How to choose a bathroom suite and where to buy them
Bathroom suites are a major investment, and also have a major impact on the look and feel of the space. Baths, sinks, showers and loos need to be both aesthetically pleasing and efficiently functional, so keep both considerations equally in mind.
Layout, style and materials
‘Think about the function of your bathroom when deciding on a style," says Frank Sawkins, creative director of Czech & Speake. "Is it somewhere to get ready with minimal time or a place for relaxation? Bear in mind existing plumbing, as this will often dictate the placement of key pieces, such as the loo, basin and shower or bath." The decision on whether you prioritise smart efficiency or generous luxury will have an effect on the aesthetics of the room.
It's best not to rush decisions on the look of the bathroom, especially if you're leaning towards something very on-trend. "Work out what style you want to go for," says Justin Homewood, founder of The Water Monopoly, “then ask yourself, “will I like it in ten years?”. When you’ve made your initial choices, go back to them three weeks later – if you still like your selections, that’s a good sign. Keep returning to them – the more thought you put in the better.’ ‘Choose colours wisely,” agrees Martin Carroll, managing director at Duravit. “Stick with classic tones and finishes that won’t date quickly. ”
Choose materials carefully, as you'll have to live with them for some time. "Once you get past commonalities such as durability, aesthetics and cost," says Emma Mottram of Laufen, "you have to confront one factor that is found in no other room in your house – large quantities of water. Ceramic and natural stone are the best options. Wood is often overlooked because of fears that it will warp, but it can easily be treated to prevent this."
What is included in a bathroom suite?
Bathroom suites generally comprise the bath, sink (often with a vanity attached) and toilet, but it may in some cases include a shower. Most bathroom retailers work in collections, and these also include suitable hardware (taps, handles, plugs and so on), so that it's easy to buy everything in the same style. This certainly makes life simpler, but we see no reason not to mix and match if you're so inclined.
Choosing the sanitaryware
The shower can have quite an impact on the style of a room, so it's worth spending a bit of time on it. "A shower need not be a boring choice compared to a bath," says Nicholas Cunild of Matki, "but make sure it has a strong presence. A shower enclosure is a good idea for the corner of your bathroom. Choose a frame that is finished in brushed nickel or aged brass if you want to make an impact. We also offer several options for curved glass panels, which are good when you have an awkwardly shaped room and want to maximise space."
You might be tempted to go for a generous rainfall shower head but this isn't always the best way forward. "Consider the flow rate into your shower," says Phil Etherden, managing director of Albion Bath Company. "Check with your boiler manufacturer to work out the flow and pressure, and then choose a shower system to suit – lower pressures require a smaller shower head. A pressurised water system with a storage tank tends to be the best option for good showering."
We don't normally think of toilets as a locus for important style decisions, but the basic decision between wall hung and close-coupled is a key one in any bathroom. As the team at VitrA explain, “wall-hung is modern and easy to clean (but you need a frame to sit behind the wall), back-to-wall toilets are great if they are going underneath a window, while close-coupled toilets are great for a traditional look.”
If you have a small bathroom, getting everything in can be a challenge. "The trick is to maximise the visible floor space," says Phil. "Don’t try to force a large bath into a small bathroom – it will make the room look cluttered. We have created ‘Tubby’ baths, which are short and compact but still deep enough. If possible, choose a bath with feet so more of the floor can be seen."
Placing the shower over the bath is a great design idea for smaller spaces, especially if you have a double-ended bath and add a shower curtain. For spaces with pitched roofs, consider placing the shower on the wall behind a glass screen, rather than using a standard box shower; it reduces the height you'll need and streamlines the space.
Vanities and storage
When it comes to choosing vanities for your sink, it's important to "identify your storage needs and consider the type of furniture that you want to incorporate," says Charlie Williams, an interior designer at Heritage Bathrooms. "Wall-hung units are ideal, as they preserve valuable floor space and can be mixed and matched to suit the layout of the room. Freestanding furniture is a good choice for those with growing families as the pieces can be easily incorporated into a new layout." “Think about including a double washing area,” adds Martin Carroll of Duravit, “as it will ensure you have plenty of storage space for the whole family. You can also add freestanding cupboards to sit alongside the vanity units if needed.”
1/11Catchpole & Rye
Beloved of interior designers everywhere, Catchpole & Rye is one of our dream destinations for luxury bathrooms. Based on a former farm in Kent, the brand is deeply interested in the heritage of British bathrooms and manufactures its iron baths on site. Traditional designs in high-quality materials are the name of the game here, and they do them very well indeed. The ‘Empress’ basin, pictured above, starts at £1,680 (excluding VAT).
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3/11The Water Monopoly
We're huge fans of The Water Monopoly's 'Rockwell' collection, with its retro styling and pastel colours. It includes everything you could want in a bathroom, from sinks and loos to taps and soap holders, so you can have the full Rockwell experience. This bath starts at £4,660 + VAT.
4/11C.P. Hart
A one stop shop for all things bathroom related, C.P. Hart sells their own collections, like the classic 'London' range, which includes taps, sinks, loos and baths, as well as lines from other great brands such as Duravit, Bisazza and Matki, alongside the best of British companies like Samuel Heath (whose taps are some of the best in the business) Pictured above are products from Italian brand Ex.t's ‘Nostalgia’ collection.
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5/11VitrA
With a splendid new showroom in Clerkenwell (that includes a 4D virtual-reality theatre), VitrA is a great choice if your taste runs to the modern and minimalist. It's not all black and white though, there are lots of colourful products in VitrA's ranges, as well as some clever uses of natural materials like wood and copper. The ‘Water Jewels’ basin pictured above is a stylish option from one of the new collections.
6/11Albion Bath Company
Best known for their freestanding baths, all made in Essex, the Albion Bath Company also sells a beautiful range of sanitaryware in a variety of styles. We adore this ‘Tubby Torre’ bath, which comes in three different sizes, meaning you can get the freestanding look even in a tiny bathroom.
7/11Lefroy Brooks
One of the most stylish makers of traditional bathrooms out there, Lefroy Brooks orders its range by decade, starting in the 1900s and moving through to the 1950s. There's a small range of contemporary products, but the heart of the company is in traditional design. It has built its reputation on beautiful brassware, but also sells basins, loos, baths and showers, as well as lighting, mirrors and freestanding furniture.
8/11West One Bathrooms
A true one-stop shop for everything bathroom-related, West One has a number of showrooms around London and the South-East, as well as an online shop where you can purchase selected products. There are over 750 brands in West One's portfolio, so you're very unlikely to miss anything good, and the company also offers a comprehensive design service.
9/11Claybrook
Best known for their exquisite collections of tiles, Claybrook also produces a well-edited selection of baths, loos and basins. The ‘Charon’ bath, pictured above (£2,600) is made from the studio's ‘Marbleform’ material, a blend of marble with resins to form a lightweight and more affordable alternative to marble itself.
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