Here at Restoration Online, one of the most common questions we get asked is “which tapware do I choose for my bathroom?” – so we decided to put together a handy guide, stepping you through the process of designing a traditional bathroom.

Decide on a design theme

Do you have a particular theme or style in mind?

Perhaps your house was built in a particular era and you are wanting to make the tapware as authentic as possible. Some of the most common traditional styles of homes in Australia are Federation, Victorian and Art Deco. We have different ranges of tapware all designed to suit these particular styles. You can choose to be as flexible with the style or not – do you want it to be an exact replica of the era, or just loosely inspired by it?

You may love the look of Hamptons or French Provincial styles, or a more rustic, country look - that’s great, these looks are still quite classic and traditional in style but a little more flexible, allowing you to choose the colours and shapes you really love.

If you’re unsure, look for some inspiration – you can browse our website for the styles you like or look at Pinterest or Instagram, which are great tools for getting some amazing ideas (don’t forget to follow us!). Save the images you like – if you really love something and want to replicate it, you are welcome to send us through an image and we can make some suggestions of items to get the look.

The next step is to decide on a colour scheme. Some styles allow you a bit more freedom than others – for example Victorian and Art Deco bathrooms often had quite striking dark paint colours such as green, contrasted against brass tapware. These days however we see many bathrooms in lighter, more neutral colours adorned with traditional tapware. Hamptons style bathrooms are commonly painted in a crisp white, sometimes with accents like taupe or grey tiles. Ultimately it just comes down to the look you love and want to look at every day! 

If you have a finish or colour in mind for your tapware, you can Shop By Colour on Restoration Online, and view the tapware available in your chosen colour scheme.

What next?

The next step would be to select the big-ticket items, so your bath, basin/vanity, and shower.

Image credit: @scotbuildshamptonshome

Bath

Obviously depending on the size of your bathroom, you may not have room for a bath, so if that’s the case, skip this step!

We have a range of Baths in different shapes and sizes. For a real luxurious feel, you might want to choose a free-standing bath – they are available in many materials and styles these days, so it just depends on what fits with the theme you’ve chosen and of course, what physically fits in the space you have.

If you’re a bit tight on space, then we’d recommend a corner bath, which is a great way to use every inch of the room available. You can jazz this up with some gorgeous tapware, which we’ll go into shortly.

Shower

You’ll then need to decide, are you wanting your shower over your bath, or a separate shower?

If you choose to install the shower over the bath, at Restoration Online we have a range of shower curtain rails for every shape of bath.

If you’ve got the space for a separate shower, you’ll want to take into consideration things like what type of shower screen you want – if you want a screen at all. Some of the most popular types are fully framed, frameless and semi frameless shower screens, with sliding or hinged doors, and there are many glass designs, colours and textures to choose from. Once you have a rough idea it’s best to consult with a local shower screen installer.

Basin & Vanity

Next, you’ll want to think about basins and vanities. Some traditional style bathrooms will just have a pedestal basin or traditional wall mounted sink, which are some of the most authentic options depending on the era your bathroom is inspired by.

Generally, for practical purpose, most people choose to go with a vanity these days, as they combine your basin with storage options. Many of our customers have custom cabinetry made to suit their bathroom, in which case you can choose a basin you like that fits in your vanity. After discussing your needs with your cabinetmaker, you may want to choose either an inset basin, semi inset or an above counter basin.

If you’d rather purchase a standalone vanity, we cater to that as well witha large selection of both very traditional timber vanities and more contemporary options.

Image credit: @realtreecarpentry

Toilet

You’ll want to choose a toilet that blends in with the rest of your bathroom. We have a range of traditional style toilets, in both white and ivory. Some are available with timber toilet seats which is an easy way to really bring an old fashioned touch to your bathroom. Check with your plumber whether you require an S Trap or P Trap toilet, as this may change the options available to you.

Which tapware do I choose?

We’ll split this into three sections – shower taps, bath taps and basin taps.

Shower taps

It may seem like a pretty basic part of the bathroom, but there is actually a huge amount of choice when it comes to shower taps.

The simplest option is just a shower rose and separate handles. These can come in a range of different colours and styles, such as Gooseneck shapes, rainfall shower heads, and adjustable and fixed shower heads.

The next option is a shower rail, which usually has a handspray attached. Shower rails are a slightly more contemporary option but come in traditional shapes such as the popular Gooseneck.

The final option, which is a popular choice for those looking for a really authentic, traditional look, is an exposed shower set. This has the piping between the handles and the shower head all exposed and connected, and often also has bath taps as well, so can be a great choice for an over-bath shower.

Bath taps

The type of bath taps you choose might depend on the style of bath you have.

For a grand, clawfoot bath, you’ll want something equally impressive to match. The most popular options would be a telephone tap, which has a handspray sitting on a cradle, or a tall floor mounted tap.

If you’d rather something more understated, you might select a simple wall spout with handles, in a style and finish that complements the rest of your décor. We also have hob mounted options, as some baths may have a tiled surface next to the bath with space for the spout and handles to be installed.

Image credit: @realtreecarpentry

Basin Taps

You should know by this point which type of basin you’ve chosen, so this will impact the type of basin taps you require. Basically you can choose from bench/basin mounted taps, and wall mounted taps. You also will need to choose between a mixer tap, which requires one tap hole, and a three piece tap set, with spout and two handles.

Lighting

Lighting can really bring together a room and is an easy way to add some décor in the style of your choice. To make a grand statement, place a chandelier over the bathtub. This is perfect for French Provincial style bathrooms. For a more humble room, wall lights are a great option – they can be installed either side of a mirror and add a sense of balance.

Choose lighting that goes with your tapware – we recommend sticking with one colour, such as all chrome or all brass, to keep things looking cohesive. Of course, it is completely up to you, if you prefer to put an eclectic twist on a traditional bathroom by mixing different metals and finishes, many designers have achieved this tastefully. For example, black and brass complement each other quite nicely.

When choosing lighting for your bathroom, you’ll want to check with your electrician about what is suitable for your bathroom – there are legal requirements about how far lighting can be installed from plumbing, which can sometimes mean you may need to opt for a ceiling light over a wall light.

Finishing touches

To pull together your traditional bathroom (and for practical reasons!) you will want to choose bathroom fittings such as towel rails and rings, toilet roll holders, soap dishes and wall mounted toilet brushes. While these items may seem like an afterthought, these small details can make a huge difference.

You’ll also need to select handles for your cabinets – choose something that matches your tapware and accessories, or add a touch of luxury with some more decorative options such as crystal knobs. We have a range of cupboard knobs, pull handles and drawer pulls so that you can create the exact look you want.

Image credit: @narby_cabinets

Lastly, you might want to add some plants or soft furnishings to make the bathroom look homey.

Keep in mind that in Australia, any plumbing and electrical work needs to be undertaken by licensed plumbers and electricians. We recommend discussing you plans with your tradesmen before purchasing any items - they can confirm that all your choices will work in your space.

If you have any questions or need help choosing items for your traditional bathroom, the helpful team at Restoration Online is more than happy to assist. Feel free to contact us via phone, email or live chat.