Gary Forster | Bathroom Ideas & Inspo

Addressing Common Myths About Shower Cabins

Have you been researching shower cabins lately but are bogged down with conflicting information? We understand that it can be hard to decide if they really are the right decision for your bathroom. Many myths about shower cabins have been perpetuated, making it hard to determine what is fact and fiction. To help make your decision easier, we’re here to...

Posted On: May 13, 2024

Shower Valves Explained: The Buying Guide

What is a shower valve? A shower valve is like the control centre of your shower, it's the part of the shower you use to control both temperature and flow. It's the most important part of the shower set up and below are examples of what the valve part of the shower might look like. This guide will attempt to...

Posted On: October 24, 2023

Additional Storage Ideas For The Bathroom

Regardless of how big or small your bathroom is - storage solutions for this space will always be sought out. Bathroom storage can be used to store spare towels or toilet paper, and we always need somewhere to stash our shower gel and shampoo! At UK Bathroom Store, we know how important bathroom storage is, and also understand that each...

Tags: storage

Posted On: June 28, 2023

Super Solutions For Small Spaces – Making The Most Out Of Smaller Bathrooms

Big ideas for compact bathrooms abound UK Bathroom Store. Whether it is a small cloakroom under the stairs, or simply a bijou bathroom in a small city flat, or an ensuite that you are updating, we have a range of options to transform your small space into a beautiful bathroom. Our expert advisors can help you choose the best fit...

Tags: small bathroom

Posted On: June 20, 2023

5 Top Tips For Maintaining Good Hygiene In Your Bathroom

At UK Bathroom Store, we know that the importance of hygiene has become even more spoke about over the last few years due to it playing a big part in preventing the spread of disease. Bathrooms have always been a place where hygiene is a priority as they can be a breeding ground for bacteria, mould and mildew due to...

Tags: hygiene

Posted On: May 9, 2023

Get Ahead of Christmas

The temperature’s dropping steadily as this is being written, and that can only mean one thing; winter is coming. A lot of frozen pipes lie ahead, which means a lot more call on plumbers’ time. Add in Christmas and New Year holidays in December and you get some very full calendars. If you’ve had your eye on installing new fixtures...

Tags: news

Posted On: November 7, 2017

Look in the Mirror

It’s getting rarer for bathrooms not to boast a mirrored cabinet near the sink. It may be the only mirror in the place; either way, it’s likely that your cabinet serves two purposes and brings a double meaning to the phrase ‘look in the mirror’ – a quick check that you’ve wiped away all the excess shaving foam or cleaned...

Tags: style & Inspiration

Posted On: October 17, 2017

Aquarius Skara – Soaking in the Elegance

When it comes to your new bathroom, there’s no finer choice than something stylish, sleek and modern. As trends move to clean, straight edges, we think that the Aquarius range’s Skara products are a stunning combination of what makes sharp lines so attractive in bathroom design whilst retaining a unique sense of identity. The result is as eye-catching as it...

Tags: style & Inspiration

Posted On: June 6, 2017

The New Wave: Wetrooms

When we were kids, the common complaint after a shower, especially in a big family where someone else would need to use it not long afterward, was that we’d tracked water all over the floor. It gets everywhere, it doesn’t drain – there were, and are, so many complaints. The fact of the matter is that a traditional bathroom may...

Tags: Inspiration

Posted On: May 22, 2017

New Year, New Bathroom

January’s started comfortably now and, let’s face it, most of our New Years’ Resolutions are already petering out or already dead in the water. Still, a new year does feel like it needs to be properly marked in some way; redecorating or renovating a room in the home is a common reaction. And why not, after all? Why Not Update...

Tags: style & Inspiration

Posted On: January 17, 2017

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2017 to All Our Customers

As December gets rolling and the team here at UK Bathroom Store turn out to have already opened most of the doors on our Advent calendar and made off with the sweet stuff, Christmas is definitely on the horizon. It’s traditional at this time of year to reflect on what’s past and what’s yet to come, and from our perspective...

