Bathroom Renovation in London
En-suites, family bathrooms, wet rooms and cloakrooms designed around the measured room, waterproofing, drainage and the way the space will be used. Joinery, tiling, plumbing and extraction are coordinated before strip-out, then installed as one sequence.
Reviewed
Bathroom Design for London Living
A bathroom is the most intensively designed room in any house — more fixtures per square metre, more complex plumbing, more demanding waterproofing and more material decisions than any other space. In a London period home, the challenges multiply: cast-iron soil stacks that can't be moved, floor joists that need strengthening for a stone bath, ceiling heights that constrain shower enclosures and existing plumbing routes that dictate waste positions.
Our dedicated bathroom designers understand these constraints intimately because they work alongside our plumbers, tilers and structural engineers every day. They design bathrooms that are not only beautiful but buildable — resolving drainage falls, concealed cistern depths, valve positions and tile layout geometry before a single pipe is cut. The result is a bathroom that looks effortless but is engineered with precision.
We offer three specification tiers — Essential, Premium and Luxury — each with a clear price range and a defined level of sanitary ware, brassware, tiling and fixtures. Within every tier, the design is fully bespoke: layout, tile selections, sanitaryware brands, brassware finishes, lighting, mirror positions and storage are all tailored to your space, your preferences and your daily routine.
Every bathroom is designed in photorealistic 3D before construction starts, so you see exactly how your tile, grout colour, brassware finish and lighting work together. Changes are free at this stage — and costly once tiling begins. This is why we invest heavily in the design phase: it protects your budget and guarantees the finished result matches your expectations.
Bathroom work from published London projects
These photographs are cropped from images already published on their named project records. They show the bathrooms recorded there, not catalogue samples.
Every Bathroom, Beautifully Done
From a compact cloakroom WC to a hotel-standard master en-suite — we design and build every bathroom type that London homes demand.
Family Bathroom
Full-size bathroom with bath, separate shower, WC, basin and storage. The centrepiece of most London homes.
En-Suite
Shower room adjacent to the bedroom — walk-in shower, wall-hung WC, vanity basin and heated towel rail. Compact but complete.
Wet Room
Fully tanked level-access shower room with gradient floor to a linear drain. Sleek, minimal and accessible — ideal for loft en-suites and contemporary interiors.
Cloakroom / WC
Compact ground-floor WC with basin, vanity and feature tiling. Small space, big impact — often the first bathroom visitors see.
Small Bathroom Solutions
Most London bathrooms are compact. Clever design makes the difference between a cramped space and one that feels generous and considered.
Wall-Hung Sanitaryware
Wall-hung WCs and basins float above the floor, exposing the tiles beneath and creating a visual sense of space. The concealed cistern and waste pipes sit inside a slim furniture unit or stud wall. The floor is easier to clean and the room feels significantly more open — the single most effective upgrade for a small bathroom.
Walk-In Shower vs Bath
In bathrooms under 5 square metres, replacing the bath with a walk-in shower reclaims substantial floor area. A frameless glass screen keeps the room open and light-filled. If you need a bath (for young children or resale value), consider a compact 1500mm bath rather than a standard 1700mm — the 200mm saved can accommodate a separate shower area.
Pocket & Sliding Doors
A standard bathroom door swings into the room, consuming approximately 0.8 square metres of usable space. A pocket door slides into the wall cavity, reclaiming every millimetre. Sliding barn-style doors are an alternative where the wall construction does not allow a pocket. This is one of the cheapest yet most impactful changes for a small bathroom layout.
Large Format Tiles
Counter-intuitively, larger tiles (600x600mm or 600x1200mm) make small rooms feel bigger because there are fewer grout lines breaking up the surfaces. Fewer joints also mean less maintenance. Continuing the same tile from floor to wall creates a seamless, uncluttered aesthetic that visually expands the space.
Recessed Niches
Built into the shower wall during construction, recessed niches replace bulky shelving and caddies. They sit flush with the tile surface, keep shampoo bottles tidy and eliminate the visual clutter that makes small bathrooms feel cramped. We typically recommend one or two niches per shower, sized to match the tile module for a clean, integrated finish.
Heated Towel Rails
A heated towel rail replaces the need for a separate radiator, freeing wall and floor space. Modern dual-fuel rails work with the central heating in winter and independently via an electric element in summer. Choose a ladder-style rail wide enough to hold at least two bath towels — typically 500mm wide minimum for a small bathroom.
Wet Room Technical Guide
A wet room is more than a shower without a tray. It requires specialist waterproofing, precise gradient engineering and compliant drainage. Here is what is involved.
Building a Proper Wet Room
What defines a wet room: A wet room is a bathroom where the entire floor area is waterproofed (tanked) and the shower drains directly into a floor-level drain — there is no shower tray, step or enclosure. Unlike a walk-in shower (which has a tray recessed into the floor), a wet room has a continuous tiled floor with a gradient that directs water to the drain. The result is a sleek, level-access space that is both visually minimal and fully accessible.
