Bathroom Remodels

The bathroom is the new den in some circles. More and more, people are going to the bathroom to relax after a hectic day. Homeowners are upgrading the rooms outfitting them with everything from soaking tubs to heated floors to make themselves comfortable. But peace and quiet aren't the only motivating factors. An upgraded bathroom helps sell a home and can be a good investment. 

Considerations

• Large & Airy Showers: Showers are bigger. In small bathrooms, homeowners are tearing out the tub to expand the shower. Not only is the stall getting larger, it's getting more airy, with much more glass. People want to feel like they're going into a spa. Some homeowners are even taking out partial shower walls, or all shower walls entirely, and making the entire tiled bathroom a shower.
  

• Rain Shower Heads: Are the fastest growing trend in bathrooms today. Rain shower heads give you the feeling that you are actually showering in the rain. They are soothing and relaxing and connect you with nature.
  

• Wall Faucets: Are also a popular, but more expensive trend. Rather than having your faucet connected to your sink, it comes directly out of the wall for a more modern, chic look.
  

• Jacuzzis Replaced by Soaking Tubs: People have had Jacuzzi’s and now they often want a quiet experience of a soaking tub. These jet less tubs are often deep and insulated and typically don’t have the huge amount of decking that surrounded many tubs installed in homes in the '80s and '90s which were difficult to enter and exit.
  

• Open/Natural Light: People want master bathrooms to be brighter and more sun-filled than before. That means adding windows and even skylights to a bathroom.
  

• Steam Bath: The big thing in bathrooms is steam. The bathroom usually has to be reconfigured to include the following:
  • Sloping ceiling to drain condensation
  • Seat
  • Floor drain
  • Tile or marble on all surfaces
  • Vapor-tight door (the steam room must be completely enclosed and insulated on all sides).
    

• Bathroom Fan: Most bathrooms could use better ventilation to clear off mirrors and extend the life of the finishes. A remote fan with a motor elsewhere, such as the attic, is very desirable. It is about 10 times as powerful as other fans and costs only a little more. They're also extremely quiet if installed properly.  Also on the market are fans with humidity sensors that switch on automatically.
  

• Walling off the toilet:  One of the biggest trends today is "privatization of the toilet" by giving the master bath's toilet its own private room, or at least a privacy wall. 
  

• Bathroom Technology: more homeowners are requesting additional features such as –
  • Small coolers
  • Flat-screen TVs. (Flat screens can be placed behind a mirror, where they are not seen until they're turned on)
    

• Speaker systems hooked up in showers
• Towel heaters
• Refrigerated medicine cabinets
• Sinks that signal water temperature.
  

• Smarter storage: Big, deep drawers don't work in bathrooms. Those work in kitchens, for pots and pans. In bathrooms, small drawers, with dividers are much more useful. Homeowners are installing towers, with drawers that start at countertop height and go up, because it puts all the storage where it's easily accessible. Additional options include pre-manufactured medicine cabinets or vanity cabinets that have an outlet inside for an electric toothbrush, shaver or curling iron – this removes items from out in the open and gives the bathroom a much less cluttered look.
  

• Dueling vanities: Homeowners are often asking for his-and-hers sinks and vanities, even in small bathrooms. Two vanities allow for each person to have his or her own space and storage.
  

• Stylish Sinks continue to become more popular. Homeowners are also interested in:
  

• "Vessel sinks" that rise up from a base
• Faucets that protrude directly from a wall
• Sinks that have their own legs or stand.
  

• Universal Features: Once found only in nursing homes, grab bars are hand bars bolted to walls in showers and above tubs to help keep people from falling. They're appearing in many bathrooms now. A big reason is that baby boomers are graying and looking for a surer grip. But younger people are accepting them, too, because the bars no longer look so institutional. They make grab bars nowadays that look like decorations. Other universal features include:
  • Chair Height Toilets
  • Walk In Bath Tubs

• Heated Floors: Radiant electric heating under the walls and floors warm up bathrooms and shower areas. It's safe, and uses little energy.
  

• Tiles: Porcelain or stone tile is very popular in bathrooms because they have more warmth.  Glass tile is also gaining in popularity.
  

• Bathroom Fireplaces create a unique, cozy feel like no other.
  

• On-demand water heaters and other green products: Sustainable and green choices are signaling a larger trend in home remodeling. There are several ways to make your improvements more energy-wise Here are some ideas:
  

• If you do put in a heated floor, make sure it's attached to a timer.
• Also, investigate the latest low-flow toilets that have two buttons: One releases much less water, when very little is needed.
• Another thing that's become more popular is on-demand water systems.
  • The unit heats water almost instantaneously, eliminating the need for a water heater, which is very inefficient because it always has to keep water hot and ready.