The Master Bath Retreat

by Ellen Cheever
Created:

A key element to the master bath retreat - today's oasis for adults - is creating a personalized bathing experience


When I study U.S. bathroom design trends, I see three distinctly different types of bathrooms. These include:

  • The highly decorated - and stylish - powder room on the first floor for guests.
  • The utility bathroom: a shared children's bathroom, the laundry room/pool house bathroom and such.
  • The master bath adjacent to the master bedroom: renamed the "adult retreat." This type of bathroom offers the kitchen specialist new business opportunities.

    • Adults have discovered a great antidote to their overwhelming life outside the home and an over-scheduled life inside the home: a luxurious "mini-apartment" just for themselves.

    The adult retreat starts at the door of the bedroom, not the door to the bath.

    Within this master retreat, along with the sleeping zone, floor space is devoted to new activities not formally associated with the master bedroom/bath.

  • A relaxing/seating area near the sleeping zone which may be complimented by a small "morning kitchen".
  • A wellness center with space for exercise equipment, a spot for sitting when engaged in home spa treatments and – perhaps – a meditation retreat area.
  • A bathing/showering location that facilitates two very different activities: performance showering and, relaxing bathing.
  • The toilet (with or without a bidet) in a private water closet.
  • Special storage arrangements for specific activities: home office, hobby center, outside balcony garden and the like.
  • His/her centers.
  • The vanity/grooming station: individual furniture piece vanities with separate built-in storage for bathroom equipment.
  • The closet: Separate closet space carefully crafted for personalized storage suited to the owners. The closet may include shelving/drawer space planned to eliminate the need for freestanding bedroom furniture (another reason the sleeping area can be smaller).

    • Shower Solutions

    The heart of a master bath retreat, the shower enclosure and bathing pool are essential to this space.

    A key element in these new spaces is what Kohler Company aptly calls "performance showering" and "experience bathing."

    Leading plumbing fixture manufacturers identified the consumer’s interest - and willingness to invest in – water experiences some time ago. They then focused technological innovation and creative thinking toward expanding their product offerings to include customized environments that take cleansing and relaxation to a new level.

    Showering today can include everything from a hydromassage to an experience reminiscent of walking through a gentle spring rain. Bathing has dramatically expanded beyond the pulsating, hard-hitting jets of early hydromassage systems. Kohler Co. describes bathing choices as:

  • The Relaxation Experience: Effervescent air bubbles clinging to and caressing the skin. This bathing pool is often enhanced with oils and foams or new sensory experiences such as chromatherapy.
  • The Spa Experience: Rather than restful air bubbles, the bather enjoys a jetted tub which mixes air and water through controllable, adjustable jets.
  • The Massage Experience: The bath takes the place of a masseuse! Specifically designed special-purpose jets provide a stimulating, stress-relieving massage to the back, neck, feet or legs.
  • The Spa/Massage Experience: This option offers the opportunity to customize the experience by combining all the different jetted activities.

    • BATH/SHOWER 'TO DO LIST'

    All of these new choices require a new or expanded set of skills on the designer’s part. To successfully design baths that create the client's dream shower/bathing experience, here's your to do list:

      1. Expand your survey, asking questions about the client’s preferred bathing and showering experience. You need to know what the client is interested in before you plan the space!
      2. Study the products offered: Select one manufacturer and learn its showering products and systems. Join forces with your plumber to learn about significant installation requirements of special shower areas.
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