Over the years the primary bath has been transformed from a functional room where you brush your teeth, wash up, and prepare for the day ahead, into a place of solace where homeowners can spend a few minutes all to themselves. A place devoid of texts, tweets, and even little feet, to recharge and rejuvenate their body, mind, and spirit by washing away the stresses of the day.

The hottest bathroom trends for homeowners in the DC Metro and surrounding area marry design principles that create a serene, calming space with health promoting and stress reducing systems. These features can include steam and message, water, color, sound, and aroma therapies. Homeowners are gravitating toward ceramic tiles in rich bold colors that make a dramatic and personal statement in the bath. Recent surveys found that blue, green and black tile demand increased significantly, along with a movement away from traditional subway tiles to smaller, square shaped, nonuniform and textured tiles. Textured tiles create a layered effect that is extremely receptive to light. 

Using diffused lighting to create warmth and ambience in the bathroom is another hot trend.  Homeowners are advised not to simply place a flush-mounted fixture in the center of the bathroom or a light bar over the mirror.  A single light over the mirror can shadow the user’s face and provide insufficient amounts of light on his or her neck and lower chin.  That’s not a particularly good lighting plan, especially for women who may need the light to prepare for the day, or for the men who run a razor-sharp object along their throat in the morning before having a cup of coffee.  Instead, we often recommend diffused lighting because it prevents shadows or glare while grooming in front of a mirror or at the vanity.  Fixtures with milky, opaque glass shades or clear glass shades with a prismatic surface spread light evenly while preserving light quality.

Natural wood vanities are also a hot trend.  Homeowners in the DC Metro and surrounding area are often wowed by natural wood vanities that serve as a foil to the hard surfaces of tubs, tile, and countertop materials. Natural wood vanities are also more durable in a wet environment than painted surfaces, which can be important when it comes to the bathroom.

Wall-mounted faucets for the bath are also dramatically increasing in popularity, for many good reasons. Wall-mounted faucets create extra countertop space and a cleaner, sleeker look for the bathroom. As an added bonus, they are much easier to clean than traditional faucets. Wall-mounted faucets aren't surrounded by water left behind on the countertop which helps eliminate a possible breeding ground for germs. Because these taps are positioned above the sink, they don’t need to be wiped clean nearly as often as a deck-mounted faucet.

Curved and arched showers, tubs, and entranceways have also become increasingly popular among homeowners. Curved fixtures and entryways produce a more relaxed, softer feel to a space, serving to remove harsh lines and sharp corners.  The softer vibe of curved surfaces brings a natural feel to the bath. 

How can you capitalize on the latest design trends to create an in-home refuge that promotes health, wellbeing, and rejuvenation for all members of your family?  Give us a call at 240-821-5257 or make an appointment to visit one of our showrooms in Kensington, Beltsville, or Cumberland, MD and let’s discuss how we can turn your dreams into a reality!