Ceramic tiles with their glazed surface are the most frequently chosen tiles for bathroom walls. These last a long time, are very easy to clean and come in a huge range of colours and designs to suit any style of bathroom. The main thing to remember with ceramic tiles is that no two lots are the same. It works a bit like batch numbers on wallpaper, you must buy the right number of boxes with the same batch number to ensure that they will match, because if you run out of tiles you may find that you cannot get a perfect match when you go to buy more.

Glazed terracotta tiles can give a bathroom a real Mediterranean look and quality terracotta will last for life. However, very high quality tiles in this material may not be easy to find and the cheapest ones do not do the job in the same way, or give the same finished look.

Granite, slate and marble tiles look wonderful but they are expensive and must be sealed to stop them from absorbing the water in the bathroom and being affected by steam. You will need specialist advice on how to do this if you intend to fit them yourself.

Glass, porcelain and even metal tiles are very effective, different and stunning to look at, but unless you are an expert these really need to be fitted by a specialist. They are far from cheap and a mistake would cost you a great deal of money.

You can choose from one of the seven common sizes available, but obviously your choice of radiator will depend on the size of your bathroom and the space you have available. However, if you are looking for a traditional column radiator to make the most of your traditionally designed bathroom then this is truly one of the best options out there.

Of course, you want your bathroom radiator to look good but you also want to be assured of its quality. These Aestus Partito radiators are finished in a strong and durable white powder coated finish and are made from high quality mild steel tube that will last a lifetime.

Electric cables should never be touching or overlapped, and must always be at least 50mm away from walls or fixed structures. Where an electric underfloor heating kit comes fixed to mats, you can cut the backing away but never cut the cable itself. The temperature of each circuit or zone is controlled by an underfloor heating thermostat. These range from simple manual versions to fully programmable digital ones. They use air sensors, floor sensors or a combination of the two. If you have a floor probe it should be positioned in a space between cable loops.

Once your DIY underfloor heating cables are fixed into position, they are usually covered in a layer of cement or latex screed before the floor covering is laid. If you have under tile heating, flexible tile adhesive should be spread over the cables.

These radiator valves have an element that expands and contracts to increase, or decrease the flow of water by opening and closing the valve. Basically, these thermostatic radiator valves control the temperature in the room by regulating how much hot water goes through the radiator. There is a number on the radiator valve which corresponds to the air temperature in the room and can be set to keep the room temperature constant.

This is an excellent way of preventing a room getting too hot or too cold and if set at the optimum number can save quite a lot of money on the cost of running a central heating system. Thermostatic radiator valves will ensure that you have a warm and cosy bathroom when you get up for work on a cold, frosty morning.

There are a number of thermostatic radiator valves on the market and it should be relatively easy to find one that fits onto your bathroom radiator. Some of these can be fitted to existing radiator valves without the need for a plumber. Costs vary but most radiator valves of this type are quite inexpensive. Generally speaking it should be possible to recoup the cost of the valves in a year by savings made on central heating fuel.

The main restriction that you face when it comes to making a choice is that you will want to maximise the space you have in your bathroom. Your actual choice of shower enclosure and tray will depend on how much room you have available.

The simplest way to fit a shower enclosure and save space is to use a shower door to change an alcove into a shower enclosure. This can be done to cover a two, or even three sided space. All you need then is a suitable shower tray of the correct size and the job is complete. There are other shapes available if you prefer curved, rectangular, or angled designs, but it is always advisable to ensure that there is a suitable shower tray of the correct dimensions and shape available before deciding.

Before attempting to fit the shower enclosure, the shower tray needs to be fitted in place and the whole area should be tiled and sealed to the shower tray to avoid leaks. Before the final decision on which shower enclosure to purchase is made, check the measurements of the door and ensure that there is ample room to open and close the door and get in and out easily.  The last thing that you want is to open the door of your new shower enclosure and find that it hits other bathroom fittings and causes damage.

Acova bathroom radiators come in a variety of styles; from towel drying rails to mirrored heaters and traditional bathroom radiators. This range offers the customer the opportunity to combine the necessity of warmth with a stylish bathroom feature. Acova radiators are truly the epitome of stylish luxury.

