A guide to buying a new bathroom suite
Thursday, 14 June 2012 9:33 AM
When looking at the different types of available bathroom suites, it can sometimes all get a bit confusing. For a start, you need to decide which type of bathroom shower you would like, along with the style of sink, toilet and perhaps also a bath.
Then there is the wide choice of manufacturers to pick from, each with different benefits. This guide to buying a new bathroom suite should help you with some of the main decisions you need to make, as well as hopefully point out things you might not have taken into consideration.
The style of your bathroom
Your first priority will be ensuring the suite you choose goes with the style of your bathroom. If you have a farmhouse, cottage or period property, and would like to continue with this traditional theme, you will want basins and baths that look a certain way. Rhoper Rhodes is a brand that is particularly good at catering to these kinds of tastes due to the huge selection of taps it has on offer. If you select a square basin with detailing and a pedestal, make sure the look is completed by choosing an appropriate tap. The double crosshead taps from the Rhoper Rhodes Wessex and Bora ranges are particularly attractive and look fantastic in period properties. Freestanding baths also work well in traditional bathrooms, although if you do not have a lot of space, a more ornate fixed tub will be just as eye catching.
On the other hand, you might want a simple and fresh bathroom suite that will suit a more contemporary home. Countertop basins look great in modern spaces, especially large bowls or oblongs with waterfall taps or those with a more unusual design. Shower enclosures are another piece of furniture that can complement a contemporary room, although do not dismiss showerheads above a bath. The range of these fittings is huge, and you can select products that have several settings to rival enclosures. LED lights that change from red to blue according to the water's temperature and massage functions are just some of the features you can enjoy.
The amount of space you have
It is all well and good choosing the bathroom furniture of your dreams, but if the space you have is too small to accommodate it, you will have to go back to the drawing board. Shower enclosures, such as those from Roman, need not take up a large amount of floor space. Carefully measure the bathroom and choose a cubicle that works with what you have. Curved glass, small trays and sliding doors or those that fold inwards can all maximise the space you have to play with.
You should also remember that sinks and toilets can be fitted to the wall, rather than needing a pedestal on the floor. Italian brand Pozzi Ginori is especially adept at creating space-saving bathroom suites, without you needing to sacrifice style or functionality.
Whether you want both style and functionality
If you simply want your new bathroom suite to be functional and don't need an array of features, your decision will be relatively easy. Most of the big bathroom brands offer simple white suites that look classic and get the job done. However, you might want the space to be a little bit more luxurious and a place for ultimate relaxation.
While hot tubs will pop into your head when you think of Jacuzzi, the manufacturer also offers several complete bathroom suites, including its unique baths, of course. The Republic range mixes modern and traditional together, which is great if you cannot make up your mind which style you want. The Helios line offers both basins and toilets that are fixed to the wall or come with pedestals, so you should find a suite that suits the size of the bathroom. Either way, purchase a Jacuzzi bath - with a showerhead over the top for smaller spaces - and you can lie back and enjoy jets of water massaging your muscles.
