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2012 Appliance Trends: Bathrooms
Bathroom renovations to include more towel-warming drawers, TVs, tablets, pre-set showers and more
When you hear the word "appliances," you probably think about the kitchen, not the bath. Increasingly, however, traditional and non-traditional appliances are entering this space, especially in the master suite.
Read on to see how new appliances are likely to add functionality, convenience and luxury to more bathrooms remodels this year. Ferguson, a major high-end appliance, lighting and fixtures retailer, was a helpful resource in creating this ideabook, sharing their national predictions for 2012. Other sources include Dean Larkin, AIA, a leading Southern California architect, and David Van Wert, a Los Angeles-based home technology consultant.
More: Trends in kitchen appliances
Read on to see how new appliances are likely to add functionality, convenience and luxury to more bathrooms remodels this year. Ferguson, a major high-end appliance, lighting and fixtures retailer, was a helpful resource in creating this ideabook, sharing their national predictions for 2012. Other sources include Dean Larkin, AIA, a leading Southern California architect, and David Van Wert, a Los Angeles-based home technology consultant.
More: Trends in kitchen appliances
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Not surprisingly, this handsome bathroom was rated one of Houzz users' favorites. Unseen in the sleek images are the ventilation system. Without an effective vent fan, the comfort and safety of your space will evaporate into a musty mess. According to Ferguson, some vent fan trends for 2012 include:
• LED lighting that casts a soft glow for night or spa bathing
• Increased use of humidity sensors that turn it on and off as needed
• Increased use of hidden fans that look just like light fixtures and operate very quietly
• LED lighting that casts a soft glow for night or spa bathing
• Increased use of humidity sensors that turn it on and off as needed
• Increased use of hidden fans that look just like light fixtures and operate very quietly
| One bathroom trend shared with me by architect Dean Larkin is the inclusion of a washer and dryer in the master suite. This serves as a travel center for homeowners who travel often want a quick, convenient turnaround between flights. Laundry comes out of the suitcase and goes right into the washer and dryer. Today's laundry appliances also feature steam settings to remove wrinkles before the next trip. |
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Televisions in the bathroom will continue to increase in popularity. They will be recessed into or hung on walls, and integrated into medicine cabinets, countertop elevation systems and vanity mirrors.
Designers and manufacturers will look for even newer ways to incorporate them into baths in 2012 as consumer demand continues to rise.
Designers and manufacturers will look for even newer ways to incorporate them into baths in 2012 as consumer demand continues to rise.
New showering systems ensure that each user has the shower experience he or she wants with personalized presets.
As these increase in popularity, they will become more affordable. That's good news for homeowners seeking a spa-like experience without a spa pricetag.
As these increase in popularity, they will become more affordable. That's good news for homeowners seeking a spa-like experience without a spa pricetag.
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| The integrated toilet is more like an appliance than a fixture in many respects, including a heated seat, music player, enhanced hygiene features and lighting. As they become more and more popular, just about every toilet manufacturer is offering one, and new imports are showing up at trade events. The good news is that with all of this increased competition, the prices will start to come down soon. The bad news is, with luxury like this, we may never leave our bathrooms! |
Tankless water heaters, which ensure hot water over longer stretches of time than standard water heaters, will increase in popularity in 2012 in tandem with several other key trends:
• An increase in multi-generational households means more showers and baths taking place in the home
• An increase in the popularity of steam showers
• An increase in popularity of luxury spa showers and tubs as part of bath remodels
• An increase in multi-generational households means more showers and baths taking place in the home
• An increase in the popularity of steam showers
• An increase in popularity of luxury spa showers and tubs as part of bath remodels
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Tablets were among the best-selling electronics in 2011 and continue to find their place in our homes. You may not consider them a bathroom appliance, but they will increasingly be used that way.
Home technology consultant David Van Wert notes that tablets are increasingly tied into home automation systems, offering information, climate, entertainment and security features. He and his colleagues are increasingly integrating tablets into bathroom designs and remodels.
Home technology consultant David Van Wert notes that tablets are increasingly tied into home automation systems, offering information, climate, entertainment and security features. He and his colleagues are increasingly integrating tablets into bathroom designs and remodels.
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Towel warmers have long been popular bath appliances. Some designers began putting kitchen warming drawers in the bath for the same function with a more concealed look.
Jacuzzi caught onto this off-label use and came out with a dedicated towel warming drawer at a pre-set temperature. I predict we'll be seeing far more of these innovative warmers in luxury baths this year.
Jacuzzi caught onto this off-label use and came out with a dedicated towel warming drawer at a pre-set temperature. I predict we'll be seeing far more of these innovative warmers in luxury baths this year.
by jacuzzi.com
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Radiant floor heat is already popular in cold climates and is replacing space heaters as a climate-control appliance in bathrooms around the country.
It's energy efficient, safer than space heaters and unseen except for a discreet control panel. Future apps will likely let you control it from your tablet or smartphone so you'll never have to step onto a cold tile floor in the morning!
More: The Bathroom Goes High Tech
Special Report: Bath Trends from Valencia
Bathroom Trends: Floating Vanities
It's energy efficient, safer than space heaters and unseen except for a discreet control panel. Future apps will likely let you control it from your tablet or smartphone so you'll never have to step onto a cold tile floor in the morning!
More: The Bathroom Goes High Tech
Special Report: Bath Trends from Valencia
Bathroom Trends: Floating Vanities
Ideabook published on Jan. 12, 2012.
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Personally, my bathroom just needs to contain a simple shower, toilet, and sink since I spend as little time in that particular room as I need to. I'd rather not waste thousands of gallons of water that others need to survive. My current 5-foot-by-8-foot bathroom is incredibly functional and perfectly sized (maybe even a bit on the big side). Most of these bathrooms explain pretty well in pictures why the Colorado River is a trickle by the time it reaches Mexico - factor in American extravagance and agricultural irrigation and no water is left over.
Beautiful? Yes. Wasteful? You betcha.