Shopping for Your Bathroom

A comprehensive guide to shopping for your bathroom renovation.

Imagine the moment—putting your carefully planned and designed bathroom into motion. At this stage, you’ll select and purchase fixtures, fittings, furniture, accessories—and even plan artistry to complete your vision. This guide helps you select bathroom fixtures intelligently, prepare for consultations, navigate showrooms, and make informed purchases.

This is part four of our four part guide, for more information on each stage please use our navigation banner below.

Find expert help

Although online research is helpful, nothing beats seeing products in person. Visiting a showroom gives you the confidence to feel the materials, open drawers, and see live demonstrations—and tap into expert advice.

Retail showroom staff—or the in-house design teams many offer—can advise on everything from tile quantities and surface options to delivery lead times.

Interior designers offer an alternative: they interpret moodboards, manage installer relationships, and recommend layout enhancements. Many retailers also provide design services, making a single appointment a highly efficient step forward.

The more information and materials you can bring to your bathroom consultation the better. We have devised a quick checklist to help with collating this information.

Bathroom Plans

It’s time to gather all the nitty-gritty details that you learned about in our Bathroom Planning Guide, this may include:

Your budget
Room specifications and dimensions
Plumbing points
Structural obstacles (windows, doors)
A 2D sketch (if possible)

Bathroom Inspiration

Try to hone all those wonderful and inspiring ideas into one place so your designer has a good grasp of your style and desired bathroom look.

All things considered, please don’t worry if you haven't collected everything- your consultant is there with expert information to guide you.

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Choosing Bathroom Furniture

With so many options available, we’ve compiled a quick guide to bathroom furniture, ceramics, brassware, and accessories—so you can make confident, informed choices when planning your space.

Modular Bathroom Furniture

Modular bathroom furniture is one of the most popular and versatile options, thanks to its ease of installation and the valuable storage it provides. These stand-alone vanity units are typically made from moisture-resistant MDF or treated wood and feature an integrated basin with either drawers or a cupboard with shelving.

Our modular collections are available in a wide variety of styles—from timelessly traditional to ultra-modern—and can be tailored to suit your aesthetic and practical needs, right down to your choice of handle. Modular bathroom furniture comes in both wall-mounted and freestanding designs, giving you added flexibility when planning your layout.

Fitted Bathroom Furniture

Fitted bathroom furniture—also known as custom or built-in cabinetry—is designed to make the most of your available space. Unlike modular units, fitted furniture takes into account your full bathroom layout, creating a seamless, cohesive look that maximises storage.

At Roper Rhodes, our fitted collections are available in a broad range of styles, sizes, and depths, and include coordinating plinths, panels, and worktops. The result is a truly bespoke bathroom that blends form and function perfectly.

Cloakroom Furniture

With more homes featuring en-suites or second bathrooms, cloakroom furniture offers smart, space-saving solutions for compact spaces. These small-scale units are similar in design to modular furniture but are proportioned specifically for smaller rooms. Many include clever features like corner basins and reduced-depth units to help you make the most of every inch.

Pair with compact brassware for a refined and functional finish.

Measurements, Wastage & Fixtures

Once your bathroom is fully measured, you’re ready to calculate required quantities—and plan for coverage:

10% extra for simple layouts
15% extra for more cuts
20% when matching patterned tiles

Ordering furniture follows similar considerations—but remember to plan for height, not just width and depth. Our fitted bathroom furniture is tailored to awkward spaces, including height variations, unit depth, and accessible layout considerations.

To avoid tile batch mismatches, it’s best to order everything in one go. A detailed floorplan is helpful: you can even use paper templates to mock‑up tile placement and furniture fit before delivery.

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Choosing a WC

Sanitaryware forms the foundation of every bathroom, large or small. This category includes your everyday essentials—basins (or sinks) and toilets (or WCs)—and while they may seem straightforward, there’s a surprising range of styles and configurations to consider. This guide covers the key types of WCs and basins to help you choose the right solution for your space and lifestyle.

Toilet & WC Options

You might be surprised at the variety of options available when it comes to something as familiar as the toilet. Today’s WCs combine clever design with practicality and come in a range of styles suited to different installation needs and aesthetics.

Back-to-Wall Toilets

Back-to-wall toilets feature a concealed cistern, either hidden inside the wall or housed within a furniture unit, leaving only the pan visible. This creates a sleek, minimalist look by hiding pipework and mechanisms from view.

