Most homes these days have a bathroom unlike in the fifties when Sunday night was bath night in an old tin bath in the kitchen.   Everyone had their bath the same night and that was that for the whole week.   Nowadays we are lucky to say the least with the ability to have a bath just about whenever we want one.  It means more cleaning to be done but well worth it. 

Maintenance and cleanliness of the bathroom is important for obvious reasons but in time items will need replacing and it may be worth considering an overhaul of the entire room.

You may be lucky enough to be building your own bathroom.  If you are then firstly consider quality tiling which will help keep the algae away from the bathroom and make for easier cleaning. 

Your choice for a bath is considerable with Cast Iron, Steel, Stone Resin and even acrylic materials available.  There are advantages and disadvantages to all of them of course.   Some are strong but expensive; others are subject to the heat fading too quickly.  The Acrylic baths are cheaper and hard wearing but do sound hollow.  You should take time to look though the entire portfolio before reaching a decision.

A package deal of washbasin, toilet, bidet and bath is the norm but you may be considering just the replacement of one individual item which would mean getting an exact match to the rest.   Whether it is a single piece or an entire suite don’t forget to include the taps in the budget.  They can cost several pounds and it is worth getting the best your pocket can afford.   Space may prevent the inclusion of a bidet but the sink again needs an area around it especially if it is used for shaving, washing and hair washing. 

If you are building or re-building from scratch then why not consider a shower instead of a bath.  Many people of a mature age find it more and more difficult to enter a bath but should be able to cope with a shower.  There are of course nowadays types of walk-in baths but these are quite costly and anyone who is on a tight budget simply cannot include these in their estimations.

The expense is also a consideration when it comes to the fitting.  If you are an expert in DIY, or have a friend that way inclined then all well and good.  However we are not all blessed with the relevant abilities so professional help has to be sought.  Make sure you call on a fully qualified builder/plumber and ask for references if they are unknown to you or your family.

Rob Stone writes many articles on Home Improvement from Interior Design to DIY Construction such as Lean To Conservatories.