The modern bathroom- A mix of luxury and practicality!

Every home deserves a
bathroom that meets the aspirations of its users, and though you may not spend
as much time in your bathroom as in your lounge, it is the place you relax and
wash away the stresses of your day.

However, there is also a practical side to a
bathroom that needs to be satisfied, and we need to achieve a balance between
that practicality and the oasis that we desire. So, how do we achieve that
balance? Quite simply, we design our bathroom to give us the necessities we
need, but we also add a few touches to help us relax when we feel the need. 

Some people feel that the expense of remodeling a bathroom outweighs the
benefits, but Architectural and design magazine Freshome believes that
improving your bathroom as one of the top ways to increase the value of your
home. So this is can be seen as an investment rather than an expense; and one
you can enjoy. 

Here are somethings that you should be thinking about in your
search for the balanced bathroom.

The Tub

The centerpiece of any
bathroom should be the bath itself, and there are a myriad of styles and sizes
to choose from. For both practicality and luxury you need to think about the
size.

If you have a couple of young kids, what can be more fun at bath time than
being able to splash around in the water together. And as an adult in search of
tranquility, you will want to submerge completely in your tub surrounded by
beautiful smells and relaxing music.

Aroma diffuser

One of the easiest
ways to make your bathroom more relaxing is to fit a diffuser in the room. This
will allow you to fill your bathroom with the fragrance of your favorite
essential oil. You can pick an oil that will suit your mood, or even pick one
that has a particular health benefit. Of course you can always add an essential
oil to the water to double the potential.

The Shower

We do not always have
the time for a long bath, and in the morning it is usually more practical to
take a shower. In a well-designed bathroom you will usually find a quadrant shower
enclosure tucked away neatly in the corner; as it is great for privacy from the
kids, and an alternative for anyone not prepared to wait
for the tub. A shower enclosure is a neat and tidy way to provide this most basic
amenity, and the beautiful etched glass that is now available means you can add
a personal touch and some style too.

Sound System

If you are trying to
unwind after a hectic day, music is a great way to help you relax; so why not
combine music with your evening soak? Obviously, you can play music in another
room, but this tends to disturb others and is hardly fair. You can easily fit speakers
in your bathroom, but why not fit a sound system? No more soaking walks to
change a track or pick a new album. Complete control from your tub is
achievable with a waterproof remote, and you could even have a wireless stereo
speaker fitted to your shower head if you are not in the tub.

Flooring

Though it is possible to use some beautiful
natural stone in your bathroom, it is not always the best choice; cold
underfoot and extremely slippery when wet, stone flooring is only a choice for its
aesthetics. If you want a stone
floor in your bathroom, it would be better to choose ceramic tiles, there is a
huge choice of designs available and the nonslip choices are perfect for young
children. Of course you could go for laminate or natural wood, and these can
also be a great choice, but be aware that natural wood will need to be
maintained.

Double Basins

It is very frustrating
finding yourself in a queue for the bathroom basin every morning. Fortunately, this
is so easy to remedy; the addition of a double basin will give you all the
space you need, and is a great way to add another touch of luxury. 

Finishing
your bathroom with a treated marble counter top adds some style and elegance
that is difficult to find in other ways. A long marble counter with two basins,
set before a long mirror is not only a beautiful thing to look at; it is also very practical.

If your home has only
the one bathroom, then this mix of comfort and practicality is a must. A
compromise is required, and luckily, is possible. All that is required is to
think about your bathroom design, and then everyone in your home can enjoy the bathroom.