I have been living in my newly renovated bathroom that I did for the Fall 2020 One Room Challenge and today I am sharing with you 5 things to consider when buying bathroom fixtures. Unbeknownst to you, I stressed about my bathroom fixtures like a new mom stressed about labor and delivery. I wanted everything to be perfect, so I thought it would be nice of me to share some tips along with my expertise.
This post is sponsored by Hansgrohe and Build.com. All thoughts are 100% mine and mine alone.
5 Things to Consider When Buying Bathroom FixturesFinish
Choosing bathroom fixtures are one of the most exciting things about remodeling a bathroom. Details within the fixture are just as important as the cabinet knobs you choose. Listed below are somethings to consider.
Finish
Some may choose to mix and match bathroom fixture finishes to other details, while others simply choose to match everything. When mixing and matching metals, try to choose a finish that is complementary to the space. Something that will enhance the look and feel of the space versus just buying something because you need it.
Size
While I was researching bathroom sink faucets and shower heads, one thing was certain…I did not want a sink faucet that was low, nor did I want a shower head that was small and not proportionate to the size of the shower. I received the Joleena faucet from Hansgrohe (you can purchase it via Build.com) which was designed to sit at a comfortable height and the Croma shower head which is a decent size for a 4×4 shower. In fact, Hansgrohe offers products in various heights/sizes to fit the customers needs.
Style
Now, who doesn’t want some swag up in their house? When choosing fixtures for your remodel, choose something that complements the style of your home. Stylistically, classics never go out of style. Choose fixtures that are solidly built and that will last. I hate to keep comparing my fixtures from Hansgrohe, but the one thing I noticed upon receiving them was the weight of the item. They were heavy and solid, something even the plumbers noted.
‘To install a rainhead or not, that is the question? That was indeed the question we asked ourselves over and over. Stylistically, it is pretty…idealistically, it is not…especially if you aren’t one to wet your hair daily or whenever you shower. That is something to think about! Also, you may have to reroute your plumbing into your attic or ceiling to get install a proper rainhead, which may cost a pretty penny.
Gallons Per Minute (GPM)
I never thought about water consumption when buying bathroom fixtures. I always assumed the same amount of water released was the same on all fixtures. It wasn’t until shortly after we completed our bathroom renovation, we received a water bill large enough to fill two large swimming pools. Fun fact, we don’t own a swimming pool, not even a kiddie one. We had numerous plumbers and water specialist walk through our home trying to figure out where said “leak” was located. While “investigating” the matter, city officials educated us on gallons per minute, aka GPM. When one buys a shower head, faucet, and toilet the specifications on the product will note how much water is being used per minute the faucet or shower is running. For a toilet bowl, the specs will note how much water is used per flush. Why is this important? Well, bc you don’t want to buy a fixture that uses excessive amount of water. By doing so, it may result into a higher water bill than what you are used to. For example, my Joleena bathroom faucets use 1.2 GPM, which isn’t bad…just don’t leave the water running when brushing your teeth. My shower head which is from Hansgrohe Croma collection uses 2 gallons per minute…time to set the timer when showering, especially for this family of 5! Let me not forget to mention, “Hansgrohe faucets and showers fitted with EcoRight technology require up to 60% less water than conventional products.” Upon research, I noticed that the Joleena single hole fixture only uses 0.5 GPM, which is extremely eco-friendly! Thought I would share that tid-bit in case you were looking for a classic bathroom faucet that is eco-friendly. If you are wondering, the average GPM for a shower is 2.5 and 1.5 for a bathroom sink faucet.
Cleanability
I have a mad confession, I hate cleaning! To top it off, I live somewhere where we have calcium/limescale buildup. I didn’t realize this until after the fixtures were installed, but Hansgrohe has this Quick Clean Technology. According to Hansgrohe, “there are flexible silicone nozzles on the aerator of the faucets and the jets of the showers. The high-quality and tear-resistant silicone is simply rubbed with the fingers. This removes limescale and dirt as if by magic, and you always benefit from a full spray. A beautiful shower spray for showering and a uniform water flow for washing hands are simply more enjoyable.” How cool is that? Anyways, finding a product that doesn’t require that much cleaning is icing on the cake!
