Whether you plan to change a few fittings to update the look of your bathroom, want to achieve a complete re-fit or are building from scratch, it’s important to consider exactly how you want your tapware and shower to look, feel and function.

A handle on design
There’s a range of designs to suit all tastes and budgets, from three-piece tap sets to floor-mounted bath fillers and sculptural showerheads. Rebeca Park, Marketing Manager at bathroom retailer, Rogerseller, advises people to begin by considering how the aesthetics of a mixer or tapware and showerhead work together. “Establish whether the tap set or the basin is going to be the design feature, then build the look around that item,” she says.

In the case of revamping an older bathroom, think about the plumbing layout, such as the height of the shower outlet. Also, consider how the new tapware’s design will complement existing features such as the basin and tiles. If the difference is too stark, older wares may look too dated or worn.
 
“For a simple bathroom refresh, a three-piece basin set – with hot and cold levers plus an outlet – can make a design statement,” says Belinda Geels, Bathroom Marketing Manager for Reece. “Look for some of the new, low-profile designs.”

A single-lever mixer, meanwhile, gives a more streamlined look, says Geels, and offers practical benefits. It often mixes water to the right temperature more quickly and is easier for arthritis sufferers to use than traditional taps, she adds.

Fully functional
When buying basin taps, check the reach and height of the spout in relation to the basin to ensure they’re compatible.

In the shower, consider a showerhead that can be adjusted to different heights. Whether mounted to a fixed bracket or a sliding rail, it offers flexibility, says a Tradelink spokesperson. Not only will it give you a good soak from overhead, it allows you to manoeuvre the showerhead easily for bathing children, cleaning the shower area or washing the dog.

Remember too that spray patterns differ with every showerhead, so consider the size of your shower area as well as the type of water flow you prefer. “A small compact version will give you a targeted burst of spray while a larger ‘rain showerhead’ offers tranquil water drops over a large area,” says the Tradelink spokesperson.

“For a luxurious option, large inset shower heads that can be mounted flush to the ceiling provide the ultimate showering experience,“ says Geels.

One good turn
Most taps are made with ceramic disc cartridges for durability and smoother, drip-free operation. Quality varies, so try the tap in the showroom. How well does it move? How easy is it to control?

Water-wise
New showers and tapware have a Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) rating from zero to six. The higher the WELS rating, the more water-efficient the product. Whereas a traditional shower may have used up to 25 litres of water per minute, a four-star design uses as little as six. (Stand-alone mixers or bath fillers are not rated, as they simply combine hot and cold streams.) For more details, go to www.waterrating.gov.au.

Shower Showcase
Technological advances have led to more luxurious showering without compromising the environment. A prime example is the Hansgrohe Raindance Air range, which injects bubbles of air into the water spray. This reduces water consumption while providing a feel-good, stress-busting sensation. Also new is the theme of free-falling water as a design element in its own right, as seen to dramatic effect in the transparent rail and handpiece of Hansa’s HansaClear shower. And, like so many other home features, bathrooms are going digital: smart control units allow you to dial up your preferred water temperature before you set a toe inside the shower.

Text by Geraldine Cardozo. Photograph from Red Cover/Warren Smith.