When choosing which accessories will best suit a home’s wet room, certain points must be taken into consideration. The space available in the room is obviously most important, there is no point in buying several bathroom cabinets if only one will fit comfortably in the space. When floor space is at a premium, then wall cupboards are one solution. A bathroom cabinet that fits into a corner is an excellent use of space, and is extremely practical.

If there is to be no shower enclosure, such as shower curtain or shower door, then everything in the room will be damp to the touch after use. Therefore wooden or wicker items will eventually rot away or go mouldy very quickly. It is wise to consider this fact when purchasing ‘fitted’ items such as a towel rail or a toilet roll holder set. Plastic items are cheaper and will last much longer that wooden or other porous materials, and chrome accessories give a very stylish look and are easy to clean.

Shower accessories are an important consideration as shelves inside the shower area are not convenient for some people. It is possible to buy a pole that fits into the corner of the shower that has several small shelves on it. These fit flush to the wall and take up very little space, thereby not getting in the way of anyone trying to manoeuvre around the shower area. These are perfect for keeping shampoo, conditioner and soap within easy reach. A chrome wire version of this is ideal as any drops of water will drain away, making cleaning very easy.

Bathmats in a wet room should be avoided where possible due to the damp. Duckboards are a much better and very stylish option.

If you are planning a bathroom remodelling project, choosing the right shower tray for your washroom will help maximise valuable floor space in your bathroom, and compliment your overall design.  Use the following guide to help you figure the appropriate shower tray for your bathroom.

Rectangular shower trays are the largest and provide the most interior room, but they can take up lots of space in a small bathroom. Square shower trays are slightly more compact, but still provide plenty of room for a comfortable shower. Pentangle shower trays are comparable to square bases, but have a single corner cut off to decrease the floor space they occupy.  These are an excellent choice for corner shower enclosures.

Synthetic materials like acrylic or fibreglass are the most affordable and easiest to care for options for shower trays. They are lightweight and relatively simple to install, though offer little in the way of aesthetic design. Natural materials like stone, ceramic, tiles, or glass are more stylish choices.  While using natural materials can really boost your bathroom’s style factor, they are typically more expensive and harder to maintain.

Deep shower trays can double as bathtubs, which further increases functionality in small bathrooms. Both natural and synthetic materials come in an endless array of colours to compliment any decor.

Most importantly, take time to fully plan your new bathroom, and make allowances for the look you want, and the space you have to work with.

In these hectic times, who wouldn’t love a peaceful, restful haven to retire to at the end of a long day?  With a few simple, inexpensive upgrades you can transform your ordinary bathroom into a luxurious spa-like retreat in just a few hours.

Start with organisation; repurpose bathroom storage or shelving units to hold pampering essentials like bath salts, candles, cushions, and towels.  If possible, place items within easy reach of your bath or shower enclosure.

Invest in plush towels.  Even one or two luxury hotel-grade towels, reserved for special occasions, can give a common bath a more sumptuous feel. 

Replace shower heads.  With a wide range of styles and functions to choose from, a high-end shower head can transport you away from the chaos of everyday life in an instant.  Waterfall shower heads, body jets, massaging shower attachments, and multi-head shower systems can help melt away stress.

Improve function with convenient dispensers, shower organisers, and bathroom mirrors.  Wall-mounted soap dispensers and fog-proof bathroom mirrors make it easy to take care of business while enjoying a long shower or soak.  Organisers will put sponges, soaps, loofahs, shampoo, conditioner, and more at your fingertips.  

Enhance the after-shower experience with bathroom furniture.  If your bathroom floor space allows, introduce a free-standing vanity, foot rest, or stool to increase your comfort while dressing or applying moisturisers and cosmetics.

These simple touches make it easy to add comfort to your home and pamper yourself.

The shower tray is probably the one area of the whole showering experience that people do not think about. We open the door, we turn the taps on, we adjust the water temperature and pressure and then we shower. We never give a thought to what we are standing on.

At one time the shower tray was really bulky and noticeable, and you probably had to step over a lip to get in to shower. Not any more, since shower trays are becoming more slim line and more minimalistic, to bring a touch of class into your bathroom, giving it a designer feel.

Coming in all shapes and sizes, to suit even the smallest of spaces, your shower tray could easily fit into a recessed area of the bathroom making it an excellent space saving feature. Sizes can range from 610mm x 610 mm up to 1700 mm x 800 mm, but this is likely to vary depending on the manufacturer. With such a large range of sizes there is bound to be something to suit everybody.

Shape is another factor; regular square trays are now being replaced by the more popular rectangular, quadrant and even offset quadrant. The quadrant has a right angled side to fit into the corner of the room, and a rounded outer edge for a modern feel that makes the shower space seem larger. The offset quadrant is more elongated for slightly larger spaces.

Designer shower trays also come in a range of colours that will complement any décor and give the added finishing touch to the new bathroom.

There are few things more relaxing than a steam followed by a shower. People around the world pay good money to visit spas and experience the effects a steam shower can have on the skin. Why then wouldn’t everyone want to have one of these wonderful inventions at home?

