Remodel Trends

Bathrooms are becoming more sleek and chic, much like those found in fashion-able boutique hotels. Here’s what local remodeling pros had to say about what’s new in bathroom design:

“Showers are increasing in size. What we’re seeing now are roll-in showers with seats and no glass. They’re open shower spaces, unless they’re steam showers. And everything is going more artistic: towel bars, mirrors, LED lighting with dimmers to create moods and a calming, spa-like atmosphere.”
JIM LUