Just renovated the en suite but not sure about it. Please help

[Harbourlife]

So we bought a house 5 years ago and I decided to find a builder who will renovate our en suite as was fed up with cleaning the grout and the tiles (we live in the area with hard water). It wasn’t looking too ugly, but mouldy in places and some tiles started to discolour.

Our builder talked me into installing the panels instead as it will be super easy to clean. Now the work is completed, I’m not sure if I like it as it looks a bit cheap🤔

The house is 10 years old and we will be planning to move in about 7-8 years time because of the school situation.

My question is: do you think the en suite looks tacky? Would you buy it if you liked the rest of the house? Everything works well and I like how clean it is, but really started doubting myself whether I should have gone for tiles instead.. oh dear!

I’ve attached the before and after pics.

I don't think it looks tacky at all. I think it looks great. Panels are a great idea for showers, easy to clean and maintain. I prefer them to tiles.

I don’t think it looks tacky either 😊

It wouldn’t be to my taste, but it looks fine. I have no idea about the cost, but was just staying with friends in Paris who have pots of cash and have what look like exactly the same panels in their en-suite!

But for future reference, never let a builder talk you into anything — we’re midway through a big renovation, having switched builders, and one of the many things I’ve learned is that it’s a rare builder who has an eye for the aesthetically pleasing.

Tbh I did prefer the tiles but I really really like tiles. The panels look good though too. Problem for me is that the painted wall appears to be a sort of cool blueish colour, whereas the panels and the flooring are a warm cream. I think it’d look a lot more cohesive if the paint was redone to a warmer shade of some sort - if it were me I’d do it warm soft sage green because I love it! Or just a more warm white, with a couple of plants in there to add some colour.

Personally I prefer the tiles, the bathroom fitter we used tried to talk me into panels but I don’t like them, we stuck with tiles and much prefer them, yeah the grout can get dirty but they are easy to clean.

But, it’s brightened your bathroom up and my friend says he panels are easier to clean.

I think it looks great apart from the blue toned paint which is clashing with the tiles and panels

I'm not the hugest panel fan, however it looks way better than the before in terms of cleanliness and general colours / tones!

I'd never not buy a house just based on tiles / panels, that's easy enough to remedy in the future if I wanted to.

I wouldn’t worry about 7-8 years time. Impossible to predict what will be “in” by then. To be honest, it’s not what I’d choose but nor would I be put off by it. It’s pretty neutral. It’s just that I prefer beige tones to grey tones.

If you are asking a preference then I prefer tiles, but as a finished bathroom it looks clean and tidy and that’s a good thing.

I think it would look ace with Sage green as well.

I think it looks really lovely! I wish I had an en suite or even that my bathroom looked clean and fresh like that. Mine is a dated, grubby looking mess.

I think it looks fine. I'm not 100% mad on the marble effect, but it's certainly not tacky. Just not necessarily my taste.
But it's new, easy to clean, bright. You've nothing to worry about whatsoever!

We paid £5,000 for the en suite (decoration, new shower tray, doors and panels). He did some minor jobs in the other bathroom as well.

I agree with your comment about the builders, as at the end, it’s not their house. Oh well, I’ve learned my lesson now.

The paint is making it look off.

you need a warm greige paint, or cashmere colour. Those walls are too blue

My mum has this stuff head to toe in her whole bathroom, reminds me of a caravan bathroom.

My parents have the panels and they are super easy to clean and still look great a few years in.
I tend to prefer tiles as there is more choice of colour, design etc but I wouldn’t be put off by panels in a bathroom if I was buying a house. I think your ensuite looks clean and fresh (and really tidy!) as per pp I’d be tempted to change the paint colour as it doesn’t really go with the panels or the floor - that might just be how it’s coming across on camera though

Thank you, it was very difficult to choose and he wanted to talk us into the darker shades. I’m not a designer but like simple things. I guess if we will sell it one day, the colour shouldn’t be a big problem. 😊

It looks great and I am.really pleased you posted as I assumed I wouldn't like panels but now am considering. Amazing for selling schedule as will look good as new. Maybe just needs colour in general in the room?

Thank you for your comment, I feel better now. 😊

I like it OP - the only thing that jars is the paint colour and you can change that yourself in a couple of years if you want

Thanks! I recommend you order as many samples as possible. We haven’t tried the shower yet but it looks easy in terms of cleaning. Do you mean to put more stuff in the en suite? We have some cupboards. I might need to buy a plant as well.

Thanks. I guess it shouldn’t be a big deal for the new owner 😊

I dislike panels. They remind me of caravans. But I think the biggest problem with your bathroom is the colour. I think if you painted it a warmer, earthy tone it would look far better. And I would probably consider them in an en suite. No one else sees ours and I also hate cleaning grout.

I don’t usually like panels but yours look good - prefer them to the original tiles for sure.

I generally prefer tiles but your panels look much lighter, brighter and more modern than dark grey tiles. I think the grey toned paint is the issue, it needs a warmer tone to work with the panels. Overall it does look better though, don't worry!