Resort-inspired bathroom trends
By Vikki Moran
Have you ever taken a great vacation in a swanky hotel and left feeling you wanted to replicate the exquisite bathroom? Many of us have acted on it by contacting Aird Dorrance to replicate it. In a recent conversation with the "Franks" at Aird Dorrance (Frank Dorrance, the owner and Frank Ronda, showroom manager), I learned that I am not alone in wanting permanently what I have had for a few lovely days in great hotels and Inns. As Frank Dorrance put it, I was trying to take the pampering and luxury home with me.
According to the NAR (National Association of Realtors), remodeling your bathroom is one of the top three remodeling projects that will give you the best return on investment - 71.0 percent in fact!
The trends in new bathrooms range from low-cost, efficient customizations to very elaborate, high-tech options. According to Ronda, Aird Dorrance show room manager, people are trending towards elaborate showers. "They have taken the jets out of the bath in favor of soaking tubs and put the jets into their showers. With people using showers more now with our hectic, hurried pace, it is understandable that they want to make their shower more enjoyable."
Manufacturers' innovations of shower components include showerheads, rain showerheads, body sprays and personal handheld showers, and any new component or combination of pieces can enhance the total shower experience. If you are water and energy conscious, as we all should be, the new technology allows us to use less water with little difference in performance.
What is ahead for us in bathroom technology? How about custom showers with personalized water delivery? "Little Suzy" may like her shower cooler and less intense than mom and dad, so each member of the family, up to six, will have their own settings! Kohler currently has seamless integration of water, music, light and steam, all with a button touch.
Perhaps technology is secondary to you, and what you are really looking for is the grand look of your new bathroom. The trends are in tile, many now opting for the modern look of 16 to 18-inch tiles on the wall, and larger tiles on the floor, which will make even a small space look and feel better. Vanities are looking more like furniture and vessel sinks that are under-mounted versus the old-fashion drop-ins are in vogue. Bathroom counter materials tend to be earthier: marble, granite, quartz and soapstone. Now that the sealant technology has also changed, the use of the stones has soared and become much more practical in the water-driven areas.
Showers are now designed with frameless doors, with less metal being used. It is certainly a more sophisticated look, but it also stays cleaner and is much easier to maintain. Tubs are now being designed for luxury in mind. It's all about the soak.
"The average family has nine products for their bath and shower, so great storage needs to be a part of the remodel," said Dorrance, who recommends discussing your storage needs with your contractor. Will your linens be stored there? Do you have more products than the average family? Do you use your bathroom for make-up purposes?
These are all considerations when discussing storage.
I am sure, like me, you have drooled over some of the television shows featuring exquisite bathroom renovations. They always seem to feature big spaces, but you can create a great bathroom in a small space as well. Again, technology is to our rescue with products designed to fit the standard. You can take that tired old fiberglass tub and replace it with a modern, open shower space. Manufacturers are making these products available with the look and design we want to upgrade smaller spots. A stroll through a showroom like Aird Dorrance will fill you with ideas and supply you with answers.
Sitting down with a bathroom designer is probably a good idea for everyone regardless of using a contractor or attempting yourself. The designer can help you visualize the space, assist with tile ideas, faucetry, lighting and cabinets, and put the pieces together for you.
If you are planning to tackle this job on your own, The National Kitchen & Bath Association recommends the following tips:
• Learn more about each step of the process--from determining the scope of the project to choosing a designer.
• Assess what features you must have versus those you want.
• When you redo a room as central to your home as the kitchen or bathroom, you want to make sure it will be a safe, efficient place.
• You need to work out the specifics of your vision, address issues like traffic flow, ceiling height, shower size and the placement of appliances.