BATHROOMS
After the kitchen, a new bathroom is the most popular update in the home. Good planning can avoid costly mistakes.
Replacing the bathroom is one of the most major updates most homeowners do, especially if it's the only one in the household. Not only does a nice bathroom increase the desirability of the home it is often a place of sanctuary as well as an essential functional space.
If you are contemplating a new bathroom it's imperative to plan ahead. A new bathroom is an expensive undertaking, so set your budget from the offset, this will determine the quality of fittings, design and installation paths. It's important to also understand how the bathroom will be used before selecting a style.
function & layout
Whether you are replacing an existing bathroom, or installing a completely new one, this is the time to evaluate who, and how, the area will be used. For instance, this may not be the main bathroom in the house, it might be used as a special, more extravagant space. Therefore, durability, to some degree, can be sacrificed for style. However, if this is the main family bathroom, fixtures and surrounding materials need to be especially durable, with particular attention to safety and practicality.
Once you have determined how your bathroom will be used, you can consider the layout. You may have a growing family which needs a bigger bath, shower or both, or you may wish to sacrifice a shower to install a centrally located feature bathtub. Don't forget space for an appropriate size task mirror, either separate or part of a vanity unit.
When you have a main list of desirable functions, you can relate this list to the size of the room. Depending on the available space, you may need to compromise various aspects, such as a smaller bath or shower. Also consider space for a towel rail, storage and ventilation. Bear in mind, some demographics, such as the disabled or elderly, may need extra space, so consider a wet room layout.
The general term of most fixed furniture used for hygiene in a bathroom, is called sanitary ware. Sanitary ware normally includes, bathtubs, sinks, toilets, bidets, showers and taps. It can also include towel rails. It's important before deciding on a style of bathroom to think of the functional aspect of sanitary ware for your particular use. How easy to use does the toilet flush system need to be? Apply the same thinking to the use of taps and shower controls. How robust does a shower area need to be? or the ease in which a shower door opens and closes. Also consider the minimum/maximum height you require the toilet basin to sit, as different styles vary. You may also need a certain size towel rail, so plan ahead.
sanitary ware
Consider the materials used in the bathroom, including sanitary ware, walls and flooring
In a highly functional space such as a bathroom, it is essential to think about the materials you specify. This includes, the sanitary ware, floors and walls. Sanitary ware is available in a myriad of materials, commonly ceramic and plastic polymers. However, bathtubs and sinks can be specified in concrete, copper, wood, natural stone, and more. Keep in mind, how these materials will fare under long term heavy use, and the maintenance they may require. Expert advice will also be needed if specifying heavy materials such as stone or concrete, due to the extra floor load; your floor may need strengthening. ​Walls and flooring need to be waterproof too, with wet rooms needing specialist membranes. Most bathrooms use tiles coupled with a waterproof grout for both floors and walls. More luxurious bathrooms may use materials such as real marble, however, waterproof stone effect wall panels are now available and are very realistic. Timber look floorboards and polymer floors are also availabe.
Adequate storage, lighting and ventilation, is crucial for a well functioning space.
Adequate storage is often a neglected afterthought when planning a new bathroom, as aesthetics commonly dominate the thought process. Remember, a bathroom comes with a myriad of toiletries etc. which need to be hidden when not in use. Towel storage may also be required, so plan carefully as bathrooms tend to be small areas. Sanitary ware with dual storage, such as sink units and wall hung vanity units are your first port of call. Think shelving as well, maximising wall height.
Choose the right materials to suit the function of your bathroom.
Plan for adequate storage at an early stage.
Think about bathroom lighting at an early stage.
​Thinking about lighting and ventilation at an early stage will lead to a better functioning space. Bear in mind, new electrical installations in the bathroom will need to comply to strict regulations, requiring specialist sealed lighting units. Think about the type of lighting you will need in the bathroom. For best results, consider light location, making sure that any main task mirror has adequate light levels. Most bathrooms deploy spotlights for ease of maintenance and these should be controlled from outside the bathroom. It's a good idea to have a dimmer control which will allow you to alter the bathroom ambience. Adequate ventilation is imperative, so make sure that your choice of fan is powerful enough for your needs, and can be easily vented externally. Consider it's position at an early stage, and remember some fans can be combined inline with a special light fitting. However, these only suit bathrooms with minimal use.
