A Guide To Choosing Your Bathroom Accessories

Choosing the Right Bathroom Accessories: A Practical Guide to Bathroom Renovation

Renovating your bathroom can be an exciting yet overwhelming task. With so many options available, it's easy to get caught up in the aesthetics and overlook the practical aspects. For instance, the functionality of your bathroom accessories plays a huge role in ensuring that your space not only looks good, but is also easy to maintain. Here’s my guide to selecting the right bathroom accessories that strike the perfect balance between beauty and practicality.

Toilet Bowl (Water Closet): P Trap vs. S Trap Piping

One of the first things to consider when choosing your toilet is the type of discharge pipe you have. In Singapore, most bathrooms use S Trap toilets, which discharge directly to the floor. There are two sizes of S Trap: 10" (250mm) and 6" (150mm). On the other hand, P Trap toilets can be used for both horizontal and floor discharge.

When it comes to functionality, I recommend choosing Tornado and Rimless Water Closets. These toilet bowls are much easier to clean and maintain because they don’t have traditional rims where dirt and grime tend to accumulate. Plus, they're more hygienic since there's no place for bacteria to hide.

One important note during the renovation process: if you're planning to install a bidet, let your contractor know early on if you'd like a separate water point. Most bidets come with bulky two-way valves, and it's best to plan this out in advance. With two water points, you can control the water pressure, ensuring your bidet is comfortable to use (no one likes an overly powerful spray!).

Vanity Sink: Balancing Quality and Affordability

When it comes to vanity sinks, a lot of people turn to platforms like Taobao because they offer good deals. But here’s the thing: while the carcass (the structure) is usually fine, the faucet and hinges may not be of the best quality. I’ve received numerous complaints about flexible hoses rusting just a few months after installation.

So, here’s my advice: it's okay to go for affordable vanity sets, but for the faucet and hinges, invest in higher-quality, well-known brands. This will help prevent issues down the road and ensure longevity.

Another thing to keep in mind is the sink design. Built-in sinks are often the best choice for maintenance because they’re seamless and easy to clean. If you go for a bowl-style sink, keep an eye on the silicone around it. Over time, mould can develop, even with anti-mould silicone. No one wants to deal with mould problems, so proper maintenance is key!

Soap Holder: Go Stainless Steel or Glass

I always recommend opting for stainless steel or glass soap holders over marble inserts. Sure, marble looks nice, but it’s very porous. Over time, water mark stains, or even worse, rust stains, can occur if you put your shaver on it. These stains are hard to remove and can make your beautiful marble holder look patchy and worn.

While marble soap holders can be aesthetically pleasing, they come with long-term maintenance challenges that many homeowners don’t realize until it's too late. Plus, if you ever want to replace it, you’ll likely need to hack off the surrounding tiles, which is a hassle. So, stick with stainless steel or glass – they’re durable, easy to clean, and much more practical.

Water Heater: Which One is Right for You?

There are several options when it comes to water heaters, each with its own set of pros and cons. Let’s take a look at the most common types:

• Instant Heater: This is the most convenient option. It’s installed directly in your shower area, so you get hot water immediately without the wait. Plus, you can adjust the temperature directly from the shower controls.
  

• Water Tank Heater: While this keeps your shower area neat, the heater itself is bulky and needs time to heat the water. Personally, I don’t like waiting for water to heat up, which is why I tend to recommend alternatives.
  

• Gas Heater: This is my personal favorite. It’s energy-efficient, saves money on your electricity bill, and offers instant hot water. Plus, it can be installed in your HDB unit's service yard, so your bathroom looks neater without a bulky water tank.
  

• Instant Multi-Point Heater: This is a compact option that can serve two toilets. It’s similar to the instant heater but allows for multiple points without the bulkiness of a traditional water tank. It’s a great middle ground if you need instant hot water but don’t want to sacrifice space.
  

For me, functionality always takes precedence over aesthetics. Sure, you want a beautiful bathroom, especially since you are already going to undertake a major renovation project for your flat anyway. But there’s no point if it’s a pain to clean every week or if certain features don’t work well. So when choosing your water heater, think about what will be most convenient for your daily routine.

Final Thoughts: Beauty vs. Practicality

Renovating a bathroom isn’t just about picking the most visually appealing accessories. It’s about choosing products that will function well and stand the test of time. A beautiful toilet or vanity set won’t do you much good if it’s a nightmare to clean or maintain.

Enjoy the process of selecting your bathroom accessories, but always remember to balance both beauty and practicality. When you get it right, you’ll have a space that’s not only stunning but also a joy to use every day.

I hope this guide helps you as you plan your bathroom renovation! Reach out to use for a no-obligation free consultation today.