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New bathroom-no showrooms to actually see products and basins now are only of the tacky vanity unit variety!

13 replies

Streamlines · 24/08/2026 16:35

How do people choose products for new bathrooms? If you don’t like vanity units and want to actually see what you’re buying you’re stuffed. You’re expected to pay thousands of pounds based on an internet picture. I presume the mark up on tacky plywood vanity units that cost only a few pounds to make and are marked up in their hundreds is why that is practically all you can buy now. Bathrooms cost a lot to fit. It should be easier, it’s so much easier to choose a kitchen!

OP posts:
Loulou4022 · 24/08/2026 16:43

Sadly people have been choosing to buy online because it’s cheaper which has pushed business to close their showrooms.

bestbefore · 24/08/2026 16:44

There are a few near me. Where are you?

hahabahbag · 24/08/2026 16:45

look for an independent, we have one in our small town so I guess they are everywhere, failing that don’t b&q still have displays? Places like plumbcentre don’t have displays but do have non vanity unit options

Tortephant · 25/08/2026 16:59

I’ve just been through this. It’s so frustrating. basically I’ve ordered lots and sent lots back.
even the independents that somebody suggested may be listed as suppliers but that means they can order product, they don’t actually hold it in stock for you to look at and touch.

i think people use off the shelf b&q or trust designers. Very few like me and you OP wanting to do it themselves.

if your more specific in what you think you are looking for then I can give you a steer to brands and ranges if that helps.

FeliciaFancybottom · 25/08/2026 17:18

We went to several showrooms when we were choosing our new bathroom, I didn't see or buy anything tacky.

Flamingojune · 25/08/2026 17:38

What's a tacky vanity unit

GoodkneeBadKnee · 25/08/2026 17:43

FeliciaFancybottom · 25/08/2026 17:18

We went to several showrooms when we were choosing our new bathroom, I didn't see or buy anything tacky.

Same. We did our bathroom 2 years ago.

geoger · 25/08/2026 17:51

Where do you live?
We have 3 vanities in our home, none of them are tacky

Caseyomar · 17/09/2026 13:49

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

OnlyUsername · 17/09/2026 13:52

I went to Wickes last year and they had most of the individual bits on display. They mocked up the whole bathroom and it was fine.

Sahara123 · 17/09/2026 14:01

I know exactly what you mean. We’re building a house and I’m fed up with going to showrooms to look at bog standard (🤣) highly expensive really boring vanity units. I love Tikamoon online for something a bit different, but they’re even more expensive and I’d really like to see stuff first. Don’t even get me started on tiles, I’ve ordered enough sample to tile an entire bathroom I think !

Silvertulips · 19/09/2026 08:03

I went to an expensive showroom, they change their displays often to keep the market going.

We weren’t doing the bathroom at that point but I brought one ready to be delivery 1/3 of the price.

Same for the shower and radiator - shower was ex display down from 1500!! To £200 - year please!

It worth looking and asking for discounts.

I think she’s referring to the white plastic cheaply made but expensive units - where to you can buy cheap shelves made out of cheap wood - the same can’t be said for vanity units.

caseyomaruk · 25/09/2026 14:10

Totally agree, it’s hard to judge a bathroom from photos alone. We found Royale Stones while looking around and they have a showroom, which made it easier to actually see the basins and finishes before buying. I’d definitely visit somewhere in person if you can.

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