Bath panel buying guide

Choosing that perfect bath in which you can lie back, unwind and relax can be one of the most exciting parts of your bathroom buying journey. However, you'll want to make sure it looks great too, which is where bath panels perform a vital role.

Bath panels help blend your bath seamlessly with the rest of your decor, resulting in a look that is both stylish and sophisticated. The built-in look not only provides a sleek appearance but also helps conceal unsightly plumbing and pipework, with plenty of options that fit with your chosen colour scheme.

In this bath panels buying guide, we'll look at which types of bath need bath panels, what you'll need to buy and what materials, colours and finishes are available to you, along with an introduction to the range available at VictoriaPlum.com.

Click on any of the links below to jump straight to a section:

Do I need bath panels?

Of course, this is one of the questions you should ask yourself when buying any bath. Depending on the type of bath you're buying, you may or may not need them (see below).

When you view any of the baths on our website, you can see which bath panels are suitable for it in the full specifications tab. Below, you'll find a quick overview of which bath styles do or do not require bath panels.

Baths which require panels

Straight baths

One of the most popular designs of bath, this style requires bath panels to complete the look, whether it’s single or double ended, or has a rounded or angular interior. A straight bath requires one side panel and, in most cases, one shorter end panel.

White acrylic bath panels are common and offer a hardwearing, easy-to-clean surface

Fitting a bath panel to an existing bath is a great, low-cost way to re-energise your bathroom decor.

Shower baths

This style also requires end and side bath panels, and these are specifically designed to accommodate the extra width in the shower section.

Specially designed panels for shower baths are available in a range of finishes, like this fabulous Wye walnut shower bath panel pack from Orchard Bathrooms

Corner baths

A luxurious corner bath requires a single curved or angled panel to complete the look.

Designed to fit the Camden corner bath from Orchard bathrooms, this acrylic panel is specially-shaped for a pleasing appearance

Baths which don't require panels

Freestanding baths

This style of bath, including traditional roll tops and contemporary freestanding baths, doesn’t require bath panels, as it is designed as a complete shape.

Freestanding baths, like the popular Harrison bath from Mode Bathrooms, don't require panels

Bath panel colours and finishes

Many types of bath panel have options for different finishes and colours, so you can create a stylish look in your bathroom. There’s the classic white for a clean, contemporary look, or you could go for a warmer tone with oak or dark walnut effect.

This also means you can match your bath panels to our bathroom furniture collections, creating a beautifully harmonised and stylish look.

Designed to blend seamlessly with furniture from the Camberley satin grey range, this bath panel from The Bath Co. helps to create a coordinated look and feel

Bath panel materials

Acrylic

Acrylic bath panels are amongst some of the most popular around, providing a durable and quality finish in a range of colours. They are also very easy to install and maintain.

Wood

A wooden bath panel can add real style and warmth to your bathroom, plus there is a range of colours available. Many of our wooden bath panels come as part of a matching furniture range.

The Wye wooden bath panels from Orchard Bathrooms are designed to complement any of our oak furniture ranges

Fitting a bath panel

Fitting a bath panel is one of the easier jobs when it comes to bathroom DIY. Depending on which type of bath panel you've decided upon, you can simply follow one of our step-by-step guides:

Tiling your bath panel

Another way to integrate your bath seamlessly with the rest of your bathroom décor, is to tile your bath panel. We sell special ready-to-tile bath panels which are pre-formed with adjustable legs, providing a 100% watertight surface once completed.