Bathroom Plumbing Fixtures and Features Create a Home Oasis

Different types of shower fixtures and shower heads make it easy to keep relaxation and self-care in mind. Consider body sprays and rain shower heads, or, for the ultimate in comfort, a multi-head or multi-function shower system that offers a variety of shower options. Steam features, mood-enhancing Bluetooth^® music and color-changing lights elevate the experience, while antimicrobial surfaces and easy-cleaning nozzles let you focus more on enjoyment and less on cleaning.

Our guide to shower head types tells you everything you need to know to get a shower experience you’ll love.

Bathroom sinks with clean and simple lines are popular but there are other considerations. Do you want the eye-catching look of a freestanding pedestal sink or a more functional undermount sink? The rimless nature of an undermount sink makes it particularly easy to clean and gives you a bit more countertop space as well. It’s a good choice for your primary bathroom, especially if you need double sinks and room for two people. Remember to look for easy-care features like stain, scratch, rust and fade resistance.

Find more options in our bathroom sink guide and our guide to sinks for small bathrooms.

Bathroom faucets that focus on functionality are good choices, but you don’t have to sacrifice style. For example, a single-handle faucet or touchless faucet is easy to operate and each is available in styles to fit just about any design. You can also find low-maintenance finishes that resist corrosion and fingerprints. In addition to standard deck-mount faucets that integrate with your sink, wall-mount faucets are popular and can be an unexpected touch.

Take a look at our bathroom faucet guide to get more help making your choice.

If you’re shopping for a new toilet or you want to update your bathroom, a chair-height toilet fits the trend of improving accessibility and is more comfortable than a standard-height toilet. If you have the space, choosing an elongated toilet is another comfort option. Keep in mind the increasing goal to reduce water usage as well. Consider a low-flush toilet fixture — one that has a low gallons-per-flush rating — or even a dual-flush model with heavy and light flush options. Make cleaning easier with a rimless toilet or a self-cleaning toilet.

Need to know more to find the perfect toilet fixture for your bathroom? Read our toilet guide and make the right choice.

Learn about the benefits of these fixtures in our guide to the essentials of choosing a bidet toilet.

Trends in bathtubs point toward comfort and luxury since the right bathtub is an essential element for a relaxing spa experience. Clawfoot or freestanding soaking tubs add an elegant, indulgent feel to the bathroom while a whirlpool bath elevates your comfort and relaxation. Be sure to find a bath plumbing fixture or faucet that matches the look and feel you want to capture. If you’re remodeling a bathroom into a personal oasis, think about the high-end luxury of a wet room, a space that combines a shower and tub in a single enclosure.

Learn what to look for when you read our guide to bathtubs and whirlpools.

Vanity lights and wall sconces that create ambient lighting are popular additions to a bathroom. Decorative pendant lights and chandeliers continue to be popular and can complete a look of luxury — picture an elegant chandelier over your new soaking tub — as long as you size them properly. From a standpoint of using energy wisely, look for fixtures with integrated light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and LED bulbs. You can also find LED accent lighting that really sets the right mood.

Read our lighting guide to learn about lights and lighting concepts for all areas of your home.

Bathroom mirrors with arches, ovals and curves are on the rise, creating a more relaxed and inviting feel in the space. Asymmetrical frames are also a growing trend, adding and unexpected look to your bathroom. Or you can go minimalist with a frameless mirror. Pair these styles with a tilting design that makes the mirror easy to use for everyone in the family. Of course, mirrors make a small bathroom feel larger and boost the lighting, but also consider that a large wall mirror in a large bathroom makes the room feel more sophisticated.

Our guide to choosing mirrors helps you find the right type and features for any room.

Removing clutter enhances a spa-like atmosphere. Bathroom wall cabinets are nice features to add and built-in custom cabinetry is also popular. How you integrate cabinetry depends on the storage space you need and your available space, but the more items you can keep out of view until you need them, the more comfortable and inviting the bathroom feels. When shopping for cabinets for your bathroom, neutral colors or the look of natural wood keeps you on trend.

If you don’t have room or budget for built-in cabinets, shelving gives you a simple way to stay on top of trend to reduce clutter. Built-in shelving makes the bathroom look more designed but there’s room for wall-mount and floating shelves as well. As with cabinets, wood shelving is a good fit for bathrooms, adding relaxed, natural elements that balance tile, metal and ceramic. In addition to standard shelving, look for other opportunities to clear the clutter, including wall niches and corner shower shelves.

Get more tips on expanding bathroom organization space with our guide on easy-to-install bathroom shelves.

Finally, towel racks might seem like afterthoughts, but there’s lots of potential here. Towel racks are good ways to extend the design and finish of your fixtures or add personal design touches. A mix of towel racks, towel bars, towel hooks and towel rings makes it easy to tie together different areas of a bathroom. Plus, you can quickly swap them out as trends and your personal style change. For the ultimate towel rack upgrade, add a towel warmer. Consider adding grab bars in complementary designs as well, to make the bathroom safer and more accessible.