How to Choose the Right Sanitaryware: 12 Things to Consider

When it comes to building or renovating a home, most people focus on flooring, wall colors, or furniture. Yet, one of the most essential elements that directly impacts your daily comfort is sanitaryware - toilets, basins, faucets, showers, and related fittings. The right choices here ensure functionality, durability, hygiene, and aesthetics that align with your lifestyle.

At Ganpati Homez, we believe that sanitaryware is more than just a utility - it’s an integral part of creating a modern, comfortable, and stylish living space. This guide will help you make informed decisions so that every corner of your bathroom reflects both practicality and elegance.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Sanitaryware

Before you buy anything, lock these fundamentals in your mind: space, water (quality & pressure), user needs (age, mobility), cleaning effort, and long-term service/warranty. Each purchase should solve one (or more) of those items, not just look good.

1. Understand Your Bathroom Needs

Start with how the bathroom will be used: guest powder room, family bathroom, ensuite, or an accessible bathroom for elderly or differently-abled users. Ask:

Who uses it most (kids, elderly, tall people)?
Is it a high-use family bathroom or occasional guest toilet?
Do you need features that reduce maintenance or water use (rimless bowls, dual-flush, anti-limescale finishes)?

Design choices follow function: a family bathroom benefits from rimless or easy-to-clean toilets and durable faucets; an accessible bathroom needs grab rails, comfort-height toilets and lever/faucet handles. Universal design principles (curbless showers, single-lever mixers, grab bars) improve long-term usability.

2. Measure Your Space First

Measure twice, buy once. Key dimensions to confirm:

Toilet rough-in: the distance from finished wall to the center of the toilet outlet (most common is 12 in / 305 mm; some homes have 10 in or 14 in). Choosing a toilet that matches your rough-in prevents costly plumbing rework.
Clearances: allow comfortable access - leave at least 15-18 inches from the toilet centerline to a side wall or fixture where possible.
Basin/vanity height: standard countertops are typically 30–34 in (760–860 mm), with “comfort” heights at 34–36 in for taller users. Choose height to suit your household.

Document drain and water inlet locations, floor-to-ceiling heights, and door swing so the fixtures you select will actually fit.

3. Choosing the Right Toilet

Toilets vary widely - choose based on flushing performance, water efficiency, cleanability and installation type.

Types: one-piece, two-piece, back-to-wall, wall-hung (concealed cistern). Wall-hung saves floor space and makes cleaning easy, but requires a sturdy in-wall carrier and higher installation cost.
Flushing system: siphonic vs wash-down; rimless bowls allow direct flushing into the bowl and reduce hidden dirt traps (easier to clean and more hygienic). Rimless designs are gaining preference for hygiene.
Water efficiency: dual-flush toilets (half/ full flush) can save substantial water - modern systems often use ~3L (half) / 6L (full) or better, depending on model: this dramatically cuts water bills in busy households. Consider water-efficient models if you have metered supply or sustainability goals.
Seat & ergonomics: “comfort height” (slightly taller) and elongated bowls suit older users or taller people; soft-close seats reduce slamming and extend seat life.

Pick a trusted flushing mechanism and check for easy-to-source spare parts — valves and flush mechanisms are the parts that most commonly need service.

4. Picking the Perfect Basin (Sink)

Basin choice affects daily comfort and storage:

Types: inset/under-counter (clean lines and countertop storage), wall-hung (space-saving), countertop/vessel (design-forward), pedestal (classic but less storage).
Height & ergonomics: choose countertop height based on user heights (see section 2). Vessel sinks look attractive but can be less ergonomic and harder to clean around.
Practical details: check tap hole configuration (single vs three-hole), overflow provision, and mounting hardware.

For family bathrooms choose basins with adequate bowl depth to reduce splash and with durable surfaces that stand up to daily use.

5. Faucets and Showers

These are high-frequency items - invest wisely.

Cartridge type: ceramic-disc cartridges (most modern mixers) resist wear and drips far better than older rubber-seat valves. They’re more durable and easier to maintain in the long run.
Single-lever vs. two-handle: single-lever mixers are easier for children and elderly users; two-handle taps offer finer temperature control in some setups.
Shower controls: thermostatic mixers keep temperature stable (safer) while pressure-balance valves protect from sudden scalding during pressure changes. For families, thermostatic mixers are excellent for consistent comfort.
Flow rates & aerators: aerators improve perceived pressure while reducing water use. Choose taps that balance flow and water-saving (look for models with efficient aerators).

Also confirm inlet sizes and required minimum/maximum pressure of the faucet/shower you select (see local water pressure below).

6. Materials and Finishes that Last

Material choice drives longevity and maintenance.

Sanitaryware (toilets/basins): most quality fixtures are vitreous china (a glazed ceramic) - dense, durable, stain-resistant and standardized under Indian BIS specifications for sanitary appliances. Ceramic with a good glaze (vitreous china) gives the right balance of hygiene and durability.
Tap bodies: solid brass with nickel/chrome plating is best; avoid thin-plated zinc alloy that corrodes faster. Finishes matter - polished chrome shows water spots, while brushed or matte finishes hide marks better.
Advanced coatings: many manufacturers now offer anti-bacterial or anti-limescale glazes - useful if you have hard water, but always prioritize proven mechanical quality first.

