Buyer's Guide

  Key Factors to Consider When Buying a Bathroom Mirror Cabinet   Size and Space The first step in choosing a bathroom mirror cabinet is determining the size that fits your space. Measure the area where you plan to install the cabinet, considering the width, height, and depth. Storage is always at a premium in the bathroom, so it’s advisable to opt for the largest cabinet that your space can accommodate. A common practice is to match the width of the cabinet to the vanity unit below it, giving the area a balanced and cohesive look. Storage Needs Think about what items you need to store in the cabinet, such as toiletries, medications, and grooming tools. It’s also important to consider how many of you will be using this storage space - is it a bathroom just for you? Or will a family of four be using it? Different cabinets offer varying configurations of shelves, drawers, and compartments, so choose one that provides sufficient and organised storage space for your needs. Style and Aesthetics Your bathroom mirror cabinet should complement the overall style of your bathroom. Whether you prefer a modern, minimalist look or a more traditional design, there are plenty of options available. For example, modern bathroom mirrors are often sleek, with straight lines and backlights - this might not go well if you have a more Victorian theme. Consider the finish, colour, and design details to make sure that the cabinet fits in with your bathroom's decor. Material and Build Quality The material and build quality of the cabinet are important for durability and longevity. Common materials include wood, metal, and high-quality plastics. Look for cabinets with sturdy construction and finishes that can withstand the humid environment of a bathroom. Additional Features Modern bathroom mirror cabinets often come with additional features that improve functionality. Built-in lighting is fantastic for grooming, while shaver sockets and other built-in utilities add convenience. Steam-free mirrors with anti-fog technology make sure you have full visibility even after a hot shower. Key Features to Look For Lighting Look for cabinets with built-in LED lights, which provide bright and even illumination, ideal for tasks like shaving or applying makeup. It also gives the cabinet a real luxurious look, something you’ll often see in 5* hotels. Anti-Fog Technology Anti-fog technology prevents the mirror from steaming up, making sure you have a clear reflection even after a hot shower. This feature is really useful in bathrooms without good ventilation. Storage Configuration Look for a combination of shelves, drawers, and compartments that suit your needs. Adjustable shelves give you flexibility for storing items of different sizes, while dedicated compartments can help keep smaller items organised. Especially useful if you have children that aren’t the most organised just yet! Ease of Installation The installation process is another key consideration. Wall-mounted cabinets are the most common and can be relatively easy to install. Recessed cabinets, which are built into the wall, provide a sleek and streamlined look but may require professional installation. Ultimately, when selecting the best bathroom mirror cabinet, it's essential to consider factors such as size, storage needs, style, material, and additional features like lighting and anti-fog technology.  34 St John offers a range of high-quality mirror cabinets that excel in all these aspects. Our bathroom mirror cabinets, including steam-free mirrors and built-in LED lighting, provide ample storage space and sleek, modern designs that can seamlessly integrate into any bathroom decor. Explore the collection to find the perfect mirror cabinet that combines functionality with sophisticated design, ensuring your bathroom is both practical and stylish.

