The bathroom shower is often the place where the day kicks off or winds down. It is a place to shake off sleep, ease into relaxation, and steal a bit of calm amid the storm of daily life. Picking the right one isn’t only about what it does. It’s about matching it to how you live, ensuring it runs smoothly, and making it blend with your space. Here, we will walk through what matters most: the kinds of showers out there, what you are willing to pay, the space you have to work with, and how to settle on a look that ties into your bathroom’s temperament.
Finding Your Perfect Bathroom Shower
The shower world is vast, and each type brings its own flair and utility.
- Single-Head Shower Heads: This is the all-too-familiar bulbous headed shower head with adjustable nozzles that has been in service of our personal hygiene for decades. A typical single-head shower will have four or more nozzles that spray water in patterns. You can adjust the nozzles with a small lever that adjusts the spray pattern between a wide spray to concentrated streams.
- Electric Showers: Electric showers heat water on demand, making them a godsend for homes with limited hot water supply. They are compact, energy efficient, and deliver a steady stream without relying on a boiler. If simplicity with a modern twist is what you want, then this could be your pick. They are also the best option if you are outfitting your property with an outdoor shower.
- Mixer Showers: Blending hot and cold water from your existing system for a seamless flow, mixer showers are found in concealed or exposed designs. They cater to both bold, industrial aesthetics and minimalist temperaments.
- Thermostatic Showers: Beyond the normal shower forms, thermostatic mixers lock in your preferred temperature to shield you from sudden hot water or cold water. This is what makes them ideal for homes with children or elderly family members. The standard Kohler shower system is outfitted with top-of-the-line thermostatic mixers for optimal long term use.
- Power Showers: Power showers amplify the showering experience, boosting water pressure for a forceful, invigorating rinse. They are perfect if you have a weaker plumbing system, but they do consume more water than normal showers, so if you are more eco-conscious, you may not see this as ideal.
- Digital Showers: Exuding futuristic luxury, these sensor or touch shower heads have remote controls and precise temperature settings that turn your daily rinse into a lavishly hi-tech experience.
Features for Your Shower Head
A shower’s magic lies in its features, turning the mundaneness into a retreat-like soothing experience.
- Rain Shower: Wide and lavish, the rain shower mimics a tropical downpour, drenching you in relaxation. Get a hand shower along with a Kohler rain shower head if you want more utility for washing those hard-to-reach spots or for bathing your pets. Or, combine the handheld with fixed body showers for a dual system for versatility on tap.
- Body Jets: The unsung heroes of indulgence, body jets blast water from multiple angles to massage away the day’s stress. Adjustable settings let you toggle between gentle mists, like the Kohler steam shower selection, and strong pulses, tailoring the tone to your disposition.
- Low-Flow: A brilliant choice for the eco-conscious, low-flow features use smartly installed aerators to deliver a strong, robust stream of water while cutting actual water usage.
- Thermostatic Valves: Thermostatic valves are non-negotiable for safety and consistency, especially in busy homes. Anti-scald technology kicks in fast, protecting against burns if someone flushes a toilet mid-shower.
- Ambience and Entertainment: LED lights and Bluetooth speakers are optional but great sensory upgrades. Be careful with these, though, as they will hike the price of your shower.
Fitting Your Bathroom Shower Space
- Floor Space: Far from being a one-size-fits-all matter, shower size is a puzzle dictated by your bathroom’s footprint. Standard enclosures hover around the 900mm x 900mm mark, cosy enough for most homes, but tight quarters might demand a 760mm x 760mm quadrant. A more sprawling bathroom will let you stretch out with a 1200mm x 900mm walk-in shower or beyond, letting luxury breathe.
- Height: Height is a silent but vital component. Ceiling-mounted rain showers need clearance of around 2 metres at minimum. Low ceilings pair well with wall-mounted or handheld heads. Door styles also impact flow, in that sliding doors save space, while pivoting ones need room to manoeuvre.
