There’s good reason why ceramics have a place in every bathroom. Water resistant, hard wearing and attractive, ceramic bathroom fittings, tiles and fixtures lend a stylish and practical touch to your intimate spaces.

From Roman bathhouses to modern powder rooms, ceramic materials have been used for thousands of years. Today ceramic fittings, tiles and accessories offer the best balance of cost effectiveness and durability, while adding a touch of style to your bathroom. According to ceramics retailaler Melissa Lange porcelain and ceramics are so versatile because they’re easily moulded, providing a degree of design flexibility. While there’s a significant variance between grades, all ceramics offer high durability, low heat and cold conductivity and are hypoallergenic. Melissa recommends investing in high-quality ceramics, which are easier to clean and maintain. "More up-market brands have different glazing that makes it a bit smoother," she says. Ultimately, the biggest advantage is that ceramics require less maintenance than other materials. And who needs more cleaning in their life?

Like all ceramic products, the quality of ceramic tiles can vary greatly and Melissa notes that porcelain and ceramic tiles are actually quite different. Porcelain is more expensive because it’s fired at higher temperatures, using specific raw materials, and is specially sealed. Porcelain and ceramic bathroom tiles remain a popular choice for floors, as they are more cost effective than other floor coverings, such as stone or wood. But the price is not the only attractive feature, as they are also easy to waterproof and clean, and it’s much simpler to replace a single tile than a whole floor, should something go wrong.

Ceramic is almost the only material used for toilets, bidets and basins due to its supreme durability and adaptability. Ceramic bathroom fittings are also more hygienic because, once sealed, the surface is non-porous and easier to keep gleaming. It’s also a popular choice for vanity tops, as it’s more durable than acrylic and cheaper than slabs of stone or composite materials. But be careful when transporting your ceramic fittings, warns Melissa. "Composite materials are far less likely to crack or break if dropped prior to installation," she says.

Ceramic accessories like soap dishes, toilet-paper holders and shower shelves are still available, but not as common now, with chrome and glass accessories leading the pack. "From a design point of view, most people want to tie their accessories in with their tapware," Melissa reasons. Also, she notes, ceramic accessories can be seen as cheap or a little tacky. "I think the only reason people use ceramic soap dishes and things is that they’re cheaper to install and they can get tilers to lay them when they put in the tiles," she says.

Since there is an endless variety of ceramic fittings, tiles and accessories to choose from, good style is completely up to you. To see the available range, find a bathroom fittings and fixtures supplier in your area: