Your bathroom or shower room should be functional and practical, but also somewhere you can unwind. This guide will help you decide how to strike the best balance for you.
Whether you have a small or large bathroom, you'll want to get the best for your money. That's why we've surveyed Which? members to find out what they thought of the big bathroom brands they've used including Bathstore, Victoria Plumb, Homebase and B&Q.
Visit our guide to the best bathroom brands to find out which came top for quality of products and finish, customer service and value for money.
Where better to start your bathroom, en suite or wet room revamp than with some inspiration from our gallery with a range of bathroom design ideas.
The bathroom is generally one of the smallest spaces in the house, which has benefits as well as challenges when it comes to buying a new one. On the one hand, some small luxurious touches, such as expensive-looking tiles or taps, will have more impact in a small space. But on the other hand, you can find yourself limited by space and awkward angles.
Bathroom designs
There are different types of bathrooms, from simple designs with a standard bath, toilet and basin, right through to a wet room or cloakroom with no bath or shower. Whatever your set up, think about who will use the bathroom and how, as this will impact how you design it:
Is it a family bathroom? If so, you'll probably want to factor in lots of storage space.
Do you rarely bath but always shower? Then consider a standalone shower or wet room instead of installing a bath you won't use.
If you like baths and showers, a bath with a shower over it would give you the option to be flexible.
Is space at a premium? Think about how you could incorporate storage cupboards on the walls rather than floor, maybe above the bath or even built-in underneath.
Do you want to use your bathroom to relax in? Consider getting a freestanding bath for a luxurious feel and having somewhere close by to store candles and magazines.
Are you a couple sharing the bathroom? How about getting two basins to make getting ready in the morning less chaotic?
If you'll be using it to do your make-up or to dress in then you'll want to make sure there is plenty of light and a mirror.
Asking yourself these questions will help you define the little changes to make or elements to incorporate that will make a lot of difference to your bathroom and your enjoyment of it.
En suite bathrooms, shower rooms and cloakrooms
Small bathrooms ideas and wet rooms
If you don’t have much room to play with, look for corner sinks or toilets. There are plenty of products on offer that are smaller than standard sizes. Wall-hung units can save floor space and give the visual impression that the room is bigger than it actually is.
You could also consider having shelves - glass or rails for towels will make the room look bigger - or hooks on the walls. Heated towel rails can mean you don’t need to make room for a separate radiator.
A wet room - a fully tiled shower room that doesn’t have a screen or shower tray - can also be a good option if you’re pushed for space. However, if the bathroom is very small, it’s advisable to have a screen or curtain so your towel, toilet and loo roll don’t get wet.
Adding an en suite or extra loo can make a big difference when you have visitors, not to mention adding value to your home. Look for dead space that you aren’t using for anything important and that is near the waste pipe. For example, you could use the space currently taken up by fitted wardrobes in a bedroom, or divide a big room with a partition wall.
Another option is to take space from two rooms rather than one - easier if the walls you want to use are partitions rather than structural. Make sure you can still fit a single or double bed in the remaining space, though, rather than losing a bedroom. If you want a downstairs loo, think about whether there’s space you could use under your stairs or divide from the kitchen or
Bathroom cabinets and bathroom storage
Think about how much storage space you will need in your bathroom. You can get built-in cabinets - for example ones that sit around the basin, which will make use of wasted space - or freestanding ones that give you flexibility to move it around. Again, corner units are a good way to make use of the space.
Many of the brands we reviewed offer a range of storage solutions, but if your bathroom is a particularly awkward space, you could consider asking a local tradesman to build something bespoke to your bathroom.
You could also use any recesses or windowsills for shelf storage, and storage baskets or wire racks for the corner of the bath help to keep toiletries tidy.
Bathroom flooring and bathroom tiles
You can use pretty much anything for your bathroom floor as long as it’s waterproof and won’t get too slippery when wet.
These days most people choose tiles (marble or granite look good), sheeted or tiled vinyl (a sensible option if you’re on a budget), or laminate, to replicate the effect of wood.
