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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask you to show me your bathrooms?

142 replies

ItsFineReally · 01/03/2025 16:29

I'm thinking of updating my bathroom but could so with some real life inspo rather than magazine images of bathrooms that are larger than my entire upstairs.

Would anyone oblige me by sharing some pictures of what they've had done recently?

And more importantly any pitfalls of current trends that you'd now advise against? My bathroom is now at least 15 years old so definitely behind the times.

OP posts:
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tothelefttotheleft · 01/03/2025 18:15

@Rhymetimegopo

Can we see the panels?

Rhymetimegopo · 01/03/2025 18:02

Just had my ensuite done with shower panels and I'd agree they are so much easier to keep clean. I've had them floor to ceiling all the way round so no painting either.
An anthracite radiator shows up less dust than the chrome ones.
A hand rail in the shower is useful.
Comfort height toilet is great.
Smooth gloss surfaces are easier to keep clean.
Make sure shower cubicle has enough space to move around in.

CheesePlantFeet · 01/03/2025 18:01

Just had ours done - white sanitary ware, dark blue vanity unit and radiator and brushed brass taps/fittings with white/grey marble effect wall panels, grey floor tiles.

I saw the radiator first and loved it. Planned everything else around it!

I went for wall panels to avoid having grout to clean. We don't have space for a separate shower so got a wider bath and a waterfall shower. It's fantastic! Also got a hand held shower head. Think about if you want a mirror with light and defogging. Think about if you want underfloor heating, it's not expensive for a small space. Think about storage, we had a gap of about 13 inches behind the bath which was previously boxed in to the height of the bath. When we had the room redone the fitter installed a floor to ceiling cupboard there instead. The door is finished just like the walls and it's push to open, so it looks seemless, but I have so much storage now out of what was wasted space.

Photos aren't my bathroom, but show the radiator I have and the shower combo/setup I have

To ask you to show me your bathrooms?
To ask you to show me your bathrooms?
kab89 · 01/03/2025 17:54

We have just finished doing our bathroom. We went with shower panels, full height in the shower and halfway up the walls in the rest of the bathroom. So much easier to clean because of no grout lines which I felt I was forever cleaning when we had tiles.

Moanyoldcow · 01/03/2025 17:54

NC as mine is quite distinctive

To ask you to show me your bathrooms?
To ask you to show me your bathrooms?
To ask you to show me your bathrooms?
2025willbemytime · 01/03/2025 17:51

RoastDinnerSmellsNice · 01/03/2025 17:28

I'd also recommend steering clear of black in your new bathroom OP, as it's going to date very quickly. You're better off stick with white sanitary ware and chrome taps, etc. Also, if you don't want it to date quickly, be sure not to use any of the 'trendy' tiles etc. as they'll date much more quickly. We're about to have our ensuite done, and are going for white sanitary ware, chrome taps, etc. white brick effect tiles, with wood plank effect floor tiles, then I will add colour with paint/wallpaper, towels, blind, etc. That way when I get fed up with the colours, I can change things very inexpensively, whereas changing a shower screen with a black framework on for example, will be a lot more work and expense. Just my thoughts

Be careful with your brick effect tiles that they don't look like a public loo.

whatsappdoc · 01/03/2025 17:48

We have black matte taps and shower fitments and we have no problem keeping them clean. Maybe it's hard water? The only time it's noticeable they need wiping down is after toothpaste spatter from an electric toothbrush. Ugh!

SomersetClimber · 01/03/2025 17:35

I second RoastDinnerSmellsNice, go for classic sanitary ware and tiles and add character with paint etc. If you like a deep bath don’t have a bath filler (no taps the water comes from the overflow). I’ve got one but it limits how deep you can have the water. I also like big tiles as it limits the amount of grout to keep clean!

To ask you to show me your bathrooms?
To ask you to show me your bathrooms?
To ask you to show me your bathrooms?
ItsFineReally · 01/03/2025 17:28

@MathsMum3 Appreciate the recommendations too! Not come across Vado before so I'm Googling now...

OP posts:
RoastDinnerSmellsNice · 01/03/2025 17:28

I'd also recommend steering clear of black in your new bathroom OP, as it's going to date very quickly. You're better off stick with white sanitary ware and chrome taps, etc. Also, if you don't want it to date quickly, be sure not to use any of the 'trendy' tiles etc. as they'll date much more quickly. We're about to have our ensuite done, and are going for white sanitary ware, chrome taps, etc. white brick effect tiles, with wood plank effect floor tiles, then I will add colour with paint/wallpaper, towels, blind, etc. That way when I get fed up with the colours, I can change things very inexpensively, whereas changing a shower screen with a black framework on for example, will be a lot more work and expense. Just my thoughts

ItsFineReally · 01/03/2025 17:27

Coconutter24 · 01/03/2025 17:17

It shows up that annoying bathroom dust that happens, I clean daily anyway but I have to clean it because of the dust. If anyone touches it it leaves fingerprints. If it’s not dried properly after being cleaned or used it looks smeared. I’d definitely not recommend. Ours is gloss but I would imagine matte black taps would show up every watermark.

Thanks for the heads up - sounds like it would drive me insane!

OP posts:
MathsMum3 · 01/03/2025 17:22

Don't put in waterfall taps! We had one fitted to the bathroom basin when we had a refit. It was a nightmare to clean and it was difficult to get pressure right - it either dribbled or shot everywhere!

Also, I would 100% recommend Vado products for brassware. First of all our plumber (who is also a friend) swears by them, and we have been extremely impressed with the quality (NB the waterfall tap wasn't Vado!). Second, their after sales care in excellent! We broke a bit off the shower rail recently (our fault). I contacted them to try and get a spare, expecting to pay as we broke it. But as it was less than 5 years old they sent one out free of charge within 24 hours.

Coconutter24 · 01/03/2025 17:17

ItsFineReally · 01/03/2025 17:13

I had been looking at black matte taps and wondered if they'd be difficult to clean...

Is it watermarks in general on the black?

It shows up that annoying bathroom dust that happens, I clean daily anyway but I have to clean it because of the dust. If anyone touches it it leaves fingerprints. If it’s not dried properly after being cleaned or used it looks smeared. I’d definitely not recommend. Ours is gloss but I would imagine matte black taps would show up every watermark.

ItsFineReally · 01/03/2025 17:14

HappyMamma2023 · 01/03/2025 17:11

We put our dream bathroom in. Beautiful tiles which reminded me of holidays abroad. Then we moved house! But it definitely let us sell it for more money.

Makes all the difference when you love a room, doesn't it?

OP posts:
ItsFineReally · 01/03/2025 17:13

Coconutter24 · 01/03/2025 17:03

I’d definitely advise to stay away from black sinks!! We’ve got a black glossy bathroom sink and it’s the bane of my life!

I had been looking at black matte taps and wondered if they'd be difficult to clean...

Is it watermarks in general on the black?

OP posts:
HappyMamma2023 · 01/03/2025 17:11

We put our dream bathroom in. Beautiful tiles which reminded me of holidays abroad. Then we moved house! But it definitely let us sell it for more money.

To ask you to show me your bathrooms?
To ask you to show me your bathrooms?
To ask you to show me your bathrooms?
Coconutter24 · 01/03/2025 17:03

I’d definitely advise to stay away from black sinks!! We’ve got a black glossy bathroom sink and it’s the bane of my life!