Whether you are installing a brand new bathing oasis or simply refurbishing your present one, local bath designers and retailers suggest incorporating these 10 additions for an up-to-date bathroom. From high-tech faucets and comfort-focused flooring to beauty-conscious bathtubs and colorful cabinetry—these popular trends and innovative products are sure to hold water in your bathroom design.
1. Beautifying Bathtubs
Bathrooms, more than anything, are about cleansing, relaxation and beautification. Although traditional still baths and whirlpool tubs can certainly help with the first two of these tasks, extended use can rob skin of moisture and leave bathers feeling and looking dehydrated. Today’s technologies, however, have developed a bathing fixture that is as good for your appearance as it feels. The Jason bath with MicroSilk® hydrotherapy oxygenates bath water up to 70 percent more than regular tap water with “microbubbles” approximately 50 microns in diameter. Darren Trautman of Harrisburg’s Inspirations Bath & Kitchen Studio By Hajoca explains, “At such a small size, these microbubbles are able to enter the skin’s pores, removing impurities, carrying oxygen for improved metabolism, lightly caressing skin for exfoliation and improving hydration for dry skin.”
2. Smart Showerheads
Forget what you thought you knew about showerheads. In 2013, this previously predictable bathroom item was given a multi-functioning makeover. The Kohler Moxie showerhead—an extremely popular pick for bathrooms this year—is a showerhead and removable magnetic speaker in one. “The wireless speaker connects to any Bluetooth activated device (smartphone, mp3 player, tablet, laptop, etc.) within 32 feet,” according to Nicole Martin of Brubaker Inc. in Lancaster. “The showerhead has an invigorating 60 nozzle spray to make sure your shower is not only fun, but functional and relaxing,” she explains. Dru Brosius of Camp Hill’s R. F. Fager agrees: “This is a fun upgrade that brings the joy of music into the showering experience while eliminating the need to have a plumber or electrician on site to install.” Homeowners can simply thread the Moxie showerhead onto their existing shower arm to operate. As Brosius says, this product is “a must for anyone who loves singing in the shower!”
3. Trendsetting Toilets
2013’s toilet designs are making notable advancements in both form and function. According to Danielle Gundrum of APR Supply in Harrisburg, CONCEALED TRAPWAYS are right on trend. “This means the [pipes on the] sides of the toilet bowl are concealed, creating a skirted look,” she explains. “This not only offers the homeowner great design options aesthetically, but it is easier to clean.” Gundrum notes that their most popular model with this feature is the American Standard Cadet 3 concealed trapway toilet. Another style of toilet that is becoming more common in residential bathrooms is the dual flush toilet. “The industry’s current water consumption standard is 1.6 gallons per flush, but this will change to 1.28 gallons per flush in the near future,” says Gundrum. “Dual flush toilets are already ahead of the game. Brosius recommends the Kohler Persuade dual flush toilet, which combines a savings of 5,000 gallons of water per year with the ease of maintenance of a skirted design.
4. Hands-Free Faucets
Once popular only in public restrooms, the motion-activated faucet has been making its way into many private homes in 2013. This style of faucet, which turns on when you place your hands in front of its sensor and turns off once you remove them, is a smart solution for many families. Martin explains, “This faucet is perfect for those wanting ultimate convenience at the bathroom sink, for children who may have trouble turning the water on and off or for those with disabilities.” Martin’s motion-activated faucet suggestion? The beautifully minimalist Moen Destiny lavatory faucet, which incorporates a laminar flow for a contemporary look.
5. Savvy Shower Surfaces
Although tiled shower walls and floors can create a beautiful look, upkeep of grout lines and uneven surfaces is more than many homeowners can manage. Terestone, a product of Taylor Industries, is a solid surface shower wall and base solution that eliminates many of these maintenance issues. “With Terestone you can enjoy the beauty of tile without the problems of tile,” Trautman explains. “With a seamless appearance, it is easier to clean than tile; however, it is similar in makeup since it contains limestone and dolomite.” Although it is available in a variety of patterns and colors, Trautman recommends their custom Sierra Series for homeowners seeking a natural appearance, as this line has a look similar to granite.
