Bathroom Design Tips 101: How To Choose The Perfect Furniture

Introduction

The bathroom is a sacred and important space to many of us –– the shower is our sacred place, a way to reset the tiring day and unwind from our busy lives. This is why it’s important to have a well-furnished bathroom, complete with the right furniture types, styles, and shapes that are tailored to meet space requirements. We’ve compiled a comprehensive furniture guide that’ll provide advice for those looking to set up their own bathroom, or renovate an old one. 

Furniture Size and Orientation

Evaluating the space you have available to work with is essential in determining what types of bathroom furniture purchase. You’ll want to begin by noting the accurate measurements of the width, length, and height of your bathroom, along with the utility locations of your mains water, and power supplies. Drawing a mental or physical layout out of your bathroom would help.

Whilst large bathrooms can provide you with more storage and styling space, you need to ensure that the walkways to and within the bathroom are made clear. Take note of crucial areas –– such as door openings, and when they swing into a room –– and allocate ample space so that clashes won’t happen. 

On the contrary, having small bathrooms does not mean you have to scrimp out on having furniture. Purchasing space-saving furniture such as cloakroom basins, wall-hung storage cabinets, and slimline units are good ways to save up on space but still maintain the flair. Need more ideas for small bathrooms? Check out victoriaplum.com/blog/posts/small-cloakroom-bathroom-ideas. 

Furniture Color and Shape

Square sink units, curved vanity units with basins, corner vanity units, L-shaped bathroom suites, and P-shaped bathroom suites are examples of how bathroom furniture is available in many shapes. Bathroom furniture also comes in simple colors such as black, white, and grey. Alternatively, bolder variations are also available such as white, high-gloss grey, and wooden bathroom suites. 

Furniture Style

There are three different variations of bathroom furniture that you can typically choose from –– either traditional, modern, or contemporary. First up, traditional bathroom furniture comes in a classic old-fashioned, vintage style that is great if you’re planning on creating a period-inspired bathroom. Next, if you’re a modern-day customer that enjoys sleek, minimalist furniture, modern bathroom furniture is definitely for you. Finally, contemporary bathroom furniture is a present-day variation that regularly changes to reflect anything that’s trending at the moment. 

Furniture Material 

Whilst the majority of bathroom cabinets are made out of wood, there’s a whole variety of materials that you can choose from. Here are the top three contenders: Melamine Faced Chipboard (MFC), Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF), and Solid Wood. 

Melamine Faced Chipboard (MFC)

This material is probably more familiar than you think! Consisting of a melamine-resin material bonded onto chipboard, MFC is used in most kitchens and in various appliances. This material can be cleaned very easily and is resilient as it has a tough outer finish. However, it is prone to water damage and has to be finished properly to avoid this damage. This material is cost-efficient and most suited for secondary bathrooms or rented bathrooms. 

Medium Density Fireboard (MDF)

On the contrary, MDF consists of waste and offcuts from other wood manufacturing processes, mixed and pressed together with binders and glues. As compared to MFC, MDF is much denser and substantial, which makes it a more popular choice in the market. MDF is warp-resistant, comes in a variety of colors and veneers, and doesn’t budge with temperature and humidity changes. MDF is commonly found in high-quality bathroom furniture.

Solid Wood

If you’re seeking a premium finish for your bathroom, try going classic with solid wood. Nothing beats the natural grain patterns of oak or walnut, enhanced and beautified by stains and paints. The best part about solid wood furniture is its unique characteristics –– there are no two grains that are identical! For example, crown cuts cause wood to have circular grains, whilst quarter-sawn lumber has straight patterns. Because solid wood is heavy, durable, and substantial, it can last for decades if treated well. Ensuring your wood is not exposed to high humidity or rapidly fluctuating temperatures is an essential step in taking care of real wood.

Furniture Finish

After deciding on the material for your bathroom furniture, the next step is determining what kind of finish you’d want. Here are some popular types of finishings. 

Foil-Wrapped

A foil-wrapped finish entails taking a base material and wrapping it with a thin, plastic ‘foil’, which is then set with heated adhesive. This type of finish gives the furniture a distinctly contoured look. However, foil-wrapped materials have a historical tendency to peel off and bubble after prolonged exposure to heat and humidity. Though modern foil-wrapped materials can handle this problem a lot better, it’s still a vulnerability for most. 

Paint

On the contrary, paint finishes are far more resilient to humidity and heat, which makes them superior to foil-wrapped finishes. Plus, they come in a huge variety of colors, including customizable shades. No longer do you need to stick with plain white or black colors  –– why not go bold with a splash of yellow and orange, in matte and eggshell finishings?

Acrylic

Historically, this premium finish has its core treated with MDF to bond acrylic to all sides. The high gloss appearance helps to add texture and light to modern furniture sets. Furthermore, acrylic finishes are more resilient to bumps and scratches, which makes it worth the additional cost.

Types of Bathroom Furniture

Vanity Units

Simply put, a vanity unit refers to a basin installed on top of a piece of furniture. One advantage of having a bathroom vanity over a traditional basin is the additional space given by the presence of drawers and cupboards. This allows you space to tidy up miscellaneous items, makeup products, and shower accessories. These vanity units can come in a variety of styles and types such as a basin vanity unit, wall hung vanity unit, slimline vanity unit, or a combination vanity unit.

Back To Wall Toilet Unit 

Back To Wall Toilet Units are a great option if you’re looking for a sleek and minimalist accessory to your bathroom. It helps to reduce visual clutter by hiding the toilet cistern inside the furniture itself, which can give off a contemporary, modern look. Plus, it provides you extra storage space! 

Storage Cabinets 

It’s always tempting to choose beautiful aesthetics over roomy, but chunky storage spaces. However, did you know that there are plenty of storage cabinets that are functional, yet design-worthy? 

Popular ones include floor-standing storage cabinets and wall-hung storage cabinets. These are easily portable which allows for flexibility and convenience. Tall storage cabinets, also known as Tallboys, are free-standing cabinets for those who need maximum storage space. These can either be wall-mounted or floor-standing and are great for storing bulkier items such as toilet rolls, toiletries, and towels. 

Conclusion

Before settling on your choice of bathroom furniture, remember to first consider your bathroom size, style, as well as its current and future needs. Next, pay a visit to your local furniture store to see things in person, for clearer differentiation and identifying alternatives if needed. Speak to professionals if you have queries regarding your budget or bathroom size requirements. It’s good to keep a lookout for any cost-effective bundle options, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Finally, hiring a good plumber is crucial to key to successfully install any basins or wall-hung units without risking any accidental damage.