Antique & Vintage Style Home Accessories

The simplest approach is to buy your accessories from the same brand range as your tapware, many brands such as Phoenix, Caroma Urbane II, and Meir offer coordinated tap and accessory collections. If mixing brands, focus on matching the finish (e.g. brushed nickel or matte black) rather than the exact product range. Small variations in tone between brands are often barely noticeable in a finished bathroom.

Matte black has been the dominant finish for bathroom accessories in Australia for the past several years and remains very popular. Brushed nickel, brushed gold, and brushed brass are also strong choices for warmer or more luxurious interiors. Chrome remains the most versatile and classic option. For coastal homes, PVD-finished accessories offer the best long-term corrosion resistance.

A fully equipped bathroom typically includes a towel rail or heated towel rail, a toilet roll holder, a robe hook (or hooks), a soap dish or soap dispenser, and a toothbrush holder. In the shower, a shower shelf or niche is essential. For a cohesive look, choose all accessories from the same range and finish, most Australian accessory brands like Nero, Phoenix, Meir and Caroma offer complete coordinating sets.

A standard towel rail is an unheated, wall-mounted rail for hanging and airing towels. A heated towel rail incorporates an electric or hydronic heating element that warms the rail surface. Standard towel rails are more affordable and simpler to install, while heated towel rails add warmth and faster drying. Both are available in a wide range of finishes and sizes to match bathroom accessories.

A single towel rail of 600mm suits a single person or couple. For family bathrooms, 750mm or 900mm rails or a multi-bar rail, provide more hanging capacity. Double bars allow two towels to be hung side-by-side without overlap. Measure the available wall space carefully and allow clearance on either side for a neat installation.

The standard installation height for a toilet roll holder in Australia is approximately 650–700mm from the finished floor level, positioned to the side of the toilet at a comfortable reach. It should be installed 200–300mm in front of the toilet bowl. Always follow any specific recommendations from the manufacturer.

Robe hooks are typically installed on the back of the bathroom door or on an adjacent wall near the entry. In an ensuite, hooks are often positioned inside the shower recess or near the towel rail area. Install at a height of approximately 1600–1700mm from the floor for adult use. Choose a number of hooks appropriate for the household, two hooks per user is a practical guideline.