These stylish and profoundly functional fittings are now considered an indispensable element in countless bathroom renovations, transforming an everyday necessity into a luxurious and convenient ritual.

Rail showers have become particularly popular with families and homeowners who prioritize both effortless usability and a sleek, modern aesthetic. Whether you’re undertaking a complete overhaul of an older bathroom or embarking on a new build, integrating a shower with a rail system represents a simple yet impactful upgrade that delivers significant long-term value, enhancing both the daily lives of occupants and the overall appeal of your home.

What Is a Rail Shower?

At its core, a rail shower comprises a robust vertical bar mounted to the wall, along which the shower head can be effortlessly slid up or down. This innovative design allows users to precisely adjust the height of the shower head with unparalleled ease, accommodating individuals of varying statures. The beauty of this system lies in its dual functionality: it serves as both a traditional fixed shower, providing a consistent overhead spray, and a versatile handheld model, offering targeted water flow. Unlike conventional fixed showers that remain perpetually in one position, rail systems grant you superior control and reach, transforming the showering experience from static to dynamic.

These adaptable showers are especially prevalent in family homes, where people of all ages and sizes, from toddlers to teenagers to adults, may share the same bathroom facilities. Their utility extends significantly to homes accommodating elderly residents or individuals with mobility challenges, making showering a considerably safer and more comfortable experience by allowing them to adjust the spray to a height that suits their needs, whether standing, sitting, or using a shower chair.

Benefits of Rail Showers

The advantages of opting for a rail shower are multifaceted, addressing both practical needs and aesthetic desires:

• Unrivalled Flexibility for Diverse Users and Heights: This is perhaps the most significant benefit. Imagine a family where a tall adult, a young child, and an elderly grandparent all use the same shower. A rail system eliminates the awkward compromises of a fixed shower head. The tall adult can position it high for a full-body rinse, while the child can have it lowered for a safe and enjoyable wash. For those with limited mobility, the ability to adjust the height is not just a convenience but a vital safety feature.
• Ideal for Multi-Generational Homes: Beyond just height adjustments, the flexibility of a rail shower makes it indispensable in homes with children, elderly family members, or frequent guests. Parents can easily rinse a squirming toddler, caregivers can assist elderly relatives with dignity, and guests can adjust the shower to their personal preference without fumbling with awkward fixed heads. This adaptability fosters an inclusive and user-friendly bathroom environment.
• Enhanced Cleaning Versatility: The handheld functionality of a rail shower dramatically simplifies a range of cleaning tasks. You can effortlessly rinse shampoo out of long hair, clean your children after a messy play session, or even give your pets a quick and efficient bath without having to wrestle them under a fixed spray. Furthermore, the detachable head makes cleaning the shower recess itself a breeze, allowing you to direct water precisely to rinse away soap scum and grime from walls, tiles, and fixtures, leading to a more hygienic bathroom with less effort.
• Seamless Integration with Any Bathroom Aesthetic: Rail showers are no longer just about utility; they are a statement of modern design. With an extensive array of finishes and designs available, they effortlessly complement both contemporary and classic bathroom styles. Whether your bathroom boasts sleek, minimalist lines or a more traditional, ornate décor, there’s a rail shower system that will enhance its visual appeal.

Style Meets Function: A Cohesive Bathroom Design

The evolution of rail showers has seen an explosion of design possibilities. They are now available in a wide spectrum of finishes, moving beyond traditional chrome to include sophisticated matte black, opulent brushed gold, and refined brushed nickel.

These diverse options make it incredibly easy to create a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing bathroom by matching your shower system with other crucial bathroom fittings, such as basin taps, bath mixers, and even towel rails. A meticulously coordinated bathroom shower combo instantly elevates the space, fostering a cohesive and stylish look that speaks volumes about attention to detail.

Water Efficiency and Pressure: Smart and Sustainable Choices

In an era where environmental consciousness and utility bill management are paramount, water-saving features are intelligently incorporated into the design of many modern rail showers. These innovations include highly efficient low-flow shower heads and WELS-rated models (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards), which are rigorously tested and certified to significantly reduce water consumption without compromising on the quality or performance of your shower. This commitment to water conservation is a major advantage for households striving to minimize their ecological footprint and achieve tangible savings on their utility bills.

