User guide
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A brilliant bathroom
The ideal bathroom strikes a balance between practical and serene. We consider options for achieving the gold standard.
Whether it’s a family bathroom, an ensuite or a shower room, making the most of the space available starts with a well-thought-out design. We look at the cost of putting in a new bathroom from scratch, as well as adjustments to make your current bathroom sparkle.
Installing a new bathroom
Unless you have exceptional DIY skills, this is a job that’s usually best left to a professional. As with any large household improvement, making sure you get a company that’ll do a good job is top priority. A recommendation from friends or family is ideal and you could even view the work they’ve done. Otherwise, look at pictures of their work online, check accreditation and get several quotes. You can find a local Trusted Trader that has been accredited by Which?
How much does a new bathroom cost?
Buying and installing a whole new bathroom from scratch will cost thousands of pounds, so you'll need to budget carefully.
We've worked with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, which publishes building work and repair costs, to bring you the average price of a new bathroom.
New bathroom cost by average floor size
Table notes: data copyright RICS 2022, reproduced with permission. Data is current as of October 2022.
These prices include the cost of removing the existing bathroom, installing new bathroom units, a bath, wash hand basin, WC, vanity unit, fittings, flooring, wall tiling and decoration.
Design
Before you get carried away with a long wish list, get a handle on the dimensions of your bathroom.
- When you measure, note down the location of existing waste pipes, the boiler and electrical wiring. Relocating any of these will add a significant chunk to your costs.
- On graph paper, make a scale drawing of your bathroom, including the location of the windows, door and fittings.
- You’ll also need to think about ventilation; if there isn’t a window, installing an extractor fan will help to prevent mould and damp problems – see Dealing with damp.
Which? has surveyed thousands of people and asked them about their experience of getting a new bathroom installed. Before you invest in a new bathroom, go to our guide on best and worst bathroom brands to find out which companies impressed for value for money, quality, durability and delivery.
How to upgrade on a budget
If fitting a whole new bathroom isn’t on the cards, there are plenty of ways to enhance the one you already have.
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Clean and regrout Your tiles may be in good condition, but a build-up of grime, limescale and mould could be stopping them from looking their best. Buy specialist products to shift tough dirt, and on stubborn bits, use an anti-mould grout-reviving pen.
- Upgrade tiles Retiling the areas around the bath, shower and sink using standard-sized ceramic tiles will keep costs down, and these are also quicker and easier to install than stone or mosaic tiles.
- New accessories Fresh curtains or blinds, a smart shower curtain, mirrors and pictures are all small touches that can cheaply transform the look of your bathroom.
- Declutter Hide toiletries in matching storage baskets and refresh your old towels.
- Paint Dull or dated tiles can be transformed using specialist paint for tiles. Look out for mould-resistant emulsions for bathroom walls.
- Improve lighting Fit a more stylish light fitting or install LED downlights. Mirrors make bathrooms brighter. Illuminated LED mirrors are useful as an extra source of light over the sink.
- Change taps and showers Replace discoloured fittings with the best quality you can afford. Make sure you get the best fixtures and fittings – see how customers rated the products they bought from the UK’s biggest suppliers.
- Add a floating basin and toilet These hide the plumbing behind them and the extra floor space will give your bathroom a more roomy feel.
Read more about how to update your bathroom on a budget.
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