Designing a Bathroom Spa in Your Home
What about the bathroom? There is nothing more relaxing than a long, hot soak in the tub with scented candles, bath beads and a glass of Chianti. Haven’t you ever wanted the the comfort and rejuvenation provided by an expensive spa right in your own home? It’s possible!
These days, more and more people are opting to install indoor jacuzzis in their bathrooms. Jet streams, bubbles and deep tubs are excellent for unwinding after a long day at work, and it certainly is less expensive than frequent trips to the spa. Home bathroom spas are an inexpensive, rewarding way to create a retreat within the walls of your own house.
Bathroom Plans
As with any type of remodeling or redecorating task, you must sit down and come up with the plans. Start with the amount of remodeling you plan to do. Are you happy with some parts of the bath, such as the sink and counters, and want to concentrate only on the tub and shower? Or do you want to redo the entire thing? If you want to move fixtures around, then wiring and plumbing will have to be considered.
Next, think about your color scheme and applications. Do you want pastels or dark colors? Multiple hues or a two-tone spread? You will also have to choose between stainless steel, porcelain, marble, granite, ceramic, and a multitude of other materials of which your bathroom can be constructed. Way prices, durability and aesthetic value when making these decisions.
And finally, what about lighting? Part of the reason that you are installing a bathroom spa is to provide a relaxing retreat, so lighting will be an enormous factor in the ambiance. A glaring, 100-watt bulb above the bathtub will probably prevent you from spending too much time in it, so consider instead a line of smaller, low-wattage bulbs with a dimmer switch installed.
Floorpans
The extent of your floorplans will depend on how much remodeling you plan to do. Completely rennovating your bathroom will require detailed blueprints, which you may want to obtain from a contractor. Decide exactly where everything will go according to the available space in your bathroom, and contact a local plumber to advise you about placement of fixtures. The last thing you want to happen is to discover that your bathroom is unusable because of plumbing or wiring conflicts.
Consider the following when designing your floorplan:
– windows, doors and cabinets
– the width, length and depth of sinks, showers, bathtubs, toilets and cabinets
– walking room between fixtures and walls
– locations of wall outlets and electrical fixtures in the walls
With that completed, you will have a better idea of what can be changed, and what will need to stay the same.
A standard sized bathtub is 60″ long, 30″ wide and about 18″ deep. When installing an indoor jacuzzi tub, you will need something much longer, wider and deeper. If the placement of your tub doesn’t allow for such expansion, you may need to rearrange the layout of your bathroom or consider expanding the room, if possible. Remember that people often like to take “community baths,” so if this is a factor, design a bathtub that can accomodate two adults comfortably.
Installation
If you aren’t constructionally inclined, you might want to hire a contractor to install your new bathtub, toilet, sinks, or cabinets. Having the job done correctly from the get-go will achieve results faster and save you the embarassment of calling someone to fix your mistakes. Depending on the extent of your remodeling, installation of new fixtures can require a certain level of finesse, which is often better left to the professionals.
If you prefer the DIY approach, however, then follow these tips for success:
– Buy your jacuzzi tub from a retailer that can deliver the fixture for you. Getting it into your car is more difficult than it seems, and the deliverymen can get it to your bathroom.
– Always follow the instructions that come with your fixtures. Cutting corners or making assumptions will only cause a world of trouble.
– Have old fixtures removed and discarded before bringing in the new. You will need an open, unimpeded space in which to work, and climbing over old fixtures will only add stress.
– Hire a plumber and an electrician to consult with you on the project before moving anything in. Let them tell you if you will encounter any conflicts with the wiring or plumbing before you start.
Decorating
Decorating is the most exciting part. All of your fixtures are in place, and you are left with the finishing touches. It is important to make your new bathroom spa into a reflection of you – what you enjoy, and where you are comfortable.
You can purchase inexpensive and decorative towel racks from hardware stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s. Find racks that match one another and that you find appealing, rather than standard white or stainless steel racks. You can also find toilet paper holders to match.
Line your counter with matching items such as soapdish holders, toilet brush holders, cups and tissue containers. To add an even more personal touch, put a potted plant in the corner. Feel free to get creative here; the sky’s the limit, and you should feel comfortable in your own bathroom.
Purchase towels and wash cloths that are colorful and relaxing. For the most comforting effect, buy fluffy towels with a high thread count for maximum comfort when you get out of the bath. Place candles or jars of bath beads around the edges of the but, and hang a shower caddy from the head in your shower. If you enjoy music, bring a radio or portable CD player into the bathroom and stack the most relaxing albums in a basket or a shelf near the bath. Find a colorful shower rug or bath mat so that you don’t step on cold floors when it’s time to get dressed.
Hanging pictures or paintings in bathrooms is a great idea, but make sure that all prints are behind glass that won’t deteriorate with moisture. Bathrooms become steamy, and you don’t want to ruin artwork.
For floors, consider a checker pattern for depth and style. You might also want to include a center tile motif, which can add uniqueness and a sense of style to your bathroom spa’s decor. Tiled floors are much easier to clean than carpet, and will eliminate the possibility of mold or mildew.
