— Design guide · Trends · Inspiration
Bathroom renovation: design ideas for South London homes.
What’s working in 2026 bathrooms — wet rooms, period restorations, smart heating, and finishes that hold their value for a decade.
Two decades of bathroom renovations across South London — from Kensington mansion flats and Pimlico townhouses to family homes in Wimbledon, Bromley and Croydon. This is what we’ve learned about what works, what lasts, and what’ll still look right in ten years. For our full project gallery and pricing, see our bathrooms projects.
— What’s working in 2026
Three bathroom trends that actually last.
Most “bathroom trends” articles list fads that’ll date within five years. These three have proven themselves across hundreds of South London renovations — they look right, they hold their value, they don’t go out of style.
Wet rooms and walk-in showers
Frameless glass, tanked floors, rainfall heads, integrated drainage. Looks contemporary, works for ageing-in-place, increases property value in Kensington and Chelsea mansion flats. We tank to BS 5385 standard with 10-year waterproofing guarantee.
Period restorations done right
Encaustic Victorian-pattern floors, freestanding clawfoot baths, traditional chrome and brass fittings, panelled walls. Sympathetic to period properties in Dulwich, Pimlico, and conservation streets in Wimbledon — but with modern plumbing behind the walls.
Underfloor heating and heated towel rails
Wet underfloor heating (preferred for new bathrooms) or electric mat (for retrofits) — combined with thermostatic-controlled heated towel rails. Cuts cold-floor mornings, dries towels properly, reduces condensation. Adds £1,200-£2,500 to typical bathroom budget.
— Match your home
Design ideas matched to your property.
South London’s housing stock is one of the most varied in the UK — Victorian terraces, Edwardian mansion flats, 1930s semis, Georgian townhouses, modern apartments. Each calls for a different design approach. Get it wrong and the bathroom feels jarring against the rest of the house.
Victorian terraces · Wimbledon, Wandsworth, Dulwich
Encaustic floor tiles, freestanding cast iron bath, traditional chrome lever taps, panelled bath surround, brushed chrome heated towel rail. Period-appropriate sanitaryware (Burlington, Lefroy Brooks) with modern plumbing concealed behind the panelling.
Mansion flats · Kensington, Chelsea, South Kensington
Marble or porcelain large-format tiling, frameless walk-in shower, floating vanity with marble top, brushed brass or polished nickel fittings, integrated mirror cabinet with backlit LED. Considered, restrained, premium.
1930s semis · Croydon, Bromley, Beckenham
Practical family bathrooms with built-in bath, separate shower enclosure, floating vanity for storage, hardwearing porcelain floor, heated towel rail. Sensible specification that handles teenagers and toddlers without showing wear in five years.
Modern apartments · Battersea, Nine Elms, Wandsworth Town
Matte black or anthracite fittings, large-format porcelain in soft greys and warm whites, frameless glass screens, wall-hung WC with concealed cistern, indirect lighting. Clean, contemporary, designed to age well alongside the architecture.
— What it costs
Bathroom renovation costs in South London.
Honest budget bands based on the bathrooms we’ve actually built. Includes labour, sanitaryware, tiles, fittings, lighting, and finishing — VAT excluded. Add £2,000-£6,000 if moving the soil stack or significantly changing the layout.
All-in costs — labour, sanitaryware, tiles, fittings, finishes. VAT and structural changes separate.
→ See our full project gallery with detailed cost breakdowns
— Common questions
Frequently asked.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
Two to four weeks on site for most bathrooms. Compact bathrooms with existing layout retained can be done in 10-14 days. Wet rooms with structural changes and underfloor heating take three to four weeks. We give you a realistic timeline at quote stage.
What’s the difference between a wet room and a walk-in shower?
A wet room has the entire floor tanked and falls to a drain — no shower tray, no enclosure required. A walk-in shower sits within a glass enclosure or partial screen with a tray or formed floor. Wet rooms feel more spacious and modern but cost more (typically £2,000-£4,000 more) due to the tanking and floor falls.
Do I need planning permission for bathroom changes?
Almost never. Internal bathroom renovations fall under permitted development for most properties. Building Regs apply if you’re changing electrics (Part P), moving sanitaryware (Part G), structural changes. Listed buildings require Listed Building Consent for almost anything — including internal changes to original features.
What underfloor heating works best in bathrooms?
For new bathrooms with a renewed floor build-up, wet underfloor heating (warm water through pipes) is more efficient and lasts longer. For retrofits without disturbing the floor much, electric heating mats are cheaper to install but slightly more expensive to run. Both work brilliantly under porcelain tiles — not great under timber.
Will my bathroom add value to my property?
A well-built bathroom in keeping with the property style usually pays back its cost on resale — sometimes more in higher-value markets like Kensington and Chelsea. Overspecification (£25k bathroom in a £400k flat) doesn’t pay back proportionally. We’ll talk through what makes sense for your property and area at the quote stage.
— Ready to plan your bathroom
Let’s talk about your bathroom.
Free site visit and detailed fixed-price quote within 48 hours. Browse our project gallery to see how we work, or read what clients say on Trustpilot.
— Bathrooms across South London
Bathroom renovations by neighbourhood.
Every borough has different building stock, planning rules, and bathroom challenges.
Bathrooms in Kensington & Chelsea · Richmond upon Thames · Wandsworth · Wimbledon · Croydon · Purley & Kenley · Banstead · Beckenham · Bromley
Related services: Our bathrooms gallery · Full property refurbishment · Plumbing & heating · Flooring installation