Top 3 Custom Bathroom Trends in 2021
When you build a custom home in Dallas, you want it to reflect your taste and personality. But too many homeowners neglect to apply that same vision to the most personal room of all — the bathroom. As a result, they often settle for a bland, cookie-cutter design that is just like everyone else’s.
Not putting enough thought into your bathroom can leave you disappointed and may even cost you money in the future. For example, something as simple as having the right number of full bathrooms in your home can affect the value of your home by as much as 20%.
That’s not surprising, because bathroom renovations are the most-popular remodeling project, favored by 81% of homeowners.
To help you stay out of that rut, here are the hottest current bathroom trends. We hope they inspire you to build your dream custom bathroom that is anything but boring.
Larger Showers and Bathtubs
Now more than ever, people want their homes to be a source of peace and serenity, and where better to find that than in your own private spa? That’s why so many people are opting for luxurious bathing choices such as:
- Oversized Free-Standing Bathtubs — There is nothing more relaxing than a hot soak in a bathtub that is actually big enough for you. With a standard alcove-style tub, that is just not possible.
The difference in size can be very significant:
A standard tub measures 60 inches long by 30 inches wide by 16 inches deep.
A large stand-alone tub, such as this one by Badeloft is 75 inches wide by 47 inches wide by 23 inches deep.
Best of all, as the name implies, these tubs can be installed anywhere, giving you more design possibilities for your bathroom.
- Luxury Walk-In Showers — A walk-shower creates a sense of elegance, eschewing a tiny, cramped area for space and freedom.
A standard shower stall can be as small as 30 inches by 30 inches.
A pre-made shower enclosure, such as this one from DreamLine, can be up to 72 inches long by 34 inches wide.
And that’s just a prefabricated option. If you go completely custom, your walk-in shower can be any size, with such luxury features as designer stone tile, bench seating, high-end fixtures, lighting, and even a sound system.
Smart Tech
We live in an age where connectivity equals convenience. We already use smart technology to control lighting, to keep our homes comfortable, to provide security, and in general, make our lives easier. According to a December 2020 survey, 57% of U.S. households already have at least one smart device, and over 80 million households intend to buy a new smart device within a year.
With those statistics in mind, it’s not surprising that people want to incorporate smart technology in their custom bathrooms:
- Smart Toilets: Smart toilets are the most-desired feature in bathroom renovations or new construction. Although they can have a purchase price that runs into the thousands, the value you receive for that initial investment soon becomes apparent. Smart toilet features include:
- Seat warmers
- Night lights
- Touch-free automatic lids
- Bluetooth speakers
- Water-level detectors — Since this feature can help prevent overflows, it may even save you money on your homeowner’s insurance.
- Self-cleaning options
- Health monitoring and disease detection
- Smart Faucets and Showers: The main benefits of this smart bathroom tech are safer and more consistent water flow and temperature, energy and water savings, and the ability to conveniently control your shower remotely, via a connected device. One brand claims that it can cut your shower water usage in half.
Underfloor Heating
Underfloor heating — also called radiant floor heating — is an extremely popular choice for new bathrooms. In fact, radiant floor heating increases a home’s value by over 3%.
More energy-efficient than traditional heating systems, radiant floor heating keeps your feet warm through the use of thermal radiation from electric heating pads or heated water pipes. Compared to radiators or wall units, underfloor heating has several advantages:
- The warmth is felt sooner
- Controlled temperature
- Uses less electricity
- Cleaner — Because it is not a forced-air system, it does not circulate dust and allergens.
- Suitable for installation under any flooring type
Depending on the type of system, radiant floor heating costs between $5 and $12 per square foot.
Choosing the Custom Bathroom That’s Right for You
Bathrooms no longer have to be spartan, utilitarian rooms used solely for bathing and necessities. Today, your custom bathroom can be a private oasis where you can escape and unwind from all of life’s stresses. Because you spend so much time in the bathroom, it only makes sense that you are as comfortable as possible while you are there.
