Trends in Bath
Design
By James Garland
There are a multitude
of choices to be made in planning a bathroom “Master Suite,”
from the configuration and materials used in the bathing and shower
areas to the type of lighting to be used throughout (it should be
bright, with flexible ambient lighting as well as dedicated task lighting
at required areas; makeup counters, shaving mirrors, etc.). There
are space considerations: as amenities have grown in size and scope,
the square footage reserved for the master bath has increased as well.
Whirlpool baths with separate showers, double vanities (vanity countertops
are frequently set at 36” high in the master bath, kitchen counter
height) with cosmetic areas, changing rooms with walk-in closets,
a separate space for the toilet; all are common selections incorporated
into the master suite.
Surface materials
in the master bath area can combine solid surface products, ceramic
tile, glass and glass block, acrylic, fiberglass, marble, granite,
wood...there are endless combinations of materials available to personalize
your bathing space. The options are astonishing.
Vanities
Another trend that is being used in bathrooms are different types
of vanities. Glass, ceramic, and stone basins placed on top or drop-in
to fine furniture. Draped molded glass setting on ornate iron bases
(see cover) gives more of a contemporary feel. Stone pedestal sinks
placed in a sterile environment gives the feel of an art gallery.
Wall- mounted faucets placed over a sink offer designers unlimited
designs of all types of materials. An old standby, the pedestal sink
is still in vogue and is offered in a variety of styles and price
ranges.
BathTubs
The use of whirlpool or soaking tubs in the master bath is more popular
than ever. Whirlpool and soaking tubs range in size from standard
30” x 60” to as large as 48” x 84”. When selecting
a whirlpool or soaking tub remember that deeper is better, a few additional
inches of water offers a superior soak, but larger tubs may need extra
support from the floor joists below (an architect, designer, or remodeling
contractor can help with that determination), and may also require
a larger hot water heater than is currently in the home. Common materials
used in construction of the tubs are acrylic, enamel cast iron, and
gel-coat fiberglass.
There are different
kinds of whirlpool tubs. Whether purchasing a bubble tub or a side-jetted
whirlpool, talk to plumbing material providers and designers to determine
what you are looking for in the tub of your choice. Whether you are
seeking a therapeutic whirlpool or a place to relax, there is a tub
to fit your needs and how it is fitted for you will determine your
satisfaction with your purchase.
Showers
With the inclusion of luxury bathing, a separate shower area is a
popular option, again offering a multitude of choices. Full body,
multi-head shower fixtures offer a spa environment in the comfort
of one’s private bath, and the experience can be heightened with
the addition of a steam generator. The emphasis is on luxury, pampering,
and relaxation.
The aesthetic
choices aren’t the only consideration in design; safety concerns
are also a significant part of the well-planned bath. As the boomer
generation ages, the practice of placing grab bars in the shower area
has become more common, as is the increasing awareness of universal
design principles in laying out the bath to easily accommodate wheelchair
access.
There are more
options to consider when selecting the shower faucet valve, beyond
choosing a finish (the available finish options have also multiplied...some
of the hottest finish options are brushed chrome, satin nickel, and
gold). The function of the shower faucet, mandated by code in many
states, may include either a pressure balance or thermostatic control
valve. Though not exactly new (pressure balance valves have been widely
available for a decade or more), it is a welcome feature. With a pressure
balance or thermostatic control valve, the shower’s water temperature
is adjusted should demand be placed on the system in another part
of the house (say the flush of a downstairs toilet, which with a standard
valve could send scalding water onto the hapless bather in the shower
upstairs).
Faucets
Another advancement in faucet valves has been the development of the
“ceramic disk” cartridge. In this valve, water flow is regulated
by the movement of two ceramic disks within a cartridge in the body
of the faucet. The disks are highly polished to extreme smoothness,
and as they rub together they not only become smoother, improving
the function of the faucet over time, but also grind some of the fine
particles carried through the plumbing system.
Having the ability
to “remember” its temperature setting is another advantage
to the ceramic disk cartridge. The faucet will turn off at the setting
of the water temperature being used, so when the water is again turned
on, the same temperature will be instantly re-engaged. This is especially
useful in the shower, though ceramic disk valves are available at
all faucets in the house.
Many faucet makers
extend generous guarantees to their ceramic disk cartridges but, as
usual, it is worth purchasing your faucet from a well-known, reputable
manufacturer. Ask your plumber, materials provider, or designer for
solid recommendations.
Toilets
There have been advancements in toilet design and function as well.
Manufacturers have solved the problems encountered with the early
conversion to the low-water-consumption toilets required by modern
code. Some fixture manufacturers have expanded the size of the trap
within the base of the toilet. Some offer a pressure-assist system
in the toilet tank, assuring quiet and efficient removal of waste.
Also available is a toilet in which the tank is housed in the sheetrock
wall behind the bowl, offering quiet operation.
If you are planning
on a new bath be prepared to do some homework. Talk to plumbers and
designers, and visit some of the numerous bath showrooms in the area.
The Internet is also a valuable resource; all major plumbing suppliers
have websites on which their selection of fixtures, as well as product
specifications, can be easily viewed.
Keep in mind at
the outset that per square foot, creating the modern bath is by far
the most costly room in the house to build or remodel. With care taken
in the planning and installation of the bath, and the purchase of
good quality materials and workmanship, the expense of building a
new bath should be repaid with years of satisfaction and service,
as well as providing refuge from the strains of the modern world.
James Garland
is a kitchen design consultant for Canac Kitchens in Tualatin.
Photos courtesy
of Kohler® Co. |