Tags: news

Posted On: December 19, 2016

Order Early – December’s Shorter Than You Think

With long, dark nights and a chill that sees everyone on your street have to break out the de-icer, scrapers, or leave the car running for a while to warm up, the amount of time people give themselves to get things done outside of the working day gets smaller and smaller through December – and that big block of holiday...

Tags: news

Posted On: November 25, 2016

Winter is Coming: Look to the Throne

As November looms ahead of us we can expect the British winter to finally rear its head soon. The first frosts are beginning to glisten on cars across the nation, and at this time of year our thoughts inevitably turn to keeping the house warm. Now more than at any other time of year should we be asking how warm...

Tags: Inspiration

Posted On: November 2, 2016

Change the Way You Shower

Before there were power showers, it was common to have to avoid using any other water outlet in the house when someone was taking a shower in case you threw the temperature of the shower violently off, drenching the unfortunate bather in scalding hot or freezing cold water. In the early days of power showers, you still faced issues with...

Tags: Inspiration

Posted On: September 6, 2016

What’s In A Name? Why the Vanity Unit is So Much More

Unit so vain, you probably think this blog is about you We call them vanity units because they hide the plumbing, and the idea was that this preserves the homeowners’ ‘vanity’ – which seems odd, from a modern perspective. But the name has stuck. It’s an unwritten rule that where plumbing is concerned, it should be hidden. Most baths are...

Tags: style & Inspiration

Posted On: July 25, 2016

Bucket List Bathroom #3: The Comfortable Combination

Your bathroom is one of the most familiar places in your home. It’s a place of solitude, reflection, of relaxation after a long day and preparation for another day to come. It’s often a place people hurry through, but it doesn’t have to be. In this ongoing series, we’ll be taking a look at dream bathroom restoration projects. These are...

Tags: style & Inspiration

Posted On: April 19, 2016

Making the Right Choice Easier to Find

Here at UKBS we’re hearing more and more plumbers calling to ask us the same question, and we think that those of you in the trade who haven’t heard – and those of you just looking to outfit your bathroom or your downstairs toilet – deserve to hear the answer too. It’s true – the Aquarius Combination Toilet Basin SpaceSaver...

Tags: news

Posted On: March 29, 2016

Small Changes, Big Differences 2: The Shaving Mirror

One of the things that means bathrooms stay the same, unchanged, year on year is the pervasive belief that if you can’t completely redo them, there’s nothing really that makes sense to do. So far, so good – if it were true. Of course, it’s not; these rules of thumb so rarely are, especially those which double as an argument...

Tags: Inspiration

Posted On: March 9, 2016

Bucket List Bathroom #2: The Sumptuous Shower

Your bathroom is one of the most familiar places in your home. It’s a place of solitude, reflection, of relaxation after a long day and preparation for another day to come. It’s often a place people hurry through, but it doesn’t have to be. In this ongoing series, we’ll be taking a look at dream bathroom restoration projects. These are...

Tags: style & Inspiration

Posted On: February 29, 2016

Another way to spread word of mouth

It’s a story as old as the trade. We’re sure you know it as well as we do; we’re sure you’ve lived it. You’re called in for emergency repairs on a bathroom – something’s burst, or just leaked for far too long, and trouble’s set in – and when you get there it’s even worse than the portrait they painted...

Tags: news

Posted On: February 12, 2016

Small Changes, Big Differences 1: The Soap Dispenser

One of the things that means bathrooms stay the same, unchanged, year on year is the pervasive belief that if you can’t completely redo them, there’s nothing really that makes sense to do. So far, so good – if it were true. Of course, it’s not; these rules of thumb so rarely are, especially those which double as an argument...

Tags: style & Inspiration

Posted On: January 27, 2016

Bucket List Bathroom #1: The Devoted Reader

Your bathroom is one of the most familiar places in your home. It’s a place of solitude, reflection, of relaxation after a long day and preparation for another day to come. It’s often a place people hurry through, but it doesn’t have to be. In this ongoing series, we’ll be taking a look at dream bathroom restoration projects. These are...

