JOIN USAn increasing number of homeowners are looking for a spa-like experience at home with luxurious bathroom amenities such as bathtubs, jacuzzis, full-body showers and sensor controls. Bindu Gopal Rao decodes the trend
As the lifestyle of the average Indian consumer is drastically evolving, he is willing to spend more on the bathroom. As Supriya Sunil, head of expressions — interior division, Concorde Group says, “Surround sound systems complete with recording and karaoke functions, televisions embedded in mirrors and sensor controls bring technology right into the forefront of the once boring bathroom. Today, one can find bluetooth-enabled speaker system that allows you to listen to music, news or podcasts while showering, and a digital shower that lets you save your ideal shower settings.”
Sandeep Shukla, head marcom, Jaquar Group, agrees, “Latest technologies let you personalise your shower’s temperature at just a touch of the fingertip on the high-durability waterproof touchpad. You can even set your preferences to the ideal settings so that the shower temperature is up and running before you are.”
Trend check
Experts suggest that in luxurious bathroom spaces, there is a clear shift towards nature. “There is an increased usage of wood while designing the interiors of a bathroom. To bring out the rustic and natural look, materials like natural stones, river rock stones or gravels are being used prominently,” says an interiors expert from Salarpuria Sattva .
“New trends in bathrooms include separate his and her spaces, walk-in wardrobes that open into spacious bathrooms, stand-alone tubs and jacuzzis. The shower areas are also designed to give one a feel of rain showers and tropical experiences. A new emerging trend is automated WCs, water curtains and open bathrooms designed to integrate one’s bedroom. Home automation with different mood settings, piped music and TV screens are also becoming an integral part of bathrooms,” says Arshia Ladak, head — marketing, residential, The Phoenix Mills Ltd.
Relaxing under a shower has reached new levels. “Steam showers, chromo showers, music showers — they are smart and good-looking products and great accessories for luxurious bathrooms. Their therapeutic ability is becoming a must have. As for forms and shapes of products that best suit luxurious bathrooms, there are designs which are not just rich but intuitive too,” says V Krishnamurthy, senior VP, Queo.
So, how to do you give your bathroom a luxe makeover? Changing the entire layout of a bathroom would be an expensive affair and may not be possible owing to plumbing inlets and outlets in place. “However, less expensive features like stand-alone furniture can be incorporated into the bathrooms. One could also choose to opt for certain expensive elements like brass faucets. These can be installed without much hassle and would help balance out one’s retrofitting budget,” suggests Jidesh Haridas, COO, Capricoast.
Replacing the existing granite countertop with quartz or redoing walls with large format tiles or marble slabs are some of the ways to give a new look to the bathroom. “Large format stones are not only easy to install, but are also low on maintenance. Existing sink can be integrated with a quartz countertop and marble backsplash. Makeover done with these few ideas will give the bathroom an absolutely stunning and spacious look,” says Vikas Kesarkar, vice president — marketing, Classic Marble Company.
But when you bring in such lavish elements, their proper care is also vital. Vishesh Nigam, general manager and business head, 3M Home Water Solutions, elaborates, “It is important to protect and preserve these expensive accessories. Homeowners are willing to go a long way to amplify the lifespan of their prudently selected bathroom accessories. An investment in a water softener goes beyond just protecting your bathroom accessories; it treats your water and gives you a better hair and body wash.”
Now that you have a good handle on the latest trends, are you ready to step into a luxurious bath?