If you are planning a bathroom renovation, you will no doubt be in the process of juggling various differing priorities. We explored some of these in our recent article Bathroom Refurbishment: Where Do I Start? and discussed the importance of:
- doing your research to help you decide what you really want;
- using a professional bathroom designer;
- buy the best quality that you can afford;
- finding a bathroom installer that you can trust.
In today’s article we look at the question of quality. Of course you want the best quality for every aspect of your bathroom, but equally you will also have a budget to stick to.
At Stone and Chrome we understand this, and will work with you to achieve the bathroom you want within the budget constraints you have. We never compromise on quality.
Buying quality items will not only improve the appearance of your new bathroom but will also increase its durability and prolong its life. So, whilst you may need to pay a little more upfront, you will save money in the longer term because your bathroom will last longer and there will be less potential for things to go wrong.
Here are three of the areas where good quality will make a big difference.
A quality shower
Most people in the UK now prefer to shower rather than take a bath. And if you have a large family, your shower is potentially going to get plenty of use. So it makes sense to spend as much as you can to get the best shower available. But what does that mean?
When buying a new shower you need to take into consideration both practicalities and aesthetics. On the practical side, the type of water system you have in your home is a key factor. To an extent this can determine the type of shower that will work in your home, for example electric shower, mixer shower, power shower or digital shower.
As well as these practicalities there is the importance of what you want your shower to look like. Do you want a wetroom, shower cubicle or over bath shower? And what kind of shower head do you prefer?
There really are so many options to choose from that it pays to get professional advice for the quality results you deserve. Take a browse through our bathroom gallery to get some ideas.
One recent installation that we love is the striking ensuite bathroom pictured below. It features a shower with a wonderful PowderRain 240 overhead drencher head and an AXOR ShowerSelect thermostatic mixer to ensure exactly the right temperature!
Custom built furniture
Getting quality bathroom furniture is so important. First and foremost you need furniture to provide effective bathroom storage to keep your bathroom clean and uncluttered. And you need furniture that will last and keep looking good despite the daily wear and tear.
But as well as storage, custom built bathroom furniture can also house sanitary items, such as basins. The image below shows a luxury steam shower room featuring a bespoke basin and dressing table area. The dressing table mirror is actually a cabinet, providing plenty of concealed storage space.
Tremendous taps
Taps may not be an obvious item to prioritise for top quality, but can make a huge difference to the appearance and longevity of your bathroom. Unfortunately, taps can often be something of an afterthought. But the right quality taps can make the perfect finishing touch to your new bathroom.
Conversely, if you try to save money by buying cheap taps this could turn out to be a false economy. Your taps could begin to flake and tarnish quite quickly, and make your lovely new bathroom look dated.
So make sure you choose the best taps for your new bathroom. There is such a variety of design in contemporary taps that you will be spoilt for choice. And of course, many of the new tap designs are not only robust and durable, but are also designed to be environmentally friendly and save energy.
Check out the fabulous Hansgrohe Talis taps pictured below, with PVD metallic finishes Brushed Bronze, Brushed Black Chrome and Polished Gold. The Talis tap has a gently tapered base merging into an elegant single lever spout. It also has optional Select technology, enabling you to turn the water on and off with just the touch of a button.
Although we have highlighted three aspects of your new bathroom in this article, we would encourage you to get the best quality you can in the rest of it too: sanitary ware, bath, tiling, heating and lighting. We know that this can be a daunting prospect, so why not come and visit Stone and Chrome’s Camberley showroom? We’d be happy to discuss your ideas and your budget, and our years of experience will help you to achieve the best quality that you can afford for your brand new bathroom.