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Soaking the Stress Away
Green, clean, relaxing and modern bathrooms
No matter the size of your bathroom
project, here are some tips for making the most of a new bathroom.
1. Improve the air:
Any contractor will tell their client that ventilation is key to a clean, wellmaintained
bathroom. Contractors recommend installing an automatic bathroom light ventilation system with
a humidistat. It comes on automatically based on the humidity of the room, so there’s no need to worry about forgetting to flick a switch each time you step into the shower.
2. Ditch the tub:
Gone are the days of huge, hotel-like sauna tubs. These days, homeowners are opting for more practical (not to mention much larger) showers. Whirlpool tubs are still fairly popular,
but most are not set up with enough hot water supply. When doing this, it’s important the homeowner ensure she has the water volume and plumbing to handle it. Trends in this option are
centered around multijet shower systems and steam shower systems. Want to take showers to the next level? Try the latest options in clear glass, stainless steel or even frameless designs.
3. Keep it clean:
Clean lines can be achieved through bold color choices, simple light fixtures and glass shower doors. Stuffing too many fixtures into such an enclosed space can create an overwhelmingly
claustrophobic environment. If you want to bring color into the bathroom, you have an almost infinite range of color choices available. In contrast to the inevitable white of the past, today bathroom fixtures are available in a broad palette of colors ranging from Biscuit to “Black Black,” or not-quitewhites such as “Sunlight,” “Skylight,” “Innocent Blush,” and “Tea Green” which occupy the softer end of the scale. On the opposite end are bold shades like “Igneous Blue,” “Vapor Green” and “Roussillon Red,” You can choose sinks, tubs and toilets in delicate “Cashmere,” rich “Timberline,” or warm “Wild Rose.”
4. Shape up the Sink:
Changing a fixture as simple as the sink can alter the entire feel of a bathroom. If the more
standard choices of vessel aren’t achieving your design objective, why not try a pedestal
standalone, which creates a retro vibe, or wall-hung sink for a more contemporary feel.
Glass bowls are emerging as trendy choices that add a modern, yet classic look.
5. Go green:
When going green in a bathroom, the two most important issues are water conservation and energy use. To cut back on excess water use when washing, some contractors recommend installing water-efficient shower systems, such as the new-to-the-market Kohler Master Shower Eco ($67 for
showerhead), which reduces water volume by 20 percent, or the Niagara Conservation Earth Massage ($9.50 for showerhead). Another option for decreasing water use is a dual-flush toilet. This system gives you the best of both worlds: The first, low flush uses less than 8/10s of a gallon of water while the second, normal flush uses 1.58 gallons – still within conservation limits. And for the diehard conservationist, there’s the ultimate intoilet conservation etiquette: the waterless urinal.
Want to take showers to the next level? Try the lastest options in clear glass, stainless steel, or even framless design.
Less is Better
As anyone who’s had the pleasure of the experience will tell you, there’s nothing like a spa getaway to reduce your stress level. Because it isn't always possible to jet off to a resort
for pampering, however, an increasing number of people are creating luxurious settings of their
own with at-home spas. What more convenient place to get away from it all than right down
the hall, in the comfort of your own home? A sparsely designed home spa offers tranquility, which is why many homeowners are adopting a clean, minimalist design for their private retreats.
Minimalism was developed as an artistic movement whose principles stress using a minimum
number of colors, shapes, lines and textures. Designers and architects have applied the style to the home spa, resulting in maximum space, minimum fuss, and simple luxury. The result is smooth surfaces, sculptured lines, and eliminated clutter. Fixtures are sleek; the few accessories include cotton towels and candlelight. Simple home spas offer rich wood, smooth slate floors
and low-pressure water flow. Colors are neutral, in whites, beiges and grays reminiscent of natural elements. Because the room doesn’t contain a lot of furniture or objects, each one needs to be carefully selected. Minimalism in bathroom fixtures means simple forms; geometric shapes and low profiles. Tubs and showers should be visually appealing and a pleasure to use. Closed cabinets help to hide necessary accessories, but you can further streamline the look by installing touch latches or understated hardware on doors and drawers. Keep the style and finishes consistent throughout.
“Bathroom updating is most essential for greater resale value of your home. You currently will
recoup about 56-62 percent of the cost of your renovations when you sell. If you only have
one bathroom, it may be better to change to a shower. The next homeowner may prefer a shower and has the option to change it back.”
Sue Clark, Clark Construction |
Home Remodeling 2008
