En-Suite Bathroom Addition in London

Complete Guide to Adding an En-Suite Bathroom

An en-suite bathroom transforms your master bedroom into a private sanctuary and significantly increases your property's value. Whether you're borrowing space from an adjacent room or reconfiguring your master bedroom layout, a well-planned en-suite adds convenience, luxury, and marketability to your London home.

Hampstead Renovations specialises in creating bespoke en-suite bathrooms across North London. This comprehensive guide covers space planning, plumbing considerations, design options, and costs for your en-suite project.

Minimum Space Requirements

Compact En-Suite (1.2m x 1.8m)

• Walk-in shower (800mm x 800mm minimum)
• Wall-hung toilet
• Small basin (400-500mm)
• Limited storage
• Ideal for small master bedrooms

Standard En-Suite (1.5m x 2m)

• Shower cubicle or shower-over-bath
• Toilet
• Standard basin with storage
• Adequate for most needs

Comfortable En-Suite (2m x 2.5m)

• Separate shower and bath
• Toilet and basin with vanity unit
• Heated towel rail
• Storage cupboards

Luxury En-Suite (2.5m x 3m+)

• Walk-in shower and freestanding bath
• Double vanity
• Separate WC area
• Extensive storage
• Potential for additional features (bidet, steam shower)

Finding Space for Your En-Suite

Option 1: Borrowing from Master Bedroom

Pros:

• Simpler planning - no room lost
• Usually cheaper (less structural work)
• Faster project completion

Cons:

• Reduces bedroom size
• Only viable if bedroom is generous (minimum 4m x 4m ideally)
• May impact bedroom layout and furniture placement

Option 2: Converting Adjacent Box Room

Pros:

• Master bedroom size unchanged
• More space for larger en-suite
• Potential for separate entrance

Cons:

• Lose a bedroom (affects property value if going below 3 beds)
• More expensive (doorway creation, more extensive work)
• Longer project timeline

Option 3: Stealing from Landing or Corridor

Pros:

• No room lost
• Can create compact en-suite
• Clever use of dead space

Cons:

• May affect fire escape routes (Building Regs issue)
• Limited size constrains design
• Complex planning and permissions

Option 4: Reconfiguring Existing Bathroom

Pros:

• Plumbing already in vicinity
• Can create two bathrooms from one large one
• Reduces costs (existing drainage/supply)

Cons:

• Family bathroom becomes smaller
• May require structural changes

Essential Plumbing Considerations

Water Supply

• Hot water: Adequate boiler capacity for simultaneous use
• Water pressure: Minimum 1.5 bar for showers (may need pump)
• Pipe routes: Shortest run from existing plumbing reduces cost
• Isolation valves: For each fixture for easy maintenance

Drainage

• Soil stack access: WC requires connection to soil pipe (100mm)
• Waste pipes: Shower/basin (40mm), bath (50mm)
• Gradient: Minimum 1:40 fall for effective drainage
• Access panels: For future maintenance
• Pumped waste: If gravity drainage not possible (adds £500-£1,000)

Ventilation (Building Regulations Requirement)

• Extractor fan: Minimum 15 litres/second extract rate
• Humidity sensor: Automatic activation recommended
• Overrun timer: Continues after light switched off
• External vent: Must duct to outside (not into loft)
• Trickle ventilation: If window present

Layout Planning

Wet Room Style

• Walk-in shower with floor drain
• Fully tanked and tiled
• Level-access or low-profile tray
• Maximises feeling of space
• Modern, luxury aesthetic
• Cost: Add £1,500-£3,000 for tanking

Three-Piece Suite

• Bath, WC, and basin
• Traditional layout
• Requires minimum 1.7m x 2m
• Bath along one wall, WC and basin opposite or adjacent

Shower Room

• Shower, WC, basin only (no bath)
• More space-efficient
• Lower cost than including bath
• Perfect for compact spaces

Jack-and-Jill En-Suite

• Shared bathroom between two bedrooms
• Two doors, lockable from inside
• Space-efficient for families
• Requires careful planning for privacy

