Whether its adding stylish features from the best brands around, or planning how state-of-the-art elements can work practically in your home, reimagining your bathroom as a luxurious, relaxing space can be a highly creative process, with an end result that's well worth the effort.
Bringing about your desired look and feel should be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for homeowners – with working with an experienced designer not only helping you identify the best products and solutions, but saving you time, money and stress along the way, too.
SoGlos sits down with David Herbert, founder of Cheltenham's Lansdown Kitchens & Bathrooms, to find out more about the benefits of working with a designer, along with why sustainability, tech integration and natural design elements are increasingly popular with modern clients.
David, tell us a bit about your background.
I’ve spent almost 40 years in the bathroom industry, so it’s safe to say design has been a huge part of my life for a long time. Over the years, I’ve seen the industry evolve enormously – from fairly straightforward functional spaces to the beautifully designed, highly considered rooms we create today.
What’s always driven me is a genuine passion for design and innovation; and helping clients achieve something that works perfectly for their home and lifestyle. At Lansdown Kitchens & Bathrooms, we offer a fully managed design service, working closely with clients, builders, plumbers, architects and interior designers to make the process as smooth as possible.
For me, the real reward comes at the end of a project when the design becomes reality; and the client sees their finished bathroom for the first time.
For anyone who's dreaming of their perfect bathroom but are not sure where to start, what would be your top piece of advice?
Engage with a good designer as early as possible. People often start by collecting ideas, which is great, but the key is translating those ideas into something that works practically within your space.
A designer can help you think about layout, lighting, storage, plumbing constraints and how the room will actually be used day to day. Getting professional advice early on can save time, money and a lot of stress further down the line.
What are the biggest benefits of working with a bathroom designer, rather than trying to plan it all yourself?
A designer brings both experience and perspective. We’re thinking not just about how the bathroom will look, but how it will function, how everything will fit together technically and how to get the best result from the space available.
We also have access to specialist suppliers, materials and innovations that people might not otherwise discover. Perhaps most importantly, we guide clients through the decision-making process.
There are hundreds of choices involved in a bathroom project, from tiles and brassware to lighting and storage; and having someone to help curate those options makes the experience much more enjoyable.
How do you help clients turn their ideas – or that overflowing Pinterest board – into something that really works in their home?
Pinterest and Instagram are fantastic for inspiration, but the images you see are often very different spaces from the room you’re designing.
My role is to take those ideas and identify what the client really loves about them. Is it the colours? The materials? The feeling of the space? Once we understand that, we can design something that captures the same atmosphere while still working perfectly with the client’s room, budget and practical requirements.
Are there any bathroom trends you’re particularly excited about right now?
I’m really enjoying the move towards more natural elements in bathroom design. Organic shapes, softer lines and textured materials are becoming more popular, creating spaces that feel calming and timeless rather than overly clinical.
Collections like Antao by Villeroy & Boch are a great example of this approach, with flowing forms inspired by nature. It’s all about creating bathrooms that feel warm, relaxing and beautifully designed.
More people want to make sustainable choices at home. How can bathroom design support that?
Sustainability can come through in several ways, from choosing high-quality products that will last for years to selecting water-saving fittings and efficient lighting.
Many modern taps, showers and toilets are designed to reduce water usage without compromising performance, which is a big step forward.
There’s also growing interest in natural materials and responsible manufacturing, so clients are increasingly thinking about where products come from and how they’re made.
In your experience, where is it worth splurging and where can people save without compromising on style or quality?
It’s always worth investing in the core elements of the bathroom, things like the shower controller, vanity unit and mirror cabinet, because those are the items you interact with every day; and they need to perform long-term.
Where you can often be more flexible is with decorative elements like tiles or accessories. With the right design approach, you can achieve a beautiful finish without necessarily choosing the most expensive option in every area. A good designer helps balance those decisions so the overall space still feels luxurious.
How do you see the idea of a ‘dream bathroom’ evolving – are people looking for more spa-like, tech-integrated spaces now?
Absolutely. Many people now see the bathroom as somewhere to relax and unwind, not just a purely functional room.
We’re seeing increasing demand for spa-like features such as larger walk-in showers, freestanding baths, layered lighting and beautiful materials that create a sense of calm. Technology is also becoming more integrated, from digital showers, lighting and WASHLET®.
The aim is to create a space that feels effortless, comfortable and genuinely enjoyable to spend time in.
