Showers have certainly taken a giant leap forward since they were first conceived as a quick place to wash away the weekly worries. Today, the humble shower has entered the realm of opulent luxury. Our Mint Kitchen Group expert designers take a look into the range of sensational showers and the additional extras that are making a statement in many Melbourne homes.

The standard shower saw a significant overhaul between the 1980s and 1990s. With design trends in full steam alongside advancements in plumbing technology, the traditional shower – consisting of a fixed showerhead mounted on the wall – soon became a luxury item. In addition, the desire for home renovations and increased focus on interior design led to a major upgrade of bathroom fixtures and fittings. This saw the introduction of showers with incredible features such as handheld wands, adjustable water jets, and multifunctional showerheads.

Developments in plumbing technology and manufacturing also significantly increased homeowner demands for a better way to wash – and relax. As a result, innovations in showerhead design gained momentum, and the world was quick to embrace the luxury of a spa-like experience at home with the release of rain showers, waterfall showers, and the ultimate showering experience – jet massaging showers. Today’s showers are more impressive than ever, with water-saving options now stepping into the luxury zone, meaning you don’t have to give up that enjoyable water pressure to keep your eco-friendly stance!

Although the standard shower is still a top favourite due to its affordability and simplicity, many homeowners now crave a more lavish option for their showering needs.

Types Of Showers

The Standard Shower – This is the most common type of shower, consisting of a fixed wall-mounted showerhead. They are a big favourite with families and rental properties and can also contain water-saving components to allow homes to save precious water. Plus, they are very affordable and easy to install.

The Handheld Shower – These showers feature a detachable handheld wand, allowing greater flexibility and control while washing. These showerheads also make cleaning the shower easy and allow for more movement. Now a staple in many Australian homes for their ease of use and functionality, most also come with different settings to provide a softer or harder stream of water as needed.

Rainfall Shower – Many rainfall showers are combined with a standard shower or handheld shower head to allow different showering options in one space. Designed to create the feeling of standing under gentle rain, these showers have a more oversized showerhead, usually round or square, positioned directly above the showering zone. They also create a beautiful sound that has been known to aid in relaxation.

Massage Shower – The ultimate showering experience, the massage shower showcases multiple showerheads, adjustable water jets, or pulsating settings to give a soothing or invigorating massage. Jets positioned at various heights along the shower wall allow a full body massage at home. These showers have been shown to help relieve muscle tension and promote relaxation and are certainly taking the sparkle off the ‘soak-in-the-tub’ experience. Most can also be customised to target different areas.

Double Showers – have room to move? Double showers offer an extraordinary experience allowing two people to shower at once. Double showers can also encompass various showerheads, including rainfall showers, massage showers, and handheld all in a space that’s built for two. They allow each person to control their temperature and desired pressure and are perfect for busy households who want to save time with more than one person showering at a time. They are super versatile and can provide homeowners with a range of options.

The Added Extras

Showers also come with a range of added extras that enhance your showering experience. From adding a steam generator to your ordinary shower that can create a spa-like experience to getting a touch of technology that allows you to control light, sound, water temperature, flow, and even allow access to shower settings through a digital interface – fancy!

As tech creeps into the bathroom, smart showers provide many homeowners with more options at the click of a button, with many wholly integrated into automotive home systems. Imagine setting up your ideal shower experience from your phone before you even get out of bed. This type of technology is only set to increase in popularity and features, allowing for even better showering experiences.

Water saving is also big on the agenda for many homes, and eco-friendly options are readily available to ensure water-saving features. The great news is that the development of this sector is allowing a wonderful showering experience while using much less water, meaning you can cut down on water consumption while also helping homeowners with their power bills.

Other components can also be added to shower areas. Think footrests and seats, perfect for those with mobility issues or those who love to sit and relax under a stunning stream of water.

Shower Screens 

Shower screens have also taken a big leap forward, with many homes now boasting impressive seamless frames and walk-in options instead of the trusty (and sometimes annoying) shower curtain.

Glass shower screens allow a genuinely open experience and create a beautiful flow throughout the space. They enable smaller bathrooms to seem bigger and brighter while allowing larger areas to showcase their stunning showers as focal points in the room. They can be framed or completely frameless and custom-made to suit your needs and bathroom theme.

With so many options, the trusty shower is a bathroom staple that can be completely revamped to provide a wonderful spa experience. With the right advice, you can add a touch of luxury and sophistication to your daily showering, providing as much relaxation as a long soak in a bathtub.