Big or Small, Bathrooms Have Become the At-home Spa Sanctuary

Despite the elevated costs of construction materials and labor in recent years, consumer spending on bathroom design and remodeling has steadily increased. According to research from home-remodeling-platform Houzz, guest bathrooms saw a 38 percent increase in renovation spend year-over-year (2020-21), and in 2022 the national median spend for primary bathroom projects increased nearly 13 percent to $9,000. Higher-budget residential projects (with the top 10 percent of project spend) saw a 17 percent jump to $35,000 or more. And those doing a major bathroom renovation, which includes a shower upgrade, spent three times more on their renovation than those doing a minor renovation ($15,000 versus $5,000, respectively).

The time, effort, and money spent on these bathroom redesigns is indicative of the importance this traditionally understated and sometimes underappreciated room has taken on in our day-to-day lives. Bathrooms bookend our days, but also serve as a pit stop throughout. And since the pandemic began, the bathrooms in our homes are more frequently utilized and occupied than ever before.

The result: a bathroom-as-sanctuary mindset shift. The following explores best practices—achievable at any scale and budget—gleaned from the spa.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE BATHROOM

Traditionally perceived as more functional—truly places of cleanup and, well, relief—the fashion and function of bathrooms has expectedly shifted over time. The “powder room,” for example, originally a decorated space for powdering wigs, evolved into a show of wealth during the Industrial Revolution and more recently has become a courtesy small bathroom for guests.

Today, bathrooms, as a broad category of spaces, are perceived as playing an active role
in relaxation and privacy with more attention paid to how they might rejuvenate, stimulate or soothe their users—much like a good spa might do. It comes as no surprise to note that textured wood, rain showers, and white and gray paint and surfaces are standing out among bathroom design updates being made across the board—as is the popularity of “going bigger.” For instance, when removing a bathtub, nearly four in five homeowners (78 percent) enlarge the shower with 40 percent of those making it at least 25 percent larger.

IN SEARCH OF THAT SPA-LIKE SENSATION

Attempting to create a world-class spa experience in a home will most likely face limitations. But if we zoom out and evaluate what puts these spas at the top of their game, we can identify a few key takeaways to apply to bathroom redesign plans.

Spas tend to lean heavily into environments that feature natural and/or exotic elements, even if they are only simulated. They make nature feel accessible through materials selection; multisensory effects, such as water features and essential oils; and by welcoming an abundance of natural light with lots of windows. And then there’s the open-air feel they tend to create with minimalist detailing, expansive rooms and/or passive airflow. It’s some combination of these features that, when thoughtfully pieced together, become a serene and comforting shelter that reads uniquely “spa.”

These spa environments are a prime example of biophilic design in action. Biophilia, a concept that has exploded in popularity in the building design industry over the past several decades, is one that theorizes an innate connection between humans and nature. It suggests that bringing natural patterns and materials into built/designed environments can positively impact our wellbeing.

How do you bring some biophilic spa qualities into a home? Three primary ways: windows, vegetation and texture.

LET THE SUNSHINE IN

Windows in any bathroom provide many wellness benefits, among other more aesthetic payoffs. First, operable windows, even just one, can improve ventilation. They provide a means for moisture—and odors—to escape and subsequently stave off mold and mildew in a typically damp area.

BANNER PHOTO: Jeremy Bittermann