Bathroom Furniture & Things To Consider

When writing articles on any aspect of bathroom furniture or bathroom equipment, it is wise to stress the most important point, being that a bathroom, or any room, should be designed around the needs of the user(s).

At its most basic level, the installation must be practical, catering to the needs of those individuals who will most frequently use it.

Physical suitability is a major aspect to consider, covering: working surface heights, available floor space, ceiling to floor height, and the likelihood of physical stress or impact damage.

It would not be sensible to install bespoke benches or pre-fabricated bathroom units at, for example, a working height of 4ft if you are only 3ft tall. Whilst this is obvious, it illustrates that physical height has practical implications, particularly if you have small children.

Types of bathroom furniture and fittings for which physical height should be considered include bath surrounds and bases, tiled wooden frames/panels encompassing sinks and shelves, artificial floors and shower tray bases. The success of all of these in practice is dependent on those who will use them.

The issue of physical height is closely followed by the intended life span. How long do you want and expect the installation to either last in terms of wear and tear or remain suitable? Wear and tear is unavoidable and brings into play the issue of materials consideration.

Materials consideration comes together with aesthetic suitability. Whether a large oak bench is durable or not, it would be an eyesore in most modern bathrooms. It would not be tolerated, regardless of its physical prowess. Besides this, woods with grains are not the most hygienic materials to use. They encourage bacterial growth, having crevices in which the bacteria breed. Woods are also prone to water absorption, which, if the wood is untreated, encourages mould growth.

We all want our bathrooms to look clean, tidy and presentable, but the most attractive materials and features aren’t always the most durable, appropriate or economically sound choice.

When I was younger, we had a corner mounted wash hand basin. Our bathroom is physically small and the washbasin was literally tiny. Whilst it looked petite and attractive on its pedestal, which again was installed for decorative purposes and not for load bearing, and increased the available space in the bathroom, it was infuriating to use. It was awkward to get washed on an angle and the physical size of the washbasin proved impossible.

I was even more reluctant than normal to get out of bed in the morning knowing I had to confront that washbasin. Eventually other family members felt the same intensity of dislike towards the washbasin and the choice of bathroom furniture, and decided it had to go.

Instead, we chose a full size sink surrounded by a wooden frame, which in turn had pine wooden panels fixed to it and a painted finish. Whilst the overall appearance was tidy and clean, it did not compare aesthetically with its predecessor. However, overall it was much more practical, meaning it compromised the appearance/practicality boundary.

This is the approach I would advise anyone take in deciding upon bathroom furniture – to approach the design and choice of bathroom furniture primarily from a practical and functional perspective, and then to choose the most aesthetically pleasing from the available practical solutions.

Many ready made, pre-fabricated bathroom suites are available, and if you have plenty of available space your options are not limited, depending on the available budget of course.

Assuming expense is not an issue, sink tops and bathroom units and cabinets are available in a vast number of colours, textures, sizes and shapes and whatever your needs or preferences there will be something that is suitable for you.

Consider what you want from your bathroom; perhaps compile a list or answer questions like those given below.

How often will I use the bathroom furniture?

What kind of bathroom furniture do I need?

Will I retain any of my existing appliances?

If so, will the new furniture clash or match?

How much money do I have available?

Who, apart from myself, will use the new bathroom installation regularly?

Are my choices suitable for them also?

From the above questions you will have grasped the idea. Although it seems obvious and needless to say, actually reading lists of question like the one above, makes us think about the relevant issues at hand. They allow us to make more informed and planned decisions, however tedious the lists appear to be.

From personal experience, never choose appearance over practicality. That gold plated sink top rapidly becomes worthless if getting washed is a cramped and cold experience, especially if it is an everyday activity. The bathroom is used everyday in most households, meaning and is wise to remember this when choosing bathroom furniture and accessories. For ideas on available bathroom furniture solutions consult a bathroom specialist supplier.

A. Jeffers