Home Builder Jacksonville | Once, it was the room that no one would show in movies or even mention in polite company—but these days, a fabulous bathroom is a prime home feature, and for many proud owners, the subject of major bragging rights. They’re luxurious! They’re high-tech functional! They’re beautiful! Plus—and here’s the real point—today’s HGTV-savvy homeowners know that upgrading their bathroom is likely to impress buyers and boost home valuations.
“Bathroom remodels now rival kitchens in popularity,” says Nino Sitchinava, principal economist at home renovation site Houzz, which released its 2015 U.S. Bathroom Remodeling Survey in March. The survey polled nearly 3,200 Houzz users who are in the midst of planning or have recently completed a bathroom remodel.
“The bathroom is reinforcing its place as an important room in a home,” says Francesc Zamora Mola, co-author of the recently released “150 Best New Bathroom Ideas.” But unlike the increasingly public kitchen, Zamora notes, the bathroom has evolved into a private haven—a tranquil space for relaxation and self-indulgence.
Zamora fills us in on the top trends in bathrooms and how to incorporate them in your home.
A spa experience in your home
“Bathrooms are getaways that have the power of revitalizing and soothing body and soul,” Zamora writes.
To create the feel of a spa, keep the design and features minimal, use a neutral color palette, and make sure there’s lots of natural light, he advises.
Also, avoid clutter. After all, “an elegant and relaxed bathroom needs a little space.”
Indoor-outdoor flow—and we don’t mean the water
You might think that the top things you’d want in a bathroom are a reasonable degree of privacy and some good ventilation. And you wouldn’t exactly be wrong. But let’s add another factor to the list: Bathrooms that embrace their natural surroundings offer exciting design possibilities, Zamora says. After all, what better way to enjoy nature than showering outdoors? That is, assuming the neighbors aren’t close by.
And as Zamora writes, these days privacy is “not so much a matter of hiding ourselves from others, but about shielding ourselves from the outside frenzy.”
As a matter of practicality, of course, floor-to-ceiling windows allow the feeling of being outside without little inconveniences like dead leaves in your freshly washed hair. Even simpler, maximize a view of a natural landscape.
Decor that could fit in the living room
“When it comes to planning, design, and decorating, bathrooms are just as important (if not more) as any other room in a home,” Zamora says. Think beyond your towel colors. The Houzz survey found that 15% of respondents put a chandelier in their master bathroom for a luxe look.
Vintage fittings are a popular trend, Zamora notes, and he features several bathrooms with vintage features such as Venetian mirrors and Victorian bathtubs and washbasins. For those who prefer a more contemporary style, there are streamlined fittings made of stone, marble, or even high-quality recycled plastic or translucent resin.
Technology with a gentle touch
“Technology is already making its way into the bathroom, but very subtly,” Zamora says. He expects features such as touch-sensitive taps and toilets that fully wash, dry, and deodorize you to become more common.
Already, homeowners in the Houzz survey favor making their bathrooms cozy with radiant heat flooring (26%) and towel warmers (11%). Those towel warmers, in particular, “are an affordable indulgence that come in various designs and configurations to accommodate any possible needs,” Zamora writes.
No matter what, though, high-tech features should not interfere with a quiet soak in a hot tub. No beeps or blinking lights!
Fashion that doesn’t leave function behind
At the end of the day, whether your dream bathroom resembles a spa, a Moroccan bathhouse, or, oddly enough, a powder room, it has to serve your needs, Zamora says. Organization and accessibility are key.
“Make best use of the available space,” he says. “A functional bathroom that looks good will still be practical and look sharp a decade later.”
Sure, you’ll probably change some details over the years, but invest now in organization solutions and a layout that works. It’s also smart to think long term about accessibility—the Houzz survey found that baby boomers are big on features such as grab bars and curbless showers.
Bathrooms are the second costliest room in the home for renovations, experts say. So when you’re planning your remodel, make sure you’ll end up with a bathroom you’ll love for years to come.
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