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A guide to Choosing your Bathroom Fixtures

You should focus on the bathroom fixtures if you want to create a unique design for your bathroom.  Fixtures play the most crucial role in the design of your bathroom.  There are lots of design options available, but we have streamlined eight easy design tips for transforming your bathroom.

8 tips for selecting your bathroom fixtures

The main fixtures in bathrooms are the shower and tub, the sink and faucet, water closet, towel rack, toilet paper holder, and the likes. The following tips will help you choose the excellent options for your bathroom.

Tip 1: Choose a safe and eco-friendly faucet

Faucets come in different shapes and designs for both sinks and showers. Here are a few essential things you need to know before shopping for faucets.

Buy only certified lead-free faucets

It is legally required that all faucets installed in the US and Canada be certified lead-free. Therefore, all US stores such as Home Depot, Lowe’s, and online stores in the US must sell certified faucets. However, ignorantly, you can buy uncertified faucets from manufacturers and online stores that are not based in the US. If you end up using such faucets, you will be putting yourself and your family in danger. That is why you should make sure your faucet is lead-free by checking for the lead-free certification.

Check for NSF Seal of Certification

The organization that oversees the certification of plumbing materials in the United States is the National Sanitation Foundation.  The seal of the foundation affirms that the product complies with applicable American and International Standards.

According to NSF, the NSF/ANSI Standard 61 applies to plumbing products that have contact with drinking water. The certification affirms minimal impurities in the product. Check the product for certification marks NSF 61(drinking water component) or NSF pw (drinking water component and others.)

Buy WaterSense Products to prevent waster.

Have you heard about WaterSense technology? It helps you reduce water usage in your home by up to 30%.  In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hinted that this type of bathroom faucet can save a household up to 700 gallons of water per year. Look out for the WaterSense label, it will help you conserve water usage and save cost on your monthly water bill.

Tip 2: Select a design scheme that aligns with the other interiors.

Since your bathroom is located in a home with an existing design, it is natural to align the design of your bathroom with that of your home. Consequently, that will determine the fixtures that you’ll use in the bathroom. So, choose bathroom accessories that match the existing style of your home interior to create a design that is consistent with the rest of the interior.

Traditional vs. Modern vs. Transitional designs

Many people choose to go with the traditional design because it works well with most home designs. The contemporary and transitional designs are excellent for homes with unique architectural schemes. The transitional style is just a mix of traditional and modern styles. Its characterized by elegant signature curves that look amazing.

Matching Fixtures

Some people prefer the beauty of combining different bathroom fixtures, while others would rather have a uniform theme. It’s a matter of choice. Some designers argue that the focal point of the room design is interrupted when the look is not uniform. However, mixing bathroom hardware is a personal choice for most homeowners. Whichever style you choose to adopt, follow the de facto rule of using the same metal and finish for all fixtures.

Streamline your options with your budget.

Although the look of the entire bathroom is an important factor while choosing bathroom fixtures, the choice of the selection is ultimately limited by your budget. Consequently, the budget will serve as a yardstick for streamlining the design your budget can handle.

Tip #3 Different Styles for Bathroom Faucet

The style of the bathroom sink will naturally eliminate some type of faucets that do not have a coherent or compatible shape. For instance, the faucets that are used for vessel styled sinks vary from the ones used for under-the-counter sinks. It is typical to use traditional faucets with double knobs for under-the-counter sinks.

Sink Faucet Categories

The following categories of faucets will guide you to choosing from traditional. Modern or transitional bathroom theme.

Vessel Faucets Styles

The faucets designed for vessels have a waterfall/sprout shape, which is usually taller than the traditional sin faucets. Many vessel sinks are bundled with faucets that are designed for the sink, so you don’t have to bother about matching a faucet to the sink.

Shower and Tub Faucets

It is good practice to match the faucet of the shower with that of the sink. The typical height for mounting the tub and shower knobs it typically 33 inches from the floor. It is important that the control be accessible from within and outside the tub.  Look out for accessories that align with these guidelines while shopping.

Showerhead Styles

Those who prefer unique showerheads such as the rain showerhead should use a finish that matches the rest of the tub hardware. Of course, you will want to use a showerhead that is higher than the tallest person in your house when installed. So, give attention to the measurements while shopping.