Style & Budget
Selecting the style of a new bathroom is the fun bit, though it's worthwhile to consider some points before racing ahead with your order.
When selecting a new bathroom, it's essential to consider several factors. First, choose a bathroom suite that matches the current or planned service points. For instance, if you're creating a brand-new bathroom in an extension or a space that hasn't been a bathroom before, it's crucial to determine the drainage, waste, and lighting points beforehand. If you're replacing an existing bathroom, the service points will already be established. In both scenarios, keep in mind that sanitary ware is designed differently based on style, which can lead to complications. For example, a wall-hung toilet may require complex alterations to connect to a floor waste. Therefore, be ready to adjust the plumbing or choose a design that accommodates the existing service points. This will include, bathtubs, sinks and showers as well toilet bowls.
You can maximise light with lighter shades and the liberal use of mirrors. Works well in larger spaces.
A monochrome scheme can look very modern. But try to avoid an overly clinical aesthetic.
In larger spaces, you can create focal points to create a sense of luxury. For example, a centralised bath adds drama.
A transitional space, blending traditional elements with modern, creating an interesting cohesive design.
Be guided by the architectural style of your home
More than any other room in the home, a bathroom is a space where you can be indulgent, or avant-garde, as it's more visually separated from the rest of the house. That being said, designing a bathroom which is very decisive may be a negative if you're thinking of a move in the near future. Though, of course, the style of a bathroom is a personal choice, it's a good idea to look at the architectural style of your home for guidance. As a rule of thumb, traditional bathroom suites work well in cottages and Tudor homes, whilst both modern and traditional bathrooms can work in Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian houses. Most houses and flats built form 1960 onward, suit a modern bathroom, unless the home is a homage to an earlier era. However, this is not a rule and you should ultimately choose a style which you like regardless of the type of home you have.
Plan your budget! Choosing your bathroom
At this stage you will a have an approximate idea whether your new bathroom will be of a traditional or modern style. However, there are countless interpretations of both these styles, so where to start!? Firstly, you should have a maximum budget in mind. In the UK as of 2025, the average cost of a new bathroom, including materials and fitting, is 7k, however, larger bathrooms, new plumbing, lighting and selective materials, can all add to costs.
Remember, there are several ways to fit your new bathroom
There are many routes to fitting a new bathroom and probably the most common, is choosing a bathroom from a local high street supplier, who will also organise fitting as well. The benefit of these popular suppliers is that they offer a free design service, so you can visualise your bathroom before fitting. Alternatively, you could source the bathroom materials yourself and engage a separate plumber, tiler and if needed electrician to complete the fitting. This route can be more cost effective than the fully in house option, but you will not have the benefit of a design service, so the layout will be down to you. Of course, if you have the relevant skills you may elect to install the bathroom yourself, which is cheaper still. Remember, any electric work needs to be conducted by a certified professional.
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There are also bathroom supply and fit specialists, who operate without a showroom. They can be a larger firm or a small independent outfit. This path can be quite expensive and many will only use sanitary ware and materials from their own range, so your choice of styles will be limited. Alternatively, higher end bathroom ranges are also available in both traditional and contemporary styles from companies such as Boffi. These ranges are expensive, but use innovative high quality materials. It is advisable, if you are contemplating a high specification bathroom, to engage the services of a trained interior designer.
They will plan the layout, order materials and oversee installation, avoiding costly mistakes.
Unlike kitchens, most bathroom suites, come in white, which can look bland, diminishing your options if you want to make a statement. An alternative option is to pick separate sanitary ware which has a similar style, i.e. traditional or modern. Also by selecting independent sanitary ware, you can introduce focal pieces for a more interesting space.