Close-Coupled Toilets

One of the most common types of toilet, the close-coupled design includes both the pan and cistern as a single unit. It’s easy to install, budget-friendly, and ideal for straightforward bathroom renovations.

Wall-Hung Toilets

Wall-hung toilets are a type of back-to-wall toilet, but with the added feature of being mounted directly onto the wall, leaving floor space clear beneath. This design is perfect for modern bathrooms or smaller spaces where creating the illusion of more room is key.

See our WCs

Basin options

Every bathroom needs a basin—but the right one can add style, functionality, and even save space. From traditional pedestal designs to contemporary vessel basins, here's a breakdown of the most popular basin types:

Wall-Mounted Basins

Practical and cost-effective, wall-mounted basins are fixed directly to the wall with exposed plumbing. This style is ideal for smaller bathrooms, offering a minimalist, space-saving solution that can also turn well-finished pipework into a design feature.

Countertop Basins

Sitting on top of a vanity unit, countertop basins bring a luxurious, spa-like feel to the bathroom. Available in round, square, rectangular, or more decorative styles, vessel basins pair well with waterproof surfaces like stone or solid surface worktops for both form and function.

Pedestal Basins

A classic bathroom staple, pedestal basins include a ceramic column that supports the basin and conceals pipework. They offer a timeless look and are often chosen for traditional bathroom designs.

Cloakroom Basins

Designed to maximise space, cloakroom basins are typically wall-mounted and fit neatly into the corner of smaller rooms—making them ideal for cloakrooms or compact bathrooms.

Underslung Basins

Installed below the worktop, underslung basins provide a smooth, seamless surface. This elegant, bowl-style basin is often used in traditional bathrooms and pairs well with stone or solid-surface countertops.

Semi-Countertop Basins

Partially embedded into a countertop or furniture unit, semi-countertop basins project slightly beyond the edge of the worktop. They’re ideal for fitted furniture runs and are particularly well-suited to narrow or smaller bathrooms. Slim-depth options are also available for space optimisation.

Basin Materials

Most basins are made from ceramic, but other materials offer unique benefits in terms of durability, aesthetics, and flexibility. Here’s a quick guide to the most common basin materials:

Ceramic Basins

The most widely used material, ceramic basins are made from clay, kiln-fired, and glazed for a durable, waterproof finish. They’re classic, easy to clean, and highly resilient.

Solid-Surface Basins

Made from composite minerals, solid-surface basins are moulded into a single, seamless unit. They’re versatile, repairable, and ideal for more bespoke or design-led projects.

Acrylic Basins

Lightweight and stain-resistant, acrylic basins are made from a high-gloss polycarbonate plastic. They’re a cost-effective option that offers a modern, streamlined appearance.

Explore our basins

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Choosing your Tap

Bathroom brassware—more commonly known as taps and showers—is one of the most important finishing touches in any bathroom. Beyond function, your brassware should reflect the overall style of your space and work seamlessly with your water pressure system. With so many options available, it’s worth considering both form and function when making your choice.

Taps come in a wide variety of styles, finishes, and configurations. From classic to contemporary, selecting the right tap can elevate your basin while enhancing usability. Below is a quick guide to the most popular styles:

Basin Mixer Taps

A basin mixer combines hot and cold water through a single spout, giving you precise control over both temperature and flow. These taps are ideal for modern bathrooms and require just one tap hole—perfect for saving space on smaller basins.

Pillar Taps

A timeless option for more traditional bathrooms, pillar taps deliver hot and cold water separately through two individual taps. They require two tap holes and add a symmetrical, heritage-inspired look to your basin.

Wall-Mounted Taps

Wall-mounted taps are typically installed above countertop or vessel basins and create a clean, minimalist aesthetic. The spout is fixed directly into the wall or splashback, often producing a waterfall-style flow.

Three-Hole Basin Taps

This elegant variation of a mixer tap includes a central spout flanked by separate hot and cold controls. Often styled with crosshead or lever handles, three-hole basin taps evoke a classic, refined feel and suit both traditional and transitional bathroom schemes.

Choosing the right shower system can be as simple—or as personalised—as you like. Modern and traditional shower systems are made up of various components, offering the flexibility to customise everything from the valve type to the showerhead style.

