Flair International has over 40 years experience of designing and producing luxury glass bath screens and shower enclosures, during which time they have listened carefully to customers to ensure all their products are easy to install and unsurpassed in offering an enjoyable shower experience. Flair are the market leader in Ireland and rather than keeping all that shower know- how within their own Emerald Isle they have put their heads together and devised the ultimate 'Top Ten Tips to Planning the perfect Shower Space' for us all to share.

1/ Choose an enclosure that is Power-Shower approved

Contrary to popular belief, many enclosures are only splash-proof which means they are likely to leak if used with a powerful shower. To ensure that you can be revived and refreshed in your shower without fear of minor flooding, check that the product you select has been tested to the British Standard BS6340 and is power shower proof.

Most shower manufacturers nowadays have great product brochures and websites. All this provides valuable research material to help you decide on your perfect design of shower enclosure, but do also visit a retailer and check out your enclosure for real. Attractive design can be seen but good quality and precision engineering has to be felt. To be sure you are buying a quality product, shower doors should feel solid and not wobble when they move. Handles should be comfortable and the movement of the door, whether sliding or hinged, should be smooth and uninterrupted. When the door closes you will feel a robust seal that tells you it will be watertight.

Carpet may feel cosy in the cold winter months but it is impractical for use with a shower. Even if the enclosure is power-shower proof, after showering when you open the door condensation will cause water to roll down onto the floor. If carpet is essential then opt for a sliding or infold door that will ensure condensation stays inside the shower.

Tiles are the obvious choice for lining the inside of your shower enclave but there are lots to choose from - small, large, ceramic, glass, limestone, slate, marble. As well as the obvious aesthetic features, don't overlook practicalities. Some natural materials like stone absorb water and change colour slightly - all very well but they can take a while to dry after showering. Make sure the retailer explains to you how the tiles will look when they are wet, how they need to be looked after and how well they'll stand the test of time.

As advised by the TTA (The Tile Association) it is essential that the tiles be adhered to a water resistant background. Sand and cement render, dense concrete or water resistant tilebacker board are ideal backgrounds. Plaster, plasterboard, timber and timber-based products such as mdf or plywood are absorbent and should be made waterproof by the use of a waterproofing system (or tanking system). Make sure your installer is taking care of this or if you are DIYing, contact the Tile Association for more advice www.tiles.org.uk.

Low depth shower trays are popular at the moment as they look modern and lessen the step up into the shower; but do make sure there is enough volume capacity in the tray for the water to drain away quickly enough. A larger tray size should be okay, but if your shower space is quite small, you may be better off with a deeper tray to avoid the tray filling up and sloshing out onto the floor. Ask advice from your bathroom retailer or installer as the flow rate of your shower will have an important bearing on this.

Whether employing a professional or DIYing, make sure that the manufacturer’s instructions are carefully followed. Most important is to ensure that the shower tray is level (use a spirit level) and well sealed to the wall along its edges. The enclosure itself must also be plumb and square within its frame. Some enclosures, including those produced by Flair, allow adjustment in the wall profiles to cater for out-of-true walls. This is a great feature, as not many houses have completely straight walls so this makes installation easier and lessens the chance of mistakes.

Why not install a folding seat in your shower space for added comfort? This is not just something that can be appreciated by the elderly but an extra luxury we can all use sometimes. Attached to the wall, a fold-down seat takes no space but is great for sitting back and enjoying the steam from the shower. Also it saves bending down and allows you to sit in comfort for pampering rituals like body scrubs or shaving your legs.

Once you are the proud owner of the perfect shower enclosure you'll want to luxuriate under the hot water and make the most of your new investment.The last thing you want is to prop up your lotions and potions on the floor. When planning your shower space think about possible storage options. There are lots of great hanging wire baskets plus a wide range of fixed accessories like glass shelves and wall mounted soap dishes and dispensers for shampoo and shower gels. Alternatively while constructing the shower area, why not ask your builder to incorporate some alcoves into the wall. Once these are tiled over they'll blend in beautifully with the design and provide the perfect cubby holes for all your pampering essentials.

The shower is one of the few remaining sanctuaries in our modern world where we can truly escape the world outside. Embrace the moment by locking the door, switching off the phone and turning on some relaxing tunes to banish your blues and dissolve stress.

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