Whilst we’re known for our central heating services, at NxtGen Heat Ltd, we’re also no stranger to bathroom renovations and plumbing work. We recently heard from a household in Runcorn who came to us for a full bathroom remodel – their original bathroom had a stunning feature wall of natural stone, but it was being overwhelmed by oppressive dark green paintwork that made the room look smaller than it actually was. They wanted something light and open that accentuated and celebrated the original features of their period property rather than overshadowing it, but without sacrificing the conveniences of modern bathroom amenities.
Here’s how we transformed the space into a bright, clean bathroom that blended the traditional with the modern.
The Brief
The client wanted a full bathroom renovation that felt modern and polished, without losing the character of the property. The existing bathroom had a distinctive original stone wall – a beautiful feature that the previous décor had overwhelmed. Heavy green paint on the surrounding walls competed with it rather than complementing it. The owners wanted to work with this feature of their home.
The goal was a clean, contemporary bathroom that felt cohesive with a soothing, nature-inspired, luxury spa-like design.
The Before
The primary issue was the dark green paintwork that made the room feel small and dark. The green tiles inside the shower and matching green walls created a closed-in feel, and whilst this could’ve been fixed with a DIY approach and several coats of a lighter coloured bathroom paint, this wouldn’t have created the natural spa feeling the client wanted to create. Another issue was the cramped shower enclosure – it had a curved edge that was wasting room, reducing the useable shower space for no good reason. They wanted their shower to feel spacious and for the whole room to have continuous flow.
The room had several bold elements that were all competing for attention. Our objective was to tie everything together by choosing colours and textures that worked in harmony.
What We Did
Wall finishes:
One of the first decisions was how to treat the walls. The original exposed stone around the window is a genuine feature of the property, so we wanted to work with it instead of covering it up.
We landed on a white and brown marble effect cladding that continued the stone theme but with a different texture. The warm, earthy browns draw out the colours already present in the original stonework, creating a sense that the room has been designed as one cohesive whole. Where the green paint previously overwhelmed the stone, the new cladding frames it as the focal point of the room.
Flooring
We fitted a warm wood-effect LVT flooring throughout to continue the natural, earthy palette and create a visual connection between the floor and walls. The LVT is also a practical choice as it is waterproof, long lasting and easy to maintain.
Shower
The quadrant enclosure was replaced with a larger, rectangular shower area. By switching from a curved tray to a rectangular one with a sleek chrome frame, we increased the useable showering area without needing to add much to the footprint. The chrome frame, shower head, and fittings were all chosen to align with the other hardware in the room, creating a consistent finish.
The heated towel rail and fixtures
We replaced every fixture with fresh, modern chrome. This was both a practical and aesthetic choice, as chrome is easy to clean and limescale can wipe away easily. The heated towel rail, also finished in chrome, draws the eye and anchors the space whilst maintaining the polished feel of the room.
The Result
The photos speak for themselves! What was once a dark and oppressive space is now a restful spa-style sanctuary that feels both modern and in keeping with the property’s original character.
The original stone wall is now the centrepiece. The marble-effect cladding, wood-effect flooring, and chrome fixtures give the room sense of cohesion that makes the whole room feel much bigger than it actually is. The room feels luxurious and intentionally designed, with all the elements tying in together.
If you’re considering a bathroom renovation in Preston, Chorley, Leyland, Liverpool, St Helens, Wigan, or Warrington, get in touch. With over 20 years of experience and 300+ happy customers, you’re in safe hands with NxtGen Heat. We also offer 0% APR finance to help spread the cost of your project.
Get in touch today to book your free consultation.