If you are considering the Acova towel drying rails you will be pleased to hear that they are easily fitted through your existing central heating system, be it gas, electric or a combination of the two which means that this item is an option for everybody who falls in love with its sleek design. You have complete control of the towel rail, even down to the choice of matching accessories and valves. These designer bathroom accessories are practical and chic.

Another example of the Acova radiator range is the Balmoral, which is a floor mounted radiator. This radiator only comes in one size but can be finished in antique gold or chrome depending on your individual taste. Radiators are often considered a necessary but unattractive feature within any room, but you will want to show these Acova radiators to their full effect as a focal point of your bathroom.

The main advantage of an underfloor heating system is the greater efficiency when compared with standard radiator networks or room installed wood, coal and gas fires, or oil fired boilers. Placing all the equipment underneath the flooring also saves space. Underfloor heating heats a room gradually and on a widely distributed basis, in contrast with the freely circulating heat emitted by radiators and fossil fuel burners. In the long term, underfloor heating systems have often been shown to achieve the same or better level of heating at a lower cost than radiators, etc.

Further, in terms of thermal comfort, water and electric underfloor heating naturally achieves a highly desirable effect in terms of heating: warming the lower body but leaving the upper body, and especially the head, relatively cooler. This directly contrasts with radiator and burner types of heating.

As the entire floor effectively operates as a radiator by using underfloor heating, less power compared with forced air heating systems such as radiators is needed to achieve comfortable levels of heating.

Basins come in a range of styles such as vanity units, wall hung basins, pedestal basins and cloakroom units with variations in size, shape and colour. Most bathroom suppliers will stock a wide range of options which should meet individual budgets, conceptual designs or bathroom size.

Of course, the size of the bathroom is a very important factor. Bathrooms are often amongst the smallest rooms in the house; therefore it makes sense to use all space wisely. It makes sense that the choice of basin style and size should be proportionate to the size of the room. Obviously if you have a larger bathroom, it can accommodate the more experimental or larger basin styles.

You will find that basins are most commonly constructed from ceramic which, with the proper care, is extremely long lasting and hygienic. However, more modern basins are available in glass and steel, although these certainly require more upkeep to maintain their appearance. You could also opt for a marble basin as an impressive feature within your bathroom but this would only be an option if you have a very large budget. Finally, wooden basins have recently come onto the market which may be considered a ‘greener’ option, although in terms of aesthetics it may lose appeal over time when the constant flow of water darkens the wood.

Whichever system you choose, check that your cold water storage tank is big enough – typically a minimum capacity of 115 litres (25 gallons). Some manufacturers of showers also recommend a hot water cylinder with a minimum 161 litre (35 gallons) capacity. This type of shower needs an electrical supply to drive the pump. The pump is wired to the ring-main by means of a switch fused connection unit installed outside most bathrooms, or you can fit a ceiling-mounted double-pole switch inside the bathroom. The shower pump switches on automatically as soon as the shower valve is operated.

To plumb showers with an integral pump, you can run dedicated hot and cold supplies to the shower, as when fitting gravity-fed showers. Alternatively, you can connect the hot-water supply directly to the cylinder by using a cylinder flange.

All-in-one showers are prone to vibration: on a timber-frame wall this can create considerable noise. Isolate the unit by mounting it on rubber tap washers slid over the fixing screws.

Always place the pump somewhere convenient for servicing as this will save time in the long run should the pump require any necessary repairs.

All tiling and grouting needs to be completed before mounting the shower on the wall. 

When purchasing bathroom furniture, one should take into account the size of the bathroom.  The object is to maximize space and make the bathroom not only a welcoming place for the family but also for guests.

With so many variables to consider, creating a pleasant environment is essential in order to relax and enjoy your bathroom experience. For those with small bathrooms, consider space saving bathroom furniture such as space saver bathroom suites, complemented with under the sink storage, corner units or corner shelves. A corner bath is ideal; although it occupies more floor space than a rectangular bath of the same capacity, but because it is fitted across the corner it may take up less wall space leaving room for a shower cubicle or shower enclosure. Furthermore, a corner bath usually provides some shelf space for essential toiletries.

Whatever your situation, be sure that your bathroom furniture enhances the look and develops the true potential of your bathroom space, and ensure that every finishing touch, whether it is the shower curtain, the bathroom rug or even the toilet seat, radiates the image that you desire.