4 Things You Should Consider When Buying Bathroom Fixtures

Three bronze mannequins on top of a table used for key storage ideas.

Buying bathroom fixtures is an important part of bathroom decoration or remodeling. The right fixtures can instantly uplift your bathroom and turn it into the showroom you’d always dreamed about. On the other hand, the wrong fixtures can leave your bathroom looking small and dated.

Before we discuss the main considerations, perhaps we should encourage you to hire a contractor to help with the shopping. Buying bathroom fixtures when you’ve never done so before can lead to major mistakes. On the other hand, industry professionals have the experience and knowledge to pick the right fixtures for each room.

However, if you decide to do it yourself, make sure to browse the internet to check out typical bathroom fixtures. Also, try to understand each fixture and the options available. You need the knowledge to pick the right fixtures.

4 Tips when Buying Bathroom Fixtures 

Anyway, the following are the four main considerations when buying bathroom fixtures for a renovation or remodel.

1. Choose safe, certified fixtures

Legally, all faucets installed in the US and Canada must be certified and lead-free. Unfortunately, you might end up with non-certified, leaded faucets without knowing. This is especially true when shopping online. Many fraudsters market these items as certified when they aren’t.

The biggest danger isn’t getting in the line of the law; it’s the health consequences. Leaded faucets, for example, expose your family to untold health risks, including elevated blood lead levels, resulting in lead poisoning. Lead poisoning, especially in kids, can cause anaemia, weakness, and kidney and brain failure.

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So, make sure your faucets are certified. One way to do so is to only purchase your faucets from well-recognized brands or stores, such as Lowes and Home Depot. Additionally, always check for the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certification.

2. Buy to fit your overall style

Your home design style will determine how you decorate your bathroom, which in turn determines the types of fixtures you buy. The goal is to design a cohesive bathroom that blends well with the rest of the home.

There are two main factors to consider here. First, decide between traditional and contemporary styles. Traditional or classic styles tend to blend better in traditional architecture. They also perform better in larger homes with larger bathrooms. For modern homes or smaller bathrooms, consider contemporary and transitional styles.

The other consideration is matching the fixtures. While most homeowners are more open to mixing up fixtures to achieve a specific décor, others swear by matched hardware. Whichever option, you want to use the same metal and finish for all hardware to achieve more cohesion.

scandi bathroom
The goal is to design a cohesive bathroom that blends well with the rest of the home.

3. Bathroom faucet styles

Bathroom faucets come in a wide range of styles. In fact, if there’s one thing bathroom decorators are thrilled about, it is the wide range of faucet styles. It puts you in control. The only downside is that too many choices can also make it difficult to choose.

Basically, you’ll be shopping for four things, i.e., sink faucets, vessel faucets, shower, and tub faucets, and showerhead styles. For sink faucets, it’s best to stick with a traditional unit with two levers and a knob. However, if you opt for a vessel faucet, you have two main options – waterfall and spout. You can go modern or classical in both cases.

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As for shower and tub faucets, the first rule is to match the faucet with the sink faucet. Also, remember that tub and shower faucets are installed 33 inches from the floor, with the controls accessible from inside and outside the tub. Showerheads come in many options. Just make sure it complements the rest of your hardware.

4. Fixture metals and finishes

As we’ve said, it’s best to stick with the same metal finish throughout the bathroom. Most people also choose to go with the same style throughout, though others prefer to mix-and-match styles in the same finish. If you choose the latter, make sure the styles match. Otherwise, it may create an imbalance that’s difficult to undo.

The specific metal finishes typically range from brushed to satin, polished, and antiqued. The finishes can be high-end expensive solid metals or plated metals, also known as physical vapor deposition (PVD) coatings of thin metals, such as titanium, chromium, aluminum, or other metals.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the wide range of choices, we’d advise that you stick to the tried and tested options, i.e., copper, brass, or stainless steel. These are extremely durable metals that can last decades. They are also very stylish. However, you can also opt for nickel, bronze, or porcelain.

Summary

Other factors to consider when buying bathroom fixtures include the type and material of towel racks/rings, toilet holders, and grab bars. Again, the number one rule is to ensure cohesion.

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