The answer in two lines
Pick one finish (chrome, gold or matte black) that matches your mixer and shower, then choose only the pieces you actually need: towel rail, robe hook, soap dish or dispenser and tissue holder. When drilling ceramic, use a suitable bit, masking tape and a slow start, and have a qualified tradesperson do the final installation. The sources we checked give no standard heights or spacing, so we do not state any numbers.
The tiles and mixers are done, and now the small pieces: where do the towels go, where does the soap sit, and how do you keep the finish consistent? In this guide from Tawredaat (توريدات), an electrical and finishing materials store in Cairo and Giza (FAQ here), we cover the essential pieces, chrome vs gold vs matte black, matching the mixer, care, and drilling and fixing basics. Every technical point comes from a named source listed at the end.
What are the essential bathroom accessories?
You do not need every piece. Choose by how you use the bathroom. This is what we stock now, described only from each product page:
| Piece | What it is for | Available (per product page) |
|---|---|---|
| Towel rail | Hanging towels on the wall by the shower or basin | Roca Tempo 600 mm gold, Roca Tempo 600 mm matte black, Ideal Standard IOM 60 cm chrome |
| Robe hook | Hanging a robe or towel after the shower | Ideal Standard IOM double robe hook, chrome |
| Soap dish | A wall-mounted place for the soap bar | Roca Tempo 120x110 mm gold, Roca Tempo 120x110 mm Brushed Titanium Black |
| Soap dispenser | Liquid soap on the wall | Roca Tempo wall-mounted dispenser, matte black |
| Tissue holder | Toilet tissue; this model comes with a cover | Ideal Standard IOM tissue holder with cover, chrome |
According to Roca Egypt's product sheet (chrome version A817030001), the Tempo towel rail is a straight wall-mounted rail, 600 mm long and 70 mm wide, with a fixing kit and screw fixing. Our product pages state finish, size and product type, but not weight or the spacing of the fixing holes, so check those against the product itself at installation.
Chrome, gold or matte black? How to match the finish
The finish defines the look of the bathroom more than the piece itself. This table is a practical summary, with care guidance from Roca and Franke (sources below):
| Finish | Choose it if... | Care (per the sources) |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome | you want a classic look that suits most mixers | Soapy water, a vinegar-and-water mix for limescale, no abrasive cleaners or sponges (Franke) |
| Gold | you want a warm, premium touch and will use gold throughout | Soapy water or dishwashing detergent, no abrasive cleaners (Franke) |
| Matte black | you want a modern look with strong contrast against light tiles | Microfibre cloth, warm water and mild soap; no abrasive pads, bleach or harsh limescale removers (Roca) |
Match the mixer and the shower
- ✔ Use one finish for the mixer, shower, towel rail, hook and soap dish. This is our design recommendation, not a rule from a source.
- ✔ Check the mixers in your chosen finish before you reserve the accessories, and read our mixer buying guide and shower guide.
- ⚠ If you mix brands (for example Roca and Ideal Standard), see the pieces side by side first, because product pages do not compare the finish shade across brands.
- ⚠ Finish names on our listings are not uniform: the Roca Tempo soap dish is listed as Brushed Titanium Black while the towel rail and dispenser say Matte Black. Check the colour in person before treating them as the same finish.
Caring for each finish
For black and matte finishes Roca advises a microfibre cloth, warm water and mild soap, diluted white vinegar (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water, tested on a hidden spot first) for light mineral deposits, and avoiding abrasive sponges, bleach-based cleaners and strong limescale removers. Franke advises soapy water or dishwashing detergent for chrome and gold, no abrasive cleaners, and for coloured black finishes no liquid cleaning creams because the coating is prone to wear. Roca's page does not cover gold or chrome and Franke's page is about taps, so always follow the manufacturer's instructions for the exact piece you buy.
How do you install bathroom accessories? Drilling and placement basics
Final installation should be done by a qualified plumber or tradesperson because of the pipes in the wall. These are basics from the named sources, not a substitute for the manufacturer's instructions:
Drilling into ceramic tile
- ✔ Mark the fixing points level with a spirit level, and mark the centre of the rail on painter's tape (BHG Australia).
