the bath! Simply connect the system to your Bluetooth device and you can access your music collection from inside your bathroom. With premium sound quality, this speaker is the perfect gift for any music-lover.
A vanity mirror is the ideal gift for the beauty-lover in your life. Our Illuminated Cosmetic Magnifying Mirror features a rotating, two-sided design. The magnifying side gives a close up view that’s great for complicated detail tasks, like brow shaping or lip lining. The bright surround lighting provides great illumination that’s perfect for make-up application. This mirror is portable for your convenience, so you can use it anywhere in the home. An excellent gift for any make-up lover.
We all know someone who loves a new gadget. The ProofVision In Wall Electric Toothbrush Charger is a great gift for any gadget lover. This toothbrush charger fits into the wall to create a clever solution for charging and storing your toothbrush when you aren’t using it. Free from untidy charging cables, this charger has a sleek design that adds a modern touch to any bathroom.
If you’re feeling extra generous, a bathroom TV is a great option for just about anyone. It’s a wonderful gift for those who love to watch TV but perhaps don’t always have the time. With a Waterproof Bathroom TV, you can catch up on your favourite shows from the comfort of your bathroom. Watch when using the shower in the morning, or while relaxing in the bath in the evening!
Finding presents for your loved ones at Christmas can be a stressful task. However, we hope you’ve found this helpful and got some good gift ideas. Would you buy any of these items as Christmas presents?
We all love to decorate our homes in the run-up to Christmas. If you’re as into Christmas as we are at Wholesale Domestic, you probably want to fill your entire house with festive decorations. But one room that often gets overlooked in the decorating process is the bathroom. However, the bathroom can look gorgeous with a few festive touches. That’s why we’re going to talk through how you can bring your bathroom to life this Christmas with some festive décor.
So, without further ado, here are our 10 Ways to Decorate Your Bathroom for Christmas!
1) Festive towels
If you don’t want to go all out, a good way to bring some festive cheer into your bathroom décor is to switch out your regular bath towels for Christmas-themed ones.
The good thing is, this can be as subtle or as flashy as you want it to be. If you want something subtler, opt for plain towels in festive colours like red or green. This will give a hint towards the Christmas theme without being too much. An extra bonus is that you could make use of the towels throughout the rest of the year.
For something more festive, search out Christmas themed bath towels. These can be found in a range of designs, from the subtle and classy to the wonderfully tacky.
2) Wreath
Whoever said Christmas wreaths were limited to outdoors lacked imagination. A small Christmas wreath can look stunning as an indoor decoration. You could place a small decorative wreath on the bathroom door for a traditional festive look. However, wreaths don’t have to be limited to doors. Christmas wreaths also look gorgeous hung up on walls, windows, and even large mirrors!
Nothing says Christmas like singing along to the cheesiest Christmas playlist known to man during your morning shower. Use a Bluetooth mirror to play music in the bathroom with ease. Et voila: you’re ready to pop on some festive tunes and start belting like Mariah Carey.
4) Candles
As far as I’m concerned, when the festive candles come out, it’s officially Christmas. Christmas candles are a great way to create a festive atmosphere in your bathroom, as well as in the rest of the home. Opt for candles with wintery, spiced scents, like cinnamon or ginger, that make you think of Christmas as soon as you step foot in the room.
5) Snow spray
Take your Christmas décor to a new level with snow spray. Spray on your bathroom windows for a traditional snowy effect. You could also use snow spray to decorate your bathroom mirror, or even on the outside of your shower door.
Spray all over for a frosted effect, or use Christmas-themed stencils to create a festive pattern!
6) Christmas baubles
If you have any spare Christmas baubles left over from decorating your tree, don’t let them go to waste! Place any extra baubles into a large glass jar or bowl for festive decoration that won’t cost you a penny.
7) Shower decals
If you have a glass shower door, you could use festive glass stickers to add some Christmas cheer. These can be found in a variety of different designs, so they can be as subtle or as bold as you like. This could also work very well on your bathroom window!
