Oliver Heath on designing your eco bathroom

Thinking of redecorating your bathroom? Why not go the eco route this time? Eco designer Oliver Heath, author of Urban Eco Chic, shares planet–happy options for updating your bathroom floors and walls.

How to create eco–bathroom walls

Due to the destructive qualities of water and condensation, walls in the bathroom must be scrupulously protected. A cheap quick–fix is to coat all surfaces with thick gloss paint, but this will fill the space with high levels of VOCs that off–gas toxic residues and lead to breathing problems and allergic reactions. In addition, paint only protects a surface for a short time before it starts to peel and crack.

A much better solution is to part–tile and part–paint walls. The tiles allow any water to run off quickly, reducing damp levels.

Some eco paints mark when splashed, so a good option is to use a natural eggshell paint that is resistant against marks and is hardwearing without the toxic chemicals.

How to create eco–bathroom floors

Due to the bathroom’s demanding conditions, flooring options are more limited than in other areas. Whilst bathroom flooring should feel good underfoot, it needs to be hardwearing, water resistant and able to deal with variations in moisture content. Additionally it needs to coordinate with the colour scheme of your bathroom; it is important visually, whether creating sleek lines or adding a textural finish.

1. Linoleum is one of the cheapest options. Wide rolls mean that a bathroom could be fitted without the need for joins making it extremely hardwearing and waterproof.

2. Cork tiles are water repellent. Square cork tiles can be transformed by cutting them straight in half to create rectangular tiles.

3. Ceramic tiles are hardwearing and cost–effective, although without such good environmental credentials. They are cold to the touch, so use a bathmat or underfloor heating with ceramic tiles.

4. Sold timber is susceptible to the changing moisture levels, leading it to swell and contract. Counteract this by fitting expansion cavities under the skirting boards.

5. Rubber tiles are hardwearing yet soft, with a contemporary feel. They are available in a selection of surface textures with good anti–slip protection.

6. Recycled rubber flooring is available in a roll to create a seamless floor.

This is an extract from Oliver Heath's Urban Eco Chic.