Advice

Looking for an alternative to IKEA bathroom furniture?

TheBathHouseWigston.co.uk bathroom furniture range

In today's digital age, shopping online has become a convenient way to find and purchase products. But with numerous options available for buying bathroom furniture online, comparing different websites and finding products that meet your needs and budget can be daunting. In this article, we explore two prominent options for when it comes to shopping UK bathroom furniture, global retail giant IKEA.co.uk and thebathhousewigston.co.uk from Leicester-based bathroom specialist, The Bath House.

Posted by Joanne Neal in Inspiration

When it comes to transforming your bathroom into a functional and stylish space, choosing the right furniture is crucial. In this article, we explore and compare the benefits of shopping at two online stores (one well-known, the other perhaps less so) to help you make an informed decision for your new bathroom renovation project.

While IKEA.co.uk is undoubtedly a popular and well-established option for buying furniture online, it is not the only option available to customers when it comes to bathroom furniture. The online market for bathroom furniture is diverse and offers a variety of choices beyond IKEA.co.uk. Local businesses, specialised retailers, and other global online stores provide UK homeowners with a vast array of products, catering to different styles and budgets. By exploring the broader online marketplace, customers can find options to suit their individual preferences and needs for bathroom furniture shopping. Let’s look at a comparison between IKEA.co.uk and a local online bathroom shop like thebathhousewigston.co.uk in terms of choice, price and service. The results may surprise you.

IKEA bathroom furniture vs. The Bath House Leicester

Does IKEA have a big range of bathroom furniture?

At first glance IKEA.co.uk has a vast selection of bathroom furniture options, ranging from modern minimalist designs to timeless classics. They offer various customisation options, allowing you to mix and match pieces. For example, the choice to buy bathroom basin units with and without legs. In short, something to suit everyone’s unique taste and style.

If you filter searches for ‘Bathroom Furniture’ on the IKEA website by colour, you actually realise that their range in this area is quite limited. There are currently only seven options to choose from. Now most of you reading this article may want their bathroom furniture in white, beige or grey. If you are looking to a splash of colour in your bathroom though, you will be restricted to green as the only option. Yes, that is one of the hottest colour trends in bathrooms for 2023, especially sage green bathrooms. But if you are looking for shades like antique rose, indigo, matt deep blue or latte, then you will need to look elsewhere.

By comparison, you might think that online bathroom stores like thebathhousewigston.co.uk will have a smaller, more curated collection - their local business nature resulting in limited stock. But while such online stores tend to primarily focus on providing quality over quantity, they can be where UK customers can find greater depth in product ranges, especially when it comes to colour choices for bathroom furniture, helping you buy just the right product to complement your bathroom's aesthetics.

IKEA.co.uk bathroom furniture colour filter search results

How good is IKEA bathroom furniture quality?

IKEA.co.uk boasts a reputation for manufacturing furniture that is durable. But it is still mass-produced furniture, and often being the most affordable means that compromises have to be made somewhere. On the other hand, while you may pay a little more on online other stores, you may find a difference in the level of quality and craftmanship that is noticeable - such as the attention to detail to edgings and overall fit. IKEA are committed to using environmentally friendly materials and have initiatives to promote recycling and reduce waste. By choosing a local business, however, you might also reduce your carbon footprint by supporting a business with shorter supply chains, leading to a more sustainable purchase decision - in more ways than one.

Comparing price and affordability

For budget-conscious shoppers, IKEA.co.uk tends to shine with its affordable pricing. Perfect for those who want to create the right look, without breaking the bank. Their massive scale of production and global presence enables them to provide competitive prices. On the other hand, thebathhousewigston.co.uk, as a local business, may not be able to match IKEA's scale in pricing. However, they might surprise customers with exclusive deals and seasonal promotions, making high-quality bathroom furniture more accessible to savvy buyers. Additionally, by supporting a local Leicester businesses, you can contribute to the Leicestershire economy and help them thrive.

With a Leicester bathroom showroom, it can also be a more convenient way to shop, allowing you to choose Click and Collect at checkout and pick-up your items in Leicester city centre - saving you money by not having to drive to IKEA Nottingham, the nearest store for most living in Leicestershire. It can be a cheaper alternative to IKEA’s delivery options too, which can range between £40-£50 for large bathroom furniture deliveries. In contrast, The Bath House offers free delivery on all order over £150, with just a £10 delivery charge applied to bathroom furniture orders under this value.

IKEA bathroom furniture GODMORGON ODENSVIK 2 drawer wash basin £405.00

The Bath House bathroom furniture STONESBY 2 drawer wash basin £535.00

Image: The Bath House STONESBY 2 drawer basin
Priced at £477.75 with FREE Delivery

Image: IKEA GODMORGO 2 drawer basin unit
Priced at £405.00, plus £40-£50 Delivery Fee*

According to comments about the IKEA Godmorgon range found on forums like Reddit.com, it is suggested that you can expect to pay at least triple to get similar quality from someone else.

But that’s not actually true.

In the example of the two bathroom furniture products above, the 2 drawer wash-stand unit in grey from IKEA.co.uk is priced online at £405.00, while a similar 2 drawer wall hung basin unit product available at thebathhousewigston.co.uk is available with 35% off RRP, making it just £72.75 more expensive than the IKEA equivalent, at £477.75. Factor in IKEA’s £40-£50 delivery option (The Bath House offer free delivery on purchases over £150), and that brings the total price for its IKEA GODMORGON wash-stand to a potential £455.00, a difference of just over £20.00.

Comparing Customer Service and Support

IKEA.co.uk is known for its efficient customer service and user-friendly website. They have a vast knowledge base and comprehensive guides to help customers with assembly and product-related queries. However, thebathhousewigston.co.uk, as a local business, may offer more personalised customer support. Their smaller scale might mean you receive more individual attention, with access to expert bathroom fitters who can answer any questions and advise you before making your purchase decision, and an emphasis on serving the needs of local customers in Leicester. They can also offer to help support with fitting your bathroom if you need assistance.

Which is the best place to buy bathroom furniture?

Whether you choose thebathhousewigston.co.uk or IKEA.co.uk (of one of the many other online bathroom furniture stores out there) depends on your priorities and preferences. If you value a wide range of options, affordability, and sustainability, IKEA.co.uk might be the ideal choice. However, if you find that IKEA’s colour choices are too limited or delivery options too expensive, are happy to pay a little more for better quality, want personalised local service, and like the idea of supporting a local Leicester business, thebathhousewigston.co.uk could be the perfect fit for your bathroom renovation needs.

Before you go…

If you’re looking to buy bathroom furniture online and not sure which online bathroom shop to choose, we’d definitely recommend heading over to our online store to browse our range…

Our bathroom products are sold through our Leicester Bathroom Showroom and online at store.thebathhousewigston.co.uk

To find The Bath House in Leicester - use our ‘Bathroom Showroom Locator’ for our address and postcode.

Shopping for an alternative to IKEA bathroom furniture?

If you're shopping for a bathroom furniture online make sure you read this article for our guide for basins, bathroom taps, bathroom furniture, bathroom cabinets and much more that will help you find the perfect combination of quality, choice and price on the internet.

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