- ✔ Cover the drilling spots with masking tape to help prevent the tile from cracking (Bunnings, This Old House).
- ✔ A carbide-tipped masonry bit is usually enough for ceramic; use a diamond-tipped bit for porcelain or if unsure (This Old House).
- ✔ Start slowly with light pressure, then medium speed with steady pressure. For porcelain or glass spray water on the bit and tile, and ease off when the bit breaks through (This Old House).
- ✔ Insert wall plugs, fix the plates flush with the tiles and check with a spirit level before attaching the rail (Bunnings).
Placement away from constant shower spray
The sources we checked give no numeric distance from the shower, so we state none. Our practical suggestion (not a published rule): do not fit the rail or dispenser where it is constantly wetted by the shower spray; choose a spot close by but out of the direct spray, and agree the location with your tradesperson before drilling.
Spacing and heights
We found no approved heights or spacing in the sources we checked (Bunnings, BHG, This Old House, Roca), so we do not give numbers. Measure for your own household and the rail length (600 mm for the Roca Tempo rails and 60 cm for the IOM, per product pages), and let the tradesperson set the positions after confirming where the pipes run.
Common mistakes when choosing and fitting bathroom accessories
- ⚠ Mixing finishes by accident: chrome, gold and black in one bathroom without intent looks random.
- ⚠ Fitting in a constantly wet spot: directly in the shower spray.
- ⚠ Drilling without locating pipes: check the installation plan or ask your tradesperson first.
- ⚠ Harsh cleaners: abrasive pads or bleach can damage the finish, per Roca and Franke.
- ⚠ Drilling ceramic fast: the sources advise a slow start, light pressure, then medium speed.
- ⚠ Buying piece by piece in different finishes: decide the finish first, then buy.
Bathroom accessories available at Tawredaat
All of these are in stock on the site now, described from each product page:
- Roca Tempo 600 mm towel rail, gold — tawredaat.com/products/roca-tempo-towel-rail-600mm-gold-a817030go0
- Roca Tempo 600 mm towel rail, matte black — tawredaat.com/products/roca-tempo-towel-rail-600mm-black-a817030nm0
- Roca Tempo soap dish 120x110 mm, gold — tawredaat.com/products/roca-tempo-wall-mounted-soap-dish-120x110-mm-gold-a817023go0
- Roca Tempo soap dish 120x110 mm, Brushed Titanium Black — tawredaat.com/products/roca-tempo-wall-mounted-soap-dish-120x110-mm-brushed-titanium-black-a817023nm0
- Roca Tempo soap dispenser, matte black — tawredaat.com/products/roca-tempo-wall-mounted-soap-dispenser-black-a817037nm0
- Ideal Standard IOM towel holder 60 cm, chrome — tawredaat.com/products/ideal-standard-iom-towel-holder-60cm-chrome-a9118aa-ideal-standard
- Ideal Standard IOM double robe hook, chrome — tawredaat.com/products/ideal-standard-iom-double-robe-hook-chrome-a9116aa-ideal-standard
- Ideal Standard IOM tissue holder with cover, chrome — tawredaat.com/products/ideal-standard-iom-tissue-holder-with-cover-chrome-a9127aa-ideal-standard
See also the bathroom accessories collection (tawredaat.com/collections/bathroom-accessories) and the bath and shower mixers collection (tawredaat.com/collections/bath-shower-mixers).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most important bathroom accessories?
A towel rail and a soap dish or dispenser are the basics, then a robe hook and tissue holder as you need. There is no fixed number; choose by use.
Chrome, gold or matte black?
There is no single right answer. What matters most is matching the mixer and shower in the same bathroom; care differs slightly per Roca and Franke.
Can I mix finishes in one bathroom?
One finish for the visible pieces is the safer choice. If you mix, do it deliberately and see the pieces side by side first.
How do I clean matte black and gold finishes?
Warm water, mild soap and a microfibre cloth, with diluted vinegar (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) for light deposits after testing a hidden spot (Roca). Avoid abrasive pads and bleach.
