From heated floors to soaking tubs to Flat-Screen TVs, The emphasis today is on luxury and comfort. It’s Your Time!
More and more, people are going to the bathroom to relax and even luxuriate after a day in the rush-rush world. Homeowners are upgrading the rooms — outfitting them with everything from soaking tubs to heated floors, to make themselves comfortable. But peace and quiet aren’t the only motivating factors. An upgraded bathroom helps sell a home quicker and can be a good investment. A classy bathroom is not just for showering, it\’s inviting and you want to be in there. It’s your time!
Large, airy showers: Showers are big, literally. In small bathrooms, homeowners are tearing out the tub to expand the shower. Not only is the stall getting larger, it’s getting more airy, with much more glass. We’re going to hinged doors and heavier glass, instead of the sliding glass doors as this is a huge, huge trend. People want luxury in their bathrooms. They want to feel like they’re going into a spa. Some homeowners are even taking out partial shower walls, or all shower walls entirely, and making the entire tiled bathroom a shower — a European approach that requires correct drainage.
Jacuzzi Tubs: The tub is far from dead, however; it’s just changing. “The more forward-thinking clients we work with have done the Jacuzzi, and now they often want a quiet, serene experience of a soaking tub. This jet less tubs are often deep, insulated tubs. The huge amount of decking that typically surrounded many tubs installed in nicer homes in the ’80s and ’90s that “you could literally kill yourself trying to get in and out of have now been modernized and simplified.
Let the light in: The master bathrooms are becoming sanctuaries as people want master bathrooms to be brighter and more sun-filled than before. That means adding windows and even skylights to a bathroom. People are seeing it as a way to open the views up and making it more relaxing.
Steam Bath: The big thing in bathrooms is steam. People are discovering how wonderful it is to come home at the end of the day and de-stress. A good steam-room system can range from: ($1,500-$5,000) that a homeowner can switch on in the garage upon arriving home (the steam room takes 10-15 minutes to heat up). The bathroom usually has to be reconfigured to include the following:
- a sloping ceiling to drain condensation;
- a seat;
- a floor drain;
- tile or marble on all surfaces; and
- A vapor-tight door (the steam room must be completely enclosed and insulated on all sides).
The big blow: What bathroom couldn’t use better ventilation to clear off mirrors ASAP and extend the life of the finishes? Remote Inline Fans are better than the traditional Exhaust Fan because it is about 10 times as powerful as an old-school fan and costs vary as in everything depending on Brand, Make, & Model. They’re also extremely quiet if installed properly.
Remote Inline Fans are ventilation fans that are very useful at removing moisture and odors in kitchens and laundry rooms. However, having to install a dedicated fan in each area is not only a hassle, but hazardous to your utility bill. Remote inline fans can deliver powerful ventilation at extremely low noise, since the fan is mounted at a remote location. Models are available as single duct models for use in one room, or as multiple duct models which can be used in as many areas as desired. These remote inline fans offer the same powerful performance as conventional fans, and can pull moisture and odor out of the air in several areas at the same time, with some models featuring lighting elements. We also recommend Fans with Humidity Sensors.
New Water Closets: One of the biggest trends in both new construction and higher-quality remodels is “Privatization of the Toilet.” In other words, giving the master bath’s toilet its own private room, or at least a privacy wall. Let’s face it, it’s better to have two people in the Bathroom at once with more privacy
Bathroom as entertainment zone: OK, so it’s not exactly a sports bar. But more folks are requesting creature comforts such as small coolers, Music, and Flat-screen TVs. People like their tubs, but you get a little bored just sitting in there.
Smarter storage: Additional storage is a big need in bathroom remodeling. But it has to make sense. Big, deep drawers don’t work in bathrooms. Those work in kitchens, for pots and pans. You need small drawers, with dividers. Several experts say vertical storage is really catching on, because it works well, while saving space. On a related note, some homeowners really enjoy the pre-manufactured medicine cabinets or vanity cabinets that have an outlet inside for an electric toothbrush, shaver or curling iron. These remove the items from out in the open and give the bathroom a much less cluttered look. It’s the simple on convenient things that can add up to a pleasant bathroom experience.
Dueling vanities: Increasingly, homeowners are asking for his-and-hers sinks and vanities, even in small bathrooms. Two vanities allow for each person to have his or her own space and storage, and for each area to have a different aesthetic. Sinks continue to become more stylish, too: Homeowners are interested in “vessel sinks\” that rise up from a base, or faucets that protrude directly from a wall, or sinks that have their own legs or stand. On the other hand under mount sinks are still very popular. Our professional opinion and suggestion is that it is you bathroom, get what you want, not what everyone else tells you to get. You are the one that will ultimately live with it, so choose what makes you happy.
Grab bars: Once found only in nursing homes, grab bars are hand bars bolted to walls in showers and above tubs to help keep people from falling. They’re appearing in many bathrooms now. A big reason is that baby boomers are graying and looking for a surer grip. But younger people are accepting them, too, because the bars no longer look so institutional. They make grab bars nowadays that look very nice and upscale. The No.1 room in the house where accidents happen is the bathroom. We recommend a Modern Looking Shower Grab Bar for Safety purposes only. If needed, it will be there for you.
Warm Heat: Another upcoming upgrade is Radiant electric heating to floors. It’s all about comfort. People complain about cold tiles all the time. Companies such as Nuheat sell a mesh that is placed under the tiles when they’re set, and then is connected to a thermostat on the wall. “It”s not thousands of dollars. A standard size bathroom could be just hundreds.
Another concept is electronic heat-mat systems such as Step Warm Floor under the walls and floors of the new open showers so that they warm up faster. It’s safe, and uses little energy.
Good tiles: Lame linoleum and glazed tiles are so yesteryear. But you don’t have to bust the bank on imported marble to enliven your floor or walls. A thing that’s very popular in there, instead of the traditional glazed tile, is porcelain tile, or stone tile. It actually has more warmth to it. You don’t feel like you’re going into the guy’s locker room to take a shower. Glass tile is also gaining in popularity.
A caveat here: Especially if you think you might be selling your home in the next several years, we recommend sticking with more natural tones in things such as glass tiles — cool greens, light browns, clear glass colors.
On-demand water heaters and other green products: With so much interest today in luxury and indulgence — heated floors, soaking tubs — it could be easy to lose sight of the larger trend in home remodeling: sustainability and green ethics. There are several ways to make your improvements more energy-wise: If you do put in a heated floor, make sure it’s attached to a timer as a form of green practice. Also, check out the latest low-flow toilets that have two buttons: One releases much less water, when very little is needed. Another thing that’s become more popular is these on-demand water systems. The unit heats water almost instantaneously, eliminating the need for a water heater, which is very inefficient because it always has to keep water hot and ready. Only pay for what you are actually using at that very moment.
‘,’Ralph Macias’,’Main’,’2012-12-28 00:00:00′,”,”,’13 Top Bathroom Remodeling Trends’,’bathroom remodeling companies, bathroom remodeling contractors’,’More and more, people are going to the bathroom to relax and even luxuriate after a day in the rush-rush world.