How To Choose The Right Bathroom Suite

It is important to note that shower screens and trays come in set sizes. You can also get them bespoke just bear in mind that it may cost you more.

During your design consultation process consider where you want the enclosure to be positioned. Ensure it’s the correct size for your requirement. You want to have enough room while you shower, and not too big as that could eat into the available space, making your bathroom feel cramped.

Shower screens

A shower screen door you choose will have an impact on the position of your enclosure too. Sliding doors are great when space is limited, while hinged/pivot and bi-fold doors will require enough room to be factored into the equation so they can open up comfortably.

Remember to take the thickness of the glass into consideration. It can range from 4mm to 10mm, with curved screens generally being thinner. The thicker the glass is, the more durable it will be. Toughened safety glass is an excellent option if you have small children or a walk-in shower.

Enclosure glass with a special coating to help reduce build-up from soap are also available in the market. Frameless glass will give you a sleek finish but can be more liable to chip, so not a great choice for a family bathroom.

Showers

You’ll also have to choose the type of shower you want – electric, power, mixer or digital –- and the shower head.

3. Choosing a bathroom sink

Bathroom sinks come in a vast array of shapes, sizes and designs, including:

• Freestanding sinks with a full pedestal
• Sinks that are fitted into a cupboard or storage unit are usually called vanity units
• ‘Vessel’ or countertop sinks sit on top of a counter. This could be an open stand with shelving, a floating top or a cupboard, specially made or converted from other storage
• Wall-hung sinks that don’t have a base, but you can choose ones with half a pedestal
• Most sinks are ceramic, but you can get ones in stone, marble and even treated wood

Consider your sink’s height and position.

You don’t want to have to stoop down to it, for example, or for it to be somewhere that’s awkward to access.

Don’t just be swayed by the look. Think about how easy it will be to clean, particularly if you live in a hard water area.

If you have a smaller bathroom, steer clear of wide or deep sinks that take up a lot of room. You can also get corner sinks that make the most of awkward shapes in your bathroom.

Visit our basin size guide page to learn more.

Wall-hung (or ‘floating’) sinks are often set into a wall or a unit, saving space. A vanity unit could also be a good option as it means incorporating the sink into a cupboard.

Remember that the taps you choose will have as big an effect on the look as the sink itself – statement taps can be an affordable way to make a feature of an otherwise basic sink.

Head to our page on small bathroom ideas for more tips on making the most of a small space.

Double bathroom sinks

Double sinks come as one unit where the two bowls are part of the same mould (as in the image above), or you can get two separate sinks. The latter are usually countertop sinks, mounted on a unit.

You could also consider an extra-wide, trough-style sink with additional taps for two people can use.

4. Choosing a bath

Freestanding baths come in a variety of styles and designs, from traditional claw-footed, roll-top tubs to minimalist, modern styles.

When working with less space, fitted baths tend to be more practical and are usually cheaper than freestanding baths. To get a good idea if the bath feels comfortable don’t be shy to try it out in the showroom. You may feel a bit silly, but that could save you time and money as you avoid spending hundreds of pounds on something that is not quite right for you. If space is at a premium, a shower unit might be a favourable option.

5. Choosing a toilet

It might not be the most glamorous aspect of designing your bathroom but, over the years, your toilet will get a lot of use, so it’s important to buy the right one. Here are the most common types.

Close-coupled toilet

Closed coupled is the most common type of toilet. It’s essentially where the cistern and toilet bowl are together in one unit – as opposed to traditional-style toilets where the cistern is sat high above. They come in a huge range of styles, from sleek, modern designs to more traditional shapes.

Back-to-wall toilet

A back-to-wall toilet offers a more modern look as the workings of the toilet is set into the wall. Check whether the cistern is included in the price or sold separately.

Bathroom vanity units with a toilet

Toilets incorporated into a vanity unit are essentially back-to-wall units that allow you to hide the workings of the toilet but still give you an additional work surface for storage.

Bathroom sink and toilet unit

Some bathroom furniture incorporates both a sink and toilet cistern in one tidy-looking unit.

Why not book a free design consultation to see how we can help?

Toilet seats and flushes

Check whether your toilet comes with a seat when buying it, as not all do. You can buy soft-close loo seats that won’t slam down when you close the lid.

Toilets can come with a dual flush, power flush or gravity flush to name but a few, and this will affect your water use, as well as how powerful and effective the flush is.

6. Choosing bathroom taps

You’ll need taps for your sink and bath if you’re going to have one. Taps can make a big difference to the look of your bathroom as well as make it more user-friendly.

Types of bathroom taps

Your first choice will be whether to go for separate taps for hot and cold water – called pillar taps – or a mixer tap that delivers both together.

There are two main types of mixer taps:

An individual tap that has just one handle automatically mixes the hot and cold water, while double-handled taps allow you to choose the amount of hot or cold water you run.

Other types of bathroom taps to think about include:

• Wall-mounted taps – as opposed to sitting on your basin or bath, they are mounted on the wall.
• Freestanding tap – these reside on the floor or countertop, adding a sense of grandeur or drama.
• Waterfall bathroom tap – where the water flows over the top of the spout, for a contemporary look.

The tap you choose could be based on the basin or bath you select as some come equipped with pre-drilled holes for taps. Keep this in mind while you’re shopping.

It’s also crucial to check your house’s water pressure because not all taps are compatible with all types of water pressure, especially low pressure (0.5-1 bar).

Be sure to think about how high the tap sits on the basin. You don’t want it to be too close to the edge of the sink when washing your hands.

Last but not least, look for taps with ceramic disks instead of plastic washers. This newer technology is usually more dependable.

Black bathroom taps

Most taps are chrome-coated solid brass, but you don’t have to follow the crowd. Opting for a black tap can be a simple way to add a statement to your bathroom.

They are matt and come in all types and sizes, so the choice is endless. You could also consider other colours or finishes, such as copper or rose gold for a decedent look.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the right bathroom suite. First, consider the size and layout of your bathroom. Second, think about your personal style and what kind of look you are going for. Finally, don’t forget to factor in your budget. With these things in mind, you should be able to find the perfect bathroom suite for your home.