Beyond Baths

Saunas, which historically have been placed in lower levels, are now finding a place in the owner’s suite bath. Even more popular than saunas, though, are steam showers that can be installed in combination with a large shower as long as the shower has a sealed door. Just like lighting, steam showers can be digitally controlled for different temperatures and spray volumes, according to the preferences of family members.

While not quite as popular as today’s new showers, tubs are still receiving plenty of attention from homeowners. “Tubs are no longer just a place to bathe the kids,” Brotman says. Tubs today come in a variety of styles, from whirlpool tubs mounted under a granite, marble, or tile deck to designer, clawfoot soaking tubs. Chromatherapy tubs are also hot items, Brotman says. These tubs emit therapeutic light and color frequencies that stimulate and relax. Colors cycle on and off in a relaxing pattern and speed to create the ultimate bathing experience.

“Windows typically relate to the tub area,” O’Connor says. “People retreat to their tub, soak, and enjoy the beautiful views and natural light.” Some homeowners are choosing to put in oval shaped soaking tubs mounted in tub decks instead of whirlpools. Bubblers are also beginning to replace whirlpool tubs, Noding says, because bubblers require less maintenance.

No spa experience would be complete without a relaxation area, and Kraemer says his firm has installed sitting areas in high-end baths that have a small table and a couple of chairs where someone can cool down after a steam or soak, or just relax before reentering the world. Custom-sized benches are also common, both in the shower and in the bath’s common area. Sitting areas also allow one partner to sit in comfort and talk while the other soaks in the tub.

Today’s custom showers and value-added tubs require homeowners and builders to work together in a way they haven’t before. Brotman says he sits down with his clients to find out some rather intimate details before proceeding with a tub or shower set-up so everything fits the homeowners perfectly. “I find out the details,” he says. “Do they shower together? How tall are they? How far apart do they want the showerheads? Do they want them side by side or across from each other? In terms of tubs, I don’t want to put in a six-foot tub for a five-foot woman because it is not relaxing to fight to try to keep your head above water.” Brotman actually accompanies his clients to the showroom and makes them sit in a variety of tubs to find the ideal fit.

Water Features
Comfort and a spa-like atmosphere can be accomplished as much through the internal plumbing and electrical features as through the color palette and finishing work. For example, in-floor heating systems, whether powered by hot water or electricity, have become standard in high-end baths. “We typically also try to heat the tub deck area, too,” Kraemer says. That way, if people are soaking in a hot tub, they can get out, sit on the tub deck to cool off, without sitting on an icy cold surface. As part of the in-floor heating system, both hot water and electricity can be used to circulate through towel bars, giving bath towels that hot-out-of-the-dryer feel.

Another feature some homeowners are choosing to bring into the bathroom, according to Steinwand, is filtered water in the vanity area. But, he says, purified water really has not made its way into the shower or tub area yet. In some baths, O’Connor’s firm is installing recirculating waterlines that provide instant hot water when faucets or the shower are turned on.