For example, you could choose a white ceramic toilet and sink, with a bathtub in a different material, such as metal or even a stone composite. Sink units too, could be a feature as well as showers. Sinks are available in materials such as, wood, corian, stone, marble, even concrete! Vanity units, also come in various styles, and choosing a natural material such as wood can break up a sea of white ceramic.
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Another successful bathroom style can be fusion. Where styles such as traditional and modern are successfully blended to create an eclectic scheme which has a complimentary overall aesthetic. There are many other styles you can research for inspiration i.e., Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Scandi. Lesser known looks include, Japandi, a blend of Scandinavian and Japanese style, and Brutalism, where concrete is liberally used. It's also worth noting that bathroom hardware, which includes taps, drainage plugs, light fittings, towel rails, shower heads, toilet roll holders and more, is fundamental to the overall aesthetic. Good quality hardware is available in multiple styles and finishes.
WALLS & FLOORING
Depending on the overall aesthetic you envisage, wall and floor finishes are an essential ingredient to complete the bathroom. This is your chance to add texture, pattern or colour, and it goes without saying, tiles are the simplest way to achieve this.
Tiles are popular because of their resistance to wet conditions, ease of maintenance and range available. Not all tiles are equal, and though ceramic tiles, are the most common and cost effective, they are also available in other materials. Tiles can have a multitude of varying design, texture and patterns. Porcelain tiles are similar to ceramic, but are made of a denser material and have a slightly better finish. Glass tiles can be very effective, reflecting light, creating an interesting dynamic to a bathroom. Similarly, mosaic tiles have a jewel like quality, effective in both traditional and modern schemes. Also available are natural stone, such as granite and slate, and concrete tiles, for that brutalist style aesthetic. Terrazo tiles, are also sometimes used with good effect, they are a composite of granite, quartz, and glass chips.
bathroom floors
Though it's common to see tiles on the bathroom floor, from ceramic to real stone, there are other flooring options available. For instance, you could choose a wood floor, but in a heavily used bathroom this is not adviseable. Instead, consider LVT (luxury vinyl tile) which comes in different shapes and can emulate wood or marble. Laminate flooring is also a good idea, comprised of composite boards with a printed laminate on the surface. They can replicate wood or stone, but also come in many patterns, the same as vinyl floors but more durable. Both vinyl and laminate are water resistant. Also, consider a one piece linoleum or rubber floor, which are also available in limitless colour and pattern. Remember, if you have underfloor heating to choose a compatible floor. So check with the supplier.
shower wall panels
As an alternative to tiles, waterproof panels are available for the bathroom area. Often called 'shower panels' they come in a variety of styles and can replicate, tiles, wallpaper or real marble. Not only are they easy to install, but they are cost effective compared to tiles. There are four main types of shower panel available, which increase in price. PVC panels are hollow and are the cheapest of the four, but tend to be the most durable and watertight. MDF panels are solid core, with a waterproof laminate, available in many finishes, from matt to gloss. Plywood panels are similar to MDF, but have a laminate on both the front and back. Lastly, Acrylic panels. These are the most expensive, being solid acrylic, but are fully waterproof and you can have anything printed on them for a truly bespoke look. Being acrylic, they have a shiny finish.
updating an existing bathroom
Installing a new bathroom is a costly process, however, a more economical way to achieve a refresh is to update instead. One of the easiest ways to do this, if your walls are not tiled, is to paint them, and maybe replace accessories such as, lights, taps, toilet roll holders etc. This works well if your main sanitary ware is in good condition. If you can extend your budget, again keeping existing sanitary ware, replacing or introducing new tiles to the wall coupled with new flooring will be a more dramatic change.
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Bear in mind, once you have to replace the existing sanitary ware, the flooring and possibly the walls, will need addressing too. It's worth noting, if you are replacing the whole bathroom, keeping the existing service points, drainage, waste etc., will save costs. Major plumbing alterations can exponentially increase expenditure.