We have mostly been sticking to contract and management issues, but this week we are going to go in a different direction. We wanted to start exploring some design ideas for different areas of the home over the next week or so. After all, if you are going to have a custom home, you want it to be your dream home from the top to bottom.
We are going to start with what many consider to be the first or second most important room in the house… the bathroom.
More Than a Toilet and a Shower
Bathrooms today are far more than they were when we were kids growing up. We do a lot more than just take a quick shower or go to the bathroom. I am not saying I do this, but some people like to soak in a nice Epson salt bubble bath and watch the first football game on Sunday. I have seen homes that have a bathroom that would rival any spa. If this is your forever home, why not do it up right and make the room a focal point of the home?
Calming
To my point above, today’s bathrooms are almost like private spas, so when you are doing the layout of the bathroom, avoid the toilet being the focal point of the room and allow enough functional space in key areas. Meaning, you do not want the toilet right on top of the tub if you have a big soaking tub that you want to enjoy. Instead of the toilet being the first thing people see when they walk into the room, design it around the tub or the vanity for a better overall appearance.
If You Won’t Use the Tub…
If you plan on taking long soaks, by all means, get that monster tub. However, if nobody is going to use it, why waste money and space when you can create a huge walk-in shower? Some people would actually prefer to relax in a steaming shower, so build one with a seat ledge. Put in a stereo system and multiple shower heads. Go for broke!
Proper Lighting
So, when it comes to lighting a bathroom, you will probably want various lighting levels available. If the woman of the house is using the bathroom to put on her makeup, you will need very bright lighting. If you plan on also using the room as a spa, you will need more subtle lighting. So, figure out the purpose of the bathroom before you settle on your lighting scheme.
Materials
One of the bigger mistakes we have seen when people choose bathroom materials is they are not thinking practically. This is a wet room, so you need materials that will not encourage mold and mildew. For instance, natural stone is often material clients want to use, but it is also a very porous material and can be challenging over the life of the home. You can still create an amazing look with reconstituted stone or porcelain.
That is about it for today, but we are going to come back and revisit the bathroom soon enough with more tips. Next up… the kitchen!