The History of Baths
How bathing spaces and domestic baths changed over thousands of years.
Read more ↗Bathing culture & technology
Baths & Showers
From the history of bathing to the systems used today, explore how baths, showers and water controls shape comfort at home.
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Showers explained
From a simple rinse to a personal wellness space.
Showers evolved alongside indoor plumbing, dependable hot water and changing expectations of comfort. Today's options range from exposed valves and simple shower heads to concealed thermostatic systems, overhead rain showers, body jets and steam experiences.
Our guides will explain thermostatic versus manual controls, concealed versus exposed installation, water pressure, shower heads, enclosures and wet-room design in clear practical language.
Explore toilet styles ↗Water, comfort and technology
From plumbing pioneers to design icons.
The modern bathroom was shaped by inventors, manufacturers and designers. Some historic names disappeared or merged; others continue to influence how we experience water today.
19th century / Sanitation
Thomas Crapper & early sanitaryware makers
Thomas Crapper’s company helped make well-designed sanitary fittings more visible to the public, opening a bathroom showroom in 1870 and promoting better domestic plumbing. He did not invent the flush toilet; his significance lies in the business, showroom culture and improvements to sanitary fittings that helped bring modern bathrooms into view.
Legacy: bathrooms as planned, equipped spaces rather than a collection of separate fixtures.
19th–20th century / Ceramicware
Twyford, Shanks and Ideal Standard
British makers helped standardise sanitary ceramics for homes and public buildings. Thomas Twyford is associated with the one-piece pedestal water closet; Shanks became a major name in sanitaryware before joining Armitage in 1969; Ideal Standard later became a broad international bathroom brand. These businesses and names changed through mergers and ownership, but their products helped make reliable ceramic toilets and basins commonplace.
Legacy: repeatable manufacturing, recognisable product types and practical sanitaryware for everyday use.
Design / Modern era
Gessi
Italian brand Gessi brought a strong design-led approach to taps, shower systems and bathroom wellness. Its work treats water delivery as part of the room’s architecture and atmosphere, with finishes, shapes and coordinated collections contributing to a complete design.
Legacy: taps and shower fittings as expressive design elements, not merely plumbing hardware.
Craft / Luxury fittings
THG Paris
THG Paris is known for luxury bathroom fittings, decorative finishes and collaborations with designers and artisans. Its approach connects traditional metalworking and surface finishes with contemporary bathroom design, showing how handles, spouts and controls can carry a strong visual identity.
Legacy: craftsmanship and customisation in premium bathroom fittings.
Engineering / Design
Dornbracht
Dornbracht, a German fittings manufacturer, has helped position taps and shower controls at the intersection of engineering and design. Its collections and water-focused concepts explore how a fitting feels in the hand, how water is delivered and how the product relates to architecture and wellbeing.
Legacy: precision, restrained design and the idea of the bathroom as a personal wellness environment.
The bigger picture
From mechanism to experience
Over time, bathroom technology moved from basic water supply and waste removal towards temperature control, concealed installation, multiple spray patterns, water-saving systems and digital features. Today’s luxury products depend on the same foundations developed over generations: dependable plumbing, safe hot water, reliable valves and maintainable design.
Legacy: comfort works best when design and engineering work together.
This is an editorial introduction, not a brand ranking. Some heritage names continue independently, while others became part of larger groups or changed ownership. Detailed brand histories and product comparisons can be developed later, with dates and claims checked against primary sources.
Coming next
Choosing a bath or shower
Future guides will compare common installation types, materials, controls and practical considerations in straightforward language.
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