The kbb Birmingham is the biggest exhibition of kitchen, bedrooms and bathroom brands and takes place from the 2^nd to the 5^th of March at the NEC Birmingham. Here at UK Bathrooms we are very excited to visit the exhibition and see all the latest developments in kbb, see new design ideas and discover new wonderful brands, to bring back to our customers.

There are over 300 brands at the kbb Birmingham showcasing thousands of products, we will be able to see where bathroom design and technology will be going over the next few years and what innovations we can expect to come. Some top brands including Ideal Standard, Roca, Pura will be showcasing their products from showers to baths and bathroom furniture, with everything else in between.

Highlights of the exhibition include free seminar programmes covering topics such as consumers, online sales, retailer and supplier relationships and intellectual property as well as design trends plus many, many more. Subjects which cover many retailers such as ourselves which will be a beneficial learning opportunity.

Kbb also have innovation awards, exhibitors choose their most innovative product, and these will then be considered for the award and judged with winners being announced on the first day. There will also be the kbbreview Awards which is marking its 20^th anniversary. The awards will be celebrating he very best kitchen and bathroom retailers and designers the industry has to offer. Plus a special mention to Jean-Christophe Novelli who will be cooking up a storm on stone.

Sending a seasonal offer for our social media followers. Head over to our Facebook page and like us Follow us on Twitter Follow our Pinterest page And you can save 5% off your next order, just in time for Christmas with the code 5%FRIEND

Recently we researched the buying habits of our customers, here at UK Bathrooms. We noticed the trend when buying a new bathroom suite was that many people opted for shower enclosures rather than bath tubs. In the past 12 months we have seen a 54% decrease in bath orders whilst at the same time a 72% increase in shower enclosures. More information on our study can be found here at; Death of the British Bath.

Small bathroom with shower over bath

As we are living increasingly busy lives, the opportunity to relax and have a nice hot bath have disappeared. Instead we look to clean ourselves as quickly and as easily as possible. This coupled with the fact that people are constantly short of space in their houses, especially new builds, it makes sense to fit a space saving shower cubical rather than a bath. This means not only do you clean quicker it’s you also have more space.

Small bathroom with a space saving shower enclosure

Many people who bought a shower enclosure or walk in showers from us said that they chose this option over buying a new bath with a shower over because of the space saved and the time saved showering. However this was something they only considered when re-modelling their bathroom. With many happy to stick with a shower over a bath until they could afford to make changes.

Wet room bathroom also works in small spaces

Shower cubicles, shower enclosures, walk in showers and wet rooms are available at UK Bathrooms. Each can fit small and unique spaces, coming in a range of sizes and styles so there is something to suit yours and your family’s needs and the space you have. We also specialise in en-suite bathrooms, where many people choose to fit a shower instead of a bath due to size constraints of these added rooms. We also have a wonderful range of baths, if you still like the option of taking a bath.

On this week’s episode are Colin Mackinnon and Marta Briongos, who are building their dream home in Strathaven, Scotland on their own airfield. Colin Mackinnon is a flying instructor and a flying enthusiast and his partner Marta is a trapeze artist. They have been granted permission to build a home at their airfield, where they run their business.

It’s quite an ambitious plan, which sees them building a metal sculpted house which will be next to the runway which is inspired by the hangers there. Because of the weather in the area which is prone to very strong winds, the house needs to be designed taking this into consideration. The house is being designed by Scotland’s most eminent architects.

Unfortunately the couple suffer a number of setbacks as they face a number of setbacks a lot of which is due to the horrendous weather they faced when they started the project. The couple hoped to get the house built in a year but as with all projects, it doesn’t work out that way and takes nearly three years.

Unfortunately due to money issues reliant on payment from an insurance company, the couple were unable to complete all of their home, so although the main rooms were in place and basically furnished there were still areas they were waiting on to complete. However we did get a glimpse of their ultra-modern kitchen. The simple design was set off by a brilliant red countertop and super stylish taps. You can see the Francis Pegler Panacea Kitchen Mixer Tap, Rangemaster Quadrant Single Lever Kitchen Mixer Tap and Francis Pegler Marina Single Lever Sink Mixer at our sister website UK Kitchens.

