Ten tips for the perfect bathroom or wet room

3 Family friendly can be good looking

As for floors and walls, the more areas covered by wipe-clean and waterproof surfaces the better. Tiles are the number one choice but if you're covering a large area then choose big ones as they'll make the space seem bigger as well. Go for a sophisticated finish, such as a slate-effect, then indulge in an enormous mirror and good lighting to make it as light and bright as possible.

4 Make lighting a priority

A small bathroom cries out for good lighting so take out the central light fitting and go for halogen spots that mimic natural daylight.

5 Pick a show off

One focal piece - whether it's a slightly impractical but good looking enormous sink, a sexy shower head or even just a fabulous mirror - will give the room instant character and turn it from a practical, apologetic cell into a room you'll want to be in.

6 Choose clever surfaces

Use every trick to make a low-ceilinged room look taller. A white ceiling and good lighting will help, as will low-slung fittings. As for the surface, pick large, light-coloured tiles to enhance the space or go for something more unusual, such as wood veneer panelling.

7 Let in natural light

You need to get natural daylight into your bathroom any way you can. Put a big skylight in a loft room but if small windows are the only option, undress them completely and replace the glass with frosted panes or fit white roller blinds on for privacy.

8 Zone: Your room

If your bathroom combines with a wet room, a step to confine the wet area is a must. You needn't splash out on getting one built in to your floor though - a super-size shallow shower tray does the job.

9 Ditch the shower curtain

A bathroom needs to look super-sleek to work well, so ditch the idea of a shower curtain in favour of a smart, glazed panel or door. Where do you hang it in a wet room though? It needn't go right across the opening to the wet room - they are supposed to be open, after all - just hang it so that the shower area is accessible but not awkward to reach.

10 Get the flooring right

Bathroom and wet room floors need to be non-slip as well as waterproof. That means natural stone (not marble), treated concrete, treated dark woods such as teak, and Corian.

For more advice and How To guides on designing your perfect bathroom visit Channel 4/4Homes.