Bathroom Buying Guide

Choosing a new bathroom is one of the most exciting parts of building or renovating your home. It's a space you'll use every day, so it's important to balance style, practicality and long-term durability.

From planning your layout to selecting the right bathroom suite, tiles and finishing touches, there are plenty of decisions to make. This bathroom buying guide has been created to help you understand the key considerations before investing in your new bathroom, ensuring you create a space that's functional, comfortable and built to last.

Whether you're designing a luxurious family bathroom, a compact cloakroom or a modern en-suite, careful planning will help you achieve the best possible result.

A successful bathroom starts with a well-planned layout. Before choosing products, take time to consider how the room will be used and who will use it on a daily basis.

Measure the room carefully, noting the position of windows, doors, existing plumbing and soil pipes. It's also important to allow enough space for doors, drawers and shower screens to open comfortably while ensuring there's adequate room to move around.

Keeping plumbing in its existing location can often reduce installation costs, but it isn't always the best solution. Sometimes moving a basin or replacing a bath with a walk-in shower can dramatically improve the functionality of the room.

Common Bathroom Layouts

Full Bathroom

A traditional family bathroom that includes a bath, shower, toilet and basin. Ideal for households with children or homes where flexibility is important.

Shower Room

A practical layout featuring a walk-in shower, toilet and basin. Perfect for smaller homes, modern renovations or busy households where showers are preferred.

Cloakroom

A compact downstairs WC usually consisting of a toilet and basin. Space-saving furniture and wall-mounted fittings help maximise the available room.

En-suite

Connected directly to a bedroom, en-suites typically include a shower, toilet and basin. These bathrooms are designed for convenience while making the most of limited space.

Your bathroom suite forms the foundation of the room's design. Rather than selecting each item individually, think about how every element will work together to create a cohesive look.

A complete bathroom suite generally includes:

• Bath and/or shower
• Toilet
• Basin and/or vanity unit
• Bathroom furniture
• Taps and brassware

Choose products that complement one another in both style and finish. Coordinating furniture, brassware and accessories creates a more considered and timeless design.

While contemporary bathrooms often feature clean lines and minimalist styling, traditional suites offer classic elegance that suits period properties and timeless interiors.

The bath is often the centrepiece of a bathroom and should suit both your lifestyle and available space.

There are several styles to consider:

Freestanding Baths
Ideal for creating a luxury, spa-inspired bathroom and making a striking design statement.

Back-to-Wall Baths
Offering the appearance of a freestanding bath while fitting neatly against a wall, making cleaning easier and maximising floor space.

Shower Baths
Perfect for family bathrooms where space is limited, combining bathing and showering in one practical solution.

When choosing a bath, consider who will use it, how often it will be used and whether a bath is something you'll genuinely enjoy or whether a larger shower would better suit your lifestyle.

For many homeowners, the shower is the most frequently used feature in the bathroom.

Choosing the right shower depends on your water system, available space and personal preferences.

Popular options include:

• Walk-in showers
• Sliding shower enclosures
• Quadrant shower enclosures
• Hinged shower doors
• Wet room installations

You'll also need to decide between concealed and exposed shower valves, rainfall shower heads, handheld showers and thermostatic controls.

If accessibility or future-proofing is important, low-profile shower trays and level-access walk-in showers can provide both practicality and modern style.

Although often overlooked, the toilet is one of the hardest-working products in any bathroom.

There are several styles available:

Close-Coupled Toilets
The most traditional and widely used option, suitable for almost any bathroom.

Back-to-Wall Toilets
Designed to conceal pipework for a cleaner appearance while making the floor easier to clean.

Wall-Hung Toilets
Mounted above the floor to create a contemporary, spacious feel and simplify cleaning underneath.

When selecting a toilet, consider comfort height options, soft-close seats and rimless technology, which can improve hygiene and simplify cleaning.

Your basin should combine everyday practicality with your preferred design style.

Popular basin options include:

• Countertop basins
• Semi-recessed basins
• Full pedestal basins
• Wall-hung basins
• Vanity unit basins

Vanity units remain one of the most popular choices because they combine the basin with valuable concealed storage, helping keep worktops clutter-free.

For family bathrooms, larger vanity units often provide additional storage without compromising style.

Good storage is essential for keeping your bathroom organised and clutter-free.

Consider incorporating a combination of storage options, including:

• Vanity units
• Tall storage cabinets
• Mirror cabinets
• Wall-mounted furniture
• Recessed shower niches
• Open shelving

When planning storage, think about your daily routine and where items will be used. Keeping toiletries close to the basin and towels near the shower helps create a bathroom that's practical as well as beautiful.

Tiles remain one of the most durable and practical finishes for bathrooms thanks to their water resistance and ease of maintenance.

Porcelain tiles are particularly popular for bathroom floors due to their durability and low maintenance, while ceramic tiles offer an affordable option for walls.

When selecting finishes, consider:

• Tile size
• Colour
• Texture
• Slip resistance
• Grout colour
• Ease of cleaning

Larger format tiles create a seamless appearance with fewer grout lines, while smaller tiles and mosaics can be used to add decorative features or create focal points.

Choosing complementary wall and floor finishes helps create a balanced, cohesive design.

Bathroom accessories are often the finishing touches that complete the overall look.

Choose coordinated finishes across:

• Basin taps
• Bath fillers
• Shower controls
• Towel rails
• Toilet roll holders
• Robe hooks
• Flush plates
• Cabinet handles

Popular finishes include chrome, brushed brass, matt black, brushed nickel, gunmetal and brushed bronze. 

Matching these finishes throughout the room creates a more luxurious and professionally designed appearance.

Lighting has a significant impact on both the functionality and atmosphere of your bathroom.

A layered lighting scheme provides the best results by combining:

Ambient Lighting
General illumination provided by ceiling lights or spotlights.

Task Lighting
Focused lighting around mirrors for shaving, skincare and applying makeup.

Accent Lighting
Decorative lighting used to highlight niches, shelving or architectural features.

Ventilation is equally important. A quality extractor fan helps remove moisture, reducing condensation and helping prevent mould growth while protecting your bathroom furniture and finishes.

Setting a realistic budget early in the planning process helps avoid unexpected costs later.

Your bathroom budget should include:

• Bathroom suite
• Furniture
• Taps and showers
• Tiles and flooring
• Lighting
• Plumbing
• Electrical work
• Installation
• Decorating
• Waste removal
• A contingency allowance

Ordering products before installation begins can help prevent delays and ensure your installer has everything required to complete the project efficiently.

Choosing quality products may involve a higher initial investment, but they often provide better durability, improved performance and lower maintenance over the years.

A carefully planned bathroom can enhance both your home's value and your everyday routine.

By taking time to consider your layout, choosing products that suit your lifestyle and investing in quality fixtures and fittings, you can create a bathroom that remains practical, stylish and enjoyable for years to come.

Whether your style is contemporary minimalism, timeless elegance or something in between, thoughtful planning and expert product selection will ensure your new bathroom delivers lasting comfort, functionality and design.