Page 2 of 2 Hudson Reed Bath Panels

End panels cover the short face of the bath and are sold in widths of 700mm, 750mm or 800mm, while side panels run the full length of the bath and come in 1700mm or 1800mm. Look at which face of the bath will be visible, if only the long side shows, you need a side panel; if an exposed short end is visible, you need an end panel. For a standard 1700mm built-in bath you'd typically buy a 1700mm side panel and an end panel to match the exposed width. Many of the Hudson Reed ranges let you match the same finish for both pieces for a seamless look.

MDF panels give a smooth surface that's excellent for matt painted finishes like matt black, grey, blue or green, while MFC panels have a melamine-faced chipboard surface and are used for the oak finishes included in our range. MDF is great if you want crisp, painted colours; MFC is more durable at the surface and better suited to wood-effect panels. If you want an oak look for a warmer scheme, go for the oak MFC side or end panels; choose MDF for the coloured matt ranges.

You can mix styles deliberately, Hudson Reed offers both modern matt-colour panels and traditional paneled designs so pairing them can give a contemporary twist to a period bathroom. If you prefer a clean, unified look, match the side and end panels in the same finish and material (matt grey MDF side and end). A practical example: pair a 1700mm matt grey side panel with a 700mm matt grey end panel for a minimalist result, or combine an oak 1700mm side with a matt black 700mm end for contrast.

For an 1800mm bath you should select an 1800mm side panel from the range and then measure the exposed short end to choose a matching 700mm, 750mm or 800mm end panel. The catalogue shows specific 1800mm side panels in matt colours and oak, plus corresponding 700–800mm end panels, so you can match finish and material. Double-check the exposed end width before ordering to avoid gaps or overhang.

Lighter matt finishes such as matt grey or oak tend to reflect light better and make a small bathroom feel more open, and Hudson Reed offers those in both side and end panels. A simple, modern MDF matt panel in 1700mm or 1800mm keeps lines clean and visually uncluttered, whereas deep colours like matt black or dark green are stylish but can make a small room feel cosier rather than larger. For a small 1700mm layout, a matt grey 1700mm side panel with a matching 700mm end panel is a practical way to brighten the space.