Luxury Bathroom

The luxury bathroom is one of the great rooms of the house, a place for enjoying a few moments of solitude and the time-honored healing powers of water. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the bathroom has undergone many changes.

Originally, the bathroom was one shared room at the end of the hallway; then bathroom's became a personal adjunct to the bedroom, and became smaller and more utilitarian. Our days, utility and luxury are combined, and the bathroom - once hidden behind close doors - is frequently exposed to sky, garden, terrace and sometimes to other rooms of the house.

What was once a small sterile room with three basic plumbing fixtures (lavatory or sink, toilet, and tub or shower) has become a powder room, dressing room, and even sitting room, often with additional luxury features such as whirlpool, sauna, spa, hot tub, fireplace mantels, and television. Luxury bathroom is a personal retreat designed to pamper your senses. Clean lines, soft colors and luxurious material partner with high quality lighting fixtures and indulgent amenities.

Today's Luxury Bathroom

When square footage is no object and the imagination is generous, there is no limit to the options available today for bathroom decorating or remodeling. Many large bathrooms are referred to as luxury bathrooms because they offer an ultimate comfort and sensuous relaxation. Often luxury bathroom includes amenities similar to those found at well-equipped health centers and saps, thereby bringing the facilities and luxuries of the outside world into the home.

The more elaborate home bathroom includes separate rooms for bathing, toilet, double lavatories with generous storage, and separate dressing area. A luxury tub can be raised on a platform, sunk into the floor, or freestanding in the center of the room. The sunken tub is a one of a few more signs of luxury and status.

Showers have evolved from the single fixed arm most of us have used for years. A walk-in shower with multiple water effects, steam-shower or even sauna are standard amenities for luxury bathroom. In the walk-in shower or steam-room a built-in bench of sturdy stone (marble or granite) provides a handy perch. Often exercise room with fitness equipment or massage parlor are adjoin to luxury bathroom. In today's luxury bathroom you can often see built-in water proof digital TVs and superior quality AM/FM Shower Radio and stereo equipment.

This may evoke visions of decadence, but, if done tastefully, a bar or an approximation of one can add a touch of luxury into the bathroom. Even if you install a small shelf to hold a few bottles of your favorite drink or health juice and add a rack to hold glasses and mixing tools.

Bathroom Transformation

When you are not limited in size, you can transform your bathroom into something closer to a living space with comfortable seating, occasional furniture, and entertainment equipment such as televisions and stereos, and even small refrigerators for makeup storage and cool beverages. The most envied examples boast the additional luxury of opening onto a deck or courtyard. Imagine having and incredible view as you soak in warm water up to your neck!

Sitting areas are usually associated with bathrooms found in luxury hotels or large luxury master suits, but they can be recreated in your home if you have a spacious bathroom. A sitting area makes your bathroom feel as comfortable as any other furnished room in your home. A wicker or wooden chair with a side table can add a luxury touch to the bathroom. Or consider an armchair covered in absorbent terry cloth or soft, washable cotton. You should tie in the color of the chair cushion with the rug, shower curtain, or window treatment so that your luxury bathroom is color coordinated.

Luxury Bathrooms Secrets

Part of the secret to many of the luxury bathrooms is found in the details, not just the amenities, for they provide that individual design stamp known as panache.

Such decorative devices might include molding for a very deluxe look, an assortment of lush plants to create an indoor oasis, or dazzling accent tiles that add some glitz. Together, the right fixtures and details can have a stand-up-and-take-notice effect.

While designing your luxury bathroom try to avoid having a toilet directly opposite to the door. Sometimes it can't be avoided. In most hotels bathrooms awkwardly designed to the inch often result in the toilet being the focal point of the bathroom. It is definitely should not be a main feature of a luxury bathroom.

Luxury Touches in the Bathroom

- The slick simplicity of Burke large crown molding fosters the peaceful feeling of this bathroom.

- Elegant details like polished brass fixtures and bathroom hardware add an ambiance of luxury into the bathroom.

- The built-in futures around the vanity-sink create an expensive custom look.

- Raised panels on the cabinet doors complimented with luscious details of onlayed wood carvings and fluted pilasters on the sides. The hand-carved wood onlays for cabinets provide visual interest without looking busy.

- Gorgeous chandeliers are definitely among the elements that contribute to the feeling of luxury in the bathroom. (If you plan to hang a lighting fixture in your bathroom, make sure that installation meets local electrical code requirements.

- Freestanding soaking tub makes this luxury bathroom not just a place to get clean, but also relax, indulge, and enjoy.