Almost everyone who appraises properties will say that the best way to increase the value of a home is to “follow the water.†This is because the two areas of the home where water is used the most are the kitchen and bathroom, two of the most used living spaces in the home.
Bathroom remodeling can entail changes as little as painting and redecorating or as large as removing all the fixtures and replacing them with new ones. It can also include changing the size and shape of the room to encompass new ideas.
The Shower Cabinet
Probably the heart of the bathroom is the shower facilities. Fifty years ago it was the bathtub whereas seventy-five years ago it was probably the toilet. Originally showers were a quick way to get clean and many tubs were turned into showers by adding them to the existing hardware. In most cases a chrome-plated flex-hose was attached to the bath tap leading up to a showerhead that hung on a hook. This attachment could be moved around like a wand and worked quite well. Unfortunately, the area was not built for direct contact with water and moisture could leak in behind and cause rot. More often than not windows were placed over bathtubs and the addition of a shower attachment cause water to leak in behind them and compromise the structure.
Showers came into their own with the invention of fiberglass units, either stand-alone or as an all-in-one with a bathtub. These enclosures did not need caulking and solved the water problems that had plagued earlier bathrooms.
Today, shower units are still available in the fiberglass models but new technologies have evolved to the point where the shower cabinet can be used as a relaxation device as well. Models with multiple jets and steam have made the shower cabinet an end-use device instead of a quick-dip method of cleaning the body. Some models have two cedar seats where you can have company while enjoying a steam bath. In addition the more advanced models have a built in tub so you can slide into the water after a steam bath.
Tubs
After over century of performing one task tubs are beginning to experience a renaissance. Now large and deeper that tub has broken free of the shower and is an entity all on its own mimicking the Japanese culture. In addition water features like concentrated water falls and hot air bubblers have replaced forced-water jets as a relaxation method. Instead of being pounded by shooting water hot air is distributed through hundred of tiny ports on the bottom of the tub giving the bather a tingling feeling.
Chromatherapy is the science of using light to affect a person's moods. When light portals are inserted into the tubs a soothing hue can add to the bather's relaxation. These lights can also be preprogrammed either by time or to react to music.
Rooms
Another new concept is the dividing of the bathroom into two or even three rooms. It is reminiscent of the English way of separating the toilet, or “water closet,†only the bath area has its own room. Another area can be used as an après bath area, a place to relax and let the effects of the long soak in the tub of the steam cabinet linger. In this room there can be a small bed, magazines and books as well as a television and audio system. For renovating purposes sometimes a spare room is sacrificed and divided to provide the extra space. In order to utilize this space for other purposes it can still retain the use as a place for visitors.
Other Design Features
The bathroom can be made bigger just by changing the shower from a fiberglass unit to an open concept design. Shower kits are available that provide a waterproof base for tile installation. In many cases the tiles are the same design but different sizes so that the shower area design carried right through to the bathroom door and up to the ceiling. The shower area is cordoned off from the rest of the bathroom with tempered glass providing an illusion of the bathroom being bigger than it actually is.
Hardware can also make a big difference. The standard chrome look is always in style but the shapes change. However, brushed bronze and antique copper make a striking statement against a marble or travertine stile. In the shower multiple jets add to the experience.
Lighting is something that is often overlooked but can change the bathroom instantly. Styles have gone from an overhead light to multiple dressing room bulbs but the new designs look at layering the lighting effects. The overhead light is great as a styled fixture but a separate lighting controls for the bathroom vanity cabinet and shower areas can overcome the washed look of just one lighting system. Of course these should be on a dimmer. Sconces also work great as an intermediate light.
For more information on how you can get the best bathroom for you home or ensuite consult our Contractor Directory or Post Your Project and have professionals contact you.
Posted by: TrustedProsSuggested Reading For You
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