Bathroom tapware


Whether choosing three tap hole sets or the more popular single lever mixers, chrome finishes never date. Unlike many other colours chrome is and will always be a fashionable finish.

— Paul Burbridge, director of Gro Agencies


Basins

Consider who is going to be using the basin. For example, if you have men with big hands using it, a small basin will not be practical. Height and accessibility are also a consideration — for example, a semi-recessed basin is a good choice for children because it is easy to lean over and use.”

— Tina Mills, co-owner of Lavare

 

Amalfi Vessel Basin. Picture: lavare.com.au



Toilets

Wall-hung or floor-mount pans are the go. Having a cistern concealed in the wall is not only more attractive and easier to clean; it also helps to create space in a small bathroom or powder room.”

— Paul Burbridge

Showerheads

The double shower is the new standard in bathrooms, with clients choosing a hand-held shower for the times women do not want to get hair wet, and the rain shower for the whole water drench experience.

— Paul Burbridge

 

 Hand-held shower and the rain shower. Picture: groagencies.com.au


Kitchen sinks

Choose a sink to reflect the style of the renovation; do not put a modern sink in an old house.

— Colleen Wiborg, store manager of The Sink Warehouse, Osborne Park


Kitchen tapware

When you are looking for tapware, start at the most expensive and work your way down to see what you are happy with. Invest a few more dollars on your tap because you want to ensure it functions well and that it doesn’t leak.

— Colleen Wiborg


Appliances

Although the stainless-steel finish has been the most popular choice among Australian homes for the past decade, we’re starting to see in our stores a gradual move away from the stainless-steel look towards appliances with sleek black finishes. Black appliances are a sleek alternative and are easy to clean and match with other kitchen appliances and decorations.

— Rick Hart, brand ambassador for Winning Appliances


Lighting

Consider three types of lighting: ambient lighting illuminates a room and creates the mood. In the kitchen and bathroom, flush-mounted downlights are perfect for creating ambient lighting. Task lighting is concentrated lighting that focuses on areas where you need effective lighting to perform tasks such as cooking or reading. This can be achieved using pendants, spotlights or under-bench lighting. Finally, accent lighting is a softer lighting that illuminates decorative features such as a display cabinet and can come in the form of pendants, wall brackets or even lighting placed around the kickboard.

— Denise Hammond, product knowledge and development specialist at Beacon Lighting

 

Tadao 1 Light Small Water Drop Pendant in Concrete. Picture: beaconlighting.com.au

 

Kitchen benchtops

Go for conservative colours for your benchtop, such as greys or creams. If you want to make a statement in your kitchen, make a statement with your splashback instead of your benchtop because it is easier to replace if you change your mind.

— Rob Thomson, owner of The Kitchen Factory Malaga

 

 

 Kitchen range. Picture: kitchensanddesigns.com.au


Kitchen splashback

Consider your kitchen outlook. If it looks on to garden or pool areas, a mirrored splashback will help to open up the room and create space.

— Heath Woollams, general manager of Salt Kitchens and Bathrooms

TIP: Following the recent European kitchen expos comes an innovative new product called Egger Feelwood, which is the latest trend for cabinetry. With a range of pre-finished timber grains it looks and feels like timber with the advantage of being more durable and a fraction of the price.

— Kyle Todd, Proform Products

 

 

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