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5 Fresh and Dreamy Ways to Customize Your Bathroom
Designers offer advice on what to consider when upgrading showers, sinks, fixtures and more
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With spring on our doorstep, there’s no better time to start thinking about getting our homes in order. If your bathroom is in need of a refresh — whether that means a complete overhaul or simply a few upgrades so the space works better for you and your family — there are plenty of options to consider. We’ve spoken to four interior designers who shared tips to help get you started. Read on to find out how to move forward with your bathroom makeover and create a beautifully customized design.
1. Streamline Your Scheme
How you want your bathroom to feel is one of the biggest questions to ask yourself when it comes to customizing your space. Do you want it to be calming and luxurious, somewhere you can relax at the end of a long day? Or maybe you want the latest features in smart home technology with custom settings to make your busy life easier?
“More and more of our clients are making their bathroom space a personal retreat and a tranquil sanctuary,” says Sacramento, California-based interior designer Kerrie Kelly, founder of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab. “Bathrooms are revealing larger layouts with clean, minimal styles and sensors and controls that create smart, spa-like retreats. We’ve seen clients taking down walls and removing bathtubs to create wet rooms with smart temperature controls for floors and showers, while motion sensors for lighting are being requested to support their daily routines.”
It’s not just technology that can help your bathroom feel state-of-the-art. The materials and accessories you use can also help, from marble surfaces to gleaming handmade tile. Here, a chandelier is the focal point in a relatively minimalist bathroom, while clear glass shower walls help create a feeling of space. Thoughtful details such as coordinating shower door and drawer handles and a linear shower drain add to the overall polished look.
How you want your bathroom to feel is one of the biggest questions to ask yourself when it comes to customizing your space. Do you want it to be calming and luxurious, somewhere you can relax at the end of a long day? Or maybe you want the latest features in smart home technology with custom settings to make your busy life easier?
“More and more of our clients are making their bathroom space a personal retreat and a tranquil sanctuary,” says Sacramento, California-based interior designer Kerrie Kelly, founder of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab. “Bathrooms are revealing larger layouts with clean, minimal styles and sensors and controls that create smart, spa-like retreats. We’ve seen clients taking down walls and removing bathtubs to create wet rooms with smart temperature controls for floors and showers, while motion sensors for lighting are being requested to support their daily routines.”
It’s not just technology that can help your bathroom feel state-of-the-art. The materials and accessories you use can also help, from marble surfaces to gleaming handmade tile. Here, a chandelier is the focal point in a relatively minimalist bathroom, while clear glass shower walls help create a feeling of space. Thoughtful details such as coordinating shower door and drawer handles and a linear shower drain add to the overall polished look.
2. Focus on Shower Fixtures
Shower options often come down to personal preference. While one person might like a light shower akin to rainfall, another may prefer a stronger, more direct flow. Thankfully, the days of having only one style of shower head to choose from are over. Today you can pick a design that perfectly suits the whole family.
“The ideal shower experience is different for everyone and a custom shower is the epitome of luxury,” Kelly says. “Consider how simple or luxurious you want your space to be. Do you want a shower with body sprays? Waterfall rain heads? Steam? Relaxing, refreshing and invigorating can all be an extension of your overall bath experience.”
Another consideration is whether you want one shower head or two. “Most of my clients are asking for a secondary handheld shower head, as they are great for cleaning as well as showering,” interior designer Sallie Elliott of The Priority Group in Omaha, Nebraska, says. “As for the primary shower head, you may want to choose a smaller shower head design to maximize water pressure.” Once you’ve chosen the type, select the finish. From chrome to bronze to black, you can tailor your shower fixture to fit in with the rest of your design for a cohesive look.
Shower options often come down to personal preference. While one person might like a light shower akin to rainfall, another may prefer a stronger, more direct flow. Thankfully, the days of having only one style of shower head to choose from are over. Today you can pick a design that perfectly suits the whole family.
“The ideal shower experience is different for everyone and a custom shower is the epitome of luxury,” Kelly says. “Consider how simple or luxurious you want your space to be. Do you want a shower with body sprays? Waterfall rain heads? Steam? Relaxing, refreshing and invigorating can all be an extension of your overall bath experience.”
Another consideration is whether you want one shower head or two. “Most of my clients are asking for a secondary handheld shower head, as they are great for cleaning as well as showering,” interior designer Sallie Elliott of The Priority Group in Omaha, Nebraska, says. “As for the primary shower head, you may want to choose a smaller shower head design to maximize water pressure.” Once you’ve chosen the type, select the finish. From chrome to bronze to black, you can tailor your shower fixture to fit in with the rest of your design for a cohesive look.
3. Upgrade Your Faucet
When it comes to giving your bathroom some personality, a faucet is a great way to show off your style. “Before selecting a design, consider what style and features you want,” interior designer Madison Stewart of Bradshaw Designs in San Antonio, Texas says. “There are a ton of options, including wall-mounted, deck-mounted, single-handle and widespread. For a modern bath, the minimalistic look of a wall-mounted single-handle design is ideal.”
A faucet can also help elevate a bathroom’s overall look. “We always tell clients to make sure their choice makes a statement in their design,” says Justin Sharer, creative director of Michigan-based Sharer Design Group. “Faucets are like a piece of jewelry for the bathroom. We really like using widespread designs, which fill the space behind the sink more and are very easy to use.”
