Statement pieces elevate bathroom to work of art
Investing in a bathroom upgrade is in the cards for nearly 25 percent of all homeowners who are planning to renovate within the next 12 months, according to a survey by Bankrate.com.
Improving a bathroom is rewarding on multiple levels. If you’re selling, buyers love great bathrooms. If you’re staying, a luxurious bathroom can be a relaxing oasis where you’ll be happy to begin or end a busy day.
Your bathroom is also an expression of who you are, and it should reflect not only your needs but also your unique artistic flair. And what could be more satisfying than making an artistic statement in one of the most-used rooms in your home?
If you’re planning a bathroom renovation, here are four ways to make a statement in the space — and elevate your bathroom to a work of art:
• Choose a showpiece sink.
Few design elements afford such a perfect opportunity for utility and artistry to blend beautifully as does the bathroom sink. A striking statement vessel in patterned porcelain, smoky glass or natural stone can be a focal point for your vanity while still providing ample space for essential functioning.
It’s not difficult to find statement-style sinks, but to truly elevate the basin to a form of art, look for options that evoke the look and feel of the era when luxury items were handcrafted by learned artisans.
For example, Kohler, a well-known name in bathroom fixtures for more than 100 years, offers Kohler Artists Editions collections that turn everyday fixtures into striking statement pieces. Whether you choose the subtle carved texture and complex color transitions of the Derring collection, the organic beauty of the Nature’s Chemistry glass lavatories or the old-world stylings of the Sartorial Line, each piece is a unique statement of your personal artistry.
• Stun with a standout shower.
Most Americans spend six to 10 minutes or more in the shower each day, according to multiple surveys.
But a shower is so much more than just a place to get clean. A shower can be soothing at the end of a trying day, or invigorate your senses in preparation for a busy day ahead.
Statement showers incorporate luxury features such as multiple showerheads, wall jets, hand showers, rainfall showerheads, seating, customized lighting, and even sound and video.
While bigger may be better in a statement shower, it may not always be possible. Start with a glass enclosure that makes the shower feel open to the room. If your space is small, choose lighter-colored tile. Bigger showers can withstand darker tilework.
• Create luxury with countertops.
Options such as granite, marble, cast concrete, limestone and other natural stones might be too costly for a kitchen, where you have a lot of counter space, but they’re a cost-effective way to make a statement in a bathroom, where you have less square footage to cover.
These high-end materials pair perfectly with statement sinks to create a unique, one-of-a-kind look. Upgrade the bathroom countertops to your dream material; then add luxury touches — perhaps a matching backsplash or undercounter LED lighting.
• Bring about transformations with tubs.
Tub options are virtually limitless these days, and you can find statement tubs in every size and style imaginable. The tub is often the essential element that homeowners and designers first fall in love with and the one that establishes the direction for an overall bathroom redesign.
Soaking tubs continue to be popular installations for bathroom renovations, according to the 2016 National Kitchen & Bath Association trend report.
Whether you choose a traditional clawfoot design that evokes a bygone era, a concrete tub that creates a more modern or industrial look, or a porcelain confection with sweeping, graceful lines, you can find a statement tub to match your personal sense of artistry.
Renovating a bathroom is an investment well worth the time, money and passion — and it’s an opportunity to put your artistic mark on one of the most important rooms in any home.