Six Bath Must Haves
We all spend a lot of time in the bathroom whether we want to admit it or not. From showering and shaving to styling hair and applying makeup, the bathroom captures plenty of our time each day. If we are going to start and/or finish our day in the bathroom, we might as well make sure it is a room that accommodates our needs without feeling insufficient. As you shop for the perfect home plan, consider some of these growing and convenient bathroom trends. And if you’ve already found the perfect house plan, you may wish to incorporate some of these ideas into your new home.
Dual Vanities – Efficient and Smart Storage
With today’s busy lifestyles, more and more households and families are finding that everyone needs to get ready for the day at the same time. The use of dual sinks is a smart solution to this challenge. In the master bedroom His and Hers vanities allow you and your better half to get ready for work without getting in the way of one another or having to wait until the other is finished. And another plus - with two vanities, you’ll have double the storage. Consider pull-out drawers beneath each sink and mirrored, wall mounted medicine cabinets above giving both of you personal space to store your own things without cluttering the bathroom. In secondary baths, like a hall bath or a Jack and Jill bath separating two family bedrooms, opt for a design that accommodates a double bowl vanity. Two children can brush teeth, wash hands etc., at the same time, saving you time during the morning or bedtime routine. Double bowl vanities are much wider than a single vanity, so there will be extra storage space in this bathroom too.
Vanity Lighting
Typically, mirrors are positioned just above the bathroom sink. The mirror is of little use to us if it does not have good lighting. Lighting should come from in front of the face. If it comes from any other place in the bathroom, it will cast shadows across the face making it difficult to shave or apply makeup. Choose a fixture that can be placed at face level or just above the mirror. Track lighting mounted vertically along the sides of the mirror is also a good solution to proper mirror and vanity lighting.
Soaking Tub Verses Shower
Spa and garden tubs set apart from the shower are growing in popularity. While the shower is used for quick refreshment, the soaking tub is becoming a soothing paradise. Today it is often looked at as a relaxation destination. Many tubs are made deeper than previous models for prolonged soaking and resting. If this idea catches your attention, consider adding a stylish grab bar preventing unnecessary slips when entering or exiting. Along with these separate soaking tubs comes a growing request for shelves and spaces to place candles, decorative plants and handy baskets of towels and pampering lotions. Incorporating a TV in the bathroom for viewing from the tub is another amenity that is well liked and asked for more and more. Built-in cabinets accommodate a standard TV while a flat screen can easily be mounted to the wall ensuring you’ll catch your favorite show while you soak in the evening, and you’ll see the weather and traffic reports as you get ready for work the next morning.
Open Showers
This current bathroom trend makes showers lighter and brighter. Today’s showers are expanding in size and the doors are disappearing. Larger walk-in showers are popping up in master baths everywhere. They eliminate the need for curtains and sliding glass doors while allowing light to flow inside. Sometimes showers (and tubs) are positioned near large windows with private gardens outside where natural light can spill in while offering enchanting views. Another hot trend is the use of glass block walls. These stylish walls allow light into the shower, but still afford privacy. And for those with an eye toward their golden years, walk-in showers are much easier to access than those that you have to step into, like past models. Furthermore, you might even consider a shower with a seat Currently, the woman of the home will love the opportunity to use it as a footrest when shaving her legs. And years down the road not only will you access the shower with ease, but you won’t have to worry about being unsteady on your feet. Many seniors find a shower seat to be a very handy tool, and it is made possible with a roomier walk-in shower as opposed to the standard shower.
Pool Baths and Outdoor Showers
For those who love to entertain outdoors, there is certainly an advantage to having a pool bath accessible from the outdoors, an amenity that is rapidly growing in popularity. Whether you actually have a backyard pool or not, you will appreciate easy access to a bath from your deck, covered lanai or patio. Just imagine hosting a summertime barbecue and pool party for your family and friends. A pool bath eliminates traffic and wet footsteps through the house keeping your home spotless while accommodating guests’ needs. In a similar manner, outdoor showers are more sought after now than ever before with beach homes and coastal houses. An outdoor shower provides an opportunity to rinse away the salt and sand before entering the home after spending a fun day at the beach or playing in the ocean.
Earth Friendly Materials
We all feel the need to do our part to protect the environment. Going green in the bathroom is simple to do. Begin by choosing countertops made of recycled glass. Another option is to purchase an engineered stone countertop, which is made of cast off materials and is less expensive than countertops of quarried stone. Other eco-friendly bath materials and products include wall tile made of recycled glass, showerhead and faucet aerators and dual flush toilets.
Finishing your new bathroom can be exciting and fun. You can finish it in a way that reflects your true personality and accommodates your specific needs. Other growing bath trends you might want to consider are raised vessel sinks, wall mounted faucets that jut out from the wall, dual showerheads, make-up vanities, steam showers, and use of natural materials. Check with an interior decorator or a professional at your home improvement store for more information about these ideas.
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