Expounding on this trend, Wayne Berenbaum, a practicing architect for 30 years and owner of The Wayne Architectural Group based in Boca Raton, FL, noted that bathrooms can be functional and exciting at any price and size.
“Baths tend to be bigger and geared to relaxation as well as efficiency,” he said. “Showers are becoming larger, with multiple shower heads, and we are going from separate vanities to his and her master baths that are virtually separated by a tub in the middle and a shower in the center.”
Another trend is to use furniture for vanities instead of pedestal sinks and cabinets, Berenbaum added.
Falconer noted that cost-effective design measures that “add pizzazz” include granite tiles, a mirror placed atop another mirror on the medicine cabinet and glass block partitioning between the bath and the toilet.
In high-end homes, he said that it is becoming increasingly popular to place less furniture in the master baths and to use the closet bath areas as a storage space. Microwaves and warming drawers are also being used to heat up towels.
With millions of the baby boomer population entering their 50s, Glen Boudreaux, owner of the Dallas interior design firm Glen Boudreaux & Associates, said more consumers are seeking universal designs for their bathrooms that are attuned to health, safety and welfare issues.
Examples include doorways that are at least three feet wide, lever handles in place of knobs, tiles with mats or slight textures on the flooring, grab bars that look like towel racks, adjustable shower heads on vertical bars and roll-in showers with seats.
“These designs don’t have to be ugly or institutional. And they don’t cost a lot of money,” he said.
Boudreaux added that they are good for buyers of all ages and promote functionality, ease of mobility and a safer environment.
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