Cloakroom-Suites.co.uk

Cloakrooms are one of those home improvements that, once you have one, you can’t imagine how you managed to live without it. The UK building industry have finally realised the usefulness of a downstairs loo, which is essential what a cloakroom is, and all new builds must now have one.

However, whether you’re designing and fitting a cloakroom from scratch or renovating an existing one, the sheer choice of cloakroom suites on the market can be somewhat confusing.

At the most basic, all you need is a toilet and washbasin although, if you have a fair amount of space available, it wouldn’t hurt your property value to add a shower and storage.

Before you think about extras, however, let’s get down to brass tacks and think about the basics.

The basics are, of course, budget and dimensions.  You can find cloakroom suites for rooms of almost any dimension but it won’t harm to abide by that old rule to ‘measure twice and cut once.’  When it comes to budget, don’t forget the cost of installation; if you can fit the cloakroom suite yourself, then you’ll just have that much more money to play with when it comes to choosing the suite itself.

When it comes to style it really is a case of each to their own – whether you are a traditionalist or a lover of sleek, contemporary looks you are bound to find a suite to suit.  Here’s a quick guide:

If you’re a traditionalist, you will be drawn to bathroom furniture with curves and rounded edges.  Toilets and basins will be supported by pedestals and white or cream will probably be the order of the day.

Contemporary, modern styled cloakroom suites can be something of an eye-opener, and they can also be particularly useful where space is limited, which is probably why they sell so well. Toilets and hand basins forgo the pedestal and are hung from the wall, placed on existing surfaces, or on suitable pieces of furniture.  Taps are either lever style or also wall mounted.  Shapes tend towards the angular, although there are some beautiful cloakroom suites available that combine curves with minimalism to great effect.

Whatever your style-choice, choose the very best you can afford within your budget, always remembering that you are aiming for function as well as beauty.