10 steps to a luxurious bathroom

Dorchester bath, £2,475; Classic bath and shower mixer, £975; Manhattan vanity basin and washstand, £862.50; Classic three-hole basin mixer, £431.25; East Hampton white marble, from £99.36 per sq m, all Fired Earth

Basin setup (excl taps), £8,554; mixer, £2,184, shower set, £5,954, all from the Inigo range by Michael Smith from West One Bathrooms

Free-standing Toulouse bath, £3,200; Amalfi 55 basin, £475, Victoria + Albert Baths

Victorian free-standing bath, from £279; Penfold bath filler taps, £69; Austin pedestal basin, £99, all Bathrooms.com

Solo countertop basins, £103.30 each; Macintosh lever wall-mounted basin set, £453.60; Bentley cast-iron roll-top bath, £1,788; Macintosh deck-mounted lever thermostatic bath/ shower valve, £1,212; Bespoke Farmhouse washstand in powder blue with stone worktop, £2,880, all Alternative Bathroom Company

Not all bathrooms are best designed to revolve around one statement piece. In larger spaces a more coherent look, with equally captivating items working together to create an awe-inspiring whole, is usually more successful. Elegance is the key word to keep in mind here – every piece should be classic and somewhat understated, such as a free-standing, roll-top bath teamed with a minimalist shower in a wetroom-style enclosure.

All-white suites work wonderfully with a soft green or blue colour palette – tie the whole look together by colourmatching key pieces such as storage, vanity units, towels and even painted bath tubs. Natural stone tiling makes for a beautiful backdrop, but avoid tiling the whole bathroom, which can look rather clinical.

Do not feel it is essential to piece the look together from the same manufacturer’s collection – contemporary, streamlined pieces can complement the more ornate, but do check that your whites match perfectly; the same goes for metallic finishes, such as brassware, door furniture and towel radiators.

Add finishing touches to your bathroom with feature lighting, such as a centrepiece chandelier, and a mirror worthy of a star.

Expert advice

‘When designing a wow factor bathroom, the space will determine the layout, and windows are a big factor in deciding where things will go. Our first consideration is usually to try to achieve symmetry. This can involve constructing stud walls to separate shower, basin and WC, and we like to place freestanding baths centrally under a window with a view. We always try to avoid walking into a room with the toilet being the first focal point. If you are on a budget, invest in one statement item like a huge shower head, but never skimp on quality.’

– Amanda Hicks, Hicks & Hicks (hicksandhicks.com)

All prices and stockists correct at time of publishing.