- Placement: Your shower shouldn’t choke your bathroom’s layout. While wet rooms sidestep this issue, enclosures need special placement near plumbing lines to cut down on unnecessary installation costs, away from doors and avoiding awkward collisions. It is less about size alone and more about harmony with the room’s rhythm.
Shower Head Design Choices
Showers, especially Kohler shower heads, are a statement. Frameless glass panels ooze contemporary chic, their clean lines amplifying light and space. Framed options, with metal edging, lean classic or industrial, offering durability at a lower price point. Matte black frames are trending hard, injecting bold contrast into neutral palettes.
Tiles set the mood. Whites keep it timeless, mosaics add texture, and oversized slabs exude modern. Frosted glass doors balance privacy and openness, while clear ones flaunt intricate tilework. Handles and fittings matter too – brushed nickel for warmth, chrome for crispness, or gold for a lavish pop.
Curved enclosures soften sharp corners, ideal for compact bathrooms craving flow. Rectangular setups stretch out in longer spaces, doubling as a design anchor. The key is to align the shower’s sentiment with your bathroom’s soul. Clashing aesthetics jar the senses.
Tips for Making the Best Shower Head Choice
- Water System: Start with your water system. Power and electric showers thrive with low-pressure setups, while high-pressure systems can handle mixers or digital units. Check your boiler’s capacity. Oversized showers will put pressure on weak systems, leaving you without hot water mid-rinse.
- Budget: Budget is a brutal gatekeeper. Basic electric showers range from affordable to relatively expensive, while digital or wet room setups can be very expensive. Look at the range of Kohler bathroom shower models and their prices to build your budget. Factor in installation. DIY cuts costs, but professional work ensures leaks don’t haunt you later. Prioritize the must-haves like a thermostatic valve over style features like LEDs.
- Water Efficiency: Water efficiency isn’t just noble, but practical. Low-flow heads save gallons yearly, trimming bills in water-scarce regions. Anti-limescale coatings fend off build-up from hard water, sparing you extra effort on upkeep.
- Live Demonstration: Test the feel of your chosen shower if you can. Showrooms let you gauge pressure and ergonomics. Read reviews, but focus on durability and performance over promotional hype.
- Future-Proofing: Future-proof your pick. A walk-in shower beats a cramped cubicle if mobility might become a problem over time. Handhelds and adjustable heights adapt better than fixed rain heads to children or guests. Think about resale value too. Overly niche designs might alienate buyers down the line.
In Summation
Your shower serves as a daily sanctuary influencing comfort, energy use, and home value. Select wisely by evaluating your water system, bathroom dimensions, aesthetics, and future needs. While budget matters, prioritize essentials like thermostatic valves over trendy features. Opt for water-efficient models from brands like Kohler Sri Lanka with meticulous quality control to benefit both the environment and your wallet. Test options in person to experience pressure, controls, and ergonomics first-hand. Consider how your requirements might change over time, choosing features that accommodate evolving mobility or family needs. The ideal shower creates the perfect balance between immediate enjoyment and long-term practicality, offering a space for daily renewal and tranquillity that continues to serve you well for years to come.
FAQ:
What are the different types of showers available?
Types include fixed wall-mounted, handheld, rainfall, body spray, steam, and multi-functional showers.
How do I choose the right showerhead for my bathroom?
Assess water pressure, spray type, style, budget, and plumbing compatibility.
What factors should I consider when selecting a shower size?
Consider bathroom space, user height, number of users, features, and accurate measurements.
What are the key features to look for in a modern shower system?
Seek adjustable sprays, digital controls, water efficiency, steam, lighting, audio, and durable materials.
What features should I look for in a Kohler shower system?
Look for Katalyst spray, digital/manual valves, steam/sound/light options, up to 12 outlets, and CleanCoat+ glass.
What is the installation process for a Kohler shower system?
Shut off water, remove old fixtures, install valve/piping, mount components, connect plumbing, test; professionals recommended for digital setups.