8) Tinsel
If your mantra for Christmas décor is “the more sparkly, the better”, tinsel is great for adding a festive look to your bathroom. Simply hang some around your bathroom mirror and secure with tape; simple, but effective. You could also place it around your window or on the windowsill to add some extra sparkle.
9) Foliage
If tinsel is a bit much for you, and you’re looking for something more subdued, you could opt for festive foliage. Greenery like holly, mistletoe and even eucalyptus all work well for creating a festive appearance with a more natural, rustic quality.
Alternatively, you could add a festive floral arrangement to brighten up the room.
10) Christmas Tree
Now, we realise putting a 5ft Christmas tree in the bathroom is a step too far for most people (although if you have the space, why not?). However, a small table-top Christmas tree can be a great way to add some festive cheer into your bathroom. Find a small artificial tree and display with pride on the windowsill or on top of a storage unit.
And there we have it. 10 ways you can decorate your bathroom for Christmas! Will you be trying any of these ideas this year? Do you have any other bathroom-friendly Christmas décor ideas? Let us know in the comments!
Minimalism has become a huge trend in bathroom design in the last few years.
The driving mantra behind minimalist décor is “less is more”. The simple, clutter-free appearance of this style is great for turning your bathroom into a tranquil, relaxing space. Tidy home, tidy mind.
This understated style of décor is perfect for those with small bathrooms and helps to make any room feel more spacious.
So, on that note, let’s talk through our top tips for creating a minimalist bathroom design.
Choose your colour wisely
Colour is a vital factor in minimalist bathroom design. It’s important to keep the colour scheme light and fresh.
Neutral colour schemes are a common feature in minimalist interiors. An all-white colour scheme is perfect for keeping the room looking airy and bright and provides a blank canvas for your simple bathroom design. If you’re not keen on white all over, you could also go for grey or black to add dimension to the room.
If you’re not willing to give up colour entirely, you could opt for a single feature wall in a more colourful shade. Light blue shades work well here, as they add a splash of colour without taking away from the clean look.
The real key here is to keep things simple. Don’t add too many different shades and tones into your colour scheme. To keep things cohesive, two main colours is plenty.
Simple tiles
When it comes to tiles, simplicity is best. Opt for plain tiles for the walls and floor. Avoid heavily patterned tiles, as these can overpower the room and detract from the minimalist theme.
Plain, block colour tiles don’t have to be boring. Choose geometric tiles in neutral colours to add visual interest, while still keeping the room understated. A classic metro tile is a popular choice that always works well and can be lain in various fashions to create different effects.
Alternatively, you could opt for tiles with a hexagon pattern, like these, to add interest while still keeping a minimalist appearance. Opt for geometric tiles in a neutral colour, like white or grey, and combine with grout in a matching colour to keep the look subtle.
Eliminate clutter
Minimalism is all about keeping things simple and clutter-free. So if you want to opt for a minimalist bathroom design, you have to embrace minimalism. That means banishing all unnecessary clutter. Get rid of anything in your bathroom that you don’t need, and be ruthless. Out of date toiletries? Gone! Old razors? Gone! That face cleanser you don’t actually like but keep anyway because it was so expensive? Get rid!
When you get rid of the unnecessary clutter, your bathroom will already start to feel like a tidier and more relaxing space.
Add storage
You want all your exposed surfaces to be as tidy and clutter-free as possible, and the key to doing this is storage. Add in clever storage furniture to keep all of your essentials stored away and your counters clear.
However, don’t go overboard here. Too much bulky furniture can take away from the minimalist appearance we’re going for, especially if your bathroom is on the smaller side. The trick here is to only buy as much storage as you need. Keep the amount of furniture in the room to a minimum. Multi-purpose furniture, like basin vanity units, are a great option here.
Modern fixtures
Minimalist décor tends to heavily feature modern furnishings. Opt for contemporary, understated fixtures to complete the look. Wall hung fixtures are perfect for achieving a minimalist appearance. Wall hung vanity units create a floating effect that create the illusion of a bigger bathroom. Wall hung toilets and basins are also good options; these hide away bulky plumbing and give an overall sleek and simple appearance.
Traditional shower enclosures can appear bulky. Opt for a walk in shower or, even better, a wet room instead. Pair with a simple glass wet room screen to achieve an understated appearance.
