Bath Trends: The Royal Treatment

How far the bathroom has come in housing history! In a few decades it has transformed from an unheated outside shack to a treasured private retreat. Sure, the basic functions of a bathroom are the same, but in today's master suites the space has evolved to include a variety of spa-like amenities and luxury features.

As in the kitchen (the other "hot button" room of any house), design professionals and product manufacturers have focused their efforts on the bathroom with an increasing variety of styles, finishes, and features. Consider these current bath trends:

Shower Power: Forget about a single showerhead hung from the wall. Today's showers offer multiple, adjustable heads that can be set up on any wall, featuring control pads to manipulate spray patterns, intensity, and temperature. Some heads, called shower tiles, are set flush to the wall or ceiling to provide a gentle spray, while handheld shower wands allow users the ultimate in water control.

Tub Time: Bathtubs are not only getting longer and deeper, and with requisite whirlpool jets, but also can include mood lighting and spillover troughs to create a more relaxing experience. Called "chromatherapy" by one plumbing manufacturer, these tubs feature underwater LED lights that gently change color and include effervescent bubbling action from multiple underwater ports to enhance the soothing effect. Meanwhile, overflow tubs enable a deeper soaking experience without the worry of making a mess.

Wellness Centers: In addition to featuring luxury items, bathrooms (especially master baths) are getting larger -- large enough, in some cases, to include in-home spa amenities including massage tables and yoga or dance studios that offer more convenience, privacy, and cleanliness.

Clothes Care: Along the same lines as the in-home spa and studio concept is the idea of a home-based laundry center. Here you may find personal dry-cleaners, closet-like clothes fresheners and flat-rack dryers in addition to traditional laundry equipment. If the bathroom has the footage, why not install such products that make life easier and cut down on errands while attaining a higher level of quality care for your clothes?

Personal Service: Master bathrooms have become destinations. As such, additional conveniences can include laundry and clothes storage as well as a place to prepare snacks and refreshments. Often called "morning kitchens," these mini-service areas offer built-in coffee and espresso makers, compact refrigerators, bar skinks, microwave ovens, and perhaps undercounter dishwasher drawers to privately serve the owners as they get ready for work in the morning or wind down at the end of the day.

Universal Access: Whether to accommodate a temporary injury, a chronic disability, a young child, or an elderly relative or guest, the concept of universal or accessible design can be easily and affordably achieved in any bathroom without sacrificing style or luxury. Multiple-height vanities, lever-handled faucets, D-shaped cabinet pulls, and zero-threshold showers with built-in seating and handheld heads are just a few design and product ideas that can support any family member.

By Pure definition a custom home meets the needs and wants specific to a client.  Through a detailed analysis by truly listening and focusing on what element or elements are most important for you, we are able to capture your vision early on in the design process.  From here we can all move forward refining and tweaking the design to incorporate those truly custom details into the home of your dreams.

To learn more about our unique Design Build process to see if it makes sense to you, give us a call today.  Whether you have property already or still need to find that special development for your growing family we are here to help.