Builders merchant Buildbase has launched its first virtual reality kitchen, bathroom and lighting showroom at its Oxford branch. 

Customers using the virtual reality (VR) headset will be able to walk around a life-size kitchen, bathroom and lighting showroom. The technology will also enable them to interact with products and zoom into design features, while videos will offer further insight to appliances and accessories. 

The introduction of VR technology means that visitors to Buildbase can experience more than 25 different kitchen and bathroom styles, as well as over 50 lighting options and appliance demonstrations at a relatively small site or at branches without an existing kitchen and bathroom offering.

The software has been specially designed for Buildbase and is based on some of its largest showrooms so that customers get a genuine experience of the merchant’s offer.

Buildbase Oxford branch manager Craig Tarrant said: “Virtual reality opens up a whole new world of possibilities for us to deliver a better customer experience. The majority of our branches don’t have a kitchen and bathroom showroom, so by using VR technology we can show customers the full extent of what we can offer and enable them to get close and try out products before buying.

“This is the first time Buildbase has used virtual reality, so we’ll be gathering feedback from customers to improve the software and enhance our services. While our main business is with tradespeople, we’ll be encouraging them to bring along their customers who are in the market for a kitchen, bathroom or even a new light.”

Buildbase will start to roll the technilogy out to other branches around the UK in the coming months.