Another good tip here is to build fixtures, like shower enclosures and baths, into recesses in your bathroom. This helps to create the illusion of more space and keeps your bathroom looking uncluttered.
Create contrast
Choose stylish, contrasting décor to stop the room from looking too clinical. Opt for black taps, like this one, to make a bold statement and add extra style to the room, without adding in unnecessary clutter.
Another option is to choose furniture in light wood; this will add life to the room, while still keeping the look light and open.
Simple décor
The final touch to your minimalist bathroom design? The décor! And when it comes to minimalist décor, less is definitely more.
The majority of your decorative items should have a purpose beyond décor. Add in a stylish waste bin or laundry basket. You could also opt for a contemporary heated towel rail in a stylish design; this can act as decoration, as well as a source of heat.
Add a large wall mirror to decorate. Make sure to choose one with a simple, modern design. As well as adding style to the room, it will help to create the illusion of more space.
Finish off with a few decorative touches, like a single houseplant or a few personal ornaments. Just make sure you don’t go overboard. Have you ever heard that Coco Chanel quote? “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off”? Well, the same applies to minimalist interior styling. When you think you’ve finished decorating and added enough ornamental trinkets, take a good look and remove an item or two. Less is more.
And there we have it. Our tips for creating a minimalist bathroom design. Would you try out the minimalist trend?
Whether you love it or hate it, cleaning your bathroom is an essential part of every household routine. But a quick wipe down of everything isn’t enough. If not kept in check, grime can build up very quickly and little things can stop your bathroom from functioning properly and looking as good as it could. That’s why it’s important to, every so often, give your bathroom a full deep clean. We know this can be an annoying task. So we’re going to take you through our best tips for deep cleaning every area of your bathroom, from top to bottom, starting with your shower enclosure. Shower enclosures are filled with lots of small elements that can be a pain to get clean. So let’s talk through our top deep cleaning tips to take your shower enclosure from grimy to shiny. Ready? Let’s go!
Shower Head
Shower heads can form lots of stubborn grime. To give it a truly deep clean, opt to clean it with vinegar! This works best with chrome shower heads.
Take a plastic bag, big enough to fully fit over your shower head, and fill it halfway with white distilled vinegar. Place the bag over the shower head until it is completely submerged in vinegar. Use an elastic band or string to tie the bag in place. Leave the shower head to soak in the vinegar for at least 30 minutes, ideally overnight. (Keep in mind, if you have a brass shower head, don’t leave it to soak for any more than 30 minutes.)
Remove the bag, then turn the water on for a few moments to flush out any mineral deposits left inside the shower head. For more intense build-up, scrub the shower head with an old toothbrush, focusing on the base, and turn the water back on to flush out any residue. Scrub, rinse and repeat until all the dirt is gone!
Finish it off by gently polishing the shower head with a microfibre cloth and you’re done!
Grout
Cleaning your bathroom grout can feel like a nightmare of a task, especially if it’s light in colour. If you picked grout in a dark colour so it wouldn’t show any stains, this task will be so much easier for you! However, if you’re stuck with white grout, you’ve probably resigned yourself to having off-white grout until the day you finally give in and get the grouting re-done.
However, there are ways to get it looking white again. For a natural method, use a mix of baking soda and vinegar! Combine baking soda and white vinegar in a bowl and mix until they form a paste. Dip an old toothbrush into the paste and work it into the grout lines. You could also use an old electric toothbrush to take some of the leg-work out of scrubbing. After you’ve given all grout lines a thorough scrub, leave the paste for around 30 minutes to give it time to soak in. After this, rinse off the paste with water and wipe up any residue with a clean cloth.
This method should whiten up your grout and remove most dirt but, if it’s still looking slightly grimy, repeat the process until it lightens up.
Tiles
After you’ve scrubbed the grout within an inch of its life, it’s time to move onto the tiles.
Luckily, this should be fairly simple; especially if you have ceramic or porcelain tiles. Spray the tiles with your favourite household bathroom cleaning spray, then wipe away with a damp cloth. For any fiddly, hard to reach areas, try scrubbing with an old toothbrush.
