The Master Bath Matures

Busier and nosier lives are driving homeowners to retreat to their master bathrooms. They expect their bathrooms to offer them a peaceful haven from the commotions of work, children and traffic. Homeowners want their master bathrooms to provide a Zen feeling in a spa setting.

“The master bath is the room homeowners spend time in getting ready in the morning and winding down at night before bed. They want total comfort and refuge from the trials and tribulations of the day,” says Tom Trzcinski, CMKBD, owner and head designer of Kitchen and Bath Concepts in Pittsburgh.

To meet this demand, designers are including colors, materials and products that help create a spa setting. “The whole concept of spa and Zen feelings get translated into colors, textures and light,” says Luis Jauregui, AIA, president of Jauregui Architecture, Construction and Interiors in Austin, Texas. “There are a lot of soft pastels, greens, aquas and a lot of natural materials; and off-white stones, wood cabinetry with natural wood stains combined with some of the soft green colors,” Jauregui says.

Opening up the space

Lighting is important in any room, whether it’s natural or artificial. This is especially the case in master bathrooms where people are putting on makeup or shaving in front of mirrors. “We’re using low-voltage spotlights in the ceilings over the sinks, and sconce lights so the light is directed at their face. The spotlights are meant to be dimmed in the evening for a mood effect,” says John Sofio, president of Built Inc. in Los Angeles.

One way to get natural lighting in the master bath is to create an adjacent courtyard. Jauregui designs courtyards for two reasons: creating a connection between the master bath and the outdoors; and, bringing in natural lighting. “A side yard with a 7-ft. wall and planting materials that vary in height provides a wall of green. This allows you to include large windows in the master bath and maintain privacy,” Jauregui adds.

Sofio also opens up his designs to the outdoors. “There are two ways that we do this. One house we designed had one wall of all glass. The way to deal with privacy is to use electric glass. When a homeowner presses a button, the glass frosts out and when the button is pressed again, the glass goes clear,” Sofio explains. “Another way to expand the bathroom outdoors is to include transom windows between the bathroom and hallway. The hallway becomes the dress area which gives you a transformation between bathroom, dressing and bedroom. Clerestory windows above the sightline allow for light to flow between the two spaces.”

The importance of keeping the style of the bathroom consistent with the rest of the house depends on whom you ask. Some designers feel the bathroom shouldn’t look differently from the rest of the house, while others find that because the bathroom is a retreat, it is possible to give it its own style. “We understand that if it’s not open to the rest of the house, you’re going through the master bedroom to get there; so as a homeowner goes from the master bedroom to the master bathroom, you can make a transition there,” Trzcinski says.

Bruce Bierman, president of Bruce Bierman Design in New York, follows a different theory. “Definitely a home’s style affects the style of the bathroom. Design should be harmonious and consistent in color, materials and overall design theory. It shouldn’t feel like two different people designed it,” he says.

Creating themes in a master bathroom is possible because bathrooms are more private areas of a house, “It’s OK to move into a separate statement. It’s important to note those changes are being made in the master bath. The master bedroom must have some tie into it,” Jauregui says.

Adding creature comforts

As homeowners continue to travel more and experience professional spas on vacations, there will continue to be a demand for luxury products in the master bathroom. “People are trying to find that spa setting in their house as opposed to having to go to the spa; to have a retreat in their own home especially in the master bedroom,” Sofio says.