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Roman Sculptures C
orner Panel with Bolt-Through Water Delivery
The bathroom is a key area within the home, which can make the difference between selling a property. It is the place to relax and unwind in – an escape from today’s fast paced modern lifestyle. David Osborne, managing director of market leading shower manufacturer Roman, looks at the bathroom and the key showering trends which are set to influence the market in 2009…
Shower enclosures are fast becoming the focal point of the bathroom; showering has become the key choice over bathing. Jumping into a shower fits perfectly into the hectic lifestyle of the modern family, and Roman’s research confirms this showing that 78% of those with a shower will use it more frequently than opting for a dip in the bath. This highlights that the shower is an essential piece of bathroom equipment that should be included in every home.
There are a number of trends to follow when selecting a shower enclosure. Wetrooms have become a growing trend, they are of particular importance to top end developers looking to create a statement, but they are ideal for all developments as they have a number of benefits. Wetrooms are an excellent solution for large and small bathrooms alike; they can fit into that smaller awkward space or create that spa-like feeling in more expansive bathrooms. Their styling encompasses the minimal-look which is currently so much in vogue. Wetrooms also offer the benefit of inclusive design – they give easy access to all, so no potential buyer is isolated.
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Orbital Folding
Bath Screen
For more traditional enclosures, the latest trends are for frameless enclosures with clear thicker glass and a bright silver finish. These enclosures give a ‘made to measure’ appearance, helping to create a look which is more individual than that of a standard shower enclosure. With products on the market in glass thicknesses of up to 10mm at the top end of the market – this is now filtering through all sectors. Even more standard developments should be looking to install products with a minimum glass thickness of 6mm and the framing should always be bright silver.
With UK bathrooms getting smaller, particularly in new build projects where multiple bathrooms mean a smaller space, there are a number of enclosures available which make clever use of space, such as inward opening doors and space saving quadrants. However, not all bathrooms will allow for a separate shower enclosure and bath, therefore bath screens are becoming increasingly popular. There are a number of contemporary bath screens available in thicker glass with minimal framing. Many of these are power shower approved, allowing the end user the benefit of powerful showering whilst over-bath.
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Freedom Roam with Integrated Water Delivery
In terms of city apartments, aimed at young professionals, the bath has become more redundant. This has seen larger walk-in enclosures grow to be a popular choice. There are many options available; from bath replacement styles, ideal for developers looking to remove the bath and directly replace it, to more compact styles ideal for smaller apartments.
For truly top end projects and those larger bathrooms there are so many options available that you can really create a spa-like retreat. There are shower trays available which incorporate optic lighting to give a truly relaxing ambience. Team this with a shower valve featuring a drencher head for that rainfall effect shower, a multi-function hand-set with massage settings and body-jets for the ultimate indulgence. These styles of products then go hand in hand with other increasingly popular luxury items such as whirlpool baths and plasma TVs for the bathroom.
With so much choice on the market, developers have the perfect opportunity to create diverse bathrooms, whilst keeping up with trends. There truly is something for every taste. Although these trends are vital for top end developers, they are becoming increasingly important throughout all sectors. Even those working within tight budgets and looking to install lower cost entry level ranges, have access to many of these trends, as they filter down through the market. The bathroom has become a key ingredient to a successful sale, and a room which can no longer be ignored.