Tip #4 Fixture Metals and Finishes

The best approach is to use the same type of finish for all the bathroom accessories. After all, most homeowners choose the same style for all bathroom accessories. This approach gives the unique advantage of an elegant uniform look.

A few homeowners will rather have an electric bathroom theme that uses a mix-theme accessory with the same finish.  If you decide to go with this style, make sure you keep the mix style balanced to prevent arriving at a jumbled look rather than the electric appearance that you want.

Popular Fixture/Hardware Metal and Finishes

Most manufacturers make bathroom fixtures with brushed, satin, polished, antiqued, and satin finishes.  At times, manufacturers use a thin layer of expensive solid metals or plated metal (PVD) such as chromium, titanium, and aluminum for the finish.

Copper: A lot of handmade sink and tubs use copper as the finishing metal. Very often, the craftsmen use hammered style for this metal. The advantage of using copper is its uniqueness; it also has antimicrobial features and resists mold, which is a common bathroom problem.

Brass:  Brass is another valuable recyclable metal that does not corrode easily.  It also has an antimicrobial property, which is not a powerful as copper. Craftsmen now prefer antiquated finishing as opposed to the highly polished appearance of brass bathroom fixtures that were prevalent in the 1980s.

Stainless Steel:

Although the antimicrobial activity of stainless steel is lesser than those of brass and copper, it is a stronger metal. It is often combined with nickel when used to make bathroom faucets. Its unique appearance Is great for contemporary and transitional style bathroom.

Bronze: Oil rubbed bronze (ORB) is an evergreen material for making faucets. It has the unique advantage of complementing any type of bathroom style.

Nickel: Nickel comes at number five among the most prevalent elements on earth. More than half of the nickel mined is used for making steel, while about 9% is used for plating. Nickel bathroom fixtures are unique and usually made with satin, polished, or brushed finishes.

Chrome:  Chrome is a fishing material that is used on metal and plastics. The polished chrome is the most popular choice among bathroom hardware makers.

Porcelain and Vitreous China:  Porcelain is one of the most commonly used materials for making bathroom hardware.  It is often coated with vitreous china to give it a sheen finish. Many people prefer to combine fixtures with other materials, such as using porcelain handles on Chrome faucets.

Tip #5 Towel Racks, Rings, or Bars

One of the most important guidelines for installing bathroom towel racks, rings, and bars is to position it close to other fixtures such as the sink or shower.  The position is to allow the user to access it conveniently from the sink and shower. It is advisable to install a towel rack for each sink area if you have more than one. It allows the user to easily have access to the towel from either sink when the need arises. It is advisable to measure the space before buying so you can choose the right size.

Tip #6 Toilet Paper Holders

The toilet paper holder is one of the necessities in the bathroom that is often overlooked. Yet, it is equally an important bathroom accessory.

The Styles Options

A freestanding toilet holder is excellent for spacious bathrooms. For those that have little space to spare, an over the toilet paper holder that has a room for a spare roll will be perfect.

Where to Install the paper holder

According to the recommendation from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), the toilet paper holder should be installed just beside the toilet, along the wall, about 26 inches above the floor. Check the space to make sure you have sufficient space for the accessory you choose.

Tip #7 Grab Bars for Toilets, Showers, and Bathtubs

Many grab bars that are made from plastics, but the metallic ones are the best. If you are going for the plastic option, you should select the one that works with your toilet and shower space. It is recommended that you follow the guideline provided by the American Disability Act (ADA) to know where and how to install aids. Ultimately, the size that you choose will depend on the measurement taken.

Tip #8 Options for Soap and Toothbrushes

The available options for the soap and toothbrush holders are the wall mount and counter top types.  While the wall-mount models are often stationary, they save valuable space in your bathroom.  On the other hand, the counter top models can be changed easily while redecorating. The tub/shower soap holder can be carved out by tile work or ceramic. You can also select the metallic wall mount type.

Bathroom Hardware Tips Save Time and Money

Make use of these tips to save time and money while choosing the best design option for your bathroom. Take the time to choose the fixtures you love best, so you can be glad you made the right decision every time you use your bathroom.