The best ways to keep your bathroom warm this winter

Keeping your bathroom warm in winter is about being proactive with smart choices. The science of it all is fairly straightforward for the most part with respect to heat generation and retention and there are plenty of products and techniques to help you achieve this. Once implemented, they will also serve you for years with your only regret being not acting sooner than you could've to achieve a warm and toasty bathroom environment.

The most obvious place to start to create a warm bathroom is your bathroom heater (if you have one). If you don't, a high-quality bathroom heater can be an absolute game-changer and could actually be the one solution you're looking for. If you do have one, a modern upgrade that is more efficient, quicker and more effective could again provide the additional warmth you need. On top of this, newer models often come with advanced features like programmable timers, thermostats, smart technology and more. They also tend to get progressively more energy-efficient, helping you reduce your overall heating costs. You will have to commit to an upfront purchase price and perhaps installation as well but the investment for many will be well worth the money paid.

Related article: 7 bathroom heating options and what they'll cost you to run

Another addition or upgrade you may want to make is with your heated towel rail which can enhance the warmth of a bathroom on a number of levels. First and foremost, they will keep your towels toasty, embracing you with warmth and comfort as soon as you step out of your shower. Heated towel rails also act as a genuine source of heat in their own right and a well-positioned one too, often at arm's reach from your shower. As is the case with bathroom heaters, modern heated towel rails also tend to be more effective and energy-efficient compared to older models with advanced features to enjoy. In addition, there have also been some sleek design innovations like the heated towel rack, vertical towel rail, recessed towel warmer etc adding genuine designer elements to improve your interior styling.

If one of your main issues is the bitter feeling of a cold bathroom floor under your bare feet, than underfloor heating might be the solution to focus on. This is especially relevant for those who have tiled bathroom floors which can get especially cold in the winter. Underfloor heating is a modern and sophisticated way to keep your bathroom floors uniformly warm, a unique point of difference to other forms of heating that often create hot and cold spots in a bathroom. It is particularly energy-efficient, operating at lower temperatures and wattage than you might think, often at around 100-200 watts per square metre. Also, being an underfloor system, they are completely hidden from view, allowing you to save invaluable floor space which itself is worth its weight in gold.

The build-up of moisture in bathrooms is a common problem in New Zealand, especially in older homes which may not have been designed with this in mind. Ensuring you have an effective bathroom extractor fan or alternative ventilation system is vital to manage humidity levels and prevent moist, cold air from overwhelming your space. In winter, a warm indoor environment that isn't ventilated can lead to condensation against mirrors, windows and tiles making the bathroom feel damp and chilly. By ensuring this air is extracted out, the air will be dryer and your bathroom heaters will be more efficient as a result. They'll also help prevent mould and mildew growth, giving you a healthier home too.

Insulating your bathroom walls is a great strategy for improving warmth and comfort during the winter months. Wall insulation acts as a barrier to heat loss, helping to keep the warmth generated by your heating system inside the bathroom, while blocking the cold outside air from penetrating through the walls. As a result, the bathroom is able to maintain a steady, comfortable temperature, reducing the need for intense heating, lowering energy consumption and heating costs. Proper insulation also helps to mitigate the chill that can emanate from exterior walls, making every part of the bathroom feel cosier. Beyond immediate warmth, wall insulation in the bathroom contributes to the overall energy efficiency of your home, ensuring that heat is retained more effectively throughout your living space, not just during the winter but all year round.

Related article: Different types of insulation in New Zealand

On the topic of insulation, another important area to focus on is your bathroom windows which can be double or even triple glazed to retain warmth in the winter months. These glazing options incorporate multiple layers of glass with insulating gaps filled with air or inert gas, significantly reducing heat transfer between the interior of your bathroom and the cold outdoor environment. This means that the heat generated inside your bathroom stays inside, maintaining a consistent, warm temperature. Glazed windows can dramatically reduce the penetration of cold draughts, a common issue with single-glazed windows, further contributing to a stable and cosy atmosphere. Beyond warmth, such glazing improvements offer the added benefits of sound insulation, reducing noise from outside, and increased energy efficiency throughout your home.

As we've just discussed, glass is a common and important material in the bathroom, especially when it comes to heating. In addition to your windows, it is also often used for the shower, specifically, the shower doors and replacing them can make more of a difference than you might think. That's if you choose the right ones, of course, and heavier insulated or double-glazed shower doors would be our recommendations to start with. The reasoning is similar to the argument for double glazing your windows which is essentially about creating a more effective barrier against heat loss. This basically means your hot shower will feel hot and stay hot which is precisely what you want when winter really starts to bite.

A more drastic option is to replace your shower enclosure altogether or install one if you haven't already. A premium shower enclosure is designed to seal in heat and steam from hot showers, creating a microclimate that significantly raises the overall temperature. This containment of warmth reduces the reliance on external heating sources, especially while showering. Modern shower enclosures also often feature improved materials and seals that prevent cold draughts from entering the shower area, ensuring that the warmth is retained effectively. Most enclosures are open-topped but some people like to take it a step further by getting custom pieces affixed atop for a fully sealed experience, akin to a luxurious steam shower.

If you're more of a bath person than a shower person, there are things you can do to make your bathroom experience warmer too. Doing some research on bathroom materials, in particular, may present alternatives that tempt you into a change. For example, materials such as acrylic, cast iron, and stone retain heat longer than standard porcelain or enamel bathtubs, providing the potential for an upgrade that will keep your bath warmer for longer. These materials can also act as insulators, minimising the heat loss to the surrounding environment, thereby reducing the need for constant heating. This switch can transform your bath into a natural heat source, with the heat from the bathwater also radiating into the surrounding air, gently increasing the room's temperature.

Related article: The pros and cons of different types of bathtubs

One of the simplest ways to make your bathroom feel warmer is to invest in some high-quality bathroom mats. Made from premium materials, these mats act as insulators against the cold floor, providing a warm, soft surface for your feet. The thickness of these mats plays a crucial role in their ability to retain heat and provide insulation. By covering significant areas of the bathroom floor, these mats can also help to reduce the overall chill in the air, making the space feel warmer. The presence of plush, absorbent mats also adds to the cosy ambience of the bathroom, enhancing comfort and warmth. Stylish bathroom mats can also contribute to the aesthetic appeal of the space, making it feel more inviting and comfortable and can be matched in coordination with your other bathroom linen too.

Stopping draughts in windows and doors is a crucial step in maintaining warmth in your bathroom. Draughts represent unwanted airflow into and out of the room, leading to significant heat loss which makes it challenging to maintain a comfortable temperature. By sealing these gaps, you effectively prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping, which, like many of these tips, helps make your heating system more efficient. It's a solution that's very easy to DIY too with window seals and draught stoppers for doors available at most hardware stores. However, if you want to ensure a quality result you can always contact your local window and door professional who should be able to get the job done.

Hopefully, you'll now see that preparing your bathroom for the winter is easier than you imagined with a number of effective ways to make it a warmer space before you really need it to be. The impact of these tips is instant and immediate too meaning you can enjoy the benefits straightaway so act quickly to stop those bathroom winter blues for good.