Looking for a bathroom renovation in Preston or South Ribble that still works in a tight footprint? Compact bathrooms are the awkward ones. You still want a clean, durable finish – without the room feeling smaller than it already is. On this job we stripped a dated, mismatched wet room and rebuilt it as a modern industrial space: marble-effect waterproof wall panels, a vertical wood-slat effect feature wall, and matte black fittings throughout.
You do not need a large floor plan to get a strong result. You need the right sequence, a sound wet-zone substrate, and finishes that earn their keep. This is a real Handyman Dom bathroom fitter Preston case study – not catalogue styling alone.
Before: what we started with
Before – dated full room (bath, toilet, mixed tiles). No finished sink in this section.
The original room mixed herringbone-pattern tiles, a patch of plain white tiles on dark paint, worn vinyl, and a busy layout. Classic “done in pieces over the years” look – hard to clean, hard to make feel intentional.
Strip-out – old tile adhesive dabs on the wall (not a finished sink).
Strip-out – exposed pipes and damaged plaster.
Strip-out – fixture removed, waste pipe and hammer on the floor.
During: first-fix, stud work and wet-zone boarding
A finish only looks “simple” if the first-fix is right. We opened the floor where needed for pipe runs, built a timber stud partition, and fixed water-resistant tile backing board to that frame before the shower went in.
Why not standard plasterboard in the shower? Moisture can bypass tiles and grout – or find its way past wall-panel joints. Ordinary gypsum cores then wet out, soften and degrade. In wet shower zones we use a water-resistant tile backing board on studs, not standard plasterboard.
During – timber studs and water-resistant tile backing board.
During – shower valve boarded in.
During – insulation / backer board on studs.
Why this order matters: panels and glass hide mistakes. Pipe positions, falls, and a dry, sealed substrate come first.
After: three design moves
After – finished corner (wood-slat wall, black towel rail, WC).
1. Marble-effect waterproof wall panels (MB Decor)
Large-format marble-effect waterproof wall panels from MB Decor give a stone look without a grid of grout lines that stain and harbour mould.
- Clean look – few joints; calm industrial texture
- Easier upkeep – wipe-clean face (follow the maker’s care advice)
- Visually bigger – unbroken planes calm a tight room
After – marble-effect panels and window.
After – matte black shower column.
After – shower enclosure with basin in view.
Panels still need a proper substrate – water-resistant tile backing board on a stud partition – and tanking at junctions where specified.
2. Wood-slat effect wall panels (Easy-Panels)
Behind the WC and heated towel rail we fitted vertical wood-slat effect wall panels from Easy-Panels.
- Contrast – warm timber look softens the marble-effect wet walls
- Height – vertical lines pull the eye up in a compact room
After – wood-slat wall and black towel rail.
3. Matte black sanitaryware and radiator (CHP Plumbing Supplies)
Shower, enclosure, basin, WC and heated towel radiator came from CHP Plumbing Supplies.
- Shower – multi-function matte black column
- Enclosure – black-trimmed glass shower screen
- Basin – waterfall-style matte black mixer on a white pedestal
- WC – modern white ceramic suite
- Radiator – matte black heated towel rail
- Mirror – circular black-rimmed glass
After – NEW sink with matte black tap (this photo belongs here only).
After – mirror and mixer detail.
The result
Dated ceramics, mixed paint and hard-to-clean junctions are gone. The client has a durable, easier-clean wet room that still feels warm – MB Decor marble-effect panels, Easy-Panels wood-slat effect, and CHP fittings throughout.
| Item | Supplier |
|---|---|
| Shower, enclosure, basin, WC, heated towel radiator | CHP Plumbing Supplies |
| Marble-effect waterproof wall panels | MB Decor |
| Wood-slat effect wall panels | Easy-Panels |
| Wet-zone substrate | Water-resistant tile backing board on timber stud partition (not standard plasterboard) |
Common pitfalls this job avoided
- Mistake: Standard plasterboard behind a shower. -> Fix: Water-resistant tile backing board on a stud partition.
- Mistake: Panelling over a damp or uneven wall. -> Fix: Strip, pack true, board, tank where required, then panel.
- Mistake: Mixing metal finishes. -> Fix: One metal finish language in a small room.
- Mistake: Asking your handyman to move a boiler or gas pipe. -> Fix: Always consult a Gas Safe Registered engineer.
Hire Handyman Dom (Preston and South Ribble)
Planning a bathroom refresh or compact replan? Handyman Dom is a qualified joiner and sole trader (ESTD 2021) with 36 years in construction – Preston, Penwortham, Leyland, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall, Longton, Fulwood and South Ribble.
£40 first hour | £25/hr after | £90 half day | £180 full day (materials extra).
No gas work. No main house roofing. Clear scope, clear pricing. More: FAQ.
FAQ
Are waterproof wall panels better than tiles in a small bathroom?
For many compact wet rooms, yes – fewer grout lines and a calmer look. They still need water-resistant tile backing board on studs – not standard plasterboard.
Where did the fittings and panels come from?
Sanitaryware from CHP Plumbing Supplies; marble-effect panels from MB Decor; wood-slat panels from Easy-Panels.
Can Handyman Dom renovate bathrooms in Preston?
Yes – joinery, non-gas plumbing assistance, boarding, panels and finishing within published scope. Gas remains Gas Safe only.