How do I drill ceramic without cracking it?
Masking tape on the spot, a suitable bit (carbide-tipped for ceramic, diamond for porcelain), a slow start and light pressure (This Old House, Bunnings).
What height and spacing should I use?
We found no approved figure in the sources we checked, so we state none. Decide with your tradesperson based on use.
Can I install the accessories myself?
Final installation should be done by a qualified plumber or tradesperson, especially because of the pipes in the wall.
Do you deliver?
Tawredaat delivers in Cairo and Giza only.
Ready to pick your bathroom accessories?
See bathroom accessories at Tawredaat, with delivery in Cairo and Giza.
About Tawredaat: Tawredaat (توريدات) is an Egyptian supplier of electrical and finishing materials, serving homeowners, companies and contractors in Cairo and Giza. Questions? See our FAQ.
English summary: Pick one finish (chrome, gold or matte black) that matches your mixer and shower, then choose only the pieces you need: towel rail, robe hook, soap dish or dispenser and tissue holder. For care, Roca advises a microfibre cloth, warm water and mild soap on black and matte finishes and no abrasive pads or bleach; Franke advises soapy water for chrome and gold and no abrasive cleaners. When drilling ceramic, use masking tape, a carbide-tipped masonry bit (diamond for porcelain), start slowly and ease off at breakthrough (This Old House, Bunnings). We found no published standard heights or spacing, so none are stated. Final installation should be done by a qualified tradesperson.
Sources
- This Old House, Drilling holes in tile (carbide-tipped masonry bit is usually enough for ceramic, diamond-tipped bit for porcelain and glass or when unsure; masking tape over the spot; start slowly with light pressure then medium speed with steady pressure; spray water on bit and tile when drilling porcelain or glass; ease off the pressure when the bit breaks through) — thisoldhouse.com/bathrooms/drilling-holes-in-tile
- Bunnings (New Zealand), How to install bathroom accessories into tiles (mark the fixings level, cover the positions with masking tape to help prevent cracking, drill through the tape and tiles into the wall, insert wall plugs, fix the plates flush with the tiles, check with a spirit level; the guide gives no bit type, speed or mounting heights) — bunnings.co.nz/diy-advice/diy-skills/tiling/how-to-install-bathroom-accessories-into-tiles
- Better Homes and Gardens Australia, How to hang a towel rail (mark the centre of the rail on painter's tape, use a spirit level to draw a level line, hold each mounting plate on the marks and mark the screw holes; the guide gives no heights or distances) — bhg.com.au/how-to-hang-towel-rail
- Roca (Rocalife), How to clean black bathroom faucets: maintenance tips (microfibre cloth, warm water and mild soap; diluted white vinegar, 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water, tested on a hidden spot first, for light mineral deposits; avoid abrasive sponges, scouring pads, bleach-based or harsh cleaners and limescale removers; the page does not cover gold or chrome) — export.roca.com/rocalife/how-to-clean-black-bathroom-faucets-maintenance-tips
- Franke, How to clean your tap surfaces (chrome: soapy water or a vinegar-and-water mix for limescale, never abrasive cleaners or sponges; gold/PVD: soapy water or dishwashing detergent, abrasive cleaners not recommended; black/matte coloured finishes: soapy water, avoid liquid cleaning creams because the coating is prone to wear; this is a tap manufacturer's page for taps, used here for the same finish types) — franke.com/ae/en/home-solutions/support/resources/how-to-clean/how-to-clean-your-tap-surfaces.html
- Roca Egypt, product sheet A817030001 (Tempo towel rail, chrome version: straight wall-mounted rail, 600 mm long and 70 mm wide, metal, fixing kit included, attaches with screws; the sheet covers the chrome reference only) — eg.roca.com/roca-services/productSheet30/EG/en/A817030001
- Tawredaat product listings (finish, size and product type are taken only from the listings on tawredaat.com; the listings do not state the material in detail, weight or fixing-hole spacing) — tawredaat.com/collections/bathroom-accessories
