The Making Of A Beautiful Bath

Whether you’re seeking a full remodel or aiming to update a few key elements, there are plenty of ways to improve function and add style in both powder rooms and primary baths.

From playful patterns to warmer palettes and high-tech features, area designers and builders share what they expect to make a splash in the bath space in the coming year.

SPA-LIKE FEEL

Primary bathrooms are still seen as retreats, prompting homeowners to include spa-inspired features such as steam showers, multi-function shower heads and aromatherapy.

Freestanding soaking tubs are an elegant, pared-down alternative to bathtubs with deck construction, which can take up a lot of space, but some homeowners opt to eliminate the tub entirely to make way for an expanded shower.

“Sometimes they find it’s better to utilize the space for a bigger shower,” says Gary Lichlyter, owner of Lemont Kitchen & Bath, “but if they like to take a bath once or more per week, they will want a tub with all the bells and whistles.”

Perhaps the ultimate spa-like approach to bathroom design is the wet room, which is a completely watertight space within the bath that contains both the shower and bathtub. It makes cleaning easy and provides accessibility.

“We’ve found people are more and more interested in wet rooms,” says Mike Rockouski, owner of River Oak Cabinetry & Design in Plainfield, of the luxurious trend.

WALLPAPER

Wallpaper is making a comeback, with more options than ever, including a wide range of styles and materials and more user-friendly application. Vibrant, precise patterns can provide a striking design element on a focal wall or in an entire room.

“Wallpapers are totally back, and they are a lot of fun, especially in powder rooms,” says Joan Kaufman, owner of Interior Planning and Design in Naperville. “The tiny repeating patterns and flowery designs of the past have been replaced with texture and natural patterns.”

“Since bathrooms are humid environments, it is important to incorporate and use a proper ventilation system,” says Lauren Saracco, marketing director for TKS Design Group in Glen Ellyn. “Wallpaper works best in a larger bathroom where steam is not as concentrated or a guest bathroom or powder room where steam is not a frequent visitor. Properly installed wallpaper will last for years, and vinyl papers are the most bathroom friendly.”

UNIVERSAL DESIGN

Many homeowners who plan to stay in their homes long term or want to accommodate aging family members are taking this into account as they design their new bathrooms. This might include allowing larger space for movement, wider doorways and curbless shower thresholds or other adaptations. Rockouski has even noticed some younger clients planning ahead by installing the bracing needed for grab bars so that they can be added later.

Even small things can make a big difference for aging in place. As Saracco says, “The inclusion of simple elements like grab bars, good lighting and non-slip surfaces can go a long way towards having a functional and safe bathing environment.”

FLOATING VANITIES

Available in a variety of styles and materials, floating vanities can add visual interest to the bath. These wall-mounted pieces have no support legs or bases so they offer a cleaner look and create the illusion of spaciousness. While that can mean less storage, that can be addressed in other areas of the room with standalone or wall cabinets. “A good 40 to 50 percent of our clients have been choosing floating vanities over the past two years,” says Kaufman, who notes that opting for a wall-mounted faucet along with a floating vanity minimizes lost storage.

As for vanity styling, whether it’s a floating or traditional floor-mounter vanity, a clean look is still in. Traditional flat panel cabinet door styles are most popular, especially the “slim Shaker” door, which is similar to the classic Shaker look but with a thinner, more streamlined frame.

Saracco reports that reeded-wood vanities are on the uptick. This cabinet style features rounded or scalloped ridges, often in inset panels. “Reeded-front vanities are having a moment right now” she says. “They provide a great opportunity to bring a bit of texture to your space.”

SAVVY STORAGE

As in other hardworking rooms like the kitchen, the bath is becoming increasingly storage savvy, with cabinetry features like pull-outs and in-drawer outlets par for the course. “Storage is definitely a priority for most,” says Joseph Kiselyk, director of design for The Kitchen Master in Naperville. “Everyone is looking for clutter-free surfaces.”

