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Bathroom accessory buying guide
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Bathroom accessory buying guide

Posted by Adam Chard in Buying guides | 4 weeks ago 7 min read

When thinking about your bathroom, it’s all too easy to overlook those finishing touches which can make or break the overall look and feel of your space. In this expert guide, we explain what you need to consider when buying bathroom accessories.

At the most practical level there are a wide range of tiling and plumbing accessories and, to add coordination to your bathroom, there are mirrors and cabinets, soap holders and designer towel rails—even stylish ways to store your toothbrush.

In our bathroom accessories guide, we'll take you through all the practicalities you need to think about before you buy. To jump to a relevant section, click on one of the links below.


Types of bathroom accessories

Plumbing accessories

Plumbing may not be the most glamorous aspect of any bathroom but it’s important that it’s all in perfect working order if you want to avoid leaks. That’s why we supply a range of plumbing accessories that are straightforward to fit and apply. From pipes, fittings and fixings to plumbing consumables like bathroom sealant, you'll find everything you need at Victoria Plum.

Tiles, walls and floors

When it comes to covering your bathroom walls and floors, we have a wide variety of options for you to choose from.

Tiles remain one of the most popular wall and floor coverings for bathrooms and, at Victoria Plum, you’ll discover a huge variety of popular designs from on-trend Metro tiles to stone and wood-effect tiles that look just like the real thing.

If you fancy tackling some tiling yourself, you’ll also find that we have all the tools and adhesives you need to make a really neat job of it.

Calcolo Storm white marble effect matt wall and floor tile 600mm x 600mm

For added luxury, check out the Storm range of white marble-effect tiles from Calcolo

We also offer some great alternatives to tiles. Shower wall panels, for example, are quicker and easier to fit than tiles, providing a stylish and watertight surface without grout lines. You can even find out how to fit them yourself with our handy step-by-step guide.

Tiles aren’t always practical or desirable when covering your bathroom floor, which is why we offer a fabulous choice of hardwearing, easy-to-fit laminate and vinyl bathroom flooring products from leading brands like Calcolo, Kronostep and Rocko. Find out all about them in our comprehensive bathroom flooring buying guide.

Calcolo Prince rustic willow SPC flooring 5mm

With the appearance of rustic floorboards but none of the upkeep and cost, discover our range of easy-fit, easy-clean flooring from Calcolo

Wastes

It might seem like a small detail but a change of waste—or plug hole to give it a more everyday name—can give your current bath of basin a stylish new look. If you think plugs should be a thing of the past, why not fit a turn-over waste to your basin? It’s a pivoting disc that you just rotate through 90 degrees to open and close. A sleek alternative for the bath waste is a pop-up waste which looks great and means never having to replace a broken plug chain again!

If you’re looking to make a change, find out which basin waste you need with our handy guide.

Bathroom mirrors

No bathroom is complete without a mirror or 2. They’re not just invaluable for doing things like popping in your contact lenses or shaving, they can also give a smaller bathroom a greater feeling of space. We’ve a number to choose from—whether you want them to store your bathroom necessities, to have integral lighting or simply fit flush to the wall.

Mode Caylen LED illuminated mirror 800 x 600mm with demister

The Caylen LED mirror from Mode Bathrooms provides illumination right where you need it most

Finishing touches

Our finishing touches are exactly that—items which aren’t essential in the bathroom but just add those extra practical details that make a bathroom easier to use. These include robe hooks and shelves, toilet roll dispensers and tumblers. You'll also find accessories that will help save space, like a small towel rail. By choosing carefully from the many styles available it can really add character too.

Lunar toilet roll holder

For a fresh, modern appearance, check out the Lunar range of bathroom accessories from Accents

Of course, where would your bathroom be without those softer touches, like bath mats and towels? We offer a variety of high quality towel sets and beautiful bath mats to complement your colour scheme.

Shelves and caddies

One of the quickest and easiest ways to increase storage space is to add some bathroom shelving or a caddy. We stock a superb selection of shelves in a variety of colours, as well as glass designs. Bathroom caddies, on the other hand, are ideal for splash zones, helping to keep soap, shower gel and shampoo close to hand when showering or bathing.

Accents Options brass double shower caddy

This double shower caddy from Accents is the perfect place for all your showering essentials

Independent Living accessories

If you have restricted mobility, a disability or are simply looking to future-proof your bathroom, you may wish to consider some of the accessible bathroom accessories from our Independent Living range. Discover a wide range of grab rails, shower seats and more, to help make your bathroom experience safer and more comfortable.

Lighting

Whilst not strictly an accessory, your bathroom lights perform a vital function and can be used to highlight certain aspects or provide task lighting where it’s needed most. Find out more about it in our bathroom lighting buying guide.

Forum Tulip IP44 glass pendant bathroom ceiling light in chrome

Here's a bright idea: Upgrade your illumination with this Tulip pendant ceiling light from Forum, specially designed for bathrooms


Bathroom accessories checklist

To help you plan which accessories you need for your bathroom, why not run through this handy checklist?


Things to consider

Most of our accessories are simple to introduce into your bathroom but there are a few things to think about when it comes to fitting or installing some of the more complicated items.

Tiling

When it’s done well, tiling can create a stunning effect in a bathroom. But there is quite a skill involved in making sure that tiles are cut perfectly to fit awkward areas and there are clean edges, for example when you tile over a windowsill. So, while we can supply a wide choice of tiling accessories and even the tiles themselves, it could be a good idea to call in a professional if you’re not 100% confident that you’ll do a good job.

White Metro tiles

White metro tiles are particularly popular these days thanks to their versatility, making them suitable for both traditional and contemporary style decor

Fitting lighting, extractor fans and illuminated mirrors

You’ll almost certainly need to call in a qualified professional if you’re planning to install lighting or an extractor fan as it will have to be connected to your home’s mains electricity—not to mention needing to cut a recess for it in your bathroom wall. The same is true if the illuminated mirror you choose needs a mains connection.

Commercial bathroom accessories

If you are looking to purchase accessories for toilets or changing areas in a commercial setting, like a café, shop, pub, leisure centre or school, you may need to consider more robust products, designed especially for this purpose. Browse our commercial bathroom range today.


Coordinating your bathroom

If you want to enhance your bathroom, whether it’s just for your benefit, or because you’re planning to make a few improvements to help make your home more attractive to potential buyers, there are some very easy “quick wins” you can achieve with our accessories range.

For example, you could invest in one of our coordinated bathroom accessory ranges. There are several different styles to choose from, ranging from the ultra-modern like the Lunar range to a more traditional style like the Camberley collection. You can pick and choose the items from each range and, together, they create an altogether more coherent look for the room, with designer towel rails, toothbrush holders and more. Or, for a quick and easy refresh, choose one of our bathroom accessory sets, providing all the basic elements you’ll need for a stylish and sophisticated space.

Accents 1805 antique gold bathroom accessories

The 1805 accessory range from Accents comes in a choice of beautiful metallic finishes including antique gold (pictured above) and black


Shop bathroom accessories

The great thing is, whatever you decide to do to enhance your bathroom, with our huge range of great value accessories you needn’t break the bank. So why not browse our wide range of bathroom accessories today?

Shop bathroom accessories

Author, Adam Chard

Posted by Adam Chard in Buying guides | 4 weeks ago

A born & raised West Countryman, now living on the Yorkshire Coast, for over 10 years Adam has been bringing home interior ideas to life at Victoria Plum. Adam’s favourite interior styles have been shaped by both urban and natural influences.

Sales Line 0344 264 4141 Track order Design Service Trade account

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