Updating The Bath There’s Certainly No Shortage Of Ideas When It Comes To Remodeling Your Bathroom

Cruising through a recent House of Design, we were mightily impressed with the master suite, which included a bath that was large enough and luxurious enough to qualify for Versailles.

According to the people at Kohler Co. (it manufactures all sorts of things for all sorts of baths), we shouldn’t have been surprised. They like to quote from information compiled by Remodeling magazine that shows that creation of a master suite with oversized bedroom, private bath and walk-in closet will return 85 percent of a homeowner’s investment in the first year.

With all that in mind, here are points to ponder should you be thinking of “doing up” your bath, enlarging it or building from scratch. They’re from Joe Ruggiero, design consultant for Kohler.

Two lavatories. Having two eliminates the morning bottleneck in a bath shared by a working couple. Beyond the basic two lavatories, Ruggiero says, there has been a move toward separate his-and-hers grooming areas.

Whirlpool bath. Whirlpools add a spa dimension to a bath but used to be considered strictly for royalty or people who thought they were. Not so today. They are now an expected amenity in move-up homes, Ruggiero says.

Upholstery. Furniture in the bath? We are talking luxe. How about a chaise lounge? Not quite enough space? Then why not comfy cushions on the whirlpool deck? “Fabrics like soft, absorbent terry cloth and sturdy canvas make ideal upholstery materials for the bath and add a touch of softness to the room,” Ruggiero says.

Separate shower. It’s the newest must-have for the well-equipped master bath, Ruggiero said. There are custom shower configurations that offer strategically positioned multiple showerheads with a variety of spray patterns and intensities that can add elements of a massage to the shower.

A bidet. Versailles, remember? Common in Europe, the bidet is handy for footbaths and other localized cleansing and as a water-saving option to drawing a full bath.

Attractive, functional accessories. Plan for an adequate number of conveniently placed towel bars and rings, and think about such conveniences as tumbler/toothbrush holders and wire baskets to hold bathroom paraphernalia. Mirrors are essential for grooming, but they also can be used to brighten a room and give the illusion of a larger space.

Easy-care surfaces. Time is a major factor in lots of lives, so shoot for durable, lowmaintenance finishes in the bath, such as ceramic tile.

Also consider new solid surfacing materials as well as natural stone, plus washable paints, wall covering and fabrics that make it easier to keep the bath looking good with a minimum of effort.

Water-saving plumbing products. This is the green decade. If you don’t believe it, look through decorating magazines. They’re full of merchandise with an environmentally correct attitude. Installing water-saving toilets, faucets and showerheads is a simple way to save water without changing your lifestyle.

Pressure-balancing shower valves. They might seem a little clinical, but they do have their points. The valves prevent unpleasant and potentially dangerous hot and cold shower water surges and provide an added measure of safety by automatically compensating for pressure changes that can cause temperature fluctuations.