Creating spa baths with the latest design trends and health technology

The client eagerly shows photos of her stylist from a recent resort vacation, asking, “I loved this in a hotel bathroom; can we get one for our showers here?” It’s a question thousands of clients have asked for decades. I’ve heard it for over a decade designing residential bathrooms, and one longtime interior designer Sharon Sherman has heard of Northern New Jersey more than ever.

Home Spas Go mainstream

“The biggest difference is making the spa experience available to a wider audience,” notes Sherman. She recalls in the past, “Spa weekends were really restricted to a select few who could afford a luxury getaway. Today, it’s no longer an indulgence for the rich; it’s part of travel wellness.” This is true for her clients, and for millions of other homeowners across the country. “Wellness, alertness, health and self-care are among the top lifestyle priorities,” she adds.

San Francisco plumbing contractor J. Phillip Hotarik is also seeing a spike in requests for spa features. Most popular in his area, he says, are infrared saunas (great for arthritis sufferers!), enhanced steam shower systems and whirlpool tubs, and what he calls “the overall incorporation of the concept of ‘health and wellness’ into plumbing trends.”

Epidemiological effect

The pandemic has certainly been a contributing factor to the growing appeal of wellness design and spa pools, the plumber and designer agree. “The ability to relax and unwind is no longer a pampering, but a necessity for dealing with the stress of the situation. And it’s not just women on board, Sherman points out.

Covid has accelerated the growing popularity of steam showers, aromatherapy, chromotherapy, and air-jet bathtubs. Sherman also sees the popularization of physical therapy as a contributor to the appeal of spa features like these. The designer notes: “It’s no longer a ‘fringe’ idea.

There was also a pandemic toilet paper shortage in early 2020. Anyone with a bidet job at home was spared the stress of this single situation at least. This technology appeared on more exhibition booths — including those offering affordable deals — than ever at the recent Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. Once primarily a boycott of $6000 toilets, you can now buy a bidet function on a seat with hot water and drying for less than $1,000.

Hotarek sees the pandemic as contributing to “the increased demand for having your own spa, as well as just the allure of creating a luxury experience.” This is especially important for those who are still reluctant to share close quarters with strangers.

Technology improvements

Alexa and its competitors have introduced technology to the spa bath. “Manufacturers offer sound-activated systems to control the temperature, switch between shower heads or body sprays and even turn the water off. Multifunctional shower heads are a must too. From a rain head to a massage and everything in between allows you to personalize your showering experience, that is the definition of luxury,” Sherman notes.

The designer notes that personalization is a huge part of today’s spa shower experience. “You can plug in the water heater on demand and let the shower guide you when it reaches the preset temperature.” These systems often have multiple preset options, so you can choose the temperature and spray mode and your partner can do the same with her or her husband.

“We’ve also installed waterproof TVs in our wet rooms. Why not visually visit an exotic location while soaking in your bathtub?” she ponders. Another common feature of wellness technology in spa pools is daily lighting, which connects to smart home systems and automates brightness and color temperature to suit morning and sleep schedules.

Hotarek also outfits many of the bathrooms with color, sound, and aromatherapy in the Bay Area, he says. (Is it any surprise that the country’s leading local area for the tech elite is a leading market for luxury bathroom technology?) Some of the new spa bath technology and features he loves are touchless faucets, Japanese bathtubs, and extra-large rain heads with several water modes.

Sherman notes that current shower systems are easier to integrate than previous models. “It’s not as complicated as it was years ago, when I needed a team to configure the shower, lighting, sound, etc. Many manufacturers include technology simply to identify and install components.”

Hotarek cautions that this is not an excuse to DIY or bring in an unskilled professional. “Purchasing expensive products and hiring unqualified or unlicensed contractors to do this work is by far the biggest challenge we see today.”

Safety Benefits

Another benefit of technology in a spa bath is safety, which has progressed beyond the basic life alert button, notes Brittany Ferry, an occupational therapist in Rochester, New York: “There are fall detectors that are especially useful for those who can’t press a button afterwards. …a fall or even a cognitive realization that they are in distress. They should be used anywhere, but especially in the bathroom because this is often considered the most dangerous area of ​​the house.”

OT also points to a technical opportunity that may not happen to everyone: “A lot of recent design trends have large amounts of natural light,” but that may be difficult for some users, she notes. “It does not help those with poor eyesight, who often react with sensitivity to flare and contrast.”

Ferry dispels a common misconception: “Most people think that more light will help someone see better, but that’s not always the case. It has to be the right kind of light, and even more so, that light be able to. Always They are modified”. This makes an excellent case for the remote-controlled window coverings and lighting, which the user can perfectly operate by sound.

Accessibility

Hygiene is a very personal topic that many of us prefer not to discuss with anyone other than our doctors. Even discussing intimate needs with family caregivers is difficult for many adults, which became a problem when millions of seniors were moved from nursing homes to relatives’ homes in 2020. Some will never return, and need bathroom modifications to handle special hygiene needs. them without the nursing staff.

A bidet function, decorative grab rails, wall-mounted toilets and toilets, and spa showers can help tremendously—and can make those spaces feel more like a resort than a rehab. “Quick showers without a hitch are definitely crucial,” Ferry states. “This design is desirable for a group of people, not just those with mobility challenges,” she comments.

It also happens to be a symbol of spa baths today. These walk-in showers are often large spaces with benches, handheld shower heads and linear sinks that are easy to navigate and use by those who have mobility challenges or get tired easily.

Ferry also points to the bathroom’s increased size, doorways and openness – particularly between the toilet and shower – as being very helpful for clients with mobility challenges. Deck areas that allow for the use of seating is another feature of the spa that the OT recommends. Those could be wall-mounted cabinets, consoles, or pedestal sinks.

The best in class

When it comes to suggesting new ideas for bathroom clients of all ages and abilities, Sherman loves bidet seats that open, close, flush, and sanitize automatically. She also prefers the use of antimicrobial materials in fixtures, features and surfaces.

This can include oversized tiles for shower walls that reduce the need for grout. Included in her list are the aforementioned multifunctional shower heads and tubs, as well as heated floor systems, towel rails, good lighting, cool, quiet ventilation fans, and decorative grab bars for independent living.

last words

Returning to her original observation about the increased availability and affordability of spa features for more homeowners, Sherman says, “These bathrooms should be more than just the set of fixtures and fittings found in a tiled room. They need to be carefully designed not just to fit the style of A client’s life, but to promote the healthy side of what a spa bath can do for those who use it. You can create a bathroom environment that doesn’t cost $100,000. The idea that you need huge space is very limited for both the designer and the client.”

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Diary: Sherman, Hotarik, and Frye will share their thoughts on the spa bath in an hour-long conversation at the Clubhouse tomorrow afternoon at 4PM ET / 1PM PT. You can join this WELLNESS WEDNESDAY discussion here. If you can’t attend, you can catch the recording via Clubhouse Replays or the Gold Notes design blog here the following Wednesday.