If you prefer a ready-made solution, pre-configured shower systems offer ease and peace of mind. These include all the essential parts, matched for performance and aesthetics.

Looking for something more tailored? Your retailer or bathroom designer can help you create a bespoke shower system that matches your water pressure, layout, and style preferences. Whether you're drawn to overhead drenchers, dual outlets, concealed valves, or exposed pipework, there’s a combination to suit every space.

See our taps

Choosing Your Shower

The right shower can transform your daily routine, combining performance, style, and ease of use. Here’s a quick guide to the most popular system types.

Concealed Push Button Shower Systems

A sleek, modern choice that hides all pipework behind the wall. Push-button controls make switching between outlets simple, while the minimal faceplate keeps your bathroom looking uncluttered.

Single Function Shower Systems

Perfect for straightforward, reliable performance. A single spray mode delivers consistent water flow—ideal for en-suites, guest bathrooms, or those who prefer simplicity.

Multi Function Shower Systems

Offering versatility at your fingertips, these systems allow you to switch between an overhead drench head, a handheld spray, or even body jets. Great for creating a spa-like experience at home.

Concealed Shower Systems

All valves and pipework are hidden from view, leaving only the controls and shower head visible. This creates a clean, streamlined look that works beautifully in modern bathrooms.

Exposed Shower Systems

A classic, practical option where the valve and pipework sit on the wall. Easy to install and maintain, exposed systems can also add character, especially in traditional or industrial-inspired spaces.

Bar Valve Shower Systems

Compact and functional, bar valves are mounted directly to the wall with a simple horizontal control bar. They offer precise temperature control and are a budget-friendly way to refresh your shower setup.

See our showers

Make a Showroom Appointment

Time to shop? Why not make an appointment with your local Roper Rhodes stockist to discuss your ideas and requirements and find the best fit for your dream bathroom.

Make a Design Appointment

Choosing Your Bathroom Mirror

Now for the finishing touches! A bathroom mirror can do more than simply reflect your face—it can visually expand your space, enhance your lighting, and tie your whole design scheme together. Whether you prefer a sleek illuminated style, a timeless classic, or a clever combination of storage and style, there’s a mirror to suit every bathroom.

Illuminated Mirrors

An illuminated mirror is an excellent choice if you're looking to add soft, functional lighting to your space. Designed with integrated LED lighting, these mirrors often feature a subtle glow that frames the mirror edge or backlights the unit for an ambient effect. Many models include touchless sensor switches, dimmable brightness, or adjustable colour temperature, allowing you to tailor the lighting to your mood or the time of day.

At Roper Rhodes, all of our illuminated mirrors are IP44 rated—meaning they're safe to use near water—but for best results and peace of mind, they should always be installed by a qualified professional.

Traditional Mirrors

If your bathroom already has a strong lighting scheme or you prefer a simpler aesthetic, a non-illuminated mirror may be the best fit. These mirrors often come in framed or frameless styles, perfect for coordinating with your chosen furniture.

One of our most popular options, the Hampton mirror, features a beautifully crafted wooden frame available in a range of finishes to match your vanity unit—ideal for creating a cohesive, heritage-inspired space.

Mirrored Cabinets

If you're short on space or simply want to keep your countertop clutter-free, a mirrored cabinet offers the best of both worlds—function and storage. Our extensive range includes:

Wall-mounted mirrored cabinets in multiple widths and finishes
Illuminated mirrored cabinets with soft LED lighting and built-in charging options
Recessed mirrored cabinets for a sleek, flush-fit appearance

A mirrored cabinet is a smart solution for keeping toiletries within easy reach while keeping your space feeling open and bright.

See our mirrors

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Hampton 570 Framed Bathroom Mirror | Pewter

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Accessories & Finishing Touches

Smaller items—like bath mats, soap holders, or toothbrush stands—are often overlooked until later. Planning these early allows them to become style anchors, tying design elements together.

Accessories purchased from the same collection help ensure consistent finishes and colour coordination with brassware and furniture. Fancy a bit more personality? Mix in vibrant or patterned pieces for impact.

Artwork is another stylish way to finish your bathroom. Prefer framed prints or moisture-resistant materials (treated wood, metal, or plastic frames) that can be switched out seasonally depending on your mood or trend shifts.

See our accessories