All About Bathrooms
When house hunting, the number of bathrooms is one of the most important pieces of information homebuyers need to know. But what exactly is a half bath? And how about a three-quarter bathroom?
The answer to these questions is a little complicated. But with a little understanding, homeowners and real estate agents can communicate clearly and avoid any confusion or misrepresentations.
Functionality
A well-designed bathroom isn’t just about beauty. It’s about a place to get ready for the day ahead or unwind and relax at night. It’s about storage and the space for cleaning products and toiletries. And it’s about providing an energizing environment for busy families with school runs and household chores to be done.
Whether you’re looking for a calming spa retreat or a modern minimalist bathroom, there are so many options. It’s best to approach design with a consistent aesthetic and let your overarching theme guide you. From there, you can create a luxury bathroom with dynamic, modular solutions that adapt to you.
For example, a bolder color on an accent wall can create a focal point to build your bathroom around. Or you could choose a soft lavender, grey, or blue to set the tone for your bathroom. You can even bring your bathroom to life with a unique tile pattern or geometric layout. It’s also important to consider the lighting in your bathroom. You can brighten up the mornings with a customizable lighting setup or turn it down for relaxing baths or evening showers. You can also upgrade to LED lighting, which uses less energy and lasts longer than traditional bulbs. It’s a great way to save on utility costs and reduce your carbon footprint.
Style
While functionality is the main focus in any bathroom design, you also have a wide range of aesthetic possibilities to play with. Keeping your overarching design theme in mind, experiment with bold color and shape choices to find the perfect fit for your client’s style.
Modern bathroom designs are sleek and minimal, featuring frameless glass showers and innovative fixtures. The minimalistic color palette includes natural earth tones, such as beiges and sage greens. It’s a great choice for clients who like to stay up-to-date with the latest design trends.
Rustic bathroom styles transport you to a serene countryside retreat with their use of natural wood, stone finishes, and vintage features. Warm ambient lighting and plants help add a cabin-like atmosphere to the space.
Many homeowners are opting for a blend of contemporary and traditional design to create an elegant and functional space that’s comfortable for all users. A blending of classic elements, such as clawfoot tubs and pedestal sinks, with more modern materials and features, such as touchless faucets and LED mirrors, is a great way to bring this design trend to life.
Merlyn’s Eileen Slattery sees “earth-toned minimalism with a nod to sustainability and a sense of biophilic plant-life” becoming more mainstream, while Roper Rhodes’ Zoe Jones highlights “bespoke, enclosed shower rooms” as a rising trend.
Accessibility
Many individuals living with mobility issues find bathroom safety and comfort to be a challenge. Arthritis, joint pain, and other factors can lead to limited range of motion and make simple tasks like turning knobs or stepping over tub walls an exercise in frustration for those who require assistance. Fortunately, incorporating accessibility features into your bathroom can help those who need it maintain their independence and live more comfortable lives.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires public spaces to be accessible to people of all abilities, including access to toilets and other sanitary facilities. Unfortunately, many residential homes were built without these standards in mind, leaving their bathrooms unsuitable for some users and a source of frustration for those who are struggling to navigate them independently.
Adding accessibility features to your bathroom will benefit everyone in the household, not just those who need them. Wider doorways, lever handles instead of knobs and lowered storage options minimize physical strain for all users while providing a convenient and user-friendly layout. Moreover, showers with no-threshold entry and low-flow fixtures reduce the likelihood of slips and falls, making it easier for individuals to bathe and wash their hands safely.
Most importantly, though, a well-designed accessible bathroom can also make life easier for caregivers. Easy-to-use features, like adjustable height sinks and showerheads, provide a variety of configurations that can be tailored to the specific needs of each individual. Additionally, grab bars positioned in strategic locations throughout the bathroom, can support individuals as they wash, bathe, and groom themselves.
Spa
A spa bathroom is a personal space and an opportunity to indulge in luxury. Whether you have the budget to do a complete remodel or just want to add some upgrades, there are many ways to create a peaceful retreat.
To create a calming atmosphere, select soothing colors that reflect nature. Light blues, soft greens, and muted grays are great choices for a relaxing aesthetic. Stay away from bright reds and oranges which tend to be energizing rather than soothing.
Incorporate natural elements like wood, stone, and even plants to bring a sense of the outdoors into the room. Natural materials like travertine and teak can make a beautiful statement while being durable against humidity and water. If your budget allows for it, install radiant heat under the tile floor for the added comfort of warm floors when you step out of the shower or tub.
Hotarek sees a growing demand for spa-like facilities, especially with the pandemic forcing people to spend more time at home. One of the latest trends he’s seeing is adding bidet functionality to toilets, which provides an alternate method of washing and drying that helps reduce bacteria in the skin. He also notes that chromotherapy and sound technology are becoming more common, particularly in bathrooms in the Bay Area where tech-savvy homeowners demand cutting-edge features.