Renovating
Where to Spend and Where to Save on a New Bathroom
Find out how to stay on budget when designing and installing a new bathroom
When renovating your bathroom on a limited budget, invest in pieces that offer longevity. “It’s nearly always a false economy to cut corners, because a bathroom is subject to daily wear and tear, and any compromise in quality will soon make itself noticeable,” Sam Ball of Utopia Furniture says.
Think about how your bathroom will be used. For example, if you have a large family or regular guests, focus on a quality shower that will last the distance. Or, if you love nothing more than relaxing in a warm bath, splash out on a tub you can enjoy for years to come. When planning your new design, try to stick to your existing layout to avoid the costs of moving plumbing or pipework. Keep an eye out for sales and special offers, too: it may take you longer to source everything you need, but you’ll reduce the cost of the overall project.
Here, as part of our Bathroom Planning guide, four professionals explain how to spend wisely during your bathroom renovation.
Professional advice from: Sam Ball of Utopia Furniture; Rob Bennett of 123Floor; Jonathan Carter of Victoria + Albert Baths; Barbara Payne of Bisque Radiators
Starting your bathroom project? Read How to Plan for a Bathroom Renovation
Think about how your bathroom will be used. For example, if you have a large family or regular guests, focus on a quality shower that will last the distance. Or, if you love nothing more than relaxing in a warm bath, splash out on a tub you can enjoy for years to come. When planning your new design, try to stick to your existing layout to avoid the costs of moving plumbing or pipework. Keep an eye out for sales and special offers, too: it may take you longer to source everything you need, but you’ll reduce the cost of the overall project.
Here, as part of our Bathroom Planning guide, four professionals explain how to spend wisely during your bathroom renovation.
Professional advice from: Sam Ball of Utopia Furniture; Rob Bennett of 123Floor; Jonathan Carter of Victoria + Albert Baths; Barbara Payne of Bisque Radiators
Starting your bathroom project? Read How to Plan for a Bathroom Renovation
Where to spend: sanitaryware
Opting for cheap sanitaryware can certainly cut costs, but you run the risk of bubbles and faults in the glaze, resulting in staining and cracking. And beware of cheaper toilets, because their flushing capability is often compromised.
“A lot of unbranded sanitaryware now comes with the promise of a long guarantee – often a lifetime. However, it’s important to read the small print and, crucially, find out who supports the guarantee if something goes wrong. Is it the retailer, the distributors, or the original manufacturer, who will probably be located abroad?” Jonathan Carter says.
One way to save money on sanitaryware is to opt for a back-to-wall basin and toilet, which are generally less costly than wall-hung designs.
Opting for cheap sanitaryware can certainly cut costs, but you run the risk of bubbles and faults in the glaze, resulting in staining and cracking. And beware of cheaper toilets, because their flushing capability is often compromised.
“A lot of unbranded sanitaryware now comes with the promise of a long guarantee – often a lifetime. However, it’s important to read the small print and, crucially, find out who supports the guarantee if something goes wrong. Is it the retailer, the distributors, or the original manufacturer, who will probably be located abroad?” Jonathan Carter says.
One way to save money on sanitaryware is to opt for a back-to-wall basin and toilet, which are generally less costly than wall-hung designs.
Where to save: the shower
If you want a wetroom look but your budget won’t stretch to tanking the walls and floor of your bathroom, a low-profile shower tray should do the trick. Team it with a framed shower enclosure, which is likely to be cheaper than frameless models but still look super stylish.
More: How to Choose a Shower Enclosure
If you want a wetroom look but your budget won’t stretch to tanking the walls and floor of your bathroom, a low-profile shower tray should do the trick. Team it with a framed shower enclosure, which is likely to be cheaper than frameless models but still look super stylish.
More: How to Choose a Shower Enclosure
Where to spend: brassware
Cheap brassware is never a good idea. “What looks like smart chrome plating can flake and tarnish rapidly and look very unsightly,” Sam says. By choosing quality items from a reputable retailer who will support you if problems occur in the future, your brassware will not only look fantastic, but give you years of service.
