Choosing your new bathroom fittings

Above all a perfect home bathroom should be clean and hygienic – but that doesn’t mean it can’t be warm and stylish too!

Plan your bathroom design carefully

Is your bathroom looking drab, dusty and out of date? Do you find the fixtures and fittings difficult to clean and maintain and wish there was a simpler way of keeping it tidy? Or do you just wish for that cosy, end of the day relaxation spot that you can’t seem to find anywhere else in the home? Fortunately refitting your bathroom can make all the difference and choosing the most suitable designs and decorations doesn’t have to be as tiresome or expensive as you might think.

There are two main ways you can go about doing up your bathroom; going for a complete overhaul and remodelling the entire layout, or simply replacing and/or updating existing models and fixtures. Obviously the former option will cost a lot more than the latter, as it may involve work on your pipes and water system. Before you start searching for contractors, however, have a look through this step by step plan that will help you make your own decisions and guide you toward that ultimate bathroom design you’ve been craving:

• Bathroom design planning - firstly, it is important to work with the space you’ve got and don’t under estimate plans and measurements just to squeeze in the designs and fittings you really want. After all, plenty of professional companies and contractors are able to adapt particular shapes and styles into a size that suits you, and there are a wide selection of suites currently available for more compact spaces. Keep the size of your bathroom in mind at all times, even when making aesthetic choices – certain colours and lighting effects can lend the illusion of space where it’s needed.

• Bath, shower, sink and toilet fitting - it’s always best to make the largest decisions first, as everything else will be designed to fit around them. That is, the bathtub, shower cubicle, toilet and sink are going to be the most prominent and important features of your new design. If you have the space then separate bath and shower sections are ideal but otherwise a shower head overhanging the tub makes the most sense. Also, are you going to go for a traditional bath or something more modern and exciting – a corner bath? Or one fitted with water jets or a whirlpool system for a personal hot tub or Jacuzzi experience? The flushing option on your toilet should also be tailored to suit residents– if you have kids in the home a simple push button might be the most effective. A double sink also makes a great addition to your bathroom if you’re into hand washing or want to go for a male/female split – and avoid the mess your partner might leave lying around!

• Bathroom walls and flooring - next, think about wall and flooring design, as they are equally important in dictating the overall ambience of the room. You might want to go for paint or wallpaper, which offers a variety of patterns and colours – but unfortunately the former can slowly chip away and look dirty and the latter may become damp; tiling is by far the more suitable option, as it is easy to clean and available in far more colourful and exciting designs than most people think. As for flooring, its best to go for something non-slip and such as bonded stone or engineered wood, which are both extremely durable. Stone can often look stylish and glamorous but wood offers a more warming effect. If you’re looking for something on the cheaper side, linoleum is also a desirable, easy to clean flooring alternative although it doesn’t quite lend an air of luxury.

Hire a professional to
fit your bathroom

• Bathroom materials - when searching for a suitable style and décor for your new bathroom, you should generally seek to compliment the atmosphere of your home – otherwise you might end up with something too bright and garish that feels out of place and consequently uncomfortable. Think about the colours, materials and textures you want to go for – matching granite or marble fittings offer a luxurious, polished look, while fun underwater characters might give more of a family friendly feel to the room. Ceramic or porcelain is also plain and easy to work around if you want something more low key. If not, what about a bright and bold citrus mix? Calming blue hues? An exotic flowery design? Or something more neutral – white with a patterned border, perhaps?

• Bathroom heating - bathrooms are often colder than most rooms in the home, in part due to the lack of carpets, curtains and other fabric furnishings – which means heating is particularly important, especially in the biting winter months. Radiators are the most popular option and can now be purchased in colours to suit your bathroom design, but heated towel rails or underfloor heating are becoming more popular for bathroom heating. Underfloor heating can even save you money on your fuel bills as it is more efficient than heating with radiators.

• Bathroom accessories - finally, your newly fitted bathroom is free to be adorned with a variety of decorative extras that correspond with the overall design. Built in corner cabinets under sinks are great for storing soaps and gels and make for great space savers, while halogen lighting offers a warming glow if you’re looking for a relaxing ambience. Rugs or floor mats are perfect to avoid any sliding after stepping out a wet bath and frosted glass screens or shower curtains allow the bathroom to be visited by more than one at a time! Make sure your towel rails, soap and toilet paper dispensers all match the main design options to give your bathroom a final professional finish.

Bathroom fitting costs

Remember that, although many people do up their bathrooms every year, if you’re unused to DIY it’s best to leave things to a professional. They’ll work within your budget and time scale and as long as you shop around and check references, they’re sure to get the job done to a high quality – avoiding the risk of shoddy fittings that might fall apart a couple of months later! A typical bathroom refit can cost anywhere between £1000-£4000, depending on the size of the room and how much you want re-installed; but as long as you make carefully informed choices it will be a worthwhile investment for you and your family!