6. Earth-Tone Stone
It’s no surprise that the durable materials used for kitchen surfaces are becoming equally popular in baths. Natural stone is trending in bathroom surfaces, particularly in naturally-occurring hues. “Homeowners are looking for the natural earth tone colors for their countertops and overall bathroom,” says Cindy Lesher of Middletown’s Lesher Natural Stone, Quartz, & Tile. “Natural stones such as marble, travertine and granite are exceptional options offering a dynamic variety of earthy color choices for any design–whether it’s contemporary or traditional.” Lesher notes that many homeowners are opting for the thicker, richer look of laminated, mitered or 10-centimeter-thick countertops. Also available are custom-crafted seamless sinks, which are milled directly into the counter for a seamless look. Natural stone doesn’t stop at counter surfaces, however. “Many customers that choose natural stone for their countertops tend to choose a natural stone tile floor to coordinate,” Lesher explains. For example, Crema Marfil marble, a classic yet versatile natural stone choice, can be easily applied as both a counter and floor surface.
7. Vintage Vanities
Thinking of updating your vanity? Why not update the concept of your vanity? If you’re not putting much in your under-sink storage, perhaps you may want to remove it altogether. The “historic yet chic restoration look” of a console sink is very popular, according to Trautman. Watermark Designs, a Brooklyn-based faucet and accessory brand carried exclusively at Inspirations, makes console legs to fit popular Kohler lavatories as well as custom configurations. If you’d like to salvage some of the storage space, “you can add a glass shelf, or two, for storage below the sink,” Trautman notes.
8. Foot-Friendly Flooring
“A must when designing a bathroom is radiant heated flooring,” says Gundrum. Many homeowners opt to install tiled floors, as tile is a readily available and relatively low maintenance material. However, during cold Pennsylvania winters (and much of the fall and spring, if we’re being honest), tile floors can become icy and uncomfortable. “Adding radiant heated flooring underneath the tile helps keep your space warm and inviting, not to mention your feet,” Gundrum explains. APR Supply offers all of the supplies necessary to install radiant heated flooring in your space, from brands including Zurn and Viega.
9. Paint-Coated Cabinetry
When it comes to bathroom colors, there is really no substitute for white. “[White is] 99 percent of what we sell,” says Trautman. “It’s fresh, clean and timeless.” It never goes out of style and can be easily updated with current trends, as Trautman notes. One great way to add personality to an overall white bathroom is through painted cabinetry. Gundrum mentions that a popular paint color for cabinetry, in addition to white, is charcoal gray. “Even though gray is a darker color, adding [lighter colors] through paint and décor gives life to the entire room,” Gundrum says. Trautman notes another bold paint color that is right on trend for 2013—china red. “Our Furniture Guild china red vanity on display [in our showroom] is shown with neutral marble top and a reclaimed barnwood mirror, letting the color of the cabinet do the talking.”
10. Daring Décor
Even when your budget doesn’t allow for major upgrades, Wendy Dowling at Bed & Bath Affair in Lancaster has a few pointers for décor that will keep your bathroom on trend. Dowling recommends putting pattern and texture to use in your accessories. Chevron is still quite a popular pattern, and she notes that she has been seeing it frequently in two of this year’s hot colors–turquoise and orange. Dowling also suggests combining your décor so that there is a “juxtaposition of rough and shiny” textures. “[Pair your] hard or soft items with metal and bling,” she says. In a sterile environment—as a bathroom can often be—it is also good to add some organic and natural elements, like an orchid or other type of floral, she notes.
Resources:
APR Supply | 749 Guilford St., Lebanon | 717-274-5999 | www.aprsupply.com
Bed & Bath Affair | 641 Harrisburg Ave., Lancaster | 717-299-6676 | www.bedandbathaffair.com
Brubaker, Inc. | 1284 Rohrerstown Road, Lancaster | 717-299-5641 | www.brubakerinc.com
Inspirations Bath & Kitchen Studio By Hajoca | 1550 Bobali Drive, Harrisburg | 717-939-5597 | www.inspirationsharrisburg.com
Lesher Natural Stone, Quartz, & Tile | 2400 Swatara Creek Road, Middletown | 717-944-4431 | www.leshermarble.com
R. F. Fager | 2058 State Road, Camp Hill | 717-761-0660 | www.rffager.com
