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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to dislike this in a new bathroom?

86 replies

Bathroomwoes2019 · 02/04/2019 18:01

We are in the process of getting an expensive new bathroom put in. I've just got home, most of it is amazing, but I hate this section! You can't open the sink door properly and it's just so annoying with the towel rail. When we arranged this and planned it out with the showroom, they didn't tell us that it wouldn't fit properly! I'm so gutted and I can't see past it and I hate it. AIBU?

AIBU to dislike this in a new bathroom?
OP posts:
Original poster
Bathroomwoes2019 · 02/04/2019 18:47

DH chose the towel rail, but had no idea that it was going to be this much of an issue and it wasn't flagged!

OP posts:
Neolara · 02/04/2019 18:47

That's ridiculous. I'd tell them they need to fix, either by moving the sink along from the wall or by installing a narrower towel rail. The designer and the installer should both have flagged this as potential issues before sink / radiator were installed. I'd not be at all impressed. Is the unit under the sink a drawer or cupboards?

PickAChew · 02/04/2019 18:52

I am envious of the ginormousness of your towel rail, even if it is ugly. Ours is tiny, you've got to do origami to fit a small bath towel on it and the bathroom is freezing even if I do keep burning my elbow on it.

Original poster
Bathroomwoes2019 · 02/04/2019 18:56

It's cupboards, which is why the doors are an issue. I've sent it to the showroom and said that we aren't happy. They are going to come.back to me tomorrow they've said.

OP posts:
burritofan · 02/04/2019 18:59

I'm assuming the cabinet above is recessed into the wall? It can still be moved – it's a ballache and you won't get your bathroom as quickly but unless the radiator can be moved, they don't have a lot of options.

I wouldn't have a filler to the right if you move the sink left, a gap will look nicer.

shiningstar2 · 02/04/2019 18:59

I see you have already paid for the fixtures op. Hopefully you haven't paid the full bill upfront? If you haven't paid it all off yet. pay no more until you are satisfied with the result. That's what we did when we had an issue with our new bathroom. Everything was resolved very quickly when they were still waiting for about 3k Grin.

Of course if you chose the towel rail yourselves you will have to pay for whatever you prefer to replace it.

LeatherFace · 02/04/2019 19:00

Agree that it should have been brought up.

But, if you don’t want to move anything but want a fix, I’d consider swapping cupboard door round so they both open to the left, or changing to sliding in some way.

A carpenter, that the showroom pay for could probably do this.

fluffiphlox · 02/04/2019 19:03

Narrower radiator should do it.

picklemepopcorn · 02/04/2019 19:03

I think you can get a special hinge which moves the door across as you open it. That would allow it to open fully, but in front of the radiator. Be careful of the handles though!

YorkshireFatRascal · 02/04/2019 19:05

Given the amount you are paying I would expect the designers to have thought of all the practicalities - you need to get them to tweak the lay out or it will irritate you forever. I know you like the towel rail but I think it looks out of proportion. Also it looks like the walls gave been newly plastered but not painted - I would have painted the walls first for a neater finish.

Cheeserton · 02/04/2019 19:05

Tell them to fix it, without debate. blocking cupboard doors is clearly not acceptable design.

Chanandlersbong · 02/04/2019 19:05

Could you ask them to maybe change the outward opening cupboard doors to sliding doors maybe?

SingaSong12 · 02/04/2019 19:08

I’d Definitely put in a complaint. Did you pay any extra for the design service? If so then they didn’t do it properly and there are definitely consumer rights. Not sure what rights you have if it was a “free” service, but presumably you wouldn’t have bought the particular units/radiator without the help design people. Here is some information from citizens advice website, but maybe try the consumer helpline.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethings-gone-wrong-with-a-purchase/complain-about-a-service/

PettyContractor · 02/04/2019 19:13

It wouldn't hugely bother me that the door can't fully open, I wouldn't use the doors on a daily basis, and opening 45 degrees is enough to access any stuff stored inside. (I keep cleaning stuff and unopened bathroom supplies in the under-sink cupboard, anything I use daily is elsewhere anyway.)

My main concern would be the towel rail encroaching into standing room in front of the basin, but I can't tell from the picture how much of an issue that is.

Queenie8 · 02/04/2019 19:18

Is it Wickes fitters?

We had no end of trouble with them.

They've either installed the sink and vanity and top cupboard to far to the right as you face it or the towel rail is too close and should be moved to its right. Obviously any additional works and making good should be covered by the fitters.

Icypop · 02/04/2019 19:30

They need to move the sink over slightly and put a filler in, in the same material as the doors. They can then do the same on the cupboards above so they are still symmetrical.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 02/04/2019 19:32

We didn't realise on the 3d plan this was going to be an issue, i would have never signed off on the plans

But who actually did the 3D plan? Even though you chose the towel rail yourself, a competent planner should have told you there'd be a space issue with the sink (and the loo too by the sounds of it)

And while I get what you say about a big room needing lots of heat, it's going to be pretty uncomfortable standing at the sink when that huge thing's going full blast

Puzzledandpissedoff · 02/04/2019 19:35

Hang on - is that a bare plastered wall at the top? If so, and the radiator's fitted, how on earth are you going to paint behind it?

Original poster
Bathroomwoes2019 · 02/04/2019 19:42

All very good points. I hadn't even thought about painting around it. God what a mess! I don't complain ever and I know the showroom owner but I can't bear it! I didn't even think about being near th sink with it on. I think ideally I would have had a shorter one, so it started above the sink iyswim. I could see it was going to be a problem yesterday and this has proved it. The cupboard above is recessed so cannot be moved. Moving the sink is not an option. I don't know if we have any comeback on this. It's brand new tiles and will be thousands to fix!

OP posts:
Queenie8 · 02/04/2019 19:52

If moving the sink isn't an option, then move the towel rail. A good builder will be able to replace just the tiles that have been drilled through, not the whole run of tiles.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 02/04/2019 19:53

So you need to move that radiator —or you are going to burn your arse— Anywhere else it could go?

If not, is it too late to think about underfloor heating?

YouDancin · 02/04/2019 19:56

Maybe you can have a smaller door on the cupboard with a sort of blank end - so the hinge is further into the room if you know what I mean. Then it won't snag.

YouDancin · 02/04/2019 19:59

Like this ...

AIBU to dislike this in a new bathroom?
GookledyGobb · 02/04/2019 19:59

Is it going on your hot water system (as most towel rails do)? In which case it’ll only be hot when the hot water is on and if it’s anything like most towel rails it won’t have temp control and on will be boiling hot. Ergo burning any children or your bum as you’re washing your face

littledoll33 · 02/04/2019 20:16

@Bathroomwoes2019

Urgh, it's ghastly sorry OP. I would definitely go back to the bathroom fitters and complain.

WTF were they thinking? Confused