More: How To Choose The Right Taps for Your Basin
Cheap brassware is never a good idea. “What looks like smart chrome plating can flake and tarnish rapidly and look very unsightly,” Sam says. By choosing quality items from a reputable retailer who will support you if problems occur in the future, your brassware will not only look fantastic, but give you years of service.
More: How To Choose The Right Taps for Your Basin
Where to save: the bath
If baths aren’t your thing, consider one at the cheaper end of the market, or even dispense with it altogether. “An inexpensive acrylic bath is perfect for infrequent use, whereas everyone will benefit from a luxurious shower,” Sam says.
On the other hand, if a bath is non-negotiable, make a statement with a metallic-effect acrylic model – it’ll be lighter than a copper or cast-iron tub and more affordably priced.
If you haven’t the space for a separate shower and bath but want to have the option of both, a shower-bath like this one offers the comfort of a bath with the convenience of a shower.
More: Which Material is Best for a Bath?
If baths aren’t your thing, consider one at the cheaper end of the market, or even dispense with it altogether. “An inexpensive acrylic bath is perfect for infrequent use, whereas everyone will benefit from a luxurious shower,” Sam says.
On the other hand, if a bath is non-negotiable, make a statement with a metallic-effect acrylic model – it’ll be lighter than a copper or cast-iron tub and more affordably priced.
If you haven’t the space for a separate shower and bath but want to have the option of both, a shower-bath like this one offers the comfort of a bath with the convenience of a shower.
More: Which Material is Best for a Bath?
Where to spend: heating
Invest in a quality bathroom radiator or towel rail to ensure the materials used will stand the test of time and won’t rust. “Quality bathroom radiators are not only more efficient, they offer better design, will last longer and are more reliable than cheaper options,” Barbara Payne says.
Material options
Invest in a quality bathroom radiator or towel rail to ensure the materials used will stand the test of time and won’t rust. “Quality bathroom radiators are not only more efficient, they offer better design, will last longer and are more reliable than cheaper options,” Barbara Payne says.
Material options
- Stainless steel is a classic option for a bathroom radiator, because it’s durable and complements most interior schemes. “The stainless steel used in many of our models is of such a high grade it will never rust, which is obviously very important in a room prone to high levels of condensation,” Barbara says.
- Aluminium models have also become a popular choice. “Aluminium is much more energy efficient and responds faster to varying temperatures by heating up and cooling down more quickly than traditional models,” Barbara says. “This is particularly beneficial in bathrooms with rapidly changing temperatures.”
Where to save: accessories
Look for inexpensive accessories that you can change to revamp your room. “By opting for accessories at a lower price point, customers can change their bathroom’s interior scheme more frequently in line with seasonal trends,” Jonathan says. “A plain white bathroom, for example, is the perfect base for you to switch between different colour trends by adding metallic or colourful accessories every few months.”
Quick fixes, such as adding a splash of colour with paint or wallpaper, will also give your bathroom a new look for less. Change the handles on your vanity unit or bathroom cabinets and, if you have the space, add a freestanding storage unit that you can take with you when you move.
Look for inexpensive accessories that you can change to revamp your room. “By opting for accessories at a lower price point, customers can change their bathroom’s interior scheme more frequently in line with seasonal trends,” Jonathan says. “A plain white bathroom, for example, is the perfect base for you to switch between different colour trends by adding metallic or colourful accessories every few months.”
Quick fixes, such as adding a splash of colour with paint or wallpaper, will also give your bathroom a new look for less. Change the handles on your vanity unit or bathroom cabinets and, if you have the space, add a freestanding storage unit that you can take with you when you move.
Where to spend: white sanitaryware
Investing in timeless sanitaryware means you won’t have to update your bathroom in a few years. And what’s more timeless than white, which never goes out of fashion, creates a calm ambience and gives the illusion of space in small bathrooms?
Browse photos of beautiful white bathrooms for inspiration.
