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Need a good bath?
Few rooms in the American home have changed as much in recent years as the master bathroom. Thirty year ago, if a house even had a master bathroom, it was too small to brush your teeth in without bumping your elbows on the wall. Today’s show homes feature master bath suites large enough to need intercoms between the sink and the bathtub.
The advent of two-income families and more disposable income have driven the concept of the master bath as a sanctuary. Tired of bumping into each other while trying to get ready for the day, many couples are opting to expand their bathroom for convenience and comfort. Likewise, returning home after a busy day, couples are finding a well-appointed bathroom is a good place to unwind and relax.
Remodeling can be a sound financial decision. According to Remodeling Magazine, in our area, a master suite addition will recover 116% of it’s cost upon resale--among the highest returns on investment for any type of remodel. In these days of aging "Baby Boomers" and "Empty Nesters", the master bathroom may be more important than extra bedrooms for resale, opening up the possibility of expanding the Master Suite into an adjacent bedroom. Dramatic improvements can be realized by borrowing as little as a foot or two from an adjacent room or closet. This is often enough to allow rearranging the fixtures or adding a shower.
The shower is a popular target for improvement. His and Hers models are popular, with rain bars, double shower heads, thermostatically-controlled water temperature, and a seating bench among the favorite options. Large recessed caddies for shampoo, razor and soap are popular, as are shaving niches for him, with fog-free mirrors. Glass block walls bring in the light with style. If space permits, the shower can be designed without doors or curtains, providing convenience of access without barriers, and no doors to clean! The new "frameless" shower doors are a dramatic alternative--easy to maintain, and very high quality.
With careful design, a shower can include steam, providing a great way to relax after a hard day. Small, self-contained steam generators can be hidden under a vanity or in a nearby closet. Special steam doors and proper tile installation insure a trouble-free amenity.
If you’re ready to pull out all the stops, there are even "environmental chambers" available to provide for music, sauna, steam, waterfalls, whirlpools, hydro-massage, "rain" and "warm breezes"--all programmable.
Bathers have plenty of options also. Whirlpool tubs, extra-deep soaking tubs, even tubs with doors in the side for barrier-free access. Some tubs also offer timer control, so you can arrive home or arise to a freshly-filled bath of just the right temperature. Add a waterfall faucet, separate shower wand, and built-in speakers, and you may never want to get out! Tubs for two are almost standard equipment for the well-appointed bath.
If you have the space, (and the money), the ultimate solution to the crowded bath is separate His and Hers bathrooms. He can leave the seat up as often as he likes, and even have a urinal. (There is a new urinal which is recessed into the wall with a fold-up lid that flushes with only a few ounces of water).
She can have a clean seat, a bidet, and paper on the roll. (A female client asked me recently--how many men does it take to change a toilet paper roll? No one knows--it’s never been done!)
Light is a scarce commodity in many older bathrooms. Skylights, plant windows, clerestory windows, or glass block can bring in plenty of daylight without compromising privacy. There is even a new window which switches from clear to opaque (and back) with the flip of a switch--perfect for providing a great view over a bathtub, with privacy when you need it. The default condition is opaque, ensuring security in case of power failure.
Recessed lighting incorporated into a skylight well gives the illusion of daylight at night. Fluorescent lighting with the proper selection of tube can provide full-spectrum color and even illumination, while minimizing heat. The proper balance and color of lighting in front of mirrors is important to the proper application of makeup.
For a bathroom that’s really "hot", add heated mirrors to prevent fogging, heated tile floors for toasty toes, or heated towel bars for luxury. For pure fun, add a television, stereo, fireplace, or aquarium. Convenience features might include a telephone, a dressing vanity, or an extra-tall toilet to give the knees a break. Two lavatories are virtually a necessity in modern master baths. Many people are opting for taller vanities, usually 36 inches, to save their backs. For practicality, add lots of storage, a clothes hamper, laundry chute, or a walk-in closet (or two).
For a nostalgic look, claw-foot tubs and pedestal sinks are available either as refinished authentic period pieces or contemporary improvements on the originals. On the modern end of the spectrum, try cantilevered glass shelves supporting conical glass lavatories on a mirrored wall.
For surfaces, marble, granite, or synthetic solid-surface products such as Corian© are easy to care for and hold their value well. Other good choices include ceramic tile, limestone, slate, and plastic laminates. Larger tile sizes reduce grout maintenance and provide a more up-scale look. Inexpensive field tile can be accented with deco-tiles for an expensive look on a limited budget.
If you’re looking for ideas, there are two books I can recommend to you--Bathrooms, by Chris Casson Madden (Clarkson Potter/Publishers), and Kitchens and Bathrooms by Sunset Publishing, both available at local bookstores. If you take the time for good design, your bathroom should provide good clean fun for many years to come.
