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Bathroom design is all about balance, aesthetics, practicality, and durability must come together in one of the most frequently used rooms in the home. Choosing the right fixtures isn’t just a matter of taste, it’s a matter of how you live.
Tapware Trends and Selection Tips
Tapware sets the tone for your bathroom. Experts suggest choosing finishes that align with the rest of your fittings, matte black, brushed brass, and gunmetal remain popular. But function is just as important: consider the water pressure in your home, the height and angle of the spout, and how the handles operate.
Installing high-quality tapware upfront can reduce maintenance later, especially in homes with hard water or heavy daily use.
Getting Your Basin Right
When it comes to basins, it’s about proportion and placement. Undermount, vessel, and wall-mounted styles all offer different looks and advantages. Experts recommend matching your basin style with the vanity type and the scale of the room.
Don’t forget the details, waste placement, height, and ease of cleaning are all factors that make a difference once you’re using the space daily.
Smart Storage with Vanities
Vanity units have evolved beyond simple under-sink storage. Today’s vanities can be wall-hung to maximise floor space or fully built-in for a seamless, custom look. Experts recommend considering not only drawer vs. cupboard preferences but also the depth and internal layout.
If you share the space with others, think through where items will live. Soft-close drawers, hidden power outlets, and dividers are small features that improve daily usability
Bath or No Bath?
Not every home needs a bath, but in family homes or for resale value, they’re still a sought-after feature. Freestanding baths are a visual highlight but require careful plumbing planning. In smaller spaces, an inset bath might offer the same function in a more compact footprint.
When choosing a bath, material matters, acrylic is warm to the touch and lightweight, while stone or composite baths offer a luxurious feel but are heavier and may require floor reinforcement.
Toilets: Clean Lines and Function
Toilets have come a long way, both in style and hygiene. Rimless designs, concealed cisterns, and back-to-wall models give a sleek finish. Dual-flush buttons conserve water, and some toilets even offer built-in bidet functionality.
Installation matters as much as design, always measure carefully and confirm outlet type (S-trap vs. P-trap) before selecting your toilet.
Showers That Perform
From overhead rain showers to handheld jets, shower fittings are as customisable as any other part of the bathroom. Experts suggest ensuring your shower head matches your water pressure and layout. Some designs combine both overhead and wall-mounted features for flexibility.
Glass enclosure vs. walk-in? Framed vs. frameless? There’s no right answer, just what works best for your lifestyle and the size of your bathroom.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right bathroom fixtures is about understanding your needs, future-proofing your space, and aligning all elements for flow and functionality. Visiting a showroom, such as those at Plumbing WorldTapallows you to see, touch, and test options before committing. These expert-led spaces also offer valuable advice that can’t be found online.
If you plan well and choose thoughtfully, your bathroom can be both beautiful and built to last.
Bathroom design is all about balance, aesthetics, practicality, and durability must come together in one of the most frequently used rooms in the home. Choosing the right fixtures isn’t just a matter of taste, it’s a matter of how you live.
Tapware Trends and Selection Tips
Tapware sets the tone for your bathroom. Experts suggest choosing finishes that align with the rest of your fittings, matte black, brushed brass, and gunmetal remain popular. But function is just as important: consider the water pressure in your home, the height and angle of the spout, and how the handles operate.
Installing high-quality tapware upfront can reduce maintenance later, especially in homes with hard water or heavy daily use.
Getting Your Basin Right
When it comes to basins, it’s about proportion and placement. Undermount, vessel, and wall-mounted styles all offer different looks and advantages. Experts recommend matching your basin style with the vanity type and the scale of the room.
Don’t forget the details, waste placement, height, and ease of cleaning are all factors that make a difference once you’re using the space daily.
Smart Storage with Vanities
Vanity units have evolved beyond simple under-sink storage. Today’s vanities can be wall-hung to maximise floor space or fully built-in for a seamless, custom look. Experts recommend considering not only drawer vs. cupboard preferences but also the depth and internal layout.
If you share the space with others, think through where items will live. Soft-close drawers, hidden power outlets, and dividers are small features that improve daily usability
Bath or No Bath?
Not every home needs a bath, but in family homes or for resale value, they’re still a sought-after feature. Freestanding baths are a visual highlight but require careful plumbing planning. In smaller spaces, an inset bath might offer the same function in a more compact footprint.
