Bathroom Advice Centre
Planning a fitted bathroom involves much more than choosing a new suite. Use the sections below to explore layouts, showers, storage, finishes, installation and the practical details that make a bathroom work well every day.
Planning Your Perfect Bathroom
Everything You Need to Plan a Better Bathroom
A new bathroom is one of the most rewarding improvements you can make to your home, but getting it right involves much more than choosing a bath, basin and a set of tiles. The layout, plumbing, ventilation, lighting, storage and installation all need to work together.
Our approach starts with the practical details. We consider who will use the room, how much storage is needed, whether you prefer a bath or shower, how easy the room is to move around and whether the existing layout is making the best use of the available space.
From there, we can help bring the design together with furniture, sanitaryware, brassware, wall finishes, flooring and lighting that complement one another rather than feeling like separate purchases.
The result should be a bathroom that looks considered on the day it is completed and remains comfortable and practical for years to come.
A COMPLETE SERVICE
From First Ideas to Final Installation
Complete Design, Supply & Installation
We can take your bathroom from the first design conversation through product selection and installation, giving you one clear route through the project.
Quality Products & Finishes
We help you choose furniture, sanitaryware, showers, taps and finishes that suit the room, your budget and the way the bathroom will be used.
Experienced Installation
A bathroom relies on good workmanship behind the finished surfaces as much as it does on what you can see. Our installation process gives those details the attention they deserve.
Trades Coordinated for You
Plumbing, electrics, plastering, tiling, joinery and other trades need to happen in the right order. We coordinate the work so you are not left trying to organise multiple contractors yourself.
Local & Independent
Based in Washington, we work with homeowners throughout Washington, Sunderland, Newcastle and surrounding parts of the North East.
Aftercare You Can Rely On
Our relationship does not end when the room is finished. We want you to be confident in the bathroom we have created and know where to turn if you need us afterwards.
Planning Your New Bathroom
Good bathroom design begins with understanding what you need from the room before deciding what goes into it. A family bathroom used by several people every morning has very different priorities from a relaxing en-suite or a downstairs cloakroom.
Start by thinking about what works in the existing room and what frustrates you. If you’re looking for inspiration before deciding on the layout and finishes, explore our modern bathroom ideas.
You may need more storage, a larger shower, easier access, better lighting or simply a layout that feels less cramped. If there is a bath that is rarely used, replacing it with a generous shower could transform the room. If you have young children or enjoy a long soak, keeping a bath may remain important.
Existing pipework, water pressure, ventilation, electrical positions and the condition of walls and floors can all affect the final design. Identifying these issues early makes it easier to create a realistic plan and avoid compromises during installation.
Questions Worth Asking Before You Start
- Who uses the bathroom and at what times of day?
- Is a bath essential, optional or rarely used?
- Would a larger or easier-to-access shower improve the room?
- How much storage do you realistically need?
- Is the room warm and well ventilated?
- Is the lighting adequate around mirrors, showers and the main room?
- Do you want to retain the existing layout or explore a different arrangement?
Choosing the Right Bathroom Layout
Bathrooms are often among the smallest rooms in the home, so every centimetre matters. A good layout creates enough space to move comfortably, use each fitting properly and keep the room feeling balanced rather than crowded.
Keeping the toilet, basin, bath and shower in their existing positions can sometimes reduce the amount of plumbing work required, but that does not automatically make it the best solution. Changing the orientation of a bath, replacing it with a walk-in shower, choosing a wall-hung vanity or repositioning a basin can release useful space.
We also consider doors, windows, radiators, towel rails and storage. A bathroom layout should be judged as a complete room, not simply by whether each individual item physically fits.
Small Bathrooms
A smaller bathroom does not have to feel compromised. Wall-hung furniture can reveal more floor area, recessed storage can use otherwise wasted space, and a well-sized shower enclosure can feel more comfortable than trying to force too much into the room.
Baths, Showers & Walk-In Showers
One of the biggest bathroom decisions is whether the room should include a bath, a shower or both. The right choice depends on your household, the available space and what you actually enjoy using.
Keeping a Bath
A bath remains a practical choice for many family homes and can also be an important part of a relaxing bathroom. Straight baths are efficient on space, while freestanding and back-to-wall designs can create a stronger focal point where the room allows.
Creating a Better Shower
If showering is the priority, investing space in a comfortable enclosure can make more sense than squeezing a small shower beside an unused bath. Walk-in showers and low-profile trays can create a clean, open appearance.
Bath & Shower Combinations
Where you need the flexibility of both, a shower-over-bath arrangement can work very well when it is planned properly. The screen, controls and shower head all need to be positioned with everyday use in mind.
Bathroom Furniture & Storage
Storage is one of the most frequently overlooked parts of bathroom design. Toiletries, towels, cleaning products and everyday essentials all need somewhere to go, and without enough storage even a beautiful new bathroom can quickly start to feel cluttered.