Tanking requirements: The entire floor and at least 100mm up each wall must be coated with a liquid-applied or sheet tanking membrane conforming to BS 5385 (the British Standard for wall and floor tiling). We use Schluter DITRA or Mapei Mapelastic, both of which create a continuous, bonded waterproof barrier. All joints, corners and pipe penetrations receive reinforcing tape or collars. The tanking is tested for 24 hours before any tiling begins.
Fall and gradient: The floor must slope toward the drain at a minimum gradient of 1:80 (approximately 12.5mm per metre). This is achieved using a pre-formed gradient tray or a sand-and-cement screed laid to falls. The gradient zone typically extends 1–1.5 metres from the drain; the rest of the floor can be level. Incorrect gradients cause pooling — the most common wet room defect.
Drainage options: A linear (channel) drain sits along one wall and allows large-format tiles to be laid with a single-direction fall — the cleanest aesthetic. A point (centre) drain is cheaper but requires the floor to slope from all four directions, which means cutting tiles into triangles. We recommend linear drains for all new wet rooms. Minimum drain capacity: 0.8 litres per second for a standard shower.
Suitable flooring: Porcelain tiles (minimum R10 slip rating), natural stone (honed, not polished), vinyl sheet and micro-cement are all suitable. Avoid polished porcelain, large-format polished stone and any material with a smooth, glazed finish — these become dangerously slippery when wet. We specify materials with tested slip resistance for every wet room project.
Building regulations: Wet rooms on upper floors require additional attention to waterproofing and floor structure. The floor must be rigid enough to prevent tile cracking (no deflection under load) and the tanking must prevent any water reaching the ceiling below. We check floor joist sizes and install plywood overlay where needed to achieve the required rigidity.
Accessibility & Aging in Place
A well-designed bathroom serves you for decades. These features ensure comfort and safety now — and independence as you age.
Level-Access Shower Entry
A step-free threshold eliminates the trip hazard of a traditional shower tray. Whether wet room or flush-deck tray, the entry is at the same level as the surrounding floor. This is essential for wheelchair users but beneficial for everyone — from toddlers to anyone carrying a heavy towel basket. Building regulations now recommend level access for all new bathrooms.
Grab Rails & Support Bars
Strategically placed grab rails near the WC, in the shower and beside the bath provide support without looking clinical. Modern manufacturers produce rails in brushed brass, matt black and polished chrome that match contemporary brassware ranges. We install concealed timber blocking behind tiles during construction so rails can be added at any point in the future without replastering.
Non-Slip Flooring
Bathroom floors must be slip-resistant when wet. We specify tiles with a minimum R10 anti-slip rating (R11 or R12 for wet rooms and shower areas). Textured porcelain, honed natural stone and micro-cement all provide excellent grip without the institutional appearance of heavily textured surfaces. Slip-resistance testing certificates are available for every tile we specify.
Thermostatic Controls
Thermostatic shower valves and basin mixers maintain a constant water temperature and prevent scalding — particularly important for children and elderly users. All our shower installations use thermostatic valves with a maximum temperature stop (typically 38°C). These are a building regulations requirement for new installations and a safety essential for every household.
Raised WC Heights
Standard WC pan height is 400mm; comfort-height models sit at 450–460mm, making sitting down and standing up significantly easier for taller users and anyone with reduced mobility. Wall-hung WCs can be installed at any height, offering complete flexibility. We discuss the ideal height with every client during the design phase.
Contrast Between Fixtures & Walls
For users with visual impairment, colour contrast between the sanitaryware and the wall or floor tiles is essential for safe navigation. A white WC against a dark tile, or a dark vanity against a light wall, provides the visual cues that prevent collisions and falls. Good contrast also happens to create more visually striking bathroom designs — accessibility and aesthetics align perfectly.
Bathroom Tile Material Comparison
Choosing the right tile material affects durability, maintenance, slip resistance and cost. Here is how the most popular options compare.
| Material | Cost/m² | Durability | Maintenance | Water Resistance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain | £25–£80 | Excellent | Very Low | Excellent | Floors, walls, wet rooms — the all-round choice |
| Ceramic | £15–£50 | Good | Low | Good | Walls only — softer than porcelain, not ideal for floors |
| Natural Stone | £60–£200 | Excellent | Medium | Good (if sealed) | Luxury bathrooms — marble, limestone, travertine |
| Large Format (1200x600+) | £40–£120 | Excellent | Very Low | Excellent | Modern, minimal bathrooms — fewer grout lines |
| Mosaic | £50–£150 | Good | Higher | Good | Feature walls, niches, shower floors — adds texture |
| Terrazzo | £80–£250 | Excellent | Low | Excellent | Statement bathrooms — distinctive aggregate pattern |
Costs are guide prices for supply only — installation adds approximately £40–£80 per square metre depending on tile size and complexity. Natural stone requires sealing before grouting and periodic resealing (typically annually). We source all materials through trade accounts, passing savings of 20–30% below retail directly to our clients.