Easy to Install: A Quick Transformation

One of the most appealing aspects of upgrading to a rail shower is that you don’t necessarily need to embark on a full-scale bathroom renovation to reap its numerous benefits. Many contemporary models are thoughtfully designed to seamlessly integrate with existing plumbing connections and mounting points. This means that, in many cases, you can replace your outdated fixed shower head with a modern rail system swiftly and with minimal disruption.

Low-Maintenance and Built to Last: Durability You Can Trust

Durability is a key consideration for any bathroom fixture, and rail showers excel in this regard, standing as another compelling reason why homeowners are increasingly choosing them. Many high-quality models incorporate components crafted from robust, rust-resistant materials such as premium-grade stainless steel or solid brass, ensuring longevity and consistent performance even in humid bathroom environments. Furthermore, the associated hoses and shower heads are designed with ease of replacement in mind, ensuring that your shower system can be maintained and updated as needed over its lifespan.

Where to Buy Rail Showers in Australia: Your Trusted Source

When it comes to purchasing rail showers in Australia, it’s paramount to choose reputable bathroom supply stores that prioritize quality products and exceptional customer service. Buying from trusted retailers like MyHomeware ensures you receive high-quality products backed by reliable support.

As one of Sydney’s largest and most comprehensive showrooms, MyHomeware proudly stocks an extensive selection of rail showers, catering to a wide variety of styles, budgets, and functional requirements. You have the convenience to browse MyHomeware’s shower systems online, or for a more immersive experience, you can visit the MyHomeware showroom North Rocks warehouse to see the products firsthand and engage with expert staff who can provide invaluable guidance and advice.

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In the master ensuite, a custom double vanity maximises available space and a double-hung window allows natural light to filter through. A step-less shower with curved screen adds clean lines to the space.

A skylight features in the stylish main bathroom, and the well-appointed powder room is perfect for guests. All three spaces are beautiful and uniquely customised. Vanity tops are a 20mm Caesarstone in Frosty Carrina.

Showers and tapware are brushed bronze, this one-bathroom renovation is injected with contemporary flair. Beautiful Mecca accessories in brushed bronze complement the look. Under the expert guidance of GT&B staff, the fittings and fixtures were sourced and selected by the client to incorporate their personal vision.

For more information

gtandb.com.au

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Tasked with the redesign of a bathroom into a modern yet traditional ensuite, Lion Ox developed a subtle material palette with pops of rich elements that deliver warmth and a subtle shine. A three-way tile selection in cool earth tones, combined with white, cover the walls and floor.

A large format stone-look tile with a grey base covers the floor, meeting the same-sized square tile on three walls in a faux-marble finish. The final wall boasts a feature tile in white with a three-dimensional hexagon relief.

Combining the stone-look patterns on the floor and wall tiles with the modern, high-gloss geometric pattern of the feature tiles enhances the connection between old and new. Rising three quarters of the way up the walls, the tiles form a wainscoting effect that further references the architectural age of the home.

Traditional crown mouldings run the perimeter of the room, adding a touch of character, which is further highlighted by what is left of the original window trim sitting around the newly updated and more energy-efficient window.

Setting off this modern yet neutral material palette is a pop of shine in the form of brushed-brass fixtures. This modern take on an age-old material adds a richness that pulls the whole look together.

Adding warmth to the material selection is a timber vanity with a reeded finish and clean white solid-surface countertop beneath an overmount rectangular basin. Curved edges on the vanity and basin soften any angular lines and perfectly complement the redesign of a bathroom into a modern yet traditional ensuite.

For more information

lionox.com.au

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With a history dating back to 1917, the Mr Steam brand is a market leader renowned for its innovation, reliability and first-class customer service.

One of the first to market steam shower systems for private residences, Mr Steam has been integrating wellness into Australian homes for decades. Offering a host of health benefits, from respiratory support to muscle recuperation, skincare and hydration advantages, the Mr Steam shower system is unique to the market and a worthwhile investment for any home.

A steam shower heats water to create vapour, which is then pumped into an enclosed area to give users a full spectrum of health benefits. While it may seem like a simple concept, creating a reliable and efficient steam system is as much science as art. Mr Steam utilises a four-step checklist to ensure a premium result.

