Electrical appliances, such as lights, heaters and heated towel rails generally need to be installed as fixtures, with permanent connections rather than plugs and sockets. This minimizes the risk of electric shock.
In the United States, "bathroom" commonly means "a room containing a toilet.” In America they are categorized as full bathroom, containing a bathtub, a shower, a toilet, and a sink; half (1/2) bath containing a toilet and a handbasin (lavatory); and 3/4 bath containing a toilet, a handbasin (lavatory) and a shower.
Jacuzzis are commonly found in bathrooms in residential homes, hotels and aboard cruise ships and have become popular in high-end spas around the world. Jacuzzi products are distributed in about 60 countries.
In its literal sense it means "a room with a bath", but as bathtubs have partly made way for showers and steam showers, the more general sense of "a room where one bathes" makes more sense. There can be just a shower or just a bathtub or both, sometimes combined and sometimes separate (in which case the bathtub may have a second shower). Usually, it also contains a handbasin or sink and often also a toilet.
Bathrooms can also be a source of decorative inspiration. One can easily decorate the bathroom by choosing shower curtains or cubicles to match a theme.
Until recently, most bathtubs were roughly rectangular in shape but with the advent of acrylic thermoformed baths, more and more shapes are becoming available. Bathtubs are typically white in color although many other colors can be found.
A low-level access step is essential as is some form of built-in seat as part of a walk-in bathtub The addition of a shower curtain around the tub will make the walk in bathtub into a shower and bars or rails can be added to make the bathtub accessible for those with disabilities and for seniors.
In plumbing, a sink is a bowl-shaped fixture, usually made of porcelain (or, especially in the kitchen, stainless steel), that is used for washing hands or small objects such as dishes, nylons, socks or underwear. Old sinks were often made of enameled steel or cast iron.
A Belfast sink is a large ceramic sink with a traditional appearance, often set under work surfaces. An automatic sink is a sink fitted in a public restroom that is motion-sensored and detects motion beneath its surface.
In the UK you can buy bathroom fixtures and accessories from Plumbworld, Cotswold Co and Roper Rhodes.
Steam showers are generally found in self-contained enclosures that don't allow the water vapor into the main part of the bathroom, thus avoiding damage to drywall, paint, or wallpaper. Most steam shower rooms are sold as stand alone shower units with between 12 and 30 jets, while many have additional features such as foot massagers, ceiling rain showers, radios, telephones, and CD players.
A bathtub (or simply bath) is a plumbing fixture used for bathing. Most modern bathtubs are made of acrylic or fiberglass, but alternatives are available in the form of porcelain-coated steel or wood. Older western bathtubs are usually made of galvanized steel or iron. Traditional Japanese bathtubs were usually of a wooden construction.