For tiles that are too high to reach, like near the ceiling, a good option is to use a mop. If you can, spray the tiles with the same household cleaner and use a mop with an extendable handle to wipe it away.
Chrome fixtures
Chrome taps and shower valves may get missed out during regular cleanings, or not get cleaned thoroughly enough, and limescale can build up pretty quickly. Soak paper towels in lemon juice and wrap around the taps or valves, wherever limescale collects. Leave to soak for an hour then scrub gently with an old toothbrush and rinse; the acidity of the lemon juice should break down the limescale.
When your chrome fixtures are clean, give them a polish with baby oil and a microfibre cloth to make them shiny and bright.
Shower door
For glass shower doors, your average household anti-bacterial cleaner should work for everyday grime. Spray the glass generously and lather up with a damp cloth. Use a shower squeegee to wipe away excess cleaner and avoid streaks.
For more stubborn soap scum, create a paste of baking soda and water and use a non-abrasive sponge to scrub the glass. Rinse away the paste with water and then squeegee away any excess.
If you find you’re still left with streaks, a good method for this is to spray with white vinegar. Create a solution of half white distilled vinegar and half water and decant into a spray bottle. Spray the glass generously with the vinegar solution and wipe away with paper towels for a streak-free finish. Pro-tip: you can also use this on mirrors and windows!
Drain
Ah, the drain. Don’t look at me like that, we had to get here some time! I know cleaning the shower drain is a grim job, but not doing it can lead to your drain becoming clogged and not draining water properly.
The first step here is to remove anything that’s physically blocking the drain, like hair. You could buy a chemical drain cleaner, but the harsh chemicals can take a toll on your pipes. The best way to start is to de-clog your drain manually. A drain snake can be used to make this easier. If you can’t find that, you could also use a thin wire coat hanger. Start by removing any initial debris with your fingers (make sure you’re wearing rubber gloves). Then insert the end of the drain snake or hanger down the drain using a slight twisting motion. Tug upwards slowly to start pulling blockages out, and then put anything you pull out straight into a plastic bag. Repeat until you’ve cleared everything out.
As an extra step to get any remaining dirt or debris, use a combination of baking soda and white vinegar to clear it out. Pour baking soda down the drain, then follow with distilled white vinegar. The combination will create a fizzing action that will work away at any remaining blockages or grime. Leave it for at least 20 minutes, up to a few hours. Finish off by boiling a full kettle of water and pouring it down the drain quickly to flush the mixture away.
Shower Tray
A household bathroom cleaning spray should work well to clear up any soap scum. Spray on the shower tray, lather it up with a damp cloth and rinse away. Just try to avoid using anything too abrasive, as this can damage the surface.
For intense limescale, use white vinegar or lemon juice to cut through grime.
For any pesky rust marks that have been left on your shower tray, all you need is some white vinegar and baking soda. Coat the stain in white vinegar (lemon juice would also work here) and allow the liquid to sit for 2 to 3 hours. Rinse the liquid down the drain then scrub with a sponge to remove any loose deposits. If any stains remain, mix together white vinegar and baking soda to create a paste. Cover the stain liberally in the paste, allow it to sit for another 2 to 3 hours and then scrub vigorously and rinse away.
If the sealant on your shower enclosure is dark and stained, it probably means that it’s infected with mildew. This can be tricky to deal with, but the best way to get rid of it is to use a mould cleaning spray. If this doesn’t help, you may need to look into resealing your shower.
And there we have it, folks. Our tips for deep cleaning your shower enclosure. Would you try any of these tips? Do you have any favourite cleaning tips that we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments!
The bathroom is one of the most used, and most important, rooms in the home. However, the comforts we associate with modern bathrooms, like plumbing, hot water and flushing toilets, are things that many of us take for granted. It was a long time before bathrooms became the multi-functional rooms that we know today. From Ancient Rome to the 21st century, let’s take a look at the fascinating history of the bathroom.
Ancient Bathing
The habit of bathing wasn’t always focused on hygiene. The first records for the use of baths go all the way back to 3000 B.C. During this time, water was seen as a purifying element and was often used during ritual ceremonies. In some cases, it was required for people to cleanse themselves before entering a sacred area.