From Brief to First Shower
A structured design-and-build process that eliminates guesswork and protects your budget.
Survey, Brief & Design
We measure the existing bathroom, photograph it from every angle, check the plumbing routes (waste positions, water supply, soil stack location) and assess the floor structure for underfloor heating and any stone-bath loading requirements. We discuss your brief — shower vs bath preference, storage needs, aesthetic direction, must-have brands or finishes — and produce a 3D concept design with two to three layout options. Materials are selected from physical samples at our Finchley Road studio.
Strip-Out & First Fix
Existing bathroom stripped out — old tiles, sanitary ware, plumbing and flooring removed. Walls checked for damp and repaired where needed. New plumbing roughed in to the exact positions specified in the design: hot and cold feeds, waste connections, shower valve position, toilet waste and underfloor heating loops. Electrical first fix for lighting circuits, heated mirror, extractor fan and any shaver sockets. For wet rooms, the tanking membrane is applied and tested before tiling begins.
Tiling & Installation
Our specialist tilers lay the wall and floor tiles — whether that's large-format porcelain, handmade Zellige, marble mosaics or encaustic cement tiles. Tile cuts around valves, niches and corners are precise and consistent. Sanitary ware installed: wall-hung WC with concealed cistern, basin on vanity or wall-mounted, bath (freestanding or built-in) and shower enclosure or wet room screen. Brassware fitted — shower valves, taps, towel rails and accessories.
Second Fix & Handover
Light fittings, mirrors, glass screens, towel rails, toilet roll holders and all accessories fitted. Silicone sealing around baths, showers and basins. Underfloor heating commissioned and tested. Full clean, snag inspection and client walkthrough. We hand over with all product warranties, care guides (particularly for natural stone) and a 12-month defects liability guarantee.
Transparent Pricing
Guide prices for complete bathroom renovations in London. All tiers include design, plumbing, electrics, tiling, sanitary ware, brassware and accessories.
Quality Foundations
- Roca or Ideal Standard sanitary ware
- Chrome brassware
- Porcelain or ceramic tiling
- Thermostatic shower valve
- Electric underfloor heating
- Full plumbing & electrics
Most Popular
- Duravit, V&B or Crosswater
- Brushed brass or matt black brassware
- Large-format porcelain or Zellige
- Concealed digital shower system
- Freestanding bath or walk-in shower
- Bespoke vanity & storage
Hotel Standard
- Bespoke or designer sanitary ware
- Natural stone or marble tiling
- Fluted glass, reeded stone, book-matched
- Steam shower or spa features
- Heated mirror & smart lighting
- Furniture-grade bespoke joinery
Why Our Bathrooms Are Different
What separates a Hampstead Renovations bathroom from a plumber with a catalogue.
3D Photorealistic Design
Every bathroom rendered in photorealistic 3D before work begins — see exactly how your tile, grout colour, brassware finish and lighting work together. Free changes at design stage prevent expensive changes on site.
Specialist Tiling Team
In-house tilers who work exclusively on bathrooms — not general builders who tile occasionally. Large-format porcelain, handmade Zellige, marble mosaics, micro-cement and encaustic cement tile, all laid with sub-millimetre precision.
Complete Fixed-Price
One price for design, all plumbing, electrics, tiling, sanitary ware, brassware, underfloor heating, accessories and decoration. Not a plumber's quote with tiles as an extra — the full bathroom, agreed before strip-out begins.
Trade Pricing on Sanitary Ware
Accounts with Duravit, Villeroy & Boch, Crosswater, Vitra, Hansgrohe, Axor, Aqualisa and more. Trade pricing passed directly to you — typically 20–30% below retail.
Underfloor Heating Standard
Electric underfloor heating installed beneath bathroom tiling on most projects — warm feet, no radiators, more wall space for beautiful tiling.
Wet Room Waterproofing
Full tanking systems installed and pressure-tested before tiling. Linear drains, gradient screeds and bonded membranes that guarantee a watertight wet room for decades.
Wall-Hung Everything
Wall-hung WC, wall-hung basin and floating vanity units as standard in our Premium and Luxury tiers — creating a clean, contemporary look that makes cleaning effortless.
Niche & Storage Design
Recessed shower niches, mirrored cabinets, under-vanity drawers and towel storage designed into the bathroom architecture — not bolted on as afterthoughts. Vanity and alcove storage can be made as bespoke joinery rather than catalogue units.
Period Bathroom Sensitivity
In Victorian and Georgian homes, we design bathrooms that respect ceiling heights, proportions and sightlines — using materials that acknowledge the property's heritage character.