On top of the essential plumbing needed to feed your steam system, a generator commensurate with your square footage is installed to heat the water required to generate sufficient steam. Able to be installed in the ceiling or basement, or even in a cupboard up to 18m away, it’s unobtrusive and discreet.

A slimline control panel that directs everything from your temperature setting and duration to music and lighting is installed in your shower for easy access and personal control. Combined with a generous steam head installed on the shower wall, approximately 10-15cm above the floor, users get total coverage and easy access to ensure their steam experience is just as they wish it to be.

Control of the steam system is easy with SteamLink — an automated app downloaded onto smart devices that allows users to start and stop the steam shower, adjust the temperature, or add aromatherapy during a session. Who could ask for anything more?

THE BLOCK BONUS

This automated process was certainly a selling point for Mitch and Mark from The Block when they returned as fan favourites in 2021. Installing the first steam room ever on the series, Mitch and Mark took out the win in this exciting season.

While most other contestants installed a theatre room in their basements, Mitch and Mark bucked the trend and went for a dedicated spa room and wellness space that wowed the judges. “The idea of installing a Mr Steam steam room had bubbled away in the back of our minds from the beginning,” reveals Mark. “Since COVID, Australians have been focusing more attention on their homes as a sanctuary, so it seemed very timely to have a bathroom that also offered a spa-like retreat.”

Mitch and Mark chose to install the iSteam 3 system in white, with matching inline speakers and an Aroma glass steamhead, controlled by the SteamLinx smart system. Consulting with Mr Steam’s Australian distributor, Adrian Barr of Geyser Steam, The Block contestants received all the expert advice and assistance they needed to navigate plumbing requirements, building standards and installation processes. “We couldn’t have executed what we did in the time frame without Adrian,” says Mitch. “He was amazing. He helped us through every step of the process and having him on board as a Mr Steam expert was crucial.”

The response to the installation of the iSteam 3 system on The Block was so successful for Mitch and Mark that they decided to implement it in their own home. “Our home was built in the 1970s, so we are renovating it to suit our style. We had originally planned to keep the five bedrooms, but now that we have experienced a Mr Steam steam room, it’s totally impacted our lives. We’re planning to turn one of the bedrooms into a spa-like steam room. By combining the practical engineering elements of Mr Steam with considered space planning and beautiful materials, you can create a wellness retreat at home that becomes a sanctuary and also adds value,” Mark enthused.

For more information

Mr Steam

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Powered by VJET patent-pending shower technology, the sleek stainless-steel design is intended to meet all your showering needs. A slider on the handset allows for seamless transition, from a firm, invigorating spray to a gentle, enveloping warmth and everything between.

Inspired by nature, Tūroa has cleverly hidden channels that create spirals of water which are precisely released through individual nozzles, creating a tailored shower. The Tūroa aesthetic is precisely balanced with minimal details and soft lines. The result is an intuitive, considered and distinct design. Combined with sustainable practises in its creation, the Tūroa is made from a simplified manufacturing process that cares for the earth, and its composition of stainless steel ensures reuse in the future.

It is no surprise the Tūroa won the 2018 Good Design “Best in Class” award at the Australian Design Awards, as well as the international 2018 Red Dot Design Award for product design. But the beautiful bathroom appliances don’t stop here. The Tūroa includes matching stainless-steel tapware and accessories to create your dream bathroom. The Tūroa product collection is available exclusively at Bunnings Warehouses Australia-wide.

For more information

Methven Australia

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The glass shower screen in this stunning modern bathroom has been pre-treated with EnduroShield Easy Clean Glass Coating. . Glass has become a feature in homes across Australia, with floor to ceiling glass making a stylish interior design statement. The trend towards eco-friendly materials and open plan living has made glass a very popular choice, and advancements in glass coatings now allows for ease of maintenance.

The EnduroShield coating is the finishing touch in the form of an applied treatment that enhances the performance of the glass. The advantages of treated glass can be utilised for so many glass applications around the home from keeping shower screens crystal clear to minimising window cleaning.
EnduroShield is an easy-clean, permanent, invisible coating for glass. It adheres to glass surfaces repelling both water and oil based stains. EnduroShield transforms the glass into a surface which is similar to non-stick cookware.
As a result, treated glass is protected from etching and staining from soap scum, hard water, lime scaling, mineral deposits and sea-spray erosion. This product is a must-have in any home to keep your glass surfaces looking new.