Clever details can make a surprisingly large difference in a smaller room — see how we created additional bathroom storage space in one of our completed projects.
Vanity units are a practical starting point because they combine a basin with useful storage directly underneath. Drawers often make items easier to reach than deep cupboards, while wall-hung furniture can create a lighter, more spacious feel.
Tall units can provide substantial storage without using much floor area, and fitted furniture can be particularly effective where the room has awkward dimensions or where you want a more built-in appearance.
Storage Designed Around Real Life
We will talk to you about what you actually keep in the bathroom. That helps determine whether you need deep drawers, tall storage, open shelves, concealed cupboards or simply a more useful vanity.
Toilets, Basins & Sanitaryware
Sanitaryware has a major effect on both the look and usability of a bathroom. The right basin and toilet should feel proportionate to the room, comfortable to use and easy to keep clean.
Close-coupled toilets remain a practical choice for many bathrooms, while back-to-wall and wall-hung designs can create a cleaner, more streamlined appearance. Concealed cisterns can hide much of the plumbing, but they need to be planned correctly so future access for maintenance is retained.
Basins range from compact cloakroom styles to generous countertop and inset designs. We look at sanitaryware as part of the complete design, considering furniture depths, tap positions, mirrors, storage and circulation space rather than specifying each product independently.
Taps, Showers & Brassware
Brassware is one of the details that can bring an entire bathroom scheme together. Chrome remains timeless and easy to coordinate, while brushed brass, bronze, black and other finishes can introduce warmth or contrast.
The best choice is not simply the finish that looks most fashionable. It should work with the furniture, handles, shower enclosure, mirror, lighting and other details in the room.
Choosing a Shower
Thermostatic showers can help maintain a more consistent temperature, while concealed controls create a cleaner appearance. Water pressure and the existing hot-water system also need to be considered, so the specification works technically as well as visually.
Tiles, Wall Panels & Bathroom Flooring
Bathroom surfaces have to cope with moisture, cleaning and daily wear while also defining much of the room’s character. Choosing the right combination is about more than colour alone.
Bathroom Tiles
Tiles offer enormous design flexibility, from understated stone effects to bolder feature patterns. Large formats can reduce grout lines and create a more continuous appearance when the surfaces are properly prepared.
Wall Panels
Bathroom wall panels can provide a clean, practical alternative to traditional tiling in shower areas and around baths. They reduce grout lines and can be easier to maintain.
Bathroom Flooring
Flooring needs to be suitable for a bathroom environment and comfortable underfoot. Appearance matters, but so do water resistance, slip considerations, cleaning and transitions into adjoining rooms.
Lighting, Ventilation, Plumbing & Electrics
Bathroom Lighting
A single central ceiling light is rarely the best answer for every task. Good bathroom lighting can combine general illumination with useful light around mirrors and subtle feature lighting where appropriate.
Ventilation
Effective ventilation is essential for controlling moisture and helping protect decoration, furniture and the wider room from condensation. A renovation is the ideal time to review an ineffective existing extractor.
Plumbing & Electrics
Moving sanitaryware can create a better layout, but waste routes, water supplies, electrical positions and floor construction all need to be considered from the beginning. We plan the whole room rather than treating it as a list of products.
FROM DESIGN TO COMPLETION
Our Fully Managed Bathroom Installation Process
A bathroom renovation involves a sequence of jobs that need to happen in the right order. Rather than leaving you to arrange separate trades and work out when each one is needed, Broadoak coordinates the installation process for you. You can read more about how renovation trades are coordinated when several specialists are involved.
01 — Design & Planning
We establish the layout, product specification, finishes and practical requirements before installation begins.
02 — Preparation & Removal
The existing bathroom is removed as required and the room is assessed for preparation work that becomes visible once old finishes are taken away.
03 — First-Fix Services
Plumbing and electrical alterations are completed at the appropriate stage, together with necessary preparation to walls, floors and ceilings.
04 — Walls, Floors & Wet Areas
Surfaces are prepared for the selected finishes, with shower and wet areas given the attention needed for a long-lasting installation.
05 — Bathroom Installation
Furniture, sanitaryware, baths, shower enclosures, brassware and other elements are fitted and aligned as the room comes together.
06 — Finishing & Final Details
Silicone, trims, decoration and finishing details complete the room. These final details are not rushed; they are often what makes a bathroom feel properly finished.
One Clear Route Through the Project
A managed installation gives you a clearer point of contact throughout and removes much of the stress of trying to coordinate the project yourself. It also helps make sure each trade is working from the same agreed design and programme.
A Bathroom Designed Around Your Needs
A well-designed bathroom should suit the people using it today while also taking sensible account of how their needs may change over time.
That does not mean every bathroom needs to look clinical or be designed as a specialist accessibility space. Practical choices can often be incorporated subtly: an easier step into a shower, well-positioned controls, good lighting, sensible storage, comfortable circulation space or a layout that avoids unnecessary obstacles.
