The modern bathroom- A mix of luxury and practicality!

Every home deserves a bathroom that meets the aspirations of its users, and though you may not spend as much time in your bathroom as in your lounge, it is the place you relax and wash away the stresses of your day.

However, there is also a practical side to a bathroom that needs to be satisfied, and we need to achieve a balance between that practicality and the oasis that we desire. So, how do we achieve that balance? Quite simply, we design our bathroom to give us the necessities we need, but we also add a few touches to help us relax when we feel the need. 

Some people feel that the expense of remodeling a bathroom outweighs the benefits, but Architectural and design magazine Freshome believes that improving your bathroom as one of the top ways to increase the value of your home. So this is can be seen as an investment rather than an expense; and one you can enjoy. 

Here are somethings that you should be thinking about in your search for the balanced bathroom.

The Tub

The centerpiece of any bathroom should be the bath itself, and there are a myriad of styles and sizes to choose from. For both practicality and luxury you need to think about the size.

If you have a couple of young kids, what can be more fun at bath time than being able to splash around in the water together. And as an adult in search of tranquility, you will want to submerge completely in your tub surrounded by beautiful smells and relaxing music.

Aroma diffuser

One of the easiest ways to make your bathroom more relaxing is to fit a diffuser in the room. This will allow you to fill your bathroom with the fragrance of your favorite essential oil. You can pick an oil that will suit your mood, or even pick one that has a particular health benefit. Of course you can always add an essential oil to the water to double the potential.

The Shower

We do not always have the time for a long bath, and in the morning it is usually more practical to take a shower. In a well-designed bathroom you will usually find a quadrant shower enclosure tucked away neatly in the corner; as it is great for privacy from the kids, and an alternative for anyone not prepared to wait for the tub. A shower enclosure is a neat and tidy way to provide this most basic amenity, and the beautiful etched glass that is now available means you can add a personal touch and some style too.

Sound System

If you are trying to unwind after a hectic day, music is a great way to help you relax; so why not combine music with your evening soak? Obviously, you can play music in another room, but this tends to disturb others and is hardly fair. You can easily fit speakers in your bathroom, but why not fit a sound system? No more soaking walks to change a track or pick a new album. Complete control from your tub is achievable with a waterproof remote, and you could even have a wireless stereo speaker fitted to your shower head if you are not in the tub.

Flooring

Though it is possible to use some beautiful natural stone in your bathroom, it is not always the best choice; cold underfoot and extremely slippery when wet, stone flooring is only a choice for its aesthetics. If you want a stone floor in your bathroom, it would be better to choose ceramic tiles, there is a huge choice of designs available and the nonslip choices are perfect for young children. Of course you could go for laminate or natural wood, and these can also be a great choice, but be aware that natural wood will need to be maintained.

Double Basins

It is very frustrating finding yourself in a queue for the bathroom basin every morning. Fortunately, this is so easy to remedy; the addition of a double basin will give you all the space you need, and is a great way to add another touch of luxury. 

Finishing your bathroom with a treated marble counter top adds some style and elegance that is difficult to find in other ways. A long marble counter with two basins, set before a long mirror is not only a beautiful thing to look at; it is also very practical.

If your home has only the one bathroom, then this mix of comfort and practicality is a must. A compromise is required, and luckily, is possible. All that is required is to think about your bathroom design, and then everyone in your home can enjoy the bathroom.