An augmented reality app has been released for bathrooms, designed to help consumers browse and purchase better online.

The app, which is available on any iOS device for free, allows users to virtually place 3D mirrors, showers or tiles anywhere in their bathroom.

Users print off an A4 marker directly from the app or the Bathrooms.com website. Once they choose a product they fancy, they place the marker where they would like to see the object.

Users then point their iOS device at the printed marker, pressing ‘visualise’ to bring the product to life. As a result, users can walk around it and zoom in close to see what product looks like up close.

Bathrooms.com, the team behind the cloud-based app, said the app combines the convenience of online shopping and the security of purchasing products in a store.

Lucy Powell, buying director at Bathrooms.com, said: "Despite the use of multimedia it is still very difficult for a consumer to clearly see what it would be like to have a product in their home.

"This app finally gives people the chance to actually walk around a product prior to purchase and see how the colours and materials would work with their existing décor."

Ian Monk, founder and CEO of Bathrooms.com, added: "We are thrilled to be the first to launch this augmented reality app in the bathrooms space. Buying online has always felt the lack of showrooms experience, but now with our new app we can provide an experience to the customer that is actually better than a traditional showroom.