Modern Showers

A modern shower should feel as good as it looks. Our contemporary range brings together thermostatic valves, rainfall shower heads, hand showers and complete shower sets — all designed around clean profiles, precise temperature control and finishes that tie into the rest of your bathroom.

Choose from exposed and concealed valve systems, fixed and adjustable heads, round and square profiles, and finishes including chrome, matt black, brushed brass and brushed nickel. Whether you're building a walk-in wet room or upgrading the shower over your bath, every piece is engineered for consistent pressure, safe temperature control and long-term reliability.

Modern showers built around how you actually use them

A shower is the most-used fixture in most bathrooms, so it deserves more thought than people often give it. A modern shower isn't just a valve and a head — it's a system. The valve controls temperature and flow, the head determines the feel of the water, the pipework connects the two, and the finish ties it all into your wider bathroom design. When those elements work together properly, you get a shower that's a pleasure to use every single day.

Thermostatic vs manual modern showers

The vast majority of modern showers use thermostatic valves, and for good reason. A thermostatic valve maintains a constant water temperature regardless of what else is happening in your plumbing — if someone flushes a toilet or runs a tap elsewhere in the house, the shower temperature stays where you set it. This is both a comfort feature and a safety feature, particularly in homes with children or elderly family members. Manual valves are simpler and less expensive, but they require you to adjust the temperature by hand and can fluctuate when demand on the system changes. For a modern bathroom, thermostatic is the standard we'd always recommend.

Concealed vs exposed modern shower valves

This is one of the most visible decisions you'll make when choosing a modern shower. A concealed valve sits behind the wall with only the control plate visible on the surface — everything else is hidden, giving you the cleanest possible look. An exposed valve mounts on the wall surface with visible pipework running up to the head. Concealed systems are the go-to for a contemporary finish and work particularly well in walk-in showers and wet rooms. Exposed systems are easier to install and maintain because everything is accessible, and modern exposed designs have come a long way — slim round bars and minimal brackets that look considered rather than industrial.

Shower heads — rainfall, fixed and hand showers

The shower head is where you feel the difference most. A rainfall head (also called a drench head) is the centrepiece of a modern shower — typically 200mm, 250mm or 300mm in diameter, ceiling or wall-mounted, delivering a wide, gentle cascade that covers your whole body. A fixed wall-mounted head offers a more directional flow and suits lower ceilings or over-bath installations. A hand shower on a riser rail or slide bar gives you flexibility — useful for rinsing, cleaning the enclosure and bathing children. Many modern shower systems combine a fixed rainfall head with a separate hand shower on the same valve, giving you the best of both.

Round vs square modern shower profiles

This is largely an aesthetic choice, but it affects the feel of the room more than you'd expect. Round profiles — circular heads, cylindrical valves, curved arms — tend to feel softer and work well in bathrooms with organic shapes or warmer colour palettes. Square profiles — flat rectangular heads, angular valve plates, straight arms — feel more architectural and suit bathrooms with strong linear design, wall-hung furniture and sharp tile lines. There's no wrong answer, but try to keep the profile consistent across your valve, head and any accessories so the shower feels like a matched set.

Finishes that complete the look

Chrome is the most popular finish for modern showers and the easiest to pair with other bathroom fittings. It's bright, reflective and suits almost any colour scheme. Matt black is the standout contemporary choice — it creates strong contrast against light tiles and pairs naturally with anthracite furniture and dark grout lines. Brushed brass brings warmth and suits bathrooms with natural materials, cream tones or heritage-influenced designs. Brushed nickel sits between chrome and brass — a softer, warmer metallic that's growing in popularity for its versatility. Whichever you choose, match it to your taps, towel rails and enclosure hardware to pull the bathroom together.

Water pressure and modern showers

Modern showers perform best on a system with adequate water pressure and flow rate. Most thermostatic valves require a minimum of 0.5 bar, with 1.0 bar or above giving the best results — particularly for large rainfall heads. If your home has a gravity-fed system (cold water tank in the loft, hot water cylinder), you may need a pump to get the pressure up to where a modern shower performs at its best. Combi boiler systems typically deliver good pressure without a pump. If you're unsure about your system, check your current pressure with a gauge or ask your plumber before choosing — we're happy to advise on which modern showers suit different system types.

What types of modern showers are available?

Our modern shower range includes thermostatic and manual valves, concealed and exposed systems, rainfall shower heads, fixed wall-mounted heads, hand showers on riser rails and complete shower sets that combine multiple components. You can buy individual pieces to build a bespoke system or choose a packaged shower set where everything is matched and ready to install.

What is a concealed modern shower valve?

A concealed modern shower valve is a thermostatic or manual valve that sits behind the bathroom wall, with only the control plate and handles visible on the surface. All pipework and the valve body are hidden inside the wall cavity. This gives a cleaner, more minimal look compared to an exposed valve and is the most popular choice for contemporary walk-in showers and wet rooms. Installation requires access to the wall cavity, so it's easier to fit during a renovation than as a retrofit.

What size rainfall head should I choose for a modern shower?

Rainfall heads for modern showers typically come in 200mm, 250mm and 300mm diameters. A 200mm head suits standard showers and lower ceilings. A 250mm head is the most popular all-round choice — wide enough for full coverage without needing exceptionally high pressure. A 300mm head delivers the most luxurious experience but requires good water pressure (ideally 1.0 bar or above) and a higher ceiling or wall-arm to position it correctly. If you're not sure, 250mm is a safe starting point for most bathrooms.

Do modern showers work with low water pressure?

Most thermostatic modern shower valves require a minimum of 0.5 bar to operate correctly, and performance improves significantly at 1.0 bar and above. If you have a gravity-fed system with low pressure, you can either fit a shower pump to boost the flow or choose a valve specifically rated for low-pressure systems. Combi boiler systems generally provide enough pressure for modern showers without additional equipment. If you're unsure about your pressure, test it with a gauge at the nearest tap or ask your plumber — we can recommend modern showers that suit your specific setup.

What is the difference between round and square modern shower heads?

The difference is primarily aesthetic. Round modern shower heads have a circular face and softer lines, creating a more organic, relaxed look. Square modern shower heads have a flat rectangular face and sharper edges, giving a more architectural, contemporary feel. Both deliver water in the same way — the shape of the head doesn't affect performance. Choose whichever matches the design direction of your bathroom, and try to keep the profile consistent across your valve, arm and accessories.

Can I combine a rainfall head and a hand shower on the same modern shower valve?

Yes. Many modern shower valves are available as twin or triple outlet systems, which means they can run two or three shower components from a single valve. A common setup is a fixed rainfall head for everyday use and a separate hand shower on a rail for flexibility — rinsing, cleaning the enclosure or bathing children. The valve lets you switch between outlets or run both simultaneously, depending on the model. Check that the valve you're choosing has enough outlets for the components you want.

Which finish should I choose for a modern shower?

Match the finish to the rest of your bathroom brassware — taps, towel rails and enclosure hardware. Chrome is the most versatile and coordinates with almost any scheme. Matt black suits contemporary and industrial-leaning bathrooms and creates strong contrast against lighter tiles. Brushed brass adds warmth and works well with natural palettes and wood-effect finishes. Brushed nickel is a softer alternative to chrome with a warmer undertone. Keeping a consistent finish across all your brassware is the simplest way to make a bathroom feel designed rather than assembled.