If you’re really tall or petite, you’ll know just how frustrating the wrong shower head placement can be. Either you’re drowning, or you can only wash from your shoulders down. While the look of the shower is important, the functionality is even more so.

Types of shower heads

There are a huge range of different shower heads, so take your time and find the right one for your space. 

Wall mounted showerheads are the most common. They are usually the most cost effective and come in a range of spray options. They are static as they are affixed to the wall.

Handheld units are attached to a hose and vertically sliding head unit. This makes it easy to clean children and pets, tall and short people, and hard to reach places.

Body spray shower heads are attached to the wall but over a variety of levels and sides. You can adjust these to your liking, so you can customise to suit individual needs.

Rain shower heads are, as they say, reminiscent of rain, with a large surface area and many droplets that use gravity rather than huge water pressure. These are calming, relaxing, and thoroughly drenching. If you don’t want to wash your hair everyday, these can be frustrating.

Technical things to think about

What’s your water pressure like? A rainfall head isn’t going to work with low shower pressure, it will be more like a trickle than a tropical rain shower. Similarly, a range of body spray showers may not operate with enough pressure. It’s easier to pick the right shower head for your pressure than trying to increase your pressure later.

Also consider the height of the shower. While you may not be two metres tall, a guest may be, or future house owner. Consider a slider with a handheld unit that can be adjusted to suit almost everyone. 

Are you installing the shower over a bath, or are there other technical requirements? There may be some plumbing requirements about how things are hung, depending on the surface you’re installing on.

Shower head and shower mixer styles

From gun metal black through to chrome or gold, there are styles and designs to suit every bathroom. Whether you want a sleek modern look, a traditional feel, or even industrial chic, there are a huge range to choose from. 

Generally speaking, you’ll either have two taps or a mixer. You are only limited here by what you like, so choose whatever appeals to your sense of style.

There are also a range of gadgets, for those who like their home tech-optimised. Do you want a shower head with a light in it, for a visual treat while you get clean under a spotlight? Or an Easyset mixer, where you can set the place where the temperature is optimal for you? Or for a smart shower, an OLED screen that allows you to control temperature and water usage at a touch.