Phoenix Vivid Rail Shower Chrome

If you're renovating your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry and want tapware that looks great, lasts the distance, and won't let you down day to day, Phoenix is a brand worth choosing. Here's why it's one of our most trusted ranges at Buildmat.

1. Australian designed and tested

Phoenix Tapware is designed in Australia with Australian conditions in mind, from water pressure to long-term durability in busy family homes. That local knowledge shows in the quality and reliability of every product.

2. A range for every room

Phoenix covers the whole home. Whether you need a kitchen mixer tap, a shower mixer, a bathroom basin mixer, or laundry tapware, there's a Phoenix product built for it. Their range spans everything from functional everyday taps to statement pieces that become a feature of the room.

3. Broad finish options

Phoenix offers one of the widest finish selections available, so you can match your tapware to your overall design scheme. Popular choices include:

• Chrome — classic, clean and easy to maintain
• Matte Black — bold and contemporary
• Brushed Nickel — warm and versatile
• Brushed Gold — luxe and on-trend
• Brushed Carbon — edgy, dark and distinctive

This means you can keep a consistent finish across your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry without compromising on function.

4. Popular Phoenix tapware ranges to explore

Phoenix organises its tapware into distinct ranges, each with its own character:

• Vivid Slimline — a sleek, minimalist favourite across bathrooms and kitchens
• Cromford — classic style with a refined finish
• Lexi MKII — soft curves and a timeless look
• Mekko — geometric and contemporary
• Nuage — elegant and smooth
• Arlo — architectural and modern

5. Shower products built for comfort

Phoenix shower products are designed for a genuinely enjoyable shower experience. Choose from rain shower heads, hand held showers, and complete shower sets that take the guesswork out of matching components.

6. Built to last

Phoenix tapware is manufactured to meet Australian standards for water efficiency and durability. The quality of materials and engineering means you're investing in products that will still look and perform well years down the track and not something you'll need to replace in a few years.

7. Great value for the quality

Phoenix sits in the mid-to-premium range: quality tapware at a price point that makes sense for a renovation or new build. You get genuinely good design and build quality without paying a premium purely for a European label.

Ready to explore? Browse the full Phoenix tapware collection at Buildmat, or head to our building and renovating tips blog for more renovation inspiration and practical buying advice.

Your shower is one of the most-used parts of your bathroom, so it's worth getting the whole setup right with shower heads, arms, and taps that work together beautifully. Here's how to choose.

1. Choose your shower setup

• A simple wall-mounted shower head keeps things clean and easy, with one reliable spray pattern.
• A ceiling shower head (including rain showers) offers a spa-like feel with softer, wider water coverage.
• A hand shower on a shower rail is great for rinsing, cleaning the screen, and helping kids or pets.
• A dual shower head or shower set combines an overhead or fixed head with a hand piece, giving you everyday flexibility.

Think about who uses the bathroom, and whether you want a soft "rain" feel, a stronger spray, or both.

2. Decide on your shower mixer

Your shower mixer tap controls water temperature and flow. Choose the style that suits your bathroom and how you like to operate your shower:

• Single lever mixers: One handle controls both temperature and flow – smooth, modern, and easy to use with one hand.
• Dual knob mixers: Separate hot and cold controls give you precise temperature adjustment – classic style that suits traditional or heritage bathrooms.
• Progressive knob mixers: Turn the one knob to control change both pressure and temperature until it's just right.

3. Pick head size, shape, and arms

Larger shower heads give a wider, more gentle spray that feels relaxing and immersive. Smaller or more compact heads feel more focused and can help control splash if your shower space is tight. Round heads suit almost any bathroom, while square or rectangular heads lean more modern and architectural.

Shower arms determine where your shower head sits – standard wall arms, extended arms for more coverage, or ceiling arms for overhead rain showers. You should choose this based on your shower head type and the experience you want.

4. Match the finish to your bathroom

For a cohesive look, match your shower heads, shower mixers, and bathroom tapware to your basin taps, towel rails, and accessories. Chrome and stainless finishes feel timeless, matte black adds contrast, and warm tones like brushed nickel or brushed brass gold bring extra warmth.

5. Consider complete shower sets

If you want everything coordinated and guaranteed to work together, shower sets include the mixer, rail, shower heads, and arms all in one package. They save time matching finishes and ensure all the parts are compatible.

6. Set your budget

Think about how important the shower is to your daily routine and set a realistic spend to match. Showers you use every day are worth investing in, especially if you're upgrading the whole bathroom. Expect to spend from about $150 for a simple shower head through to $800+ for larger rain shower heads, dual systems, or complete shower sets in premium finishes.

Need more help finding the right shower head? 

Read our full guide to choosing the best shower head. Or, head to our building and renovating tips blog for practical advice, renovation examples, and the latest bathroom design trends to help you plan with confidence.