It’s also possible to have a hardwood floor, but you’ll need to treat it and make sure you don’t leave it wet. For an ultra-modern and very practical effect, you could even use concrete.
Underfloor heating adds a really cosy touch (as well as helping to dry the bathroom and prevent damp and mould from forming) if you have hard floors. If you're considering underfloor heating, visit our guide to get an idea on the costs involved.
As well as possibly using tiles for your floor, you'll need to use tiles on the walls around the shower or bath, which should be added after they're fitted. You can also get the same tiles for your bathroom walls and floor if you want a streamlined look.
Options for wall tile types include glass, ceramic or natural stone. There are matt or gloss tiles, and you can have small mosaic ones right through to large tiles, which can make a bathroom feel larger.
Tiles can also be used to make a statement - bold colours or different finishes can have a big impact. If they're used sparingly, such as just around a shower or even statement tiles as a strip running through plain white tiles, they don't have to be expensive.
Updating your bathroom on a budget
If you’re not sure you can afford to get an entirely new bathroom, there are ways to it a fresh new look but on a budget without replacing the sanitary ware (the toilet, bath, sink and shower).
Cleaning and regrouting
Shower room
Simply cleaning the grouting can make a huge difference to how your bathroom looks
First, you’ll need to do a thorough clean. If the grouting is mouldy, try using a specialist cleaning product available from supermarkets and DIY stores. If that doesn’t work, buy an anti-mould grout-reviving pen, which you can get in black or white depending on the colour of your grouting. If you choose to redo the grouting altogether, use a sealer that will help prevent staining and mould growth in the future.
To further prevent the mould coming back, try to leave the bathroom window open after showering or, if there isn’t a window, install an extractor fan and leave the door open when you leave the room.
If you are lucky enough to have a cast iron bath but the ceramic covering has started to crack, consider buying a resurfacing kit or hiring someone to do a professional job for you, rather than replacing it. When you come to sell your home, buyers tend to rate period features.
Decorating your bathroom
When it comes to decorating, specialist tile paints can give you a new look without the hassle and expense of re-tiling. Alternatively, consider using board panels, waterproof boards that can be easily secured to the bathroom wall. They come in plain or patterned designs, some even giving a tile effect.
If most of the walls are tiled but some surfaces are painted, simply changing the paint colour can achieve a whole new look - and because of the relatively small amount of wall you have to paint, it will take less time and money than redecorating an un-tiled room. Do make sure you buy paint that’s suitable for bathrooms though - ideally go for an anti-mould, gloss paint.
Bathroom accessories
After this it is a matter of accessorising. Consider buying new curtains or blinds, perhaps adding a new shower curtain or panel or even putting down a new floor (vinyl’s cheapest). Replacing the mirror and/or door handles can also make a difference, as can seemingly small touches such as the hand towels.
Bathroom DIY: the practicalities
If you’re on a budget but want to do more serious work, for example replacing fittings and fixtures, we would only advise DIY if you know what you’re doing, or you could end up having to pay more to get things fixed than you would have if you’d hired a professional in the first place.
Always check that what you’re doing complies with the current building regulations.
Having your bathroom renovated by a professional
If you decide to hire a professional, get quotes from three suppliers. If the retailer you’re buying your bathroom or fittings from offers to fit it too, compare the installation costs on offer to those of another local fitter - 45% of people in our survey found their bathroom installer themselves as opposed to 26% who used an installer from the company they bought the bathroom from. 18% of those who found their own installer said they did it because it was cheaper.
Conversely, if your plumber or builder offers to buy the bathroom suite for you, check how much it would cost if you bought it directly for yourself.
Electrical works, including the installation of lighting, fans, sockets or electric showers should be carried out by a Part P-registered electrician.
To find a reliable local tradesperson, check Which? Local, where Which? members share recommendations when a trader has impressed them with their work.
Building regulations
Once your new bathroom or en suite is complete, make sure you gain the relevant building regulations approval - including drainage, any electrics and ventilation and checking that any glass meets the required safety standards. You might need to prove that you've done this when you sell the house.
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