The important thing is that the bathroom is designed around the individual rather than around a standard showroom display.
How Much Does a Fully Fitted Bathroom Cost?
There is no single price for a fitted bathroom because the final cost depends on much more than the size of the room. Two bathrooms with the same dimensions can require very different levels of work.
What Affects the Cost?
- The amount of preparation required after the old bathroom is removed
- Whether the existing layout is retained or changed
- Plumbing and electrical alterations
- The specification of sanitaryware, furniture and brassware
- Bath and shower choices
- Tile or wall-panel selection and the area being covered
- Flooring
- Lighting, mirrors, heating and ventilation
- Plastering, joinery and decorating requirements
- The overall complexity of the installation
When comparing bathroom quotations, make sure you understand what is actually included. A lower product-only figure can look attractive until installation, plumbing, electrics, preparation and finishing work are added separately. We prefer to discuss the complete project so that you can make informed decisions about where to invest.
WHY CHOOSE BROADOAK?
Why Choose Broadoak for Your New Bathroom?
With more than 26 years of experience designing and installing kitchens, bathrooms and fitted interiors, we understand that a successful bathroom depends on good design, careful planning, skilled installation and attention to the details that bring the whole room together.
For larger projects involving several stages or rooms, our guide to home renovation project management explains why having design, supply, trades and installation coordinated together can make the process easier to manage.
Personal Design Service
Designed around your space, style and everyday needs.
One Team Coordinating the Project
We manage the different stages and trades for you.
Attention to Detail
Careful planning and finishing make all the difference.
Respect for Your Home
Our installers work carefully and treat your home with respect.
Quality Intended to Last
Products and workmanship chosen with long-term use in mind.
TRUSTED BY OUR CUSTOMERS
Bathroom Projects Our Customers Recommend
Choosing a company to work in your home involves trust. Broadoak customers regularly mention workmanship, careful design, project coordination and the reassurance of having the different stages managed for them.
Fitted Bathrooms Across Washington, Sunderland & the North East
Broadoak Kitchens is based in Washington and designs and installs fitted bathrooms for homeowners throughout the surrounding area.
Our location allows us to provide a personal service across Washington, Sunderland, Newcastle, Gateshead, Durham and neighbouring parts of the North East, while keeping design, project coordination and installation closely connected.
If you are planning a bathroom renovation and are unsure whether we cover your area, get in touch. We will be happy to discuss your project and location.
Areas We Serve
- Washington
- Sunderland
- Newcastle
- Gateshead
- Durham
- Houghton-le-Spring
- Surrounding North East areas
COMMON QUESTIONS
Fitted Bathroom FAQs
How long does a bathroom installation take?
The timescale depends on the size of the room, the amount of preparation required and whether plumbing, electrics or the layout are being changed. We will discuss the expected programme with you before work begins.
Do I need to keep my existing bathroom layout?
No. Keeping existing positions can sometimes reduce plumbing work, but we will also consider whether changing the layout would create a more comfortable and practical room.
Can you install a bathroom in a small space?
Yes. Compact sanitaryware, wall-hung furniture, well-sized shower enclosures and sensible storage can make much better use of limited space.
Do you remove and dispose of the old bathroom?
The removal and preparation requirements can be included as part of the installation scope. We will clarify exactly what is included when your project is planned and quoted.
Can I replace my bath with a walk-in shower?
In many bathrooms, yes. The available space, waste position, floor construction and water system all need to be considered, but replacing an underused bath with a larger shower can completely change how the room works.
Can I keep my bath and have a better shower?
Often you can. Depending on the room, this might mean a shower over the bath, a separate enclosure or a revised layout. We will look at which option offers the best balance of comfort and available space.
Do you arrange plumbers and electricians?
Yes. A major advantage of our fully managed installation service is that the required trades can be coordinated as part of the project rather than leaving you to arrange each stage separately.
What is better in a bathroom: tiles or wall panels?
Both can work very well. Tiles offer a huge choice of designs and finishes, while wall panels can reduce grout lines and provide a practical, easy-to-maintain surface in wet areas.
Do I need an extractor fan in my bathroom?
Effective ventilation is extremely important because of the moisture produced by bathing and showering. We will consider the existing ventilation and whether it needs to be improved as part of the renovation.
Can you design an en-suite or cloakroom as well as a main bathroom?
Yes. We can design fitted bathrooms, en-suites, shower rooms and cloakrooms, adapting the layout and products to make good use of the space available.
Can you help me choose all of the products and finishes?
Yes. We can help bring the complete room together, including furniture, sanitaryware, baths, showers, brassware, tiles or panels, flooring, mirrors, lighting and the practical installation requirements behind them.
Ready to Start Planning Your New Bathroom?
Whether you already know exactly what you want or need help working out what is possible, we can guide you through the design, product choices and installation of your new bathroom.
Arrange a home visit and speak to the Broadoak team about creating a fitted bathroom designed around your home, your priorities and your everyday life.