Cleaning the bathroom has to be one of my most hated chores. So when it comes to designing my bathroom, I'm definitely prioritising how easy it is to clean it (or keep it clean!). For those who are equally sian about cleaning the bathroom, these bathroom reno tips should help save you some elbow grease (and your sanity). 

Make room between fixtures

I’ve learnt this the hard way trying to clean the awkward gap between my vanity and toilet bowl. Unless you’ve got tiny, flexible hands, make sure there’s enough space between fixtures for you to actually reach in and clean properly.

Don’t pick white grout

Skip white grout if you want something easier to maintain. Light grey tends to hide dirt and wear much better. If you want something lower maintenance, consider epoxy or acrylic grout instead of cementitious ones since they’re more moisture-resistant and less prone to staining. Still, they will have to be wiped down regularly and can yellow over time.

Use larger tiles to minimise grout

Going for larger tiles (esp on floors!) to minimise grout lines is a no-brainer, but the tile finish matters too. Stick to smoother surfaces with minimal texture (skip the deep woodgrain ones) so dirt and stains don’t get trapped in the grooves. And don’t forget safety. Bathroom floor tiles should ideally have at least an R10 slip rating.

Tiled wall > glass wall

Between limescale and soap scum, keeping glass spotless becomes a full-time job unless you’re squeegeeing after every shower. If you still want to keep splashes contained, a non-tiled shower wall works great as a lower-maintenance alternative.

Pick fixture shapes wisely

When choosing bathroom fixtures like your faucets, shower heads, sinks, even toilet bowls, go for designs with fewer crevices and sharp edges. Softer, curvier shapes not only look better, they are also easier to clean.

Flat tiled surfaces should be sloped

Make sure all your flat tiled surfaces have a slight slope so water doesn’t end up pooling everywhere. Not just the floor, but also things like custom shower shelves and ledges too. Your tiler probably already knows, but a small reminder never hurts.