Tags: style & Inspiration

Posted On: January 21, 2016

What-A-Loo!

My, my, but what a loo I found online on offer Oh yeah, and I have set my porcelain in quite a similar way The heated towel rail by the door Keeps all of my towels off the floor What a loo – My bathroom’s complete, now take the tour What a loo – A replacement for one that...

Tags: news

Posted On: January 18, 2016

Beat the Cold with our Wide Range of Heated Towel Rails

Hardly a traditional fixture in bathrooms at this stage, the heated towel rail is nonetheless an item that those who’ve tried them absolutely swear by and pledge that they wouldn’t live without again. And why not? Especially in this day and age of modern central heating, not every bathroom has a radiator, and even in those that do, the towel...

Tags: style & Inspiration

Posted On: January 4, 2016

Creating a Beautiful Bathroom on Big & Little Budgets

It’s no secret that a bathroom renovation is an expensive prospect, and what you can achieve often depends on the budget you have available. Although more options are open for those with a larger budget, knowing what to do with the budget you have available is important before you start your bathroom renovation, so you can get a realistic view...

Tags: style, budget & Inspiration

Posted On: September 29, 2015

4 High Impact Bathroom Upgrades for a Low Cost

The bathroom is one of the most private rooms in the house, and it should also be the most comfortable. It’s no surprise that people spend so much time and money on their bathroom before any other part of their home. However, if you’re not happy with your bathroom, and you’re not entirely sure why, you might not need a...

Tags: style, budget & Inspiration

Posted On: September 22, 2015

Bathroom Designs in Other Countries

It’s easy to think of the UK style of bathroom as being the only one around, but, as with anything, there’s actually a lot of variation. The modern version of the British bathroom really started to come into fashion in the late 19th century, the Victorian era, and while it’s inspired bathrooms around the world, there are still many differences...

Tags: style & Inspiration

Posted On: June 18, 2015

Examples of Unique Bathrooms & What Makes Them Special

1. Subtle But Contrasting Colours The beauty of this bathroom is in its colour scheme. Overall, the grey gives it a subdued effect, compared to the pristine white of many bathrooms, but still benefits from the contrasting black on the glass frames and the sink. This allows the bathroom to be a little dirty on occasion, and not too shocking...

Tags: style & Inspiration

Posted On: June 9, 2015

7 Hidden Costs of Remodelling Your Bathroom

So, you've finally decided that it's time to remodel your bathroom, and you want to make sure you've got enough to do it. You've found the items you want, and set aside the money for those, and it seems all in all a lot cheaper than people have been telling you. Why is that? Well, it's quite possible that you've forgotten to factor in some of the 'hidden' costs of remodelling a bathroom. It's not that these costs are secret, it's just that it's easy for you to forget to factor them into the costs of renovating, when in actual fact this is where most of the cost comes from: Continue reading →

Tags: news, budget & Inspiration

Posted On: May 22, 2015

Types of Walk In Showers

Walk in showers are all the rage these days, gaining popularity due to their ease of access and being a perfect addition to the modern style of a minimalist bathroom aesthetic. Depending on the size and shape of your bathroom, there are plenty of different options for you to choose from. Two-Sided In a large and spacious bathroom, a two-sided walk in shower enclosure might be your preferred option, allowing you to easily designate a shower area without having to use a full enclosure. The two-sided style of enclosure usually uses two panels to create a corner, with one stopping water from splashing out at the side, and one to stop it splashing out of the back. The entrance to this shower is the gap in the corner where the two panels don't meet, where water is least likely to escape the enclosure.

