Go Shopping for Bathroom Fittings ... Without the Stress
Your builder has put the pressure on you to select all your bathroom fittings by next week. Sidestep the panic with this simple checklist
Karyn McRae
13 November 2014
Houzz Australia Contributor. Interior Designer at McRae & Lynch Design.
All I need is to find a toilet, a nice bath, vanity basin and some taps. How hard can it be? I’ll go shopping tomorrow and make my choices then. Simple enough, you think … that is, until you arrive at the store where you are faced with an endless choice of styles, finishes and prices. You start to feel overwhelmed and begin to stress a little. You approach the salesperson for help, only to be asked a whole lot of questions that you just can’t answer. Your stress levels rise still further and real panic starts to set in … and the situation only gets worse when you find out the items you do decide on are out of stock.
Like many things, the key to avoiding unnecessary stress is preparation. The following checklist will not only help you have a stress-free shopping experience, it will also help you make the right choices for your bathroom fittings.
Like many things, the key to avoiding unnecessary stress is preparation. The following checklist will not only help you have a stress-free shopping experience, it will also help you make the right choices for your bathroom fittings.
Get ahead of the game
One of the biggest mistakes people make when shopping for fittings is last-minute panic buying. This usually results in the purchase of wrong fittings, which leads to regrets, and can therefore become costly.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when shopping for fittings is last-minute panic buying. This usually results in the purchase of wrong fittings, which leads to regrets, and can therefore become costly.
Communicating with your builder is extremely important. Ask before construction begins for a time schedule of when the fittings will be needed. Planning in advance gives you the benefit of time. The more time you give yourself, the better prepared you will be and the more likely you are to get what you really want. You also need to consider lead times. Buying ahead of time means you won’t have to go through the disappointment of not getting the fitting you love because the stock won’t be available in time, and you’ll avoid holding up construction by having the fittings readily available before the builder actually needs them. You never know, the schedule may be running ahead of time.
Avoid confusion
There’s no need to be overwhelmed by the huge variety of types and styles of fittings available – but you do need to narrow down your options before going shopping. Have a clear idea of what type of fitting you need first. Make a shopping list of what you need prior to visiting the bathroom showroom with the help of your builder or designer – they can advise you on what type of fittings best suit your bathroom design.
There’s no need to be overwhelmed by the huge variety of types and styles of fittings available – but you do need to narrow down your options before going shopping. Have a clear idea of what type of fitting you need first. Make a shopping list of what you need prior to visiting the bathroom showroom with the help of your builder or designer – they can advise you on what type of fittings best suit your bathroom design.
Be consistent
Now that you have narrowed down the type of fittings you need, you’ll be faced with a wide variety of styles to choose from. Deciding what you’d like for your bathroom can be difficult, as there are most likely to be a few different styles that you find equally appealing.
The key is to be consistent with your choices. Be guided by the look you are after. Is the bathroom ultra-modern, retro or traditional? Do you prefer soft, curved edges as opposed to the harder square-edged look? Look at the shape of your vanity basin and bath and keep your tapware consistent with this. For example, a basin mixer that’s slimline with delicate features would be lost on a large, heavy, square-edged vanity basin. It’s important to look at how the fittings and fixtures work as a whole, rather than individually.
Now that you have narrowed down the type of fittings you need, you’ll be faced with a wide variety of styles to choose from. Deciding what you’d like for your bathroom can be difficult, as there are most likely to be a few different styles that you find equally appealing.
The key is to be consistent with your choices. Be guided by the look you are after. Is the bathroom ultra-modern, retro or traditional? Do you prefer soft, curved edges as opposed to the harder square-edged look? Look at the shape of your vanity basin and bath and keep your tapware consistent with this. For example, a basin mixer that’s slimline with delicate features would be lost on a large, heavy, square-edged vanity basin. It’s important to look at how the fittings and fixtures work as a whole, rather than individually.
Get the quality and price balance right
Don’t over-capitalise. Using the most expensive fitting doesn’t necessarily make for a better looking or quality bathroom. Remember, sometimes you are paying extra for the branding. The product’s warranty is usually a pretty good indication of its quality. There are plenty of stylish, good quality, reasonably priced fittings available. Always give yourself a couple of options within different price ranges. That way you can you can always fall back on the cheaper option without being too disappointed.
Don’t over-capitalise. Using the most expensive fitting doesn’t necessarily make for a better looking or quality bathroom. Remember, sometimes you are paying extra for the branding. The product’s warranty is usually a pretty good indication of its quality. There are plenty of stylish, good quality, reasonably priced fittings available. Always give yourself a couple of options within different price ranges. That way you can you can always fall back on the cheaper option without being too disappointed.
Keep within budget
With any renovation, it’s important to keep within your budget (or as close to it as possible). It can be very frustrating and disappointing when you choose a fitting that you just love, only to discover that it will take up a good chunk of the allowed budget for fittings.
Builders usually break the budget down into components. They allow a certain amount for tiles, tapware, and so forth. Just remember that this is a guide only. Think about where you would prefer to spend your money. Look at what the main focal point of the bathroom is and weigh up your costs accordingly. For example, if the bath is the main feature, it would make sense to invest more of your money on an amazing bath, and compromise on the tapware or tiles. If the tiles are a feature in themselves, then save your money with cheaper, simple fittings with clean lines.
With any renovation, it’s important to keep within your budget (or as close to it as possible). It can be very frustrating and disappointing when you choose a fitting that you just love, only to discover that it will take up a good chunk of the allowed budget for fittings.
Builders usually break the budget down into components. They allow a certain amount for tiles, tapware, and so forth. Just remember that this is a guide only. Think about where you would prefer to spend your money. Look at what the main focal point of the bathroom is and weigh up your costs accordingly. For example, if the bath is the main feature, it would make sense to invest more of your money on an amazing bath, and compromise on the tapware or tiles. If the tiles are a feature in themselves, then save your money with cheaper, simple fittings with clean lines.
If you are well prepared when making your bathroom fitting selections it doesn’t need to be stressful. Pre-planning and being one step ahead of the builder is what it’s all about.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU
Tell us about your bathroom plans or recent bathroom renovation successes in the comments section.
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Tell us about your bathroom plans or recent bathroom renovation successes in the comments section.
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That said I will now go and find out more about water pressure :)