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The Master Bath Master Bath Trends  When giving your existing master bathroom an overhaul or designing one for a new
home, it is recommended to plan on using quality fixtures, including a toilet
with a good flush , a stand-alone shower with multiple showerheads, a separate
tub with at least 8 jets and a vanity with adequate counter space. It is also important to have plenty of mirrors and good lighting in the bathroom. Bathrooms continue to grow in square footage. Bump-outs or additions or even converting a spare bedroom into a bathroom suite all signify the homeowners intent to go beyond the mere functionality of yesterday's bath. Bathrooms are now centers of restoration and inspiration. Shower Trends People today seem to want to bring the outside in. They want the sensation of showering outdoors. Some ways to accomplish this are adding clerestory windows and skylights for more natural lighting and lots of natural stone and tile looks. In keeping with the naturalist approach, many large showers are being created without doors. It becomes a shower area . The tub/shower combination unit is often being replaced with a super shower. This may be installed in the space that used to fit the tub. A double bench can be added for sitting and shaving. Full Body Showers  Although a single shower head gets the job done, homeowners aiming for the
ultimate body spray usually opt for several showerheads and spray fixtures. A
fully outfitted shower typically includes a fixed and a hand held shower head,
four to six smaller sprays, a frameless shower door and a built in bench. In a
remodeling project, the existing bathtub can be removed and a new shower space
created. Other elements in a custom shower and new features available for shower upgrades include thermostatic valves, which allow water temperatures to be set and maintained; diverter and shut off valves, which regulate water flow to the shower head and body sprays; a wall or ceiling- mounted shower head offering various types of sprays; an ergonomic handheld shower; and body sprays with massaging jets designed to hit pressure points. While it was once difficult for the average shower to accommodate more than one showerhead or spray, cutting-edge valves that increase water flow now make it possible though most require a change from the standard one-half inch piping to three quarters-inch; larger homes may even require 1-inch piping. And copper piping is now widely used in lieu of galvanized pipes because of its durability and resistance to corrosion. Other advances in this industry include ceramic disks in faucets that replace rubber washers and prevent inevitable leaks after years of use, advanced valves that allow greater water flow in showers, and a new tarnish-resistant PVD (physical vapor deposition) brass faucet. Water conservation has become a critical concern in the design of shower valves. Many shower enthusiasts have been opting for a deluge shower head, whose name and extra wide diameter suggest that you will start your day in a downpour, however, the water flow from any one shower head is legally limited to 2.5 gallons a minute and you will more likely experience a sprinkle. A deluge head should be supplemented with a hand-held fixture that creates a much stronger water flow.  Other big news in the spa-like shower trend is steam. A steam shower looks a lot
like a water shower, except that the glass enclosure extends to the ceiling.
Also the door has to be sealed; some frameless shower doors won't hold the steam
in. Showers, which are ADA (American Disabilities Act) compliant may include handrails, benches, and hand held showers for the elderly and disabled. Popular frameless glass shower panels and doors further reduce mold and mildew by eliminating metal frames. The frameless glass provides a clean, seamless look and has tremendous aesthetic appeal. Using 3/8 to ½ inch thick sheets of glass for both panels and doors, metal framing is no longer required. It allows the tile or stone work to be displayed along with the artistic high-end systems being used today. This glass works well for steam showers where an operating panel above the door can be opened and closed for ventilation. Hardware Choices  Homeowners today enjoy one of the largest selections of hardware and faucet
finishes. From stainless steel, chrome and pewter, to copper, antiqued living finishes, and the very popular brushed nickel. Shower design also encompasses hardware and faucets, now both high performance mechanisms and points of interest in a shower. Urge-to Submerge Tubs  Showroom tubs come with many features, but the two basic choices are whirlpools,
which shoot water into the bath for a vigorous massage, and air tubs, which pump
air through small ports for a quieter, fizzier effect (some come with both).
Whirlpools generally remain the more popular of the two despite a downside;
pipes feeding the jets need regular sanitizing at least every three months.
American Standard makes that chore less burdensome with a built in sanitizer.
