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Bathroom Remodeling
More and more people are going to the bathroom to relax and luxuriate after a day in the rush-hectic world. Homeowners are upgrading the bathrooms—outfitting them with everything from soaking tubs to heated floors—to transform them into a spa-like environment. Tranquility is not the only motivating factor, an upgraded bathroom helps sell a home and will be a good investment.
If you are mulling a remodel, here are a dozen of
trends to consider, both for personal luxury and for the
market.
Large, airy showers: Bigger is Better. Showers are getting bigger by the minute, literally. In small baths, homeowners are tearing out tub to expand the shower. The new airy looks is obtain by the use of much more glass with hinged doors, heavier and seamless glass.
Noisy Jacuzzis replaced by soaking tubs:
The tub is far from extinct; however it is just
changing.
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The “more
forward-thinking clients” I worked with in the past who
have chosen Jacuzzi are now wishing for a quieter,
serene experience of a soaking tub. These jetless tubs
are often deeper and insulated like those from VICTORIA
+ ALBERT.
Let the lights in:The master bathrooms are becoming sanctuaries
for homeowners. Homeowners want them to be brighter by
bringing in more natural lightings. That means adding
windows and even skylights to a bathroom.
Steam bath: big trend in bathroom is steam. Homeowners are discovering how wonderful it is to come home at the end of the day and de-stress in the privacy of their own steam room. Steamiest ($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:
1. A sloping ceiling to drain condensation.
2. A seat.
3. A floor drain.
4. Tile or marble on all surfaces.
5. A vapor-tight door (the steam room must be completely enclosed and insulated on all sides).
Walling off the loo: One of the biggest trends is “privatization of the toilet”. In other words, giving the master bath’s toilet its own private room or a privacy wall. Relocating the toilet where it makes sense and where it is inconspicuous and does not render the whole bathroom useless.
Dual vanities: Increasingly, our clients are looking for his and her sinks. Double vanities allow for each person to his/her own space and storage. Sinks and faucets continue to become more stylish such as vessel sinks that rise up from the base or faucets that protrude directly from the wall, or sinks that have their own legs or stand.
Grab bars and bench seat: 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 are appearing in many bathrooms now. The big reason is that baby boomers are graying and looking for a surer grip. But the younger generations are accepting them too, because the bars no longer look so institutional. And also because the No. 1 room in the house where accident occur is the bathroom. Bench seat is an upgrade that cost very little and would make a great addition to a new shower. This gives you the option to shower while being off your feet after an exhausting day.
Good Tiles: Lame linoleum and glazed tiles are so yesteryear. But you do not have to bust the bank on imported marble to enliven your floor or walls. Porcelain tile or stone tiles are the popular choices. They offer more warmth to a bath. Glass tile is also gaining popularity.
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