EXPERT ADVICE

Research is key when planning a shower design, says interior architect Trisch Barnard of Project Works.

“When it comes to planning, homeowners often neglect ergonomics, such as the ideal height for taps and shower heads,” she explains. “Ideally, taps should be between 1 000mm and 1 200mm from the floor and a shower head should be positioned at a height of at least 2 000mm to prevent you from bumping into it, especially when washing your hair.” Also consider these tips:

1 If you have space, use it. The bigger the shower, the more comfortable it will be.

2 If your shower is small, avoid a swing door and opt for a sliding door or, better yet, no door at all. If you’re concerned about water splashing on the floor, consider a wet room. In this case, create a slight incline across the entire area to the room’s drainage point. A rectangular drain is extremely useful in this application.

3 If you do opt for a door, don’t just buy the first one you find. Pay attention to factors such as the way the door opens and the width of the opening.

4 Shelving in showers can often get in the way and hurt you. A recess in the wall is an ideal solution for shower accessories and it doesn’t have any protruding edges.

5 Choose shower heads and taps wisely: you can go for something ‘cheap and cheerful’ but avoid those that are ‘cheap and nasty’. If your budget allows, invest in quality fittings that will last a lifetime.

6 If possible, don’t place the shower taps directly under the shower head. This allows you to open the taps without being directly under the ‘too hot/too cold’ water stream.

CONTACT projectworks.co.za