SPA RETREAT
Remodel for an improved shower experience
When’s the last time you thought about updating your home shower?
A shower plays a critical role in daily life and doesn’t have to be a boring place where you scrub down before or after work. Your shower can be transformed into a modern spa-like experience with improved accessibility and safety.
Consider size of shower
If you’re renovating an existing shower space and aren’t planning to expand, the size of your shower is predetermined. You may want to consider removing a bathtub. Designers use the extra space gained by removing tubs to create larger showers, improve accessibility and add more storage.
Whether you want to remodel your whole bathroom or just make a few changes, here are tips for maximizing your shower system.
Shower heads
A new shower head can make all the difference to your shower experience. Handheld shower heads can be lifted off for rinsing, spraying down the shower walls or washing children and pets. These flexible shower heads help assist people to shower while seated.
A rain shower head provides a super-soaker experience. These oversized heads, sometimes ceiling mounted, deliver a drenching shower of water that feels like standing in the pouring rain.
For a complete spalike experience, a shower system can be installed, which includes valves, shower heads, hand showers, body sprays, water outlets, and volume controls.
Shower niche
A shower niche is a storage space recessed into the wall of your shower.
A custom shower niche allows for storing bath products in an easy-to-reach location. A shower niche can be tiled to be a focal point or designed to be hidden.
Shower bench
Many design and remodeling professionals are creating bathrooms with aging-inplace considerations in mind. A shower bench provides a comfortable and safe place to sit for people of different ages and physicial abilities.
A shower can have a built-in, floating or fold-down bench.
Linear drain
Another shower feature ideal for bathroom design is a linear drain. These can have a metal or tiled grate, which has made them very popular. Linear drains are occasionally necessary for popular curbless or walk-in shower designs.
A linear drain is safer as well, making it easy for folks to walk straight into a shower without obstruction. Linear drains are the ideal solution for creating ADA-compliant showers that are universally accessible, stylish and largely fall-resistant.
Slip-resistant flooring
Slip resistance is usually top priority for homeowners of all ages. For example, mosaic or pebble tiles on shower floors with a honed or matte finish provide good grip. There are many tile sizes, styles and colors to choose that are considered to be anti-slip.
This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association. To reach the author directly, email info@yourdreamremodeling.com. For more information on this article, contact Lorraine Hart at lorraine@idealconsulting.net .
To join the council or to find a professional remodeler in your area, visit www.ghba.org .