7 Top Tips for Bathrooms Without a Window
It may not be on your mind when you're looking for a place to live, but some flats and houses that have a bathroom, en suites or cloakroom do not have a window. When having a steaming hot shower or bath, you can usually fix the condensation and moisture issue by opening a window to air it out. But what can you do if you don't have a window? Read our top tips to have an unproblematic bathroom.
1. Install an extractor fan
Having an extractor fan will help clear any build-up of moisture in the room. It is usually best for it to be connected to your bathroom light, so every time the bathroom is used, it will be triggered to remove any humidity. This will also prevent mould growth which is the main thing you want to avoid.
If you already have an extractor fan, think about how long you've had it for. If it was already installed before you moved in, you may want to have it replaced as they last on average about 10 years. Extractor fans naturally turn from white to a yellow colour over the years from use, which can give you an idea of how long it has been installed. If you're finding mould or moisture that isn't evaporating, then we'd recommend investing in a new extractor fan - the good thing is that they don't break the bank!
2. Keep the bathroom clean and clutter free
The next most important thing to do is to clean your bathroom regularly. You can't rely solely on an extractor fan when your bathroom doesn't have a window (or even if it does). Cleaning will remove unwanted bacteria and dirt that has built up from things like showering and washing your hands. Bathrooms are perhaps one of the most contaminated rooms in the house, read this article on bacteria in the home for more information.
To follow on from the previous point, a clutter-free bathroom makes the room feel bigger. With there not being any natural light to brighten up the bathroom, the darkness can make the room feel too full if there are too many things out on show. Bathroom furniture can play a big part here as their storage abilities mean you can tidy away a lot of products that don't need to be out. For example, a mirror cabinet and a vanity unit should be more than enough space for your cleaning and personal products to be hidden away, making your bathroom look more presentable.
3. Reflective surfaces
Bathroom mirrors are a great way to reflect light around the room, which can be incredibly hard when there is no natural light coming from a window. However, in most cases, you'll need to turn the light on to use the bathroom. This means you can still take advantage of the artificial light which will bounce off the mirror, creating the illusion of a larger bathroom. Additionally, you could look into getting an LED mirror which will produce more light into the room whether it be battery or mains powered.
Gloss worktops and wall panels are another way to reflect light around the room as they have larger surface areas. They also make for quick and easy cleaning, especially compared to tiles.
4. Wipe away water droplets
Showering or washing your hands can lead to standing water on surfaces which can start breeding bacteria. If you notice any water on the floor or basin for example, then simply wipe it away to keep it clean. When having a bath or a shower, your bathroom will indefinitely fill with steam, leading to condensation. Condensation can sit on surfaces such as mirrors, so you could invest in a demister mirror, or, dry it with a cloth when you are finished in the bathroom (as well as putting on the extractor fan).
You may also want to invest in an absorbent bath mat for when you step out the bath or shower, but keep in mind, it will need washing regularly to stop the build-up of bacteria.
5. Use glass bathroom fittings
When we say bathroom fittings, we mean glass or transparent shower enclosures, doors, or screens. These will reflect the artificial light like mirrors and make the room feel less crowded. These are better options as opposed to shower curtains because they do not add block obstacles in your bathroom. Shower curtains cut off part of the room, whereas with glass, you'll be able to see straight through making the room feel bigger in comparison.
6. Add bathroom plants
There are several plants that will thrive in a bathroom with non-existing natural light which is great because they can really add some life and colour to the room. Windowless bathrooms are often thought of as dark, boring rooms, but adding plants will bring in that outside ambiance and give your bathroom a facelift. If you are worried about having a live plant in a place with no natural light though, you could always buy artificial ones - that way there is no maintenance and they will always look flourished!
7. Choose a light colour scheme
To reduce your bathroom feeling claustrophobic, having a light colour scheme can make the room feel a bit more spacious and airy. It will also brighten up the room and reflect the artificial light as we've mentioned above. If you don't want to paint everything white (which is most common in bathrooms) you could try pastel colours or neutral tones. You could even do half and half - some bathrooms have panels or tiles around the room which go halfway up the wall. Painting the panels neutral or a pastel colour and then the rest of the walls white can add a bit of contrast, but also draw your bathroom upwards.
An additional tip is to choose a cool tone light bulb(s) for the bathroom as it will reflect light better due to the brightness, but it is also visually pleasing on the eye compared to warm tone light bulbs.
If you found this post useful, you may also like - How to Fit an Extractor Fan - Everything You Need to Know About Bathroom Ventilation - A Guide to Bathroom Heating.
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