Ideal Home | Mira Shower Supplement Article 2: Form and function

What is it and what do you need to achieve it?

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lanning a new shower space – whether you’re giving an existing room a much-needed upgrade, or you’re designing a brand new space from scratch – can be equal parts exciting and overwhelming. Despite often being the smallest room in the house,

there’s a lot to consider, and it pays to take your time in the planning stages to make sure you finish with a design that ticks all the boxes and is the ideal place to start and finish your day. No longer just acting as a practical room in our home, our bathrooms have developed into our sanctuary – with relaxation and pampering in mind. The best-planned showers can invigorate and energise or relax and rejuvenate (or both!), depending on your needs. Follow our no-nonsense advice to help you create your perfect retreat.

There’s nothing worse than a disappointing dribble from a shower, so it’s vital you take your water pressure into account before choosing a shower. Usually, if you have a combi boiler, you’ll have water pressure in a high range, so a mixer or digital shower should work well with your system. If you have low pressure, an electric or power shower is a good option. If you’re not sure, a Mira Service expert will be able to help you determine your water pressure levels and offer advice on the best shower solution. If your pressure’s low, they can also suggest ways to increase water pressure through the installation of a booster pump.

Much of your shower experience will come down to the showerhead you choose and there are plenty of options to consider, from single-spray, multi-spray, fixed, handheld and dual, to deluge and eco. One of the most common choices is a single-spray showerhead, which features one spray pattern and can suit pretty much any shower system. For shared bathrooms, giving users a choice of spray means they can find a shower flow that suits their individual preference. A multispray offers multiple spray patterns in one single showerhead, each with a different water flow, such as a rain shower, massage jets, or a mist setting. As well as the spray options, how the shower is fixed is an important decision. Fixed showerheads are installed in a fixed position, mounted on the ceiling or from an arm on the wall. Handheld showerheads can be removed from their mount – useful for washing kids or pets, and also when it comes to cleaning the shower. The most versatile solution is a dual showerhead, which will tick both boxes, with a fixed showerhead for indulgent, spa-style showering, and a hand shower to target specific areas.

As well as the SPRAY OPTIONS, how the shower is fixed is an important decision

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It's vital you take your WATER PRESSURE into account BEFORE CHOOSING A SHOWER

The size and shape of your bathroom layout will ultimately determine your choice of shower enclosure – whether that’s a walk-in shower, wet room-style design, a quadrant or corner enclosure or a shower over the bath. Measure the height of the space available and the depth for the projection of the shower. You should also think about where the controls for the shower need to go, as this will impact the choice of showers available. Don’t forget to factor in the shower enclosure door! Shower doors can slide, fold, hinge or pivot, and this impacts the space they need around them – you don’t want to block or limit access to other fixtures in the room such as the toilet or the sink. If your bathroom’s compact in size, sliding or bi-fold doors are the most space-saving as they open inward.

ASSESS YOUR WATER PRESSURE

Consider the room’s size and layout

Pick your showerhead

The glass doors or screen on your shower stops water flooding into the rest of the bathroom, but you also need to protect the wall behind the shower from water. You’ve got two main choices here – tiles or panels. Panels create a 100% waterproof surface with no grout lines, and can easily cover an entire wall with minimal effort. They're available in a multitude of different styles – from wood-effect to tile-effect to marble – and work well for sleek, minimal looks. Tiles come in a huge array of colours, shapes and sizes, making them a great way to personalise your shower space. From large-format stone for a luxe finish, to on-trend stripes, tiles can add colour, texture and interest to your shower zone. As well as your walls, there are plenty of other ways to add style to your space. Pay attention to the finish of your showerhead and controls. Smart finishes such as chrome, brushed brass, or matt black can have a big impact on the overall look. And finally, don’t overlook the importance of lighting to your scheme. Lighting professionals recommend at least two layers of lighting in a bathroom to effectively control the atmosphere. Functional lighting ensures your bathroom is adequately lit so you can perform practical tasks. Mood lighting (also known as accent lighting) is an essential extra layer of lighting to give your room a designer-feel and create atmosphere. Use it to create a spa-style retreat – somewhere you can relax and unwind.

DON'T FORGET THE DETAILS

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