10 Must Haves For the Ultimate in Bath Design

This gorgeous bathroom can be found in Design NJ August/September 2018

What’s Hot in Bathroom Design

Luxurious bathrooms top my clients’ remodeling wish lists. Through the years the style trends may have changed, but spa-like features and living-in-place details are leading the way in today’s bathrooms. Here is my take — with help from my clients — on what’s hot in bathroom design.

In The Shower

Thermostatic Controlled Water Temperature. These valves allow you to choose the temperature of the water in the shower. This allows for a personalized shower experience.

Digital Valves. Valves control distribution of the water, much like stop lights control the flow of traffic. New digital valves provide the next level of control. They also direct temperature, pressure, lighting and even music to enhance the shower experience. Imagine turning the water on from your bedside so it is ready and waiting for you when you step into the bathroom. 

Adjustable Handheld Showerheads. These showerheads are more than just convenient. They are in high demand for living in place as well as accommodating different height users. They’re great for a quick rinse off when you don’t want to get your hair wet or if the kids want to jump into your shower.

Grab Bars. Gone are the institutional look of these handy items. Manufacturers understand they are there to enhance the shower experience for adults as well as small children.

Seating and shelving are integrated into this shower seen in the April/May 2017 issue of Design NJ.

Integrated Shelves and Niches. These hold more than just shampoo bottles. LED lights recessed into the niche add to the ambience of the shower experience. Decorative tile details are being integrated into these handy recesses as well.

Linear Drains. Hiding unsightly shower drains is a must in a luxury shower. Walk-in showers with no curb or “wet rooms” where the tub is part of the shower environment require these longer, much more attractive drains. Many linear drains can be tiled over to create a nearly invisible installation.

Body Sprays. In today’s fast-paced world, more people are craving a spa-cation in their own home. Body sprays enhance the shower with a “vertical spa” experience. Flush heads are much more attractive, while non-flush heads allow more flexibility for height and direction of water spray. A big plus is the added value in resale.

This bathroom featuring a freestanding tub capitalizes on its location along the Shrewsbury River, seen in the August/September 2018 issue of Design NJ.

Freestanding Tubs: Requests for these tubs have increased dramatically. Gone are large-tiled or slab-tub decks. The choices of freestanding tubs are endless. They are designed for single bathers or for couples. There are oval, square and rectangular tubs to suit any and all designs. However, they are not for everyone. I do encourage my clients to test getting in and out of them (without the water) in the showroom.

Larger Water Heaters. There is nothing worse than running out of hot water. With additional water outlets finding their way into the shower, larger water heaters have become a standard upgrade.

Light Therapy: One of the newest innovations to bathing and showering is chroma-therapy. Lighting has many positive effects on mood and emotions. Chroma-therapy has been integrated into lighting controls for showers and tubs. I have been designing with Bain Ultra tubs for many years using its light systems for my clients’ bathing environments.

The Neorest 750H by Toto is a high-tech toilet with many desirable features, seen in the August/September 2018 issue of Design NJ.

The Commode

Toilets: Once the butt of jokes (pardon the pun), toilets have a brand-new status in bathroom design. Much of the credit goes to Toto, an innovator in the world of toilets. The company’s Neorest line has elevated the role of toilets. From bidet options to heated water systems and integrated music controls, toilets have risen to a new level of luxury.

For more than 25 years, Sharon L. Sherman, ASID, CKD, CID, has combined interior design knowledge with kitchen design and bathroom design expertise to help clients achieve their dream home. From her design studio in northern New Jersey she brings a passion for design and a sense of comfortable luxury to clients who expect the very best.

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