Investing in timeless sanitaryware means you won’t have to update your bathroom in a few years. And what’s more timeless than white, which never goes out of fashion, creates a calm ambience and gives the illusion of space in small bathrooms?
Browse photos of beautiful white bathrooms for inspiration.
Where to save: flooring
Vinyl is a perfect solution when you need a stylish, resilient and economical bathroom floor. It’s easy to clean, calls for little maintenance and is sturdy enough for even the most bustling family home.
“Your bathroom may be small in size, but that shouldn’t stop you from having big ideas when it comes to style,” says Rob Bennett of 123Floor. “With thousands of designs available, modern vinyl flooring can replicate the look of a wooden floor, expensive travertine tiles or simply a block of bright colour.’
Remember a cheap floor costs the same to be fitted as a more expensive one, though. “The time spent and the process involved are exactly the same,” adds Rob. “So why not pay the fitting charge once over the next 10 years rather than three or four times?”
Vinyl is a perfect solution when you need a stylish, resilient and economical bathroom floor. It’s easy to clean, calls for little maintenance and is sturdy enough for even the most bustling family home.
“Your bathroom may be small in size, but that shouldn’t stop you from having big ideas when it comes to style,” says Rob Bennett of 123Floor. “With thousands of designs available, modern vinyl flooring can replicate the look of a wooden floor, expensive travertine tiles or simply a block of bright colour.’
Remember a cheap floor costs the same to be fitted as a more expensive one, though. “The time spent and the process involved are exactly the same,” adds Rob. “So why not pay the fitting charge once over the next 10 years rather than three or four times?”
Where to spend: online or high street?
“While the internet is a fantastic resource in so many ways, especially for researching product data sheets and competing brands, there really is no substitute for seeing products in the flesh to assess the quality,” says Jonathan. “Things such as doing a bath “knock test” to listen for solidity, or seeing the edge of a basin to look for evidence of ingress of greying due to fingermarks are things that can only be done first hand.”
Seeing products will also help you to understand why certain ones are more expensive than others. “You will be able to make a balanced judgement about whether you want to choose a more expensive option to create the look you’re after,” adds Sam.
“It’s always worth having a look at your local independent retailer,” he adds. “Not only will the staff have years of experience and specialist product knowledge to put at your disposal, they can also save you a lot of headaches when it comes to fitting. There are all sorts of pitfalls, such as taking inaccurate measurements, that can ruin a bathroom project. Yes, it will cost more, but an independent specialist will design the bathroom for you, making the very best use of the space, and then oversee the fitting.”
Tell us…
Did you learn anything when you were fitting your bathroom? Or are you about to embark on a refit? Share your thoughts, tips and photos in the Comments.
“While the internet is a fantastic resource in so many ways, especially for researching product data sheets and competing brands, there really is no substitute for seeing products in the flesh to assess the quality,” says Jonathan. “Things such as doing a bath “knock test” to listen for solidity, or seeing the edge of a basin to look for evidence of ingress of greying due to fingermarks are things that can only be done first hand.”
Seeing products will also help you to understand why certain ones are more expensive than others. “You will be able to make a balanced judgement about whether you want to choose a more expensive option to create the look you’re after,” adds Sam.
“It’s always worth having a look at your local independent retailer,” he adds. “Not only will the staff have years of experience and specialist product knowledge to put at your disposal, they can also save you a lot of headaches when it comes to fitting. There are all sorts of pitfalls, such as taking inaccurate measurements, that can ruin a bathroom project. Yes, it will cost more, but an independent specialist will design the bathroom for you, making the very best use of the space, and then oversee the fitting.”
Tell us…
Did you learn anything when you were fitting your bathroom? Or are you about to embark on a refit? Share your thoughts, tips and photos in the Comments.
Save money by investing in one of the realistic stone or wood-effect floor and wall tile designs now available. “They look perfect, cost much less and also don’t have the same maintenance issues as real stone and wood,” Sam Ball says.
If you’ve fallen in love with expensive tiles but can’t afford to use them everywhere, limit them to a statement wall or smaller area.
Find a local tiler on Houzz and read reviews from previous clients.