The advantages of air tubs are many. For one thing, air jets don't blast specific points of your body like water jets. Instead they create loads of tiny bubbles. Air tubs are quieter than whirlpools. Bath oils and bath salts can be used. In whirlpools, use of these products can cause jets to become clogged or collect residues that harbor bacteria. Buyers are going for tubs that are at least 20 inches deep, versus a lowly 13 inches for some wall-to-wall tubs. Kohler has a design that allows you to fill the tub up to your neck and let the water slosh into an outer channel; that overflow then recirculates into the tub. Jacuzzi, originator of the jetted tub, made a splash when it introduced its La Scala model, a two person whirlpool with a 43 inch flat screen HDTV in the tub wall, a built in CD player, a DVD player, a DVD and a 125 gallon capacity. For those who want to indulge themselves in luxury while being entertained with music and television, this tub/entertainment center unit offers a way to do it. Most homeowners are skipping the excess and opting for tubs that run deep, but not wide. This is a move away from big tubs. Many people do not like the idea of wasting water by filling up a two-person whirlpool for only one person. If a two person tub is chosen, it is recommended that the faucet chosen is able to fill the tub quickly (otherwise the water will be tepid before you set foot in it) Also consider having a water heater with a 75 to 100 gallon capacity. American Standard's Cadet whirlpool tub, a one-person 60 x 32 inch model with 8 jets is a well-priced basic choice. Common materials used in construction of today's tubs are acrylic, enamel cast iron, and gel-coated fiberglass. Don't Sacrifice Luxury In A Small Bathroom  A compact bathroom requires imagination but it is possible to achieve the
ambience of a much larger room if you make every inch count. Several
manufacturers produce scaled down fixtures for smaller homes. The Mayflower by Kohler is a space-saving corner bathtub that is equipped with an integral apron for easy installation. It overall dimensions are 48 inches by 44 inches deep. Also available are a removable bath pillow to enhance reading or relaxation and a removable foot stop for positioning yourself comfortably in the tub. A deeper soaking tub knows as the Greek Bath comes with integral armrests and is furnished with a vinyl bath pillow. Overall dimensions of this tub are 48 inches x 32 inches x 23 3/8 inches. Replacing a standard 60-inch long tub could yield 12 leftover inches that might be allocated to a tall, narrow cabinet or closet, creating storage for toilet tissue, paper supplies and toiletries. Such space conservation might actually allow for the toilet, tub and storage along one wall, leaving the other wall for a single pedestal sink and another pocket door to an adjacent bedroom. With careful planning of the available space, even a small bathroom can accommodate a luxurious tub. Storage can be a complicated matter when it comes to small rooms, but the Brook Console table from American Standard sets a new standard for storage solutions in bathroom furniture. The side doors fold down on both sides of the closed cabinet to provide easy access to generous shelf space. The console also offers two-sink installation options. Neo-Metro's Cerine Pedestal Basin is a stainless steel pedestal basin with solid-wood paneled sides. Various wood options are available and, for extra storage, Cubbyholes to store towels, toiletries and other accessories. A technique that will make the room appear larger is clearing the floor space . One way to clear the floor space is to bring furniture off the ground. Wall cabinets work well in the bathroom. Showers with no thresholds help visually enlarge the floor space. Use a double door to allow easy access. An obscure glass door will bring light into the room and still allow privacy. Sinks That Sit High  Above-the-counter basins are currently seen as a creative way to spruce up a
bathroom; however, neither the height of the pedestal nor the depth of the bowl
is standard, complicating the installation of a wall-hung faucet. One of the
most difficult things to predict is where the water hits the vessel. The typical
height of a bathroom lavatory is 32 to 34 inches; however, the counter height
can be based on personal preference to determine what you re comfortable with.
Vessel sinks have been available for some time now and they appear to be more than a passing trend. In addition to porcelain and stainless, these sinks are now crafted of glass, stone, concrete, wood, and bronze. Porcher's Cirque Basin , is designed in a way that it can be set at four different levels Warming Up with Bathroom Trends  Comfort-height toilets stand about two inches higher than standard 14-inch base
and bowl configurations and are considered easier to get on and off of. Taller
toilets are part of a trend in bathroom appliances designed to accommodate the
desire for comfort for the aging baby boom generation. To take the shock out of frigid mornings, the Toto Washlet toilet seat, which heats to a toasty 104 degrees Fahrenheit and comes with bidet-style spray-and-dry mechanisms. Bidets and bidet hybrids have become increasingly popular. Toto has also introduced the Neorest, a fully automatic toilet that includes the heated set, bidet sprays and a sensor that raises the lid and determines whether the seat should be up or down. Bar type towel warmers may look properly British, but you're better off buying a panel style. For example, the Runtal towel radiator not only delivers heat down the length of the towel but also boosts the temperature of a drafty bathroom. Floors warmed by electric grids of water pipes under the tiles are another hot commodity. If heated floors and towels don't take the chill off fast enough, install a heat lamp on a timer. Consider NuTone Heat Lamp and Leviton Electronic Timer Switch. Such lamps allow you warmth while you're washing up and save energy when you're not. Classy Cabinets and Vanities  One of the biggest trends in bathrooms is a movement toward furniture in the
bath. This includes console type vanities and fancy frames. Most furniture
manufacturers now carry a line specifically devoted to bathrooms. The concept of the vanity as furniture works very nicely with a vessel sink. An antique piece or a free standing piece that mimics an antique will look more natural with a vessel sink than one that's had a hole cut in the top for a sink. Accessibility Does Not Have To Be Boring Or Institutional More than 35 million of the U.S. population is 65 or older and another 40 million have some form of physical disability. The key to accommodating the physical needs of homeowners is to do so without designing a bathroom that has a sterile institutional look. Manufacturers and bathroom designers are well aware of the demand for user-friendly fixtures, like grab bars, shower seats, slip-resistant flooring, tubs and showers that are easy to get in and out of, and products that are easy to reach and operate. Barrier-free shower units, grab bars, single-lever faucets and hand held showerheads are all designed to allow physically challenged people to bathe without assistance. As the nation's population continues to age and homeowners decide they want to stay in their homes longer (AARP surveys how that 80 percent of the people over the age of 60 want to remain in their homes) entry into the bathroom, with ample clearance and maneuvering space around the door, is a primary concern when designing a bathroom to accommodate the physical needs of aging homeowners or handicapped individuals. Raised thresholds are definitely out of the picture, as are slippery floor coverings and loose area rugs. Another consideration in designing an accessible bath is in the use of lighting, which will provide a safe environment without blasting the occupant with bright lights. Safety, comfort and ease are critical when designing a bathroom that will allow aging homeowners to stay in their homes. Bathroom Design Details Bathroom styles are eclectic, from stripped down minimalism to formal chandeliers over the bathtub. As for colors, a neutral palette of white, beige, and soft gray will not date a room quickly and are also soothing. Bold color should only be added in linens and other bath accessories. Natural materials as well as colors are important. The trend is back to an earthy look-stone, Matte textures, exotic wood, tumbled marble and limestone. Homeowners Want More Out of their Bathroom Cabinets and Vanities
Beyond The Basics
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The trend is toward seeing the bathroom not only as a place to wash, but also as
a relaxation oasis, where the individual can concentrate on him or herself. 