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by Rachel Lyon, Editorial Director for The House Designers
Whether they’re building new or renovating an existing home, the majority of today’s homeowners place a lot of focus on the master suite. If this sounds like you, take a look at these ways to design a bath that stands out! Choose a few of your favorite ideas or go all-in on a luxurious master bathroom—you’ll love the extra boost in style and functionality!
Dress Up the Vanity
Of all the parts of the bathroom, the sink area gets the most use. Of course, it also gives you a lot of choices! From the shape and type of the sink basin itself—think undermount, top-mount, vessel, pedestal, etc.—to the specifics of the faucet(s)—like style, finish, number of holes, and installation type—there are so many ways to make the vanity your own.
Decide what kind of vanity fits your space and vision best. Even the most basic setup can be made your own with a unique faucet. Do you prefer two handles or one? Knobs, levers, or something else? Deck-mounted faucets are the most popular, so a wall-mounted model will definitely make a statement. Most faucets come in a variety of finishes, so a bold color can also set the tone. With so much variety on the market, it’s a good idea to ask a pro for design help when you shop!
Consider a Grand Shower
Nobody likes a cramped shower, so it’s no wonder that so many of today’s new homes add more square footage to this space. Expansive showers might be their own room behind a wall or be enclosed in large panes of frameless glass to maintain their open feel. If you have grand shower aspirations, bring them up early in the process so your designer/builder can ensure they’re feasible, and make modifications if necessary.
What goes into such a large shower? The choice is yours! You can outfit it with all sorts of showerheads to create the experience you want. Many people go with a mix of practical and luxurious fixtures—like a regular wall-mounted or handheld showerhead in addition to a waterfall or rain showerhead—so they can use what they want when they want it.
Design a Stylish Tub Area
Freestanding tubs and their fillers come in so many shapes and sizes and can really define the space. Just think of how you’ll immediately notice a clawfoot tub whether you see it in-person or on TV, and how it definitely sets the scene a certain way. Whether you have traditional tastes or want to go contemporary instead, the tub provides a wide canvas to make that style known.
Tubs come in plenty of rounded and rectangular shapes. Whichever you like, placement is key—it can be the centerpiece of the room, if you want! Once you know where it’ll be, you can decide on a tub filler. Like sink faucets, they come in tons of styles. Explore deck-, wall-, and floor-mounted models and see how they could look on all sides of the tub. A boldly placed filler can further define the tub area, and many prefer to let the filler stand out over the tub so the bathroom has a more cohesive look with the other elements.
Add Functional Accessories
All the little things add up, too! Don’t overlook the breadth of a mirror; the effect on the space will vary depending on the shape and whether you go with one that spans the whole vanity or give each sink its own. Check out different towel bars, rings, and hooks for around the sinks, shower, and tub, because they can be surprisingly diverse and help carry style around the room. Toilet paper roll holders, soap dishes, and shelves all can fit different aesthetics as well. And last but certainly not least, you’ll find plenty of stylish grab bars these days to improve safety and accessibility—don’t be afraid to install them!
Blend Indoor and Outdoor Spaces
If your master suite sits beside outdoor living space, you can expand outward. Those who live in warm climates are most likely to take advantage of a patio with an outdoor shower or tub, but they can also be used seasonally. Beach houses in snowy New England often have outdoor showers for the summer, after all! Fixtures that are specifically made for exterior use offer many of the same style options you get inside, so you can design a beautiful extension of your suite. Just add a privacy screen or landscape accordingly and you’ll have your own little oasis.
Take a look at WATRLINE if you’re ready to design a stunning luxury bath of your own! With gorgeous European-made fixtures and accessories in a variety of styles and finishes, you can find wonderful options whether you’re going for a clean and simple aesthetic or something bold and edgy instead. They also offer an impressive line of outdoor products, so explore their full collection and imagine how you could design your dream suite, inside and out!
