Bathroom Furniture Buying Guide
Bathrooms present a number of challenges when it comes to choosing furniture. This room is one of the most important personal spaces in a house, where you begin and end the day, so it needs to be somewhere you can relax and be comfortable, and the furniture you choose needs to reflect this. The bathroom is often the smallest room in a home, where space is at a premium, but it’s also the only room where certain items can be stored so you need some sort of storage. Finally, there’s the fact that even the best ventilated bathrooms get wet and moist, so the furniture in them needs to be able to withstand this.
To help make your bathroom a proper sanctuary, this guide will talk you through how to choose the right furniture, whether it’s an under-sink storage unit or a tallboy cabinet. Many of our bathroom furniture designs have also been created with versatility in mind so can be used in other parts of the home too.
What Are The Different Types of Bathroom Furniture?
Bathroom furniture is unique in its design and composition, but it can be largely divided into two categories: fitted and free-standing. Fitted bathroom furniture is fixed in place permanently, often involving a professional and plumbing work, eg a vanity unit. Alternatively, free-standing bathroom furniture is simply placed in the room and can be moved elsewhere in the house when required, eg a tallboy cabinet. In this section, we’ll run through the main types of bathroom furniture.
Under Sinks
Under sinks are cabinets that slot underneath a pedestal basin, allowing for extra storage. No installation is required, and they are a quick and easy way to add under-sink storage to a bathroom.
SHOP NOWVanity Units
Vanity units are cabinets that sit flush with the sink installed on the top. This simple definition hides a multitude of designs and configurations. They can be wall-hung or floor-standing and include drawers, doors, internal or external shelving. As they involve plumbing, they need to be installed by a professional, but they use space efficiently, give your bathroom a stylish ‘built in’ look, and are a great way to hide unsightly pipes.
SHOP NOWTallboy Storage Units
Popular with those who have smaller bathrooms and need to maximise the space, a tallboy offers storage, in the form of shelves and cupboards from ‘floor to the ceiling’. They can be free-standing or wall-mounted and are perfect for storing things such as extra towels, toilet rolls or toiletries.
SHOP NOWCabinets
Cabinets are a great storage option as they usually come with doors so the contents can be kept private. They come in a vast selection of styles, shapes and sizes, including wider console cabinets with doors, drawers and shelving, illuminated designs, medicine cabinets and mirrored styles.
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Wall cabinets tend to be installed over a washbasin so that they don’t take up any floor space. They are perfect for storing toiletries, and can be mirrored or non-mirrored, depending on your preference.
SHOP NOWLadder Shelving
If you’d like to store your bathroom items but also display them, ladder shelving is the perfect, versatile option. Ladder shelving designs come in both straight and corner formats so you can always find something that fits your space.
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Learn More About the Materials We Use
When choosing bathroom furniture, it’s important to consider materials that can withstand moisture and humidity. We carefully select and test materials to make sure they perform well in moist and humid conditions to ensure durability and long-lasting performance. Here’s what you need to know about the materials we use:
Material Details Water-Resistant Finishes Natural materials and painted surfaces are sealed with a water-resistant PU finish to protect against moisture. Metal Components All metal parts are made from corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel or aluminum for long-term durability. Wooden Components Solid wood and veneers are chosen specifically for bathroom use. They are designed to resist moisture-related warping or swelling but should be kept free of standing water. MDF Moisture-resistant MDF is used where possible and is fully sealed on all sides and edges to prevent water damage.
Under Sink Vs Vanity Unit
Compare the features of under sink cabinets and vanity units to decide which suits your bathroom needs better.
Feature Under Sink Vanity Unit Design Arched cut out to allow cabinet to fit around the base of pedestal basins Sits flush with the basin to provide a seamless look Installation No installation required Requires a 70-80cm waste pipe hole and a professional to install due to some plumbing work needed Plumbing Work No plumbing work needed Hides pipes and plumbing work Storage Great for creating additional storage space Great for creating additional storage space Weight and Size Lighter and more compact than vanity units 75-80cm in height to allow your basin to sit flush to the unit Additional Features --- Some vanity units include a basin (always check the product description). Dunelm's range do not include tap holes so you have the freedom to choose what type of tap you would like.