Fixture Selection Guide

Shower Options

• Electric shower: Heats own water, independent of boiler (£150-£500)
• Mixer shower: Blends hot/cold from supply (£100-£400 + installation)
• Thermostatic shower: Temperature control, safer (£200-£800)
• Digital shower: Precise temperature, multiple sockets (£500-£2,000+)
• Rainfall head: Luxury spa experience
• Body jets: Additional water jets for massage effect

Toilet Types

• Wall-hung: Modern, easy to clean, space-saving (£200-£600 + frame)
• Close-coupled: Traditional, easier installation (£100-£400)
• Back-to-wall: Concealed cistern, neater appearance (£150-£500)
• Dual-flush: Water-saving (standard on most modern WCs)

Basin Choices

• Wall-hung: Space-saving, contemporary (£80-£300)
• Vanity unit: Includes storage, hides plumbing (£200-£1,000+)
• Countertop bowl: Statement piece, stylish (£100-£500)
• Pedestal: Classic, affordable (£60-£250)

Bath Selection

• Standard acrylic: Lightweight, affordable (£150-£400)
• Steel bath: Durable, retains heat (£300-£700)
• Freestanding: Statement piece, requires space (£500-£3,000+)
• Whirlpool/spa bath: Jets for luxury bathing (£800-£3,000+)

Design Styles

Contemporary Minimalist

• White or neutral palette
• Wall-hung sanitaryware
• Large-format tiles (600mm x 600mm or larger)
• Frameless glass shower screen
• Chrome or brushed steel fixtures
• Recessed storage niches

Traditional Elegance

• Classic white suite
• Freestanding bath or roll-top
• Period-style taps (crosshead or lever)
• Metro tiles or marble effect
• Brass or gold fixtures
• Wood vanity unit

Luxury Hotel Style

• Marble or stone-effect tiles
• Freestanding statement bath
• Walk-in shower with rainfall and body jets
• Backlit mirrors
• Underfloor heating
• High-end fixtures and fittings

Lighting and Electrical

Safety Zones

Bathrooms have strict electrical safety zones:

• Zone 0: Inside bath/shower - special low voltage only
• Zone 1: Above bath/shower to 2.25m - IPX4 rated minimum
• Zone 2: 0.6m around bath/shower - IPX4 rated minimum
• Outside zones: Standard fixtures acceptable

Lighting Design

• Ceiling spotlights: General illumination (IP65 rated, LED)
• Mirror lighting: Shadow-free task lighting
• Shower lighting: Dedicated waterproof downlights
• Under-unit lighting: Ambient floor-level lighting
• Dimmers: Adjust for different moods (relaxing bath vs morning routine)

Additional Electrical

• Shaver socket (transformer-isolated for safety)
• Extractor fan (fused spur)
• Underfloor heating (thermostat control)
• Heated towel rail (hardwired or electric)

Budget Planning

Basic En-Suite (£6,000 - £12,000)

• Compact shower room (1.2m x 1.8m)
• Standard white suite
• Ceramic tiles
• Basic lighting and extractor
• Minimal structural work

Mid-Range (£12,000 - £20,000)

• Good-sized en-suite (1.5m x 2m+)
• Quality fixtures (thermostatic shower, vanity unit)
• Porcelain tiles, partial feature wall
• Underfloor heating
• Moderate structural changes

Luxury (£20,000 - £40,000+)

• Large en-suite or wet room (2m x 3m+)
• Premium fixtures (digital shower, freestanding bath)
• Natural stone or high-end tiles
• Bespoke storage and vanity
• Full structural conversion (room creation)

Planning and Regulations

• Planning Permission: Usually not required for internal work
• Building Regulations: Always required (drainage, ventilation, structural, electrical)
• Party Wall: May apply if work affects shared walls
• Completion Certificate: Essential for future property sales

Project Timeline

• Week 1: Design, planning, Building Regs submission
• Week 2-3: Structural work, plumbing/electrical first fix
• Week 4: Plastering, tanking (if wet room)
• Week 5-6: Tiling, second fix plumbing/electrical
• Week 7: Sanitaryware installation, finishing touches

Contact Hampstead Renovations