A Guide to Designs & Types of Shower Heads
About to splash out on a new showerhead, but not quite sure what type of fixture is the right fit for you? We can help
Natasha Saroca
6 June 2019
Houzz Australia Contributor. Natasha is a freelance journalist who began her career working across a number of home design and lifestyle magazines, including BuildHOME and Kitchens & Bathrooms Quarterly. She enjoys writing about design and colour trends, decorating ideas (particularly how to transform rooms with colour and patterns), organisation tips, entertaining ideas and easy updates for the home.
When she’s not creating Ideabooks for Houzz, Natasha can be found writing about all things fashion for Missy Confidential, working on her soon-to-be-launched website – www.asmartsequin.com – or shopping online for new quilt covers, cushions and fashion illustrations (her three current obsessions).
Houzz Australia Contributor. Natasha is a freelance journalist who began her career... More
Is your shower head old, broken or not very water efficient? Or is it extremely eco-friendly, but only because the fixture is clogged and only releases a small dribble of water every time you turn your shower on? If you answered yes to either of these options, then it’s time to say goodbye to your existing shower head and install a new shower fixture or system in its place.
Shopping for a new shower head can be a daunting task as there are so many different options available. Should you opt for a fixed or handheld shower? A wall-mounted unit or a recessed design? A single, basic shower head or a complete shower system with multiple water outlets? The key to picking the right shower head for your bathroom is to think about your needs and lifestyle, in particular, how you use your shower. For example, does the whole family bathe there or is it your own personal pamper zone? Also consider what spray pattern you prefer (do you like a full, heavy, massaging spray or lighter rain-like droplets?). The size and design of your bathroom, along with your budget, will come into play, too.
Below, we take you through some of the most common types of shower heads and sprays, so you can work out what style fixture is your shower soulmate – one that enhances the functionality of your bathing area and delivers a blissful showering experience, too.
Shopping for a new shower head can be a daunting task as there are so many different options available. Should you opt for a fixed or handheld shower? A wall-mounted unit or a recessed design? A single, basic shower head or a complete shower system with multiple water outlets? The key to picking the right shower head for your bathroom is to think about your needs and lifestyle, in particular, how you use your shower. For example, does the whole family bathe there or is it your own personal pamper zone? Also consider what spray pattern you prefer (do you like a full, heavy, massaging spray or lighter rain-like droplets?). The size and design of your bathroom, along with your budget, will come into play, too.
Below, we take you through some of the most common types of shower heads and sprays, so you can work out what style fixture is your shower soulmate – one that enhances the functionality of your bathing area and delivers a blissful showering experience, too.
No frills and fuss free
Replacing your shower head is an easy way to update the look of your bathroom. If you’re working to a tight budget or are happy with a standard shower fixture that’s free of all the bells and whistles, choose a wall-mounted shower head that may offer a simple showering experience but exudes five-star style, like this chic yet compact design. For a bolder look, try an oversized or sleek square-shaped shower head.
Replacing your shower head is an easy way to update the look of your bathroom. If you’re working to a tight budget or are happy with a standard shower fixture that’s free of all the bells and whistles, choose a wall-mounted shower head that may offer a simple showering experience but exudes five-star style, like this chic yet compact design. For a bolder look, try an oversized or sleek square-shaped shower head.
Relaxing and rejuvenating
If your favourite place to unwind after a long, tiring day is in the shower – under a steady stream of steaming hot water, of course – then a rainfall shower head (or rain shower) is a must-have addition to your bathroom. These luxurious fixtures simulate the soothing feel of rainfall for a relaxing, refreshing and indulgent showering experience.
Find a bathroom designer from the Houzz directory to design your bathroom
If your favourite place to unwind after a long, tiring day is in the shower – under a steady stream of steaming hot water, of course – then a rainfall shower head (or rain shower) is a must-have addition to your bathroom. These luxurious fixtures simulate the soothing feel of rainfall for a relaxing, refreshing and indulgent showering experience.
Find a bathroom designer from the Houzz directory to design your bathroom
Functional and family-friendly
Desire a shower that makes bathing a breeze for young and old alike? Look no further than a handheld shower head. Designed to sit in a wall bracket or attach to a wall-mounted, height-adjustable sliding bar, these detachable family-friendly fixtures provide additional reach and control when showering. This makes them ideal for elderly family members or those with limited mobility who may have trouble washing hard-to-reach places. They’ll also prove extremely handy when rinsing your hair, bathing your little ones, giving your four-legged friends a wash and even cleaning your shower enclosure.
Desire a shower that makes bathing a breeze for young and old alike? Look no further than a handheld shower head. Designed to sit in a wall bracket or attach to a wall-mounted, height-adjustable sliding bar, these detachable family-friendly fixtures provide additional reach and control when showering. This makes them ideal for elderly family members or those with limited mobility who may have trouble washing hard-to-reach places. They’ll also prove extremely handy when rinsing your hair, bathing your little ones, giving your four-legged friends a wash and even cleaning your shower enclosure.
Therapeutic
Suffer from aches and pains down your back or legs? Consider incorporating body sprays or jets into your shower set-up so you can enjoy a relaxing, invigorating hydrotherapy spa treatment at home – every day if need be! Body spray nozzles or flush-mounted heads (like the ones seen in this shower) are usually arranged in vertical rows on opposite or adjacent walls (they’re often positioned at shoulder, hip and knee heights) to provide a full body massage.
Suffer from aches and pains down your back or legs? Consider incorporating body sprays or jets into your shower set-up so you can enjoy a relaxing, invigorating hydrotherapy spa treatment at home – every day if need be! Body spray nozzles or flush-mounted heads (like the ones seen in this shower) are usually arranged in vertical rows on opposite or adjacent walls (they’re often positioned at shoulder, hip and knee heights) to provide a full body massage.