If you have children, you may want to choose a lever handle, which is easier to operate. And keep in mind how easy a particular model and finish are to clean. “Consider the use and cleaning first, which is hard for me to do since I tend to fall in love with impractical but gorgeous items,” Elliott says. “Do you have a soft water system or plan on installing one? How hard is your water? Dark finishes, such as black and bronze, tend to show mineral stains, whereas nickel, polished nickel or brushed gold will hide them. Budget-conscious chrome is modern and shiny, but be aware it will show fingerprints and water marks.”
When it comes to giving your bathroom some personality, a faucet is a great way to show off your style. “Before selecting a design, consider what style and features you want,” interior designer Madison Stewart of Bradshaw Designs in San Antonio, Texas says. “There are a ton of options, including wall-mounted, deck-mounted, single-handle and widespread. For a modern bath, the minimalistic look of a wall-mounted single-handle design is ideal.”
A faucet can also help elevate a bathroom’s overall look. “We always tell clients to make sure their choice makes a statement in their design,” says Justin Sharer, creative director of Michigan-based Sharer Design Group. “Faucets are like a piece of jewelry for the bathroom. We really like using widespread designs, which fill the space behind the sink more and are very easy to use.”
If you have children, you may want to choose a lever handle, which is easier to operate. And keep in mind how easy a particular model and finish are to clean. “Consider the use and cleaning first, which is hard for me to do since I tend to fall in love with impractical but gorgeous items,” Elliott says. “Do you have a soft water system or plan on installing one? How hard is your water? Dark finishes, such as black and bronze, tend to show mineral stains, whereas nickel, polished nickel or brushed gold will hide them. Budget-conscious chrome is modern and shiny, but be aware it will show fingerprints and water marks.”
4. Choose the Right Sink and Vanity
The bathroom sink and vanity is another hardworking area where it’s important to consider both function and appearance. Small changes, such as the style or material of the sink or amount of storage in the vanity, can make a big difference. “Think of how you use your sink in a particular bathroom,” Elliott says. “If you plan on taking off makeup, brushing your teeth and shaving, etc., then it will be easier to clean if there is a slight angle at the bottom of the sink for drainage.”
Sink material is another way to customize your bathroom. “If it complements your design, you may want to take the risk and select a decorative sink,” Stewart says, suggesting materials such as polished nickel, hammered brass or stone inlay. “An under-mounted decorative sink can be a hidden gem that at first you don’t notice, but when you do, you really appreciate it.”
When it comes to vanities, decide whether you need one with plenty of storage for curling irons, hair dryers and other accessories. “Colored vanities are very popular right now,” Sharer says. “We’re seeing navy, teal, gray and other colors being used. When it comes to smaller, more compact bathrooms, we really like using floating vanities, as they keep the bathroom feeling larger due to the openness underneath.”
The bathroom sink and vanity is another hardworking area where it’s important to consider both function and appearance. Small changes, such as the style or material of the sink or amount of storage in the vanity, can make a big difference. “Think of how you use your sink in a particular bathroom,” Elliott says. “If you plan on taking off makeup, brushing your teeth and shaving, etc., then it will be easier to clean if there is a slight angle at the bottom of the sink for drainage.”
Sink material is another way to customize your bathroom. “If it complements your design, you may want to take the risk and select a decorative sink,” Stewart says, suggesting materials such as polished nickel, hammered brass or stone inlay. “An under-mounted decorative sink can be a hidden gem that at first you don’t notice, but when you do, you really appreciate it.”
When it comes to vanities, decide whether you need one with plenty of storage for curling irons, hair dryers and other accessories. “Colored vanities are very popular right now,” Sharer says. “We’re seeing navy, teal, gray and other colors being used. When it comes to smaller, more compact bathrooms, we really like using floating vanities, as they keep the bathroom feeling larger due to the openness underneath.”
5. Consider the Toilet and Bidet
They may not be the most talked-about bathroom items, but the toilet and bidet are undoubtedly important. Beyond the standard styles, luxurious upgrades include beautifully sculpted designs that look almost futuristic, with soft-close and heated seat features. Modern bathrooms would benefit from a wall-hung toilet, whereas more traditional rooms may want a close-coupled or back-to-wall design.
There’s also the question of whether to choose a separate bidet or a design that’s integrated with the toilet. “Cleanliness and livability are top of mind in bathrooms at the moment, so consider a smart bidet and toilet,” Kelly says. These designs often come with deodorizing systems and smart cleaning options to make your life that much easier.
More: Shop the latest bathroom products, gain expert advice and inspiration, and schedule a personalized consultation on Ferguson’s website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
They may not be the most talked-about bathroom items, but the toilet and bidet are undoubtedly important. Beyond the standard styles, luxurious upgrades include beautifully sculpted designs that look almost futuristic, with soft-close and heated seat features. Modern bathrooms would benefit from a wall-hung toilet, whereas more traditional rooms may want a close-coupled or back-to-wall design.
There’s also the question of whether to choose a separate bidet or a design that’s integrated with the toilet. “Cleanliness and livability are top of mind in bathrooms at the moment, so consider a smart bidet and toilet,” Kelly says. These designs often come with deodorizing systems and smart cleaning options to make your life that much easier.
More: Shop the latest bathroom products, gain expert advice and inspiration, and schedule a personalized consultation on Ferguson’s website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
CREATING THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS IS AN EXCITING PROCESS, AND WE HELP KEEP IT THAT WAY.
>> Product selections... Read More
CREATING THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS IS AN EXCITING PROCESS, AND WE HELP KEEP IT THAT WAY.
>> Product selections... Read More
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We recently reworked four bathrooms in our home Every one included a handheld shower head. These are a pleasing shower addition to anyone using a shower. We even added a handheld to a large bathtub. The real bonus of the handhelds though, is their utility as a cleaning device.
Exactly!