Often regarded as a dull little room, a cloakroom should instead be a room to treasure. Sadly neglected by many home owners, cloakrooms all too frequently become a dumping ground for broken bicycles, discarded footwear and malfunctioning deck chairs. If treated with a little (but not too much) respect, your cloakroom will serve as a useful convenience for your guests while allowing you privacy in your own bathroom (where your wrinkle cream, old school face cloth and worn-out toothbrushes remain for ever a secret!).
Requiring minimal space (an area as small as lxl.5m will accommodate the essentials), a cloakroom can be sited practically anywhere so long as suitable provisions can be made for the plumbing and, if it adjoins a living room or kitchen, there is a lobby between the two. A space on the floor below an existing bathroom will in many cases minimize disruption.
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What does the good cloakroom contain? Essential, of course, are the WC pan and cistern. From a decorative point of view, a built-in cistern is neater and also provides a shelf on which accessories can be displayed. Should your cistern not be built in, you can still install a removable shelf supported on brackets over it. If space is limited, you will need to fit either an extra-small hand basin or one that will fit across a corner position.
In a larger cloakroom it is a good idea to select a more generous basin with a swing mixer-tap arrangement - so useful for filling a bucket, watering can or kettle. The basin can also be set into a vanity unit to give it a less utilitarian appearance and to secure extra storage below. If space allows, the inclusion of a shower unit may help to relieve pressure on a main bathroom.
In addition to these basics you will need a well-lit mirror (preferably full-length), toilet paper holder, towel rail and wall hooks for coats. Heating a room that is used for such short periods may seem wasteful, but is essential for the comfort of those visiting the room and can easily be combined with a heated towel rail. Grooming aids such as a nail brush, perfumes, hair brush and comb set, paper tissues and a clothes brush are thoughtful additions, as are magazines for the amusement of visitors.
Because your cloakroom is likely to occupy only a small area, you have a wonderful opportunity to consider more exotic finishes that might be thought of as extravagant or overpowering in a larger space. And, as the time spent in this room is likely to be brief, you can afford to make a much stronger decorating statement than might be considered prudent in, say, a family bathroom.
It's the optimum room for cracking a visual joke to a captive audience - where else can you display your achievements (your 'Oscar', degree, war medals, parachute jump certificate or peace prize) without seeming immodest? Give some thought to the following ideas:
If there are many pipes exposed, how about making a feature out of them by painting them rainbow colors? What about covering your walls with sheets of newspaper containing amusing headlines? If your cloakroom has a dull view from the window (or indeed no window at all), why not use the opportunity to create you own scenes with a touch of trompe I'oeil7 Consider leaving the walls fairly plain and using your cloakroom as a trophy room, museum or art gallery.
Whatever your style selection, be careful not to combine too many ideas in this small space or the room will lose impact.
Home Interior Design Tips For Cloakrooms
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Michelle has been heavily involved with her house interior design business since early 2000, and has been writing about and publishing home design ideas and tips since 2005. If you're remodeling your home, a modern ceiling fan is the perfect addition to give a touch of ambience to most rooms. The range of hunter ceiling fans have a comprehensive selection of indoor and outdoor ceiling fans for all situations.
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