Two-in-one
Can’t decide between a traditional wall-mounted or rainfall shower head and a handheld fixture? Enjoy the best of both worlds with a dual head shower that offers a double hit of functionality and style, not to mention an invigorating and customisable shower.
Can’t decide between a traditional wall-mounted or rainfall shower head and a handheld fixture? Enjoy the best of both worlds with a dual head shower that offers a double hit of functionality and style, not to mention an invigorating and customisable shower.
High tech
If you geek out over high-tech gadgets for the home, then we’re sure you’d be all for incorporating a flashy, cutting-edge shower fixture into your bathroom, like the eye-catching computerised LED-illuminated shower head that steals the spotlight in this bathing area. The innovative rain shower not only delivers a luxurious and stimulating shower experience, but infuses the space with an ultra-contemporary (and almost party-like) vibe, too.
WaterTile Ambient Rain Overhead Rain Shower: Kohler
If you geek out over high-tech gadgets for the home, then we’re sure you’d be all for incorporating a flashy, cutting-edge shower fixture into your bathroom, like the eye-catching computerised LED-illuminated shower head that steals the spotlight in this bathing area. The innovative rain shower not only delivers a luxurious and stimulating shower experience, but infuses the space with an ultra-contemporary (and almost party-like) vibe, too.
WaterTile Ambient Rain Overhead Rain Shower: Kohler
Love singing in the shower, or simply grooving to music as you get ready every morning or unwind as you bathe before bed? Then a stylish shower head that boasts an integrated speaker is just what you need. The sleek, compact shower head mounted to the wall of this shower may look like an ordinary fixture, but it actually features a removable wireless speaker that can connect to any Bluetooth-enabled phone, tablet or MP3 player. Genius!
Multifunctional
If you alternate between wanting a pleasant, soothing shower one day and a vigorous, massage-like showering experience the next, then a multifunctional shower head that delivers a variety of spray patterns is an ideal solution for your bathroom. This sleek, multitasking nozzle boasts three settings – normal, soft and pulsating massage – which allows users to customise the shower to suit their needs and mood. Some models also feature water-saving, mist, jet and aerating settings.
Clubmaster 3-Jet Showerhead: Axor Carlton
If you alternate between wanting a pleasant, soothing shower one day and a vigorous, massage-like showering experience the next, then a multifunctional shower head that delivers a variety of spray patterns is an ideal solution for your bathroom. This sleek, multitasking nozzle boasts three settings – normal, soft and pulsating massage – which allows users to customise the shower to suit their needs and mood. Some models also feature water-saving, mist, jet and aerating settings.
Clubmaster 3-Jet Showerhead: Axor Carlton
Eco-conscious
Do you and your family actively look for ways to reduce your carbon footprint and water consumption? Swapping your water-guzzling shower head for a low-flow fixture is an easy way to do your bit for the environment, while saving money at the same time. When shopping around for a new water-smart shower, compare the WELS scheme ratings of the fixtures on your short-list (three stars is the highest rating for shower heads), which will tell you how water efficient a shower head is, and as a result, how economical it is to use.
Do you and your family actively look for ways to reduce your carbon footprint and water consumption? Swapping your water-guzzling shower head for a low-flow fixture is an easy way to do your bit for the environment, while saving money at the same time. When shopping around for a new water-smart shower, compare the WELS scheme ratings of the fixtures on your short-list (three stars is the highest rating for shower heads), which will tell you how water efficient a shower head is, and as a result, how economical it is to use.
Personality plus
If your decorating style is bright, bold and a little out of the box, then a basic chrome shower head may be a little too simple and staid for you. Have some fun and showcase your personality by choosing a shower fixture that’s functional but funky, like this bright orange wall-mounted rain shower. Notice how it adds visual interest and character to the all-white bathing area, which is chic but could appear a little lifeless if not for the bright pops of colour.
If your decorating style is bright, bold and a little out of the box, then a basic chrome shower head may be a little too simple and staid for you. Have some fun and showcase your personality by choosing a shower fixture that’s functional but funky, like this bright orange wall-mounted rain shower. Notice how it adds visual interest and character to the all-white bathing area, which is chic but could appear a little lifeless if not for the bright pops of colour.
Spa-like luxury
This spa-like shower set-up is ideal for those who appreciate the finer things in life and desire a serene, luxurious space where they can unwind and pamper themselves at the end of each day. It features dual rain shower heads, a hand shower and multiple body sprays to provide the ultimate blissful showering experience.
Raindance Rainfall Overhead Showerhead and Body Spray heads: Hansgrohe; Citterio Shower Set with Raindance Handshower: Axor
This spa-like shower set-up is ideal for those who appreciate the finer things in life and desire a serene, luxurious space where they can unwind and pamper themselves at the end of each day. It features dual rain shower heads, a hand shower and multiple body sprays to provide the ultimate blissful showering experience.
Raindance Rainfall Overhead Showerhead and Body Spray heads: Hansgrohe; Citterio Shower Set with Raindance Handshower: Axor
Read more:
Bathroom Conundrum: A Shower Curtain or a Shower Door?
20 Dazzling Shower Designs
Tell us:
What’s your shower head style? Do you love luxe rain showers or are you a loyal fan of handy handheld shower fixtures? We’d love to know, so share your thoughts in the comments section.
Bathroom Conundrum: A Shower Curtain or a Shower Door?
20 Dazzling Shower Designs
Tell us:
What’s your shower head style? Do you love luxe rain showers or are you a loyal fan of handy handheld shower fixtures? We’d love to know, so share your thoughts in the comments section.
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I love the 'two in one' if the budget stretches far enough, otherwise it has to be the 'functional and family friendly' which I love also.
P.S. Judy, I love your idea of having the controls away from the water stream.