When choosing a bath, material matters, acrylic is warm to the touch and lightweight, while stone or composite baths offer a luxurious feel but are heavier and may require floor reinforcement.
Toilets: Clean Lines and Function
Toilets have come a long way, both in style and hygiene. Rimless designs, concealed cisterns, and back-to-wall models give a sleek finish. Dual-flush buttons conserve water, and some toilets even offer built-in bidet functionality.
Installation matters as much as design, always measure carefully and confirm outlet type (S-trap vs. P-trap) before selecting your toilet.
Showers That Perform
From overhead rain showers to handheld jets, shower fittings are as customisable as any other part of the bathroom. Experts suggest ensuring your shower head matches your water pressure and layout. Some designs combine both overhead and wall-mounted features for flexibility.
Glass enclosure vs. walk-in? Framed vs. frameless? There’s no right answer, just what works best for your lifestyle and the size of your bathroom.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right bathroom fixtures is about understanding your needs, future-proofing your space, and aligning all elements for flow and functionality. Visiting a showroom, such as those at Plumbing WorldTapallows you to see, touch, and test options before committing. These expert-led spaces also offer valuable advice that can’t be found online.
If you plan well and choose thoughtfully, your bathroom can be both beautiful and built to last.
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Tap Into Style: Choosing the Right Tapware for Your Bathroom
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Portfolios
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Askö
Furniture designed for life. Ethically made dining and living furniture and accessories by international and New Zealand designers where refined elegance meets sleek, contemporary form. Explore our extensive range of designer furniture via our Christchurch showroom or browse online.
Plumbing World
Plumbing World is New Zealand’s most prominent 100% Kiwi-owned national plumbing merchant, operating over 50 branches from Kerikeri to Invercargill. Plumbing World offers a wide range of bathroom, kitchen, laundry, heating, and hot water products, catering to trade professionals and homeowners.
Landmark Homes
Founding directors Paul and Debbie Clarke established Landmark Homes in 1977. Their vision was to offer “something more exciting” than the average home: a home that made creative use of space but was also beautiful to live in.
Poggenpohl
Poggenpohl is a premium German kitchen brand known for its innovation, timeless design, and precision craftsmanship, offering bespoke kitchen solutions that blend luxury with functionality.
Mastercraft Kitchens
Mastercraft was the brainchild of Murray Belz, a Chief’s supporter with an eye for design, a tonne of ideas and a passion for excellence.
Kitchen Studio
At Kitchen Studio we are very proud of the fact that we are been voted the most trusted kitchen brand in New Zealand for the ninth year running, and there are good reasons why more Kiwis trust us to transform their kitchen than anyone else.
Kitchen Things
Kitchen Things is a 100% locally owned and operated family business that pioneered European cooking in 1986. We specialise in high quality, premium European cooking appliances and our cooking range is complemented with dishwashing, refrigeration, laundry, sinks, taps and small appliances.
Portfolios
View Industry Specialists
Askö
Furniture designed for life. Ethically made dining and living furniture and accessories by international and New Zealand designers where refined elegance meets sleek, contemporary form. Explore our extensive range of designer furniture via our Christchurch showroom or browse online.
Plumbing World
Plumbing World is New Zealand’s most prominent 100% Kiwi-owned national plumbing merchant, operating over 50 branches from Kerikeri to Invercargill. Plumbing World offers a wide range of bathroom, kitchen, laundry, heating, and hot water products, catering to trade professionals and homeowners.
Landmark Homes
Founding directors Paul and Debbie Clarke established Landmark Homes in 1977. Their vision was to offer “something more exciting” than the average home: a home that made creative use of space but was also beautiful to live in.
Poggenpohl
Poggenpohl is a premium German kitchen brand known for its innovation, timeless design, and precision craftsmanship, offering bespoke kitchen solutions that blend luxury with functionality.
Mastercraft Kitchens
Mastercraft was the brainchild of Murray Belz, a Chief’s supporter with an eye for design, a tonne of ideas and a passion for excellence.
Kitchen Studio
At Kitchen Studio we are very proud of the fact that we are been voted the most trusted kitchen brand in New Zealand for the ninth year running, and there are good reasons why more Kiwis trust us to transform their kitchen than anyone else.
Kitchen Things
Kitchen Things is a 100% locally owned and operated family business that pioneered European cooking in 1986. We specialise in high quality, premium European cooking appliances and our cooking range is complemented with dishwashing, refrigeration, laundry, sinks, taps and small appliances.