Ease Of Use Is An Important Reason To Put In A Walk In Shower
Do you feel overwhelmed when contemplating the task of renovating your bathroom? Maybe your perfect bathroom is huge, with a walk in shower for two and a spa tub with whirlpool jets. You may think that the only way to get this bathroom is with a complete demo and redo, a task not for the faint of heart.
What about if your current bathroom doesn’t even have enough space for a walk in shower? Does it feel like pure indulgence to find the space for one? Not practical, just fancy? While space may be hard to find, a practical reason for one isn’t.
Even if it’s not something you need right now – will you need increased accessibility soon? Maybe an aging parent moving in? If you think this applies to you at all, then definitely do your best to find the room.
An open shower entrance makes an interesting design, and also provides easy access for a wheelchair. How about your fixtures? How easy are they to use for arthritic – or just soapy – hands? Big, bold faucet handles aren’t just pretty, they are also practical.
One of the features of a walk in shower is a hand-held, removable shower head. This can help to clean off a child, or yourself if you sit while showering. It’s much easier to reach your whole body. This can give back many seniors the independence they wouldn’t have with a traditional shower. You can also use the shower head for the cleaning of the shower itself.
Before you dismiss the idea of a walk in shower as impossible or not needed, consider usability. How easy is a bath and shower combo to use? A walk in shower is much easier for seniors and maybe even for children. So, no matter why you want one now, think about if you will need one later.
Planning and Designing a Bathroom
For most homeowners, the design and planning of a new bathroom can be a very daunting process. However, it need not be. If you are renovating an existing space or building from scratch, it is useful to consider the following questions: who, what, where and how?
Who is going to use the bathroom may seem rather simple when it comes to bathrooms, but the answer can have a significant impact on project plans. A bathroom that is used from time to time, by guests, will probably be very different from that which is used mainly by children on a daily basis.
Once you have worked out who is mainly going to be using the bathroom, where is usually the next point to consider. This is often an easy question to answer. In a new construction, the master bathroom often adjoins the bedroom, with guest’s and children’s bathrooms often adjoining their respective bedrooms. In existing homes, the bathroom will often have to remain where it is.
One of the most important aspects of bathroom design is what, which certainly depends on the who and where. A master bathroom suite may contain a spa, toilet, his-and-her vanity units, and a floor made from more exotic materials such as marble or bamboo. A family room that receives a lot of traffic should be equipped with basic equipment and durable flooring.
Keep the proportion of the room in mind so as not to fill the space with a large bath only to find yourself trying to cram a vanity and toilet into the remaining space. Think about what equipment is needed (toilet, shower, wash basin) and what are the extra options you want to include (towel warmers, bidets, steam bath). Also a vital aspect to consider is do not forget to budget adequately!
Now we come to the question of how. This includes both the style of the bathroom and the technical aspect of the work required. Think about the style you prefer. Do you want a sleek contemporary room, or a cozy cottage style? Home design magazines and show homes are a good way to get ideas and inspiration. It is useful to take notes on what features and designs you like and features you do not like.
Bathroom remodeling should not be boring or stressful. Once you come up with a plan, it’s just a matter of following through with it and having fun.
Some Key Tips to Designing a Bathroom
The bathroom may be the most important room to design in all of your home, both for you and your guests. It is a room that your health depends on and good bathroom design in crucial.
How much you are able to design the bathroom depends greatly on your budget. If you are part of the process of designing your own home, then you can make it however you want, strategically placing the windows and tub to suit your desires. If you are starting from scratch, make sure that your tub is big enough for you to stretch out in. You will want a vanity that has enough cabinet space for everything you will be using on a daily basis. Remember functionality along with beauty. This will be a place that you spend a lot of time in and you do not want to later regret your decisions.
If you are going back in to remodel a bathroom that has already been constructed, you will be more limited in what you can do. Most likely, you can not move the toilet, but the changes you make will be cosmetic changes. They will make a big difference to your overall bathroom design.
Changing the wall color of your bathroom will give it an instant lift. A new color scheme will make it look like a new room. You may also want to focus on cabinetry. Cabinetry that is dated or just inconvenient is often what inspires people to redesign their bathroom in the first place. If this is true for you, replacing just the doors will change the whole look. If you have the money, you can have the whole vanity replaced, even getting a more modern looking sink.
When looking at a bathroom remodeling project, there are two keys to remember. First, you should be true to your own style. You will be spending the most time in there, so make sure it is something you like, not something you are convinced to like. Second, beware of fads that will soon look dated. Interior design goes through phases. Do not make it obvious what phase your bathroom was designed in. Make it instead a timeless room.