Roman Baths
The Ancient Roman attitudes towards bathing are well-documented. The Romans built large thermal baths, both for public use and for the private homes of the wealthy. Public bathhouses were grand buildings and would usually feature a hot room, a warm room and a cold room. In some ways, they weren’t dissimilar to modern day spas.
For the Ancient Romans, bathing was about more than just hygiene; it was about relaxation and renewal. Bathing was also seen as a social activity; public bathhouses served as social gathering spots where friends would gather to discuss matters of the day and enjoy entertainment.
The famed Roman baths spread as far as the Empire itself, with ruins of Roman baths having been found in England, Northern Africa and the Middle East. Partially reconstructed ruins can still be seen today at the Roman Baths in Bath.
Middle Ages
Many of us might think that the Middle Ages saw a massive decline in bathing, but this isn’t necessarily the case. Public bathhouses were still commonly used during this period, though there was also an increase in indoor, private bathing, especially among the wealthy. It was commonplace among the affluent to bathe in a large wooden tub, usually placed in the bedroom.
16th – 18th Century
By the 16th century, the use of public baths had declined, and private bathing in the home became more popular. The reputation of bathhouses quickly degenerated, and they were officially closed down by Henry VIII in 1546.
Throughout the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, bathing was increasingly neglected. Due to outbreaks of disease, people during this time were concerned that water could spread illness. It was said that warm water would weaken the body and widen pores, allowing disease to be absorbed into the body. Bathing became connected with the spread of dangerous diseases and, as a result, people during this period generally avoided it. Instead of bathing, people opted for wearing white linen undergarments; it was thought that wearing clean linen next to the skin would make the body clean.
Sir John Harrington published a book in 1596 describing how to construct a flushing toilet, and had one installed for Queen Elizabeth I in her royal palace. However, the invention proved unpopular with the royals; they preferred to use chamber pots, brought to them by their servants, in the comfort of their bedrooms. It wasn’t until the 19th century, after mass outbreak of cholera and the building of underground sewers, that the flushing toilet became commonplace in homes.
The Beginnings of the Bathroom
Prior to the 1850s, the three main parts of the bathroom (the toilet, the basin and the bath) were all in separate rooms. The middle-class and wealthy would have washstands in their bedrooms for washing up. For everyone else, washing up would be done in the family basin in the kitchen. Bathing would be done in a portable bath that would be heated in front of the fire. For most, this was done in the kitchen.
However, the late 19th century brought about numerous technological advancements that paved the way for the bathrooms we know today. After the invention of sewage systems, the modern flushing toilet eventually became commonplace in homes, with new houses being built with dedicated toilet rooms.
The discovery of germs resulted in a massive change in how people thought about hygiene; bathing was now seen as a necessity for good health. As modern plumbing systems were installed and gas heaters became widely available, personal bathing became much more common.
Showers were first introduced in the 19th century and were originally operated by a hand pump. However, by 1915, you could buy showers for the home that were not unlike the modern showers of today.
By the end of the 19th century, a dedicated room for bathing was much more commonplace. Free standing roll top baths, originally seen in finer homes in the 18th century, became more popular amongst the middle classes. Wooden elements began to give way to ornate patterned tiles.
20th Century
The 20th century saw bathrooms become more than just rooms of function. The bathroom, much like the kitchen, became a source of pride, particularly for women. The bathroom became a room for privacy, relaxation and escapism.
Modern Bathrooms
And now we come to the modern bathroom of today. Bathrooms today are all about creating that perfect balance between style and functionality. A place where you can get ready in the morning, then relax and unwind in the evening.
Bathroom styles today vary massively, ranging from traditional and elegant to sleek and modern. Technology plays a big part in today’s bathrooms; from underfloor heating to bluetooth mirrors, the options are endless. As you can see, we’ve come a long way from wooden baths and chamber pots.
ProofVision Bathroom Music System
Illuminated Cosmetic Magnifying Mirror
ProofVision In Wall Electric Toothbrush Charger
Hudson Reed Corona LED Bluetooth Mirror
