The Complete Bathroom Planning Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Introduction

Planning a new bathroom — whether a full renovation or a targeted refresh — can feel daunting. There are dozens of decisions to make, products to choose, and tradespeople to coordinate. This guide walks you through every stage of the process, from initial planning to final installation, so you can approach your project with confidence.

Step 1: Define Your Budget

Before you look at a single product, set a realistic budget. A bathroom renovation in the UK typically costs between £3,000 and £10,000+ depending on the size of the room, the quality of fixtures, and the complexity of the work. Key cost areas to plan for include:

• Products and fixtures — shower enclosure, tray, mixer, toilet, basin, taps, bath, radiator
• Labour — plumber, tiler, electrician, and general builder if structural work is needed
• Waterproofing and preparation — tanking, boarding, and surface prep
• Wall and floor finishes — tiles or cladding panels, flooring
• Accessories and finishing touches — mirrors, towel rails, hooks, lighting

Set aside a 10–15% contingency for unexpected costs — they are common in bathroom renovations.

Step 2: Measure Your Bathroom

Accurate measurements are essential before purchasing anything. Measure and record:

• Room dimensions (length, width, ceiling height)
• Position of existing plumbing (soil pipe, water supply points)
• Position of windows, doors, and radiator connections
• Any alcoves, recesses, or awkward angles

Draw a simple floor plan to scale — even a rough sketch with accurate measurements will help you and your suppliers enormously. Many bathroom retailers and designers offer free planning services if you provide your measurements.

Step 3: Choose Your Layout

The layout of your bathroom determines where each fixture sits. In most cases, the position of your soil pipe (the main waste outlet) will dictate where the toilet goes, as moving it is expensive. Work around fixed constraints first, then plan the remaining fixtures.

Common layout considerations:

• Shower vs bath vs both — do you have space for both, or will a shower bath be a better compromise?
• Shower position — corner, alcove, or walk-in wetroom?
• Basin and vanity unit — wall hung or floor standing? With or without storage?
• Door swing — ensure doors (including shower doors) don't clash with other fixtures

Step 4: Choose Your Shower Setup

The shower is often the centrepiece of a modern bathroom. Key decisions include:

• Enclosure type — sliding, bi-fold, pivot, quadrant, corner entry, or wetroom screen. See our Shower Enclosure Buying Guide for full guidance.
• Shower tray — shape, size, material (stone resin recommended), and waste position. See our Shower Tray Buying Guide.
• Thermostatic mixer — 2-way or 3-way, concealed or exposed. See our Shower Mixer Buying Guide.

Step 5: Choose Your Bath (If Applicable)

If your bathroom has space for a bath, consider:

• Straight bath — the classic choice, available in a range of lengths (typically 1500mm–1800mm)
• L-shaped shower bath — wider at one end to accommodate a shower, ideal if you want both a bath and shower without a separate enclosure
• Bath screen — required if you're fitting a shower over the bath; available in hinged or fixed configurations

All our baths are high-quality acrylic and come with a 2-year guarantee.

Step 6: Choose Your Toilet

Toilets come in several configurations to suit different bathroom layouts and styles:

• Close coupled — the traditional style with cistern sitting directly on the pan; easy to install and maintain
• Wall hung — the pan is mounted to the wall with the cistern concealed in a frame behind the wall; creates a sleek, floating look and makes floor cleaning easier
• Back to wall — the pan sits against the wall with the cistern hidden in a furniture unit; a good compromise between style and practicality
• Comfort height — slightly taller than standard, easier to sit and stand from; ideal for older users or those with mobility considerations

All our toilets include soft close seats and a 1-year guarantee.

Step 7: Choose Your Basin and Taps

Your basin and taps should complement the overall style of the bathroom. Consider:

• Vanity unit with integrated basin — provides storage and a coordinated look. Our white vanity units include matching basins with soft close hinges.
• Wall hung basin — creates a clean, minimal look; no floor-standing furniture required
• Pedestal basin — traditional style; hides pipework within the pedestal

For taps, match the finish to your shower mixer and other hardware — Chrome, Matt Black, or Brushed Brass/Bronze. Our basin and bath mixer taps come with a 2-year guarantee.

Step 8: Choose Your Wall and Floor Finishes

Wall and floor finishes set the tone for the entire bathroom. Your main options are:

• Tiles — maximum design flexibility; requires professional installation and ongoing grout maintenance
• PVC wall cladding — 100% waterproof, no grout, fast to install, low maintenance. See our Cladding vs Tiles guide for a full comparison.
• Stone Polymer Composite (SPC) flooring — our 6.5mm luxury SPC flooring is waterproof, durable, and available in a range of finishes to complement any bathroom scheme

Step 9: Choose Your Heating

Bathroom heating serves both a practical and aesthetic purpose. Options include:

• Designer towel warmers — heat the room while keeping towels warm and dry. Our steel range is available in multiple colours and sizes, with a 10-year warranty and UKCA compliance.
• Designer radiators — horizontal or vertical, available in a range of styles to complement your bathroom design. Also UKCA compliant with a 10-year warranty.

Step 10: Plan Your Accessories

The finishing touches make a bathroom feel complete. Consider:

• Towel holders and robe hooks
• Mirror (with or without integrated lighting)
• Bathroom cabinet for storage
• Toilet roll holder
• Shower accessories (soap dish, shelf, squeegee)

Browse our Bathroom Accessories range for coordinating finishing touches.

Step 11: Plan Your Installation

For a full bathroom renovation, you'll typically need:

• A plumber — for all water supply and waste connections
• An electrician — for lighting, extractor fan, and any heated towel rail connections (Part P regulations apply)
• A tiler — if using tiles (not required for PVC cladding)
• A general builder — if structural work, boarding, or tanking is required

Always use qualified tradespeople and ensure any electrical work is certified under Part P of the Building Regulations.

Bathroom Planning Checklist

• ☐ Budget set (including 10–15% contingency)
• ☐ Room measured and floor plan drawn
• ☐ Layout decided
• ☐ Shower enclosure, tray, and mixer chosen
• ☐ Bath chosen (if applicable)
• ☐ Toilet chosen
• ☐ Basin, vanity unit, and taps chosen
• ☐ Wall and floor finishes chosen
• ☐ Heating chosen
• ☐ Accessories chosen
• ☐ Tradespeople booked
• ☐ Delivery dates confirmed

Need help at any stage? Our team is happy to assist. Contact us at info@kwbathrooms.co.uk or call 0203 750 0025 — we have an extensive trade network and can source and supply thousands of bathroom products at competitive prices.