Honed marble master ensuite in Chelmsford CM3 with a brushed brass ceiling rainfall shower

Bowmans · Inspiration

Bathroom Design Guides

Planning guides, cost breakdowns and the design decisions that shape a bathroom — written by our designers from rooms we have specified across Essex.

What is in here

49 guides covering the whole arc of a bathroom project — deciding whether you need a designer, what each budget tier actually buys, planning the layout, choosing fittings and finishes, and meeting UK building regulations. Every one is written from rooms we have designed and supplied.

49 guides · last updated October 2026

Jump to

Before you commit to anything What it costs Planning the room Choosing fittings and finishes Light and warmth Rules and regulations

Planning the room

Layout, storage and the decisions that get expensive to reverse once the first fix is in.

Spa Bathroom Ideas Spa bathroom ideas beyond styling: a warm floor, water that arrives properly, dimmable light, stone-feel surfaces, and what each costs in 2026. 9 min read Hotel-Style Bathroom Hotel bathroom ideas that work at home. In England, the rules don't require sound insulation between an ensuite WC and its bedroom, so plan the wall early. 18 min read Ensuite Bathroom Ideas Ensuite bathroom ideas for the suite you use every day and the one guests see twice a year. Real Essex ensuites, real trade-offs, from Bowman Bathrooms. 10 min read Bath in the Bedroom Bath in bedroom rules for England: the room is treated like a bathroom for extract and wiring, and a filled bath with someone in can top 400kg. 21 min read Luxury Bathroom Planning Checklist A UK luxury bathroom designer's 14-step planning checklist — from brief to sign-off, with the common mistake to avoid at each stage. 20 min read Bathroom Layout Mistakes The 10 bathroom layout mistakes UK homeowners pay thousands to fix — door swings, pipework, lighting and more, with real 2026 rework costs. 19 min read Wet Room vs Walk-In Shower Wet room or walk-in shower? The £1,500–£3,500 cost gap, leak risk, cleaning, level access, and which one an Essex designer picks for a small bathroom. 17 min read Wet Room Ideas Wet room ideas that start at the drain: a one-way fall suits big tiles, a four-way fall suits mosaic. Plus screens, fluted glass, lights and extract. 18 min read Steam Shower vs Sauna vs Wet Room Sauna vs steam room vs steam shower: which one actually fits the home you already have. Real UK costs, ceiling height and floor space rules explained. 12 min read Replacing a Bath with a Walk-In Shower Should you replace your bath with a walk-in shower? A life-stage framework, the one-bath resale rule and real conversion costs for UK homeowners. 9 min read Small Luxury Bathroom Design Honest UK guide to designing a luxury bathroom under 5 square metres — the bath-or-shower decision, compact sanitaryware, and three worked layouts. 18 min read Luxury Bathroom Storage Design UK 2026 guide to designing bathroom storage — built-in vs floating vanity, mirror cabinets, recessed niches, and realistic budget for the storage line. 18 min read Shower Niche Guide Shower niche sizes, heights and tile set-out, plus waterproofing and lighting. Prefabricated niches from wedi and Crosswater run 70mm to 120mm deep. 22 min read

More guides

AXOR Suite A closer look at AXOR Suite basins and bath, including shapes, metal finishes, tap planning, waste requirements and practical room considerations. 7 min read AXOR ShowerComposition A closer look at AXOR ShowerComposition, including its slim wall-mounted panels, PowderRain options, finishes and the practical checks before ordering. 7 min read AXOR Uno Explore AXOR Uno basin taps, curved and angular forms, Zero and Select controls, water patterns and finishes, with advice on choosing the right basin. 5 min read AXOR Starck V A practical guide to the AXOR Starck V glass tap, including its visible water vortex, finish choices, cleaning and basin suitability. 5 min read AXOR Massaud A practical guide to the AXOR Massaud basin mixer, including its broad waterfall spout, Chrome and Brushed Bronze finishes, and basin formats. 5 min read AXOR Montreux See how AXOR Montreux handles, finishes and shower technology bring period character and a modern water experience to the bathroom. 4 min read AXOR Citterio C A closer look at AXOR Citterio C basin taps, including the softened form, cubic-cut handles, finishes and CoolStart water control. 4 min read AXOR MyEdition Explore AXOR MyEdition cover materials, polished and brushed finishes, and the fine PowderRain spray available on selected basin mixers. 6 min read AXOR Edge A closer look at AXOR Edge, including its precise rectangular design, polished finishes, AirPower water delivery and basin mixer sizes. 5 min read AXOR ShowerHeaven A closer look at AXOR ShowerHeaven’s water zones, lighting options and finishes, with the practical points to check before ordering. 5 min read HiB Vanquish A practical guide to HiB Vanquish recessed bathroom cabinets, including the tall 30 model, wide 140 cabinet, lighting, storage and installation limits. 9 min read AXOR Starck and One A designer’s comparison of AXOR Starck and AXOR One brassware, including their shapes, controls, finishes and the specification details to check with your basin and fitter. 10 min read Shower Tray Sizes Shower tray sizes by shape: rectangular, square, quadrant, offset quadrant and pentagon, with 25 to 45mm low-profile heights and matching waste. 14 min read

More from Inspiration

Tile Guides Waterproofing All Inspiration

Reading is one thing. Standing in it is another.

Every guide here comes out of rooms we have designed and supplied. Come and see the fittings in person at Braintree or Leigh-on-Sea.

Book a showroom visit