The EnduroShield easy clean glass treatment has many practical and environmental benefits. The coating reduces cleaning time by up to 90 percent. Only eco-friendly products such as a mild detergent or white vinegar on a microfibre cloth are needed to clean glass protected with EnduroShield. This means EnduroShield helps conserve water, and less toxic chemicals drain into our waterways.

Showerscreens can be bought pre-treated with EnduroShield, or EnduroShield can be professionally applied by a certified applicator. DIY kits are also available from leading retailers. A Glass DIY kit comes in two sizes: 125mL which coats 2 average shower screens or 500ml kits used for pool fencing and larger glass surfaces.

EnduroShield is also available for tile, grout, stainless steel and chrome surfaces.

For more information

EnduroShield

The post The secret to shiny shower screens appeared first on Completehome.

The Hansgrohe Raindance Select uses Hansgrohe’s ‘Select’ push button control to give you unparalleled control over your shower experience, switching between RainAir, Rain and WhirlAir (massage spray) functions while perfectly controlling your mixer temperature with one button.

Because air is plentiful, but precious water is not, the Hansgrohe innovators have invented something ground-breaking in their own spray laboratory: AirPower. That means: having fun and conserving resources at the same time. AirPower works using a jet disc in the shower, which takes in the needed supply of air. The air is then added to the incoming water, releasing three litres of air for every one litre of water. This means that the Raindance Select not only enriches the water to create a lighter, softer shower experience that also replicates the feeling of natural rain, it also saves water in the process.

The Raindance Select also includes QuickClean technology to prevent the build-up of limescale. Flexible silicone naps allow limescale deposits to be removed easily, keeping your fixtures clean and attractive for years to come with only light rubbing. A clean shower also ensures that your shower spray quality is never affected over time.

To see more advice and home projects by Bathe, visit their Company Profile

For more information

Bathe

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Geyser Australasia is taking the daily showering ritual to a whole new level with the introduction of home spa experiences to promote wellbeing and relaxation. With a range of spa-oriented showering outlets, including body sprays, waterfall outlets and spinning massage water jets, your luxury escape starts at home. Combine bathing in soothing steam to rejuvenate the skin, detox and hydrate, heighten your senses with aromatherapy oils infused into the soft steam to decongest and clear your respiratory system or simply relax to your favourite music from the comfort of your own shower haven.

Geyser is the proud distributor of Mr Steam, one of the USA’s most recognised bathing brands. Home to Mr Steam, the US has welcomed steam bathing with open arms and the style of bathing has become a huge success there. Wellness starts at home and Australians can now benefit from having their own private oasis in either the family bathroom or private ensuite. Or make it a social affair and opt for a steam room by the pool or entertaining area.

According to Adrian Barr, owner of Geyser, steam showers have replaced spa baths as the must-have item for new and renovated homes. Steam bathing uses 90 per cent less water than a spa bath and there’s no need to wait for the bath to fill. The spin body jets are highly water efficient and provide an invigorating massage. There are also fine-mist sprays, which are great after a hot steam shower to soothe the skin with a mist of cool water.

For more information

Mr. Steam Australia

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Bathrooms can and should be more than a place to do your business — take yours from humdrum space to luxury escape with a Mr Steam system from Geyser Australiasia.

Combining the best features of a shower and a sauna, steam shower systems offer a rare chance to completely revitalise body and mind without leaving your home.

Trend-setters in the US have already caught on, and the steam shower’s popularity has outgrown the more traditional spa bath.

Models from Mr Steam offer incredible smart functionality and beautiful modern design, and comprise an advanced steam generator purported to help rejuvenate and hydrate the skin, burn calories and create a sense of utter relaxation and calm.

The iSteam in-shower control panel features hydrophobic glass and offers incredible functionality and simple touch and swipe controls. Use it to customise your steam shower’s temperature, chroma therapy lighting and running time, and even to play your favourite music while you enjoy a momentary escape.

Incredibly advanced features allow you to control your steam shower with your smartphone or tablet, and you can even infuse the steam with your favourite aromatherapy essential oils. So don’t wait for a spa day to chill out; heat up your bathroom with Mr Steam.

For more information

Geysers

Originally in Bathroom Yearbook Volume 20

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