This is perhaps the style of walk in shower most similar to 'traditional' showers, being still largely an enclosure, but if you make use of clear, frameless panels, you will still be able to create an effect of spaciousness in your bathroom. Continue reading →

Tags: style & Inspiration

Posted On: May 1, 2015

How and Why to Use Bath Panel Tiling

Bath tiling is a somewhat rare way to add an extra wow factor to your bathroom, and when done right can look extraordinarily good. We particularly recommend tiled bath panels as a small bathroom idea, as the way that they make the bath fit in creates extra visual space, but a larger bathroom with a minimalist aesthetic may also like the style of bath panel tiling. Before we get into the how of bath panel tiling, however, let's first address the what and why: What is Bath Panel Tiling? Bath panel tiling is simply the process of adding tiles to the side of your bath, usually in the same style that you have tiled the floor or walls. The process involves using specialist tile backing board which won't warp, and requires a bit more effort than using standard bath panels, but you may consider it well worth the extra effort. So Why Tile Your Bath? Continue reading →

Tags: Guides & Inspiration

Posted On: May 1, 2015

Shower Mixers: What Are They, Why Use Them & How to Connect Them

Shower mixers are a great way of getting the shower you want, every time. Sounds good so far, right? In seriousness, a shower mixer is a fairly simple mechanism that allows you to control the temperature of your shower by taking both the hot and cold water flows and mixing them together before outputting them from the shower head. This means that you get to select the temperature that your water comes out of the shower. This may sound like something your shower can already do (and perhaps it is) but there are a few key differences between options such as electric showers, and a few key add-ons that can help you make the most of your shower mixer. Continue reading →

Tags: Inspiration

Posted On: April 21, 2015

What is an Overflow Bath Filler?

Can't find a good design for your bath tap? Struggling for space, or aiming for a minimalist feel without minimising function? Or are you just clamouring for something a little different? In any of these cases, you should be considering a bath overflow filler. But what exactly is one? All-in-One Bath/Shower Solution In essence, an overflow bath filler is just a different way to put water into your bath. Located where you would normally find the waste overflow hole, the overflow filler is capable of filling your bath as well as taking excess water away by being hooked up to both the water pipe and the waste pipe. Seems simple, right? So why is it that you don't see these more often? The truth is, we're not entirely sure either. When most people are looking for baths, they expect to be attaching taps, so even though waste fillers have been around for quite some time, they just haven't been widely adopted yet. With improvements to the design, so that even gravity-fed water systems can now use them, and the modern desire for sleek, minimalist designs, however, they are currently seeing a rise in popularity and demand. How Do They Work? Continue reading →

Tags: Inspiration

Posted On: April 15, 2015

How to Fit a Wet Room Floor: Shower Trays and Waterproofing

As the trends in bathroom design headed towards minimalist, it was only natural that more techniques were developed in an attempt to cut as much excess out of the bathroom as possible. Large and impressive bath tubs were shrunk down to space-saving corner baths. Shower pipes were hidden away behind walls. Eventually baths were removed entirely in favour of shower enclosures, which were shrunk down themselves until they were nothing more than clear, glass panels separating the shower from the rest of the bathroom. Minimalism in shower and bathing design reached its furthest extent in the form of the wet room, where an entire room could be transformed to be shower-friendly, thus removing the need for many of the traditional separation techniques. Continue reading →

Tags: Guides & Inspiration

Posted On: April 13, 2015

Small Bathroom Design: Sink & Toilet Combination

The bane of many households, and boon of others, small bathrooms might be something you have to put up with, if it's your only one, or a handy little extra if you're installing a new cloakroom. In either case, finding the right furniture and suite for your small bathroom is a big task, but it's also one that has been receiving a lot of attention in the modern world of bathroom design. Continue reading →

Tags: Inspiration

Posted On: March 10, 2015

Inexpensive and Easy Ways to Update Your Bathroom This Spring

It’s officially spring time now in the UK, and lambs are frolicking, birds tweeting, and flowers blooming. The great spring clean will have begun for many people, and it is a popular pursuit to update rooms with a fresh lick of paint, or some new curtains to match the season’s style. It’s often difficult however, to give the bathroom a...

Tags: style, accessories & budget

Posted On: April 30, 2014

Welcome to the New UK Bathroom Store Website!

Welcome to UK Bathroom Store’s brand new website! Designed based on what you had to say, the new site has had a great new launch, and we hope you’re finding it as exciting as we are. 7 years of experience has taught us a lot about what our customers need, and we thought that it was time to improve our website, to...

Tags: news

Posted On: March 6, 2014