The perfect shower head will give you that home-spa feeling for less | Canada Voices

Aside from a strong cup of coffee in the morning, few things are more invigorating than a hot shower. And the shower head is central to the experience. An old, leaky fixture can leave someone wishing they had never crawled out from under the duvet. An upgrade can have the feel-good effect of a day at the spa, without the sticker shock of installing a home steam room or sauna.

Choosing the right shower head for a family home, however, can be complicated. Wants and needs for shower height, water pressure and aesthetics are as varied as the options on the market.

Curtis Elmy, co-owner of Atmosphere Interior Design in Saskatoon, recommends shower heads with multiple functions, including spray settings suited to massaging, misting or rinsing out shampoo. “This added adjustability gives users a degree of control that is otherwise limited in standard shower installations,” he says.

Elmy also suggests looking for models that mount to a slide bar. “There is no true standard installation height,” he says. “People are not all the same height – so the ability to easily adjust the position of the shower head is thoughtful.”

Candace Plotz, founder of Candace Plotz Design in Renfrew, Ont., takes a different approach. “While some people prefer multiple spray settings,” she says, “I love the simplicity of a dedicated rain head that does one thing beautifully.”

Versatility still matters, though. Plotz often pairs a ceiling-mounted rain head with a separate hand-held wand. “The combination is both luxurious and practical,” she says.

Sarah Bilicki, principal of Toronto’s Sarah Elizabeth Design + Interiors, agrees that rain heads are a great choice. Size is key. “You want to ensure you’re getting one with a large enough diameter,” she says. “Eight inches [20 centimetres] is fairly standard. But to be fully engulfed in the spray and get a real sense of relaxation, I would recommend 12 inches [30 cm], if space allows.”

Bilicki seconds the addition of a wand, in part for accessibility reasons. “They are more inclusive because, especially with a long hose, they give the user more control over the height, location and direction of the water,” she says. Textured handles, as well as simple levers that don’t require much force to operate, also help. “They’re better for people who might find it painful to twist a knob or grip something slippery,” she says.

For Bilicki, accessibility is important because more people want to age in place these days. Planning for the long term might also mean picking an indestructible fixture. For that, materials play a part. “Solid brass or stainless steel offers the best durability, performance and long-term finish quality,” says Elmy.

Aging Well: How Canadians are navigating the complicated, onerous and emotional task of planning for aging

Ease of cleaning is also important, adds Plotz. “I always look for an anti-calcium nozzle design, as it makes a noticeable difference in hard-water areas,” she says.

To prevent mineral buildup and simplify maintenance, many manufacturers line spray holes with flexible rubber or silicone nozzles that quickly wipe clean. In addition, sleek is better than antique for cleaning. The simpler the design, with minimal ridges, lips, seams or indentations, the less likely water will collect, pool and leave mineral deposits. Lastly, high-polish materials such as chrome, while they look sharp out of the box, are more likely to show smudges and fingerprints than more matte finishes such as unlacquered brass.

Bilicki notes that the design of the shower head should also work aesthetically with the rest of the bathroom. “It can tie a room together,” she says. “If you have round or curved shapes in your vanity fixtures, the shower hardware should likely match. It looks more considered that way, more like a spa.”

Shopping Guide: Design experts say there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all lounge chair

Six buys to try

Look for options that balance style, performance and flexibility.