Skip to main content

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How to choose a showerhead for your guest bathroom

Considering updating the look of your guest bathroom? Start with one simple change: the showerhead. With literally thousands of options to choose from, you may not know where to start. Even once you’ve settled on a budget, you still have to pick a showerhead that’s easy to install and available in your favorite material (we’re partial to brass because of its industrial look and resistance to rust), finish, brand, size, and overall design aesthetic. In the U.S., the National Pipe Thread size is standardized, so don’t have to worry about picking a fixture that will fit the pipe.

Before getting bogged down with all of the details around the look of the fixture, you need to make sure it’s functional for your needs. Here are a few options to consider.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Wall-mounted

A wall-mounted showerhead will fix directly to the shower elbow on the wall. These mounts are super easy to install and use; just screw off your old head and screw the new one in. This option will definitely give you the most versatility. If you decide you want a different showerhead or your existing one has served its purpose, you can simply replace it with a new one without reinstalling any fixtures.

Wall-mounted showerheads come in all types of materials, like chrome, brass, and nickel, and most also come with features that allow you to customize the spray pattern and massage setting, and some even have dual-head options. If you’re on the shorter side, keep in mind that you may have difficultly reaching high enough to change the settings unless you buy one with a handheld option.

rain shower shower head
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ceiling-mounted

Rain showerheads sit above you on the ceiling. Ceiling-mounted showerheads are stylish, luxurious, and give you all the coverage you need when taking a shower. They typically come in round or square shapes and are larger than most wall-mounted heads, so make sure your shower is large enough to fit the new fixture.

These options are more difficult to install, and you may need to hire a plumber to add an additional water line that directs to the new mount. Once the plumbing is in place, just follow the directions on the showerhead’s package, to hang it up in no time. You might also want to consider a handheld as well, to make cleaning your shower easier.

clean bathroom with a lot of light
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Handheld

Handheld showerheads give you more control over the direction of the water flow. This is especially helpful if you have an injury, use a wheelchair, or have other mobility concerns that require you to sit while showering. Instead of moving around under a stationary head, you can grab hold of the showerhead itself to direct the flow. This also makes it a great option for rinsing off a squirming child or pet.

Like the wall-mounted variety, many come with multiple settings so you can adjust the flow and pressure as desired. You can attach handheld fixtures to both wall and ceiling mounts — it’s just one more feature to consider.

A little something fancy

If you’re really looking to impress your guests, consider a showerhead that has some additional features like lighting and music. We love this option from Ello&Allo that has a color-changing sensor that adjusts the hue depending on the temperature of the water. If your guests love to sing in the shower, check out this Kohler Moxie showerhead with a built-in waterproof Bluetooth speaker. The speaker is also removable, so you can recharge it or take it with you when traveling — just don’t let your guests run off with it. It’s obviously not a necessity in a guest bathroom and you’ll pay a premium for these features, but if you want to spoil your visitors, this is a great way to do so.

Final notes

The majority of the showerheads mentioned above need between 40 and 60 psi, so check your home’s water pressure before shopping and pick an appropriate one for your home. Just keep in mind that the more water pressure it uses, the more energy it takes, so if you are diligent about saving energy (and money), make sure you grab an energy-efficient option.

Showerheads can add just a touch of luxury to your guest bathroom. Whether it’s a small bonus like massaging jets or a big budget upgrade like LED lights and Bluetooth speakers, you can ensure your guests feel taken care of in your home. Round out this bathroom and make sure there are plenty of towels, toilet paper, and toiletries available. These little additions go a long way to giving your friends and family a fresh, clean, and fancy stay, and they’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Julie Scagell
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
These Charlie Brown Christmas trees are your perfect holiday addition
The Charlie Brown Christmas tree is having a big comeback
Small spaces Christmas decor

If you're a fan of Charlie Brown, you've likely seen (more than once) A Charlie Brown Christmas. In it, Charlie gets mocked for finding a real tree for his centerpiece because of its short, puny, crooked branches and needles that seem to fall off without much effort.

Who knew all these years later that the Charlie Brown Christmas tree would become so popular with people of all ages? There's something to be said about the nostalgia this tree brings, and we're seeing it used as the main tree in the living room and in other rooms of the home, like the dining room, bedroom, and kids' rooms.

Read more
This is the easiest way to hang Christmas garland without damaging your walls
Decking your halls doesn’t have to mean damaging your walls
Red front door with winter wreath and garland

Sometimes, decking the halls comes with a caveat for many homeowners: hanging garland with screws and nails may damage your walls. And while stick-on hooks, putty, or wall tape are a go-to for many, these adhesives just don’t hold up heavy decorations for the entire winter season. So, today, we’re sharing a fantastic solution to hanging your Christmas garland this season from TikTok, which will protect your home while still allowing you to decorate as you like.

https://www.tiktok.com/@thekwendyhome/video/7296927492172975366?q=thekwendyhome&t=1699455884611
Use a shower rod
@thekwendyhome on TikTok shared her solution to decorating your entryways and archways with garland without drilling any holes or hooks into the walls. The solution? Use a shower rod.

Read more
What a hardwood contractor says your wood flooring says about you
According to a hardwood contractor, the species, stain, and cut of your wood floors can say a lot about you
bleached light wood flooring in an entryway

The home is a canvas for your personality, and your interiors should reflect your personal aesthetics. A professional hardwood contractor on TikTok, @lumberjackwoodsupply, says your wood flooring may reveal more about you than you might have thought. Here is what the species, color, and style of your wood flooring say about you (though, of course, some of these are a bit tongue-in-cheek).

https://www.tiktok.com/@lumberjackwoodsupply/video/7296136450888846623
What your wood flooring species says about you
Pine
If you have lighter, slim, natural pine floors, this TikToker says you likely fall into one of two categories. “You definitely have an appreciation for old things,” says @lumberjackwoodsupply. Alternatively, “you most likely own an old house that had these floors underneath.”
Walnut flooring
Walnut flooring is classy, elegant, and often sold at a steeper price. The hardwood contractor says homeowners with walnut flooring “have taste.”
Red oak
“There’s a good chance you didn’t choose to install this. It was just already in your house,” says this TikToker. But if you did choose to install red oak flooring, “you are either on a budget or you like to go against the status quo.”
Brazilian Cherry
“You probably live in an upscale but slightly outdated suburban home,” says the hardwood contractor. “There’s a good chance you hate the red.”
Maple
If you favor the sleek light wood tones of maple flooring to curate an airy and uplifting aesthetic, “You either live on the beach, or you want to look like you live on the beach,” says this TikToker.
Hickory
Hickory flooring is well-known for its boldness. It’s a unique wood with a quirky grain and various hues. If you have hickory flooring, “you like unique things,” says the hardwood contractor. “You want to be different.”

Read more