Bathroom Furniture

A Guide to Choosing Furniture for your Bathroom

Bathroom furniture refers to all those things we have in the bathroom but which aren't the essentials like bath, toilet and sink but instead items such as vanity units, storage cupboards, wall mounted cabinets with mirrors or shelves. These are the items which can completely transform the way in which you use your bathroom, and buying might not be as easy as you might think. There's a lot to think about, and as the sums of money involved are often considerable, it's worth thinking about your decisions carefully. At HeatandPlumb we have a stunning range of bathroom furniture to choose from with big brands such as Premier, Hudson Reed, Burlington, Ideal Standard, Roca and many more.

Freestanding or Fitted?

With some furniture items such as shelves over the sink or a cabinet with a mirrored front, there really isn't a choice to be made. Fixing these items on the wall is really the only way to use them. However, when it comes to vanity units or storage, you don't have to have them fitted to the wall if you don't want to, it will depend on the look you wish to achieve. Fitted furniture can give a more streamlined and contemporary look and is a great choice for modern bathrooms, but on the other hand, having freestanding furniture means that you can move it around the room or even take it with you when you move. There is no right and wrong in this decision, and much of it will come down to personal preference. When looking at furniture in shops or online, always bear in mind whether the items are designed to be fitted or not.

Storage Considerations

There is no point in designing a minimalist, sleek bathroom which then gets crowded and cluttered because you haven't thought about where you are going to keep all of your stuff. There are so many different options for storage that there really is no excuse for not having enough. If space is an issue, look for long and skinny cabinets which can be squeezed into very narrow gaps, or a vanity unit which uses the space underneath the sink for additional storage. If you are lucky enough to have a large bathroom, you have the luxury of choosing a much larger cabinet, or mixing and matching lots of different storage. Even the tiniest downstairs cloakroom needs some shelf storage for soap and towels, or a slimline vanity unit.

Classic or Modern?

Again the choice of style for your bathroom furniture is a matter of personal preference, but it makes obvious sense to consider the purchase of your bathroom storage along with the rest of the items for your bathroom. Quite often you will see ranges which comprise all of the basics plus the furniture to enable you to have a complete matching set in your bathroom. Alternatively, if you prefer a more quirky or individual design, you could mix and match new pieces with vintage items. Think about your overall bathroom style when buying new furniture to make sure it all goes well together.

Budget

It's so easy to get carried away when shopping and seduced by the displays, whether virtual or real life. Set a budget for your furniture or bathroom makeover and try your best to stick to it. Remember that if you manage to make savings in one area by getting a discount or buying when an item is on sale that you can then free up budget to spend elsewhere. If you are trying to save money when buying furniture, check out end of ranges, ex-display items or customer returns. Remember that things can always be painted to match your design.

Installation

Don't forget to factor in installation or assembly costs when you are buying bathroom furniture. Even if you are buying free standing units which don't need to be fixed to the wall, you will still have to factor in the time and costs of putting together flat pack. Items like vanity units might require plumbing skills to fit them in, and if you have splashed out on a whole range of fitted furniture, installation could be the job for a skilled joiner and take several days.