For more Grand Designs Inspiration, check out our Pinterest Featured on: Grand Designs board.

There are lists for everything and when it comes to bucket lists, you know things can get crazy. California Home Design compiled a list of the 50 Places to Pee Before You Die, their lists includes public and private toilets/bathrooms/privy.

There are some famous celebrities whose porcelain (or gold) thrones feature on the list including: designer Donatella Versace’s decadent bathroom in Milan, Hip Hop Legend Russell Simmons’s WC in New Jersey and Sir Richard Branson out door toilet, on Necker Island, British Virgin Islands.

Many luxury hotels also feature heavily on the list although the price tag on many of the suites where you will find these amazing toilets will probably mean you will have to spend more than a penny to use them!

Even London gets a look in which is lucky as the UK is widely credited with the invention The London Shard features with its fantastic views from the 68th floor out across London and its modern design featuring a minimalist designed dual flush plates from Geberit. London’s Pop-Up Urinals also made the list, these were installed as a way to stop people peeing in the street or down alleyways and bushes.

There are also a number of other special public toilets including the confusing One-Way-Glass Toilet, Houston, looking out it looks like everyone will be able to see you going about your business. However it’s made from one way glass so none can actually see you peeing! Bryant Park bathroom, in New York also feature, the old marble toilets add a bit of luxury and old school elegance to the activity.

So if you’re not sure what to add to your bucket list why not add a few of these latrines!

The use of toilet macerators in the home has greatly increased the flexibility of installing toilets where it would not have been possible without the macerator. Other items such a showers, washing machines en-suite rooms can all use a macerator where it would not have been possible to have these. For example, loft conversions and basements are prime examples of how items installed and no connection to the main sewerage system can now be enjoyed.

Assuming that you wish to have a toilet in a basement area or in an under stairs cupboard, adding that en-suite a macerator can be a great way to do this without having to do lots of expensive plumbing work, even when these areas are on the other side of the house to your waste pipe; so what then is a macerator?

A macerator is a small box that uses rotating blades to chew up waste reducing it into small enough pieces for it to comfortably fit through your normal pipe work and will pump it away to prevent it sitting around causing unpleasant smells. It can be used to pump away water from your shower or sink in these areas as well. The pump within the unit will force the waste to your soil stack to allow it to drain away in the same way your regular toilet does. Generally the pipe work can be hidden in the floor space and will not be intrusive. A macerator will need to have an electrical supply for the blades and the pump. A qualified electrical installer will need to do this for you.

By the clever use of a recess in your bathroom or en-suite, it is possible to have a top of the range shower unit without the expense of stretching to a full shower enclosure. The Simpson classic frameless shower door will provide a shower unit which will do justice to your beautiful home, in keeping with all your best bathroom products.

Simpsons is well known in UK for manufacturing high quality bathroom products and this stunning modern frameless shower door is no exception. Available in three sizes, 1000mm with 700mm door, 1100mm with 800mm door, or 1200mm with 900mm door all manufactured using 8mm safety glass, with silver finish fittings. The door carries a lifetime guarantee and is power shower proof. A choice of shower units and trays suitable for your recessed enclosure is available at the comprehensive pages of our website.

If you want a walk in shower panel that is the favourite of top specifiers and architects take a look through Simpsons Bathroom range and we are sure that you would not be disappointed as these lifetimes guaranteed products’ offer stunning panels that will make your bathroom stand out and give a wow factor in your bathroom.

The Ten range is giving you the latest luxurious concept in 10mm frameless glass showering, and with the precision finish and modern minimalist detailing there is no wonder that this collection is now the preferred choice of many architects and designers. With 10mm toughened glass, a height of 2000mm with ClearShield incorporated and the lifetime guarantee, the Simpson shower panel will be a hit in your home.