This buyer’s guide will cover everything you need to know about choosing the ideal bathtub for your home. The different types of bath Let’s explore the qualities of luxurious Freestanding Baths and long-lasting Steel Bathtubs –  the two most popular types of bathtub today. Freestanding baths They may be inspired by a classic design, but freestanding baths are the ultimate focal point for the modern bathroom. Beautiful, sophisticated and the height of affordable luxury, freestanding baths make a statement in every bathroom. And they come with many other benefits beyond their looks.  Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, freestanding baths are flexible to your needs and the needs of your bathroom.  Installing a Freestanding Bath Freestanding baths can be very easy to install compared with built-in tubs – so long as the plumbing doesn’t need to be repositioned – but they’re also heavy, and so it’s very important that you make sure your bathroom floor is able to withstand the weight of the bathtub. That said, our range of freestanding baths weigh 30 per cent less than standard Stone baths At 34 St John, our entire range of freestanding baths are solid stone, made with resins from organic, rapidly renewing cultures – enabling a 30% weight reduction that cuts carbon emissions during transportation.  Stone is the perfect material choice: durable and low maintenance, it helps to create baths that are extremely hard-wearing, long lasting, smooth to touch and naturally warm – preserving water heat 12 times longer than conventional methods.   Stone also comes with acoustic benefits – reducing water noise to create a gentler, more soothing bathing experience.  View our collection of stunning solid stone freestanding baths. Steel baths  Popular for their heat conductivity, durability, easy maintenance and much more, Steel Baths provide a dependable and classically beautiful aesthetic that’s hard to resist.   Made from steel metal that’s often coated with ceramic or porcelain, steel bathtubs will bring class and sophistication to your bathroom for decades. Steel Vs Acrylic Baths Compared with acrylic – another common material used to create bathtubs – steel can gain heat faster and retain the heat for longer, ensuring that bath water stays warm. Steel’s other key property is its toughness, which helps to ensure the long-lasting durability of steel bathtubs. Cleaning Steel Baths Steel baths are easy and straightforward to clean, providing an unfriendly environment for mould, bacteria and other unwelcome guests, and ensuring that limescale creates very few problems. The glazing on our range of steel bathtubs makes them extra resistant to dirt and bacteria.  By being a natural raw material, steel is completely recyclable, which means your steel tub can be given a second life once its use finally comes to an end. Installing a Steel Bath  Installing a steel bathtub requires the same process as any other fitted bathtub. The process, however, does change in complexity depending on whether you’re directly replacing an old bathtub or not. Replacing an old bathtub is typically straightforward as the plumbing and pipework shouldn’t require any major alterations.  At 34 St John, our range of titanium steel bathtubs are coated with a wafer-thin layer of glaze, which helps to enhance many of the steel bath’s standard benefits.   The protective glaze makes the bath’s surface harder than marble, plastic and steel alone – creating a strong resistance to chips and scratches – and also fireproof and non-flammable.   When it comes to maintenance, the glazing makes our range of steel bathtubs extra resistant to dirt and bacteria, and damage caused by cosmetics and bath additives.   Explore 34 St Johns range of premium glazed titanium steel bathtubs.  Single-ended vs double-ended baths A big part of choosing the perfect bath for your bathroom is deciding whether you need a single-ended or double-ended bath.  The main difference between the two is the positioning of the taps and bath waste. With single-ended baths, the taps, drain and overflow are all at one end of the bath, and the other end is shaped and sloped for comfort. Double-ended baths, on the other hand, feature all three in the centre of the tub, with both ends sloped to accommodate up to two bathers at one time.  The stylistic differences between the two lead to changes in how they are used. While single-ended baths work best for single bathers, double-ended tubs can accommodate two people at once, and provide a single bather with the flexibility to comfortably recline into either end of the bathtub.  What else you need to know when buying a bath Bath taps Bath taps are the finishing touch to the bathtub of your dreams, which is why it’s vital that you find the perfect fit.  Choose between attention-grabbing Freestanding Bath Mixer Taps designed specifically for freestanding baths, and design-focused Bath Filler Taps popular for their simple, minimalist style.   Freestanding bath wastes Freestanding Bath Wastes are specially designed for the style and needs of freestanding bathtubs.   As with any bath or basin waste, a freestanding bath waste is an essential plumbing fixture. It enables water to leave the bathtub through both the plug hole and the overflow, and does so by connecting the bathtub to the drain pipe.  You’ll often find that this plumbing is visible with freestanding baths – even sometimes used as a design feature. What size bath for two people? A double-ended bath should be at least 1700mm long and 750mm wide for comfortable use by two people. For luxurious bathing, consider 1800mm x 800mm dimensions.  What is the most common bath size? The standard British bath size is 1700mm length x 700mm width. This represents the most commonly fitted size in residential properties and suits most bathroom layouts. What is the best bath for a small space? Space-saving options include: Corner baths (typically 1500mm x 1000mm) Compact freestanding baths (1500mm length) Back-to-wall baths that maximise floor space P-shaped shower baths that combine bathing and showering functions Do you need a plumber to fit a bath? Yes, a qualified plumber is essential for bath fitting. They ensure: Proper connection to water supply and waste pipes Correct sealing and waterproofing Compliance with building regulations Safe fitting of taps and overflow systems Prevention of potential leaks and water damage