Shallow wall cabinets or storage towers that sit on the vanity countertop flanking the sink or even situated between two sinks can provide extra concealed storage for linens, cosmetics and more. Glass-fronted cabinets, decorative hooks and open shelving offer a place for items that you want on display.

LIGHTED MIRRORS

Lighted backlit mirrors can elevate the function and ambience of the bathroom, and they are becoming popular with area homeowners. “We are definitely seeing an increased interest in backlit mirrors,” says Rockouski.

Some backlit mirrors have touchpoint controls, smart-home connectivity, dimmable lighting, built-in defoggers and even audio and visual components. “Séura has a vanity TV mirror where the television is completely invisible when it’s off and you don’t even know it’s there,” says Kaufman.

For those who don’t have backlit mirrors, vanity lighting is split between traditional fixtures and sconces. “Where space permits, we recommend wall sconces because side lighting is best for grooming,” says Kiselyk. “It doesn’t cast shadows.”

Lighting is also important elsewhere in the bath, from ambient lighting in the tub and shower areas to occupant-sensor lighting beneath cabinets that turns on when people enter the bathroom at night.

WARM WOOD TONES

When it comes to cabinet finishes, painted cabinets are still popular, though more vibrant colors, such as deep blues and tranquil greens have taken over from white and gray hues. But the bigger story is that wood is making a comeback. “After years of white on white, a bit of warmth has returned to the bathroom in the form of wood vanities,” observes Saracco.

And today’s wood tones tend more toward lighter and warmer stains rather than dark finishes, with more transparent glazes and rustic looks. “We are seeing more wood tones, even a movement toward mixed wood tones,” reports Lichlyter, “Especially those with heavier grain, such as oak and hickory, and cerused finishes, which emphasize wood’s natural texture.”

MIXED METALS

When it comes to fixtures, brushed gold and black remain top picks, and homeowners often opt to mix metals in the bath, perhaps choosing one finish for faucets and fixtures and another for cabinet hardware and accessories.

Some faucets feature a combination of two finishes, such as matte black paired with champagne bronze or classic chrome with polished brass. These dual-finish fixtures can guide other choices throughout the space.

“Everything needs to flow together, from the lighting to the faucets to the accessories,” says Kaufman. “This gives you flexibility — if you pick a double-finish black and nickel faucet, you might choose black robe hooks and a black toilet paper holder but a nickel towel bar.”

TARGETED TECH

Technology that makes the bath more comfortable or easier to use is popular. In the Chicago area, heated floor systems are popular for warm tile underfoot. Heating elements are also being used in other places, from tubs to toilets. Soaking tubs with inline heaters that keep the water warm are popular, and Kohler has introduced a system that heats the surface of the tub to provide warmth to the back, shoulders and neck while bathing.

Toilets with features like heated seats, built-in bidets and auto-flush are also frequent requests when remodeling the bath. “Many of our clients are looking for a toilet with these types of features, especially frequent travelers or tech-savvy homeowners,” says Kiselyk.

LARGE-FORMAT TILE

In terms of tile, in today’s baths it seems that bigger is better. Many designers report that 12" x 24" or larger porcelain tiles are most commonly used for both walls and floors. “There’s less grout, so it’s a cleaner look,” Kiselyk says.

Kaufman reports that about half of her clients love a seamless look in the shower. This is achieved by porcelain slabs that are laser cut to fit precisely together with no grout. “They look almost like marble or granite but without the upkeep,” she says.

However, these large-format tiles might not be the best choice for all projects. “They can cause installation issues, particularly in older homes where floors and walls might not be completely flat and level,” says Lichlyter.

In these cases, smaller tiles offer greater flexibility, plus they often are available in more patterns. Even plain tile can be installed to create a pattern, such as the popular herringbone design.

PERSONALIZED TOUCHES

Personal elements elevate today’s bathroom design, such as incorporating a piece of repurposed furniture. “Other ways to make a space feel unique are with features such as handmade tiles, unique plumbing configurations such as wall mounted faucets, or something as simple as styling your space with vintage artwork, rugs or occasional furniture,” says Saracco.