A bathroom remodel, particularly one that includes a luxury shower, is a significant investment that can dramatically transform a dated space, elevate your daily routine, and potentially increase your home’s resale value. Luxury showers are characterized by their spaciousness, attractive design, and the incorporation of thoughtful features that enhance comfort and functionality.
Luxury Shower Features for Your Bathroom Remodel
When planning your bathroom remodel, consider these popular and impactful features that can turn a standard shower into a luxurious escape:
- Seamless Integration and Blending In:A key aspect of a truly luxurious shower is how seamlessly it integrates with the rest of the bathroom. The goal is for every design element to blend perfectly, avoiding any awkward or out-of-place components. This can sometimes be challenging when incorporating a new shower into an existing bathroom with established architectural features, like chair rail molding. Creative solutions, such as padding out a shower wall to create a refined connection with existing trim, ensure the new shower feels like an organic part of the original design.
- Shower Curb vs. Curbless Entry:The decision to include a shower curb significantly impacts the look, feel, and accessibility of your luxury shower.
- Shower Curb: If your bathroom currently lacks a tile floor and you don’t plan to replace it, a shower curb is generally necessary. This serves as a raised threshold, preventing water from splashing out of the shower area onto the main bathroom floor. It’s a traditional and effective way to contain water.
- Curbless Entry: A curbless shower, also known as a barrier-free or zero-entry shower, adds a distinct level of class and sophistication. It creates a smooth, easy-to-access transition from the bathroom floor directly into the shower, making the space feel larger and more open. Curbless showers are particularly well-suited for bathrooms with tile flooring, whether existing or newly installed, as the continuous tiling enhances the seamless look. Beyond aesthetics, curbless showers offer significant safety benefits, especially for individuals with mobility concerns, as they eliminate a tripping hazard. Proper sloping of the shower floor towards the drain is critical for effective water containment in curbless designs.
- Steam Showers:Elevate your shower experience by incorporating a relaxing steam shower into your bathroom remodel. Luxury showers often feature steam generators in addition to standard showerheads and faucets. Steam showers offer numerous benefits, including relaxation, stress relief, improved respiratory health, skin detoxification, and muscle relaxation. They can be controlled via electric panels, creating a personal spa experience within your home.
- The Niche:Adding a niche (or recessed shelf) to your luxury shower is an excellent way to combine practicality with style. Niches provide convenient, built-in storage for essentials like shampoo, conditioner, and soap, keeping the shower floor free of clutter. They can be designed as deep shelves for maximum storage or shallow for a more minimalist look. From a design perspective, niches offer an opportunity to add a “pop of style” through contrasting mosaic tiles or by repeating the main shower tile for a fully integrated look. Some luxury niches even incorporate subtle lighting for added ambiance and illumination.
- Shower Bench:A well-chosen shower bench can significantly enhance a luxury shower’s comfort and functionality. Beyond being aesthetically pleasing, benches offer a practical seating option for homeowners (or future buyers) who may need to sit while bathing, for tasks like shaving legs, or simply for a relaxing moment under the water. Shower benches can be custom-built from various materials like marble, stone, or even wood-look tile, and their design can contrast or complement the surrounding shower tiles. Options include built-in benches, floating benches (for a modern look), corner benches (space-saving), or even folding benches.
- Systems and Faucets:The choice of shower systems and faucets makes a considerable difference in a luxury shower experience. There are numerous options to create a pampered feel:
- Dual Shower Heads: Often include one fixed and one removable (handheld) showerhead for versatile showering.
- Multiple Faucets/Controls: Allow for independent control of various water outputs.
- Specialty Features: Consider waterfall faucets, body jets, or LED shower systems that offer chromotherapy (light therapy) for an enhanced sensory experience. Smart shower systems are also gaining popularity, offering precise temperature control, custom presets, and even voice or app operation.
- Great Lighting:Well-lit luxury showers feel airy, spacious, and clean. Prioritize installing bright, ample lighting within the shower area. Maximizing natural light, perhaps through an outdoor-facing window or skylight, can significantly enhance this feeling. Additionally, opting for glass shower walls and doors for the shower surround helps light filter in effortlessly, contributing to an open and expansive atmosphere.
By incorporating these features, your bathroom remodel can achieve a luxury shower that not only meets your practical needs but also serves as a beautiful, spa-like sanctuary in your home.