When in doubt, choose trusted materials and test the finish for visible staining and scratch resistance.

7. Comfort and Accessibility

Design for the widest set of users you’ll have over the next 10–15 years:

Toilet height: comfort/ADA heights (~430–480 mm seat height) are easier to use for many adults and seniors.
Lever handles and single levers: easier for arthritic hands.
Grab rails and curbless showers: essential for accessible bathrooms; pair with non-slip flooring and handheld shower options to make the space usable for all ages.

Design for future needs now, retrofitting accessibility later is costly.

8. Budget and Cost Factors

Cost is not only purchase price - account for total cost of ownership:

Initial price: depends on brand, materials and flushing/valve technology.
Installation: wall-hung toilets, in-wall tanks, or special carriers raise installation costs.
Maintenance & spare parts: cheaper products often save upfront but cost more in replacement valves, seats and cartridges. Prefer models with available spare parts in your region.
Water & energy savings: water-efficient toilets and aerated taps reduce monthly bills - calculate ROI if supply is metered. For example, modern dual-flush systems can cut toilet water use substantially.

Prioritize spend on components that are harder to change later (toilet and concealed plumbing) and economize on replaceable items (accessories)

9. Warranty and After-Sales Service

A strong warranty is a signal of product confidence. Look for:

Clear warranty terms (what’s covered - glaze, flushing mechanism, cartridges).
Local service network and spare-parts availability - critical in India where timely service can make or break user experience.
Read small print: some warranties exclude wear parts like seats and rubber seals.

Prefer brands with authorized service centers nearby and documented spare-part catalogs.

10. Maintenance Made Easy

Design choices that reduce chores:

Rimless toilets and glazed bowls reduce hidden deposits and make cleaning faster.
Ceramic disc cartridges in faucets reduce dripping and service calls.
Hard water: if your water is hard, expect faster scale build-up on fixtures and inside showerheads; consider point-of-use softeners, pre-filters or regular descaling. Simple regular maintenance (wiping taps dry, descaling showers with vinegar) is effective for prevention.

Choose brushed/matte finishes for high-use bathrooms to reduce visible marks and wipe-down frequency.

11. Design and Style Choices

Style is personal, but some principles help you balance aesthetics and function:

Cohesive finishes: keep tap and shower finishes consistent (chrome, brushed nickel, matte black) for a curated look.
Scale & proportion: pair basin size to vanity width and toilet proportion to space; oversized fixtures in a small room feel cramped.
Trends vs. timeless: brass and matte black are trending - but classic chrome and white sanitaryware age gracefully. Prioritize durability first, style second.

Use color accents (tiles, hardware) to express personality rather than compromising on the functional fixture.

12. Local Considerations

Two local technical realities often drive sanitaryware decisions in India:

Water quality (hardness): many Indian cities have hard water; limescale affects taps, showerheads and inner parts of mixers. If you have hard water, either install a softener/conditioner, choose anti-scale finishes or plan for more frequent maintenance.
Water pressure: residential pressure commonly ranges and ideally sits around 40–60 PSI (2.8–4.1 bar) for comfortable operation of modern taps and showers, confirm product minimum/maximum pressure requirements, especially for rain showers and thermostatic mixers. Low pressure will reduce shower performance, high pressure can wear valves faster.

Check with your plumber about pump/pressure requirements before selecting specialized showerheads or concealed systems.

Quick Buying Checklist

Measure rough-in, clearances, inlet locations.
Match toilet type (wall-hung/close-coupled) to installation budget.
Prefer vitreous china with strong glaze for bowls.
Choose ceramic-disc faucets and check minimum pressure requirements.
Opt for dual-flush with proven water savings for frequent-use bathrooms.
Verify warranty length & service center proximity.
Ask seller for spare-parts availability for 5-10 years.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Buying a toilet without checking rough-in and expecting it to “fit later.”
Prioritizing looks over flushing performance and spare-part availability.
Skimping on concealed plumbing hardware (in-wall carriers, concealed cisterns) - poor quality here is expensive to fix.
Over-looking local water hardness and its long-term effect on finishes and valves.
Choosing a trendy finish that shows water marks easily in a high-use family bathroom.

Conclusion

Sanitaryware is one of the most important investments you’ll make for your home. The right choices can enhance your bathroom’s comfort, functionality, and design for years to come. From understanding your bathroom needs to evaluating durability, design, and maintenance, every decision contributes to creating a space that reflects both practicality and elegance.

At Ganpati Homez, we go beyond selling products, we provide expertise, guidance, and access to premium brands that ensure your bathroom is a blend of innovation, comfort, and style. Whether you’re renovating a compact guest bath or designing a luxurious master suite, our experts help you make the right sanitaryware choices for lasting value.

How to Choose the Right Sanitaryware for Your Home