When deciding which steam shower to install, consider the following shower accessories and features that are available, and then pick the steam shower that fits your bill. They cost a pretty penny, so you should get exactly what you want.

Essence dispenser – Luxury spas often scent their steam rooms with fragrances such as mint, eucalyptus or lavender. With this feature, you can choose to have your steam shower dispense the scent that relaxes you the most.

Ergonomic seat – All steam showers come with seats, but some come with seats that will keep you comfortable while you steam. Look for steam showers with seats that fold away when not in use.

Adjustable handset shower head – It’s nice to have this option, to accommodate steam shower users of varying heights. Most steam showers also come with a rain shower in the roof.

Vertical hydro-massage jets – Aim these at your back after a steam and continue the relaxation.

Toiletry shelves – It’s important to have a place to put your essential oils and lotions.

Tempered safety glass – You never know when an accident might happen, and you don’t want to be picking non-safety glass out of your body.

One sentence you will see from time to time while shopping for shower enclosures is, “Shower tray not included.” That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though, as shower trays come in different materials and styles, and you will want to pick the right one for you and your shower.

First, choose your shower tray material. Shower trays come in ceramic, resin-stone and acrylic. Ceramic offers a high quality, but may be overkill for a home shower; ceramic shower trays are most often used in heavy-use, commercial settings. The less-expensive resin-stone is the more common shower tray for the home, and is a solid pick. The acrylic shower tray costs the least, and is the lightest in feel and warmest to the touch. You’ll appreciate that on cold, winter days.

As far as the shape goes, you are limited to the shape of the shower you have chosen. You do need to decide between flat-top and up-stand shower trays, though. A flat-top can be prone to leaking where the door or panel meets the shower tray. Even if the shower enclosure is sealed with silicone, over time you may see leaking. The up-stand shower tray offers a more permanent fit, but some consumers complain that they are hard to keep clean.

One thing to remember when purchasing a shower tray: Just as the shower enclosure doesn’t come with the shower tray, the shower tray doesn’t come with the shower tray waste cap. That will be yet another separate purchase.

There are many showers on the market which can be purchased on a small budget, but there are many others which are at the more extravagant end of the spectrum. It is important to consider whether or not you are looking to purchase an electric shower or a power shower. These are known for their powerful jet systems. However, a standard electric shower is basically just a water heater. The electricity heats up cold water from the mains extremely quickly as it progresses towards the shower head. The force of the water will depend entirely upon the pressure within your water mains as electric showers do not use pumps. They are a rather economical means of washing though since you will only use up the water that you require. Also since they actually use cold water you can still be guaranteed a hot shower if your boiler breaks down.

The alternative is the power shower which is basically a mixer shower with connections to the hot and cold water supply mains. These showers actually use an electric pump which creates a stronger pressure as the water is released from the shower head. These are really popular due to the powerful sensation and extra-clean feeling they can often provide.

There are many brands of electric and power showers although two of the best known names are Triton and Mira. It is definitely worthwhile doing some research and shopping around before settling on your ideal shower.

Showers come in all shapes and sizes. Although most households tend to opt for an electric shower, there is no reason not to choose one of the alternatives on offer.

A mixer shower utilizes a simple shower valve to mix hot and cold water to the exact temperature you find most comfortable.

They operate by drawing on both hot and cold water from your domestic supply and are therefore ideal for homes that have a ready supply of stored hot water. Most products can also be employed with a combination boiler or multipoint water heater, although it is always a good idea to first check with the manufacturer.

Mixed showers are available in either a manual or thermostat model, with the thermostat maintaining an exact and even temperature – even if the water used is drawn from another point in your home.

Similarly, most manufacturers offer models with either one or two control levers. This allows you the freedom to control the temperature and water flow either simultaneously or independently.

Although mixed showers generally offer a stronger water flow than electric showers, the power shower is the strong man of appliances.

Power showers combine a mixing valve with a pump, all stored in one unit placed over the shower enclosure or bathtub.

The valve mixes both hot and cold water, whilst the pump boosts the flow of water to give a powerful, invigorating shower. Power showers are ideal if you have a ready supply of stored hot water, but are unsuitable if your house runs a combination boiler.

If you are designing a new bathroom there is no doubt that a traditional style will give your bathroom a touch of class and charm that will never go out of fashion – unlike perhaps the abundance of modern suites that are available. Of course, each component will highlight the style that you are trying to achieve, but the bath taps, basin taps and accessories are what will define the mood of your bathroom.

The first thing to watch out for when choosing traditional bath taps is that they match the style of the rest of your bathroom furniture and fittings. Three of the most popular traditional styles on the market are Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian – all of which may look the same to the untrained eye, but when combined will not give your bathroom a finished look.

Victorian bathroom taps will give your suite a much older feel, while the Edwardian style is proving to be a popular choice in showrooms and new houses and flats. As always, there will be the option to buy original Victorian and Edwardian taps, but as they can be looked at as being antiques you can expect to pay a high price.

Most replica taps can easily emulate their older counterparts, and will also have the option of coming with a showerhead. If you were unable to fit a shower enclosure into your bathroom, this would be seriously recommended. For anyone wanting to keep strictly in character with the style they are looking for a showerhead will be best avoided.