Lighting Design
Layered bathroom lighting: recessed downlights, backlit mirrors, niche lighting and dimming circuits designed to create both bright task lighting and relaxing ambient mood.
Heated Towel Rails
Electric or wet-system heated towel rails specified as part of the design — positioned for maximum convenience and integrated with the heating controls.
Three bathroom layout approaches
Illustrative arrangements to discuss during design, not records of completed projects. The room dimensions, services and specification need to be checked for your home.
Bath and separate shower
Compare the bath and shower clearances, screen movement and route to the basin. Check the floor, drainage and hot-water supply before committing to the arrangement.
Compact wet-room arrangement
Resolve the floor build-up, drainage falls and waterproofing together. A level-access proposal depends on the existing construction and available drainage route.
Family bathroom with storage
Plan the shower-over-bath, basin and storage around the household’s needs. Allow access to valves and traps, and show how doors and drawers will open.
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Design-build support for bathroom renovation
Bathrooms are small rooms with dense technical risk: water, drainage, ventilation, lighting and finish tolerances all have to work together.
Hampstead Renovations coordinates bathroom renovations around waterproofing, falls, drainage, extraction, pipework, lighting zones, tiling set-out, storage, sanitaryware, accessibility where relevant and durable finish quality. We plan the build sequence before strip-out so hidden services, tanking, screeds, tile trims, niches, mirrors, underfloor heating and final fittings are resolved in the right order. Access, protection and cure times are planned so the finished room performs as well as it looks.
For proof across comparable projects, review our case studies. Bathroom work often forms part of a wider flat refurbishment or full refurbishment, where acoustic, access and programme control are just as important as the room itself. Vanity storage can be specified as bespoke joinery. To discuss specification, sequencing and budget, book a bathroom consultation.
Check bathroom proof before finishes are chosen
Bathroom case-study proof is useful because the best results depend on hidden decisions as much as visible finishes. Browse our case studies to understand how bathrooms are coordinated with waterproofing, drainage, ventilation, lighting, storage and the wider refurbishment sequence. That evidence helps you ask better questions before selecting tiles, brassware or sanitaryware: where will access panels sit, how will falls be formed, what needs tanking, and how does the room connect with adjacent floors and services? If you want to discuss a bathroom brief before stripping out, contact Hampstead Renovations with the current layout and the finish level you are considering.
Bathroom Renovation Questions
Common questions from London homeowners planning a bathroom renovation.
What should be decided before bathroom strip-out starts?
How do durable finishes and storage affect the design?
Can a bathroom be future-proofed without looking clinical?
How much does a bathroom renovation cost?
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
Can you move plumbing to a different position?
What is a wet room and do I need one?
Do you supply sanitary ware and taps?
Can I use the rest of the house during the renovation?
Can you add a bathroom where one doesn't exist?
Related Guides & Articles
What Our Clients Say
“I would like to thank Ross and his team for their consistent commitment to quality and their unerring reliability. They delivered our property to specification and on time, proving to be an extremely effective, experienced, and proactive contractor.”
“We have worked with Ross and his company many times. They are extremely professional and hardworking individuals who can work under any circumstances. There was no variation to the works.”
Prepare a bathroom room sheet before choosing finishes
A room sheet brings the layout, services and finish decisions into one place. Share it with the designer and installer, including anything that has not yet been surveyed or specified.
Record the existing room
Add dimensions, floor level, photographs, existing fittings and known drainage and extraction routes. Identify whether this is the home's only bathroom and what temporary arrangements are needed.
Coordinate the specification
List the proposed fittings, controls, lighting and finishes with their product references. Ask the appointed designer or installer to resolve floor construction, falls, waterproofing, ventilation and maintenance access as a coordinated design.
Agree the checks and handover
Record product lead times and the decisions needed before first fix. Agree what is inspected before covering work, who records those checks, and which commissioning and care information is handed over.
Book a Free Bathroom Consultation
Visit our studio to see tile displays, sanitary ware samples and brassware finishes — or invite us to survey your existing bathroom. We'll design, price and plan your new bathroom at no cost.
Free Bathroom Consultation
3D design, material selection and a fixed-price quotation — completely free and with no obligation.
Book Bathroom ConsultationBathroom renovation by region
Choose the regional hub for planning context, property types and local delivery routes.
Bathroom Renovation across London
The same design-build team delivers bathroom renovation in these prime London neighbourhoods — each guide covers the local planning picture, typical properties and costs:
Bathroom Renovation in North London →Bathroom Renovation in Central London →Bathroom Renovation in South West London →
Recent work from named London projects
Photographs linked to their published project records.
Planning work in West London?
Read the local bathroom renovation advice for Holland Park and Notting Hill and Notting Hill Gate. Send the full address and proposed scope when you enquire.