Tips > Household

The Bath as a Personal Refuge

The trend in luxury baths is large and larger, with amenities galore. Tubs,
showers, rain bars, multiple showerheads, body massagers, steam showers and saunas to accommodate two. Refrigerators and wine coolers for a refreshing or relaxing glass of whatever. Coffee and cappuccino makers for a pick-me-up while preparing for work or a night on the town. Warming drawers, usually used in the kitchen, are becoming towel warmers in today's bath. Entertainment centers bring Dolby, movies and DVD. Jacuzzi has just introduced a whirlpool tub with a built-in TV/VCR/DVD player.

Architects, designers and contractors are adding space to existing baths with additions or by stealing space from adjacent rooms. Materials and surfaces are luxurious and easy care: marble, granite, limestone, Corian, cast iron, acrylic, tile, glass, glass block, stainless steel, brass, nickel, and gold.

Lighting controls offer general, task and dramatic mood levels to suit the whims of the users. Deep walls for deeper medicine cabinets with integral outlets hold hair dryers and electric razors. Toilets with tanks built into the wall allow placement in tighter spaces or behind privacy walls. Warming the floors with radiant heat augments central heating. The outer limits of luxury are being tested in today's bath.

Baths for All Our Years
Many designers are incorporating the principles of Universal Design in residential baths, to allow the occupants to stay in their homes as they age, or become temporarily disabled due to accidents. Planning for the addition of grab bars at a later time with structural supports behind the sheetrock. Installing beautiful mosaic-tile floors that are incidentally slip resistant. Designing doorways that are wide enough to allow for the passage of a wheelchair. Leaving enough space to permit a 180-degree turn in a wheelchair within one bathroom in the home. Using contrasting materials and good lighting to assist aging eyes. All of these are elements of a movement that began with the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act, and has moved through the design industry like wildfire.

The bath, or kitchen, designed with Universal Design principles doesn't have to look "institutional" to function as serviceably as an accessible space that screams its intent. The design professional and client just need to work together to apply accessibility principles in new ways with new and traditional materials. When considering a bath remodel, be sure to address accessibility issues in the design process. There may come a time when you will be glad you did, and if it is well done no one but you will be the wiser.

This may be the first time you have ever contemplated remodeling a space in your home, or perhaps your past experiences have not given you the results you want. Download our instructions to make your life easier.

Finding the right toilet
Style and comfort guide decision in rooms big or small
Here's an interesting article by Anne Marie Jordan of the S.F. Chronicle.
It even has a convenient shopping checklist at the bottom.

Half the Water, Twice the Flush!
Here is a link to a great article on how to choose the best water-saving toilets by Steve Maxwell in Mother Earth News.

Picking a shower can be a dirty task
From chic grab bars to glass doors, details make a difference
Here is another Chronicle article by Anne Marie Jordan about shopping for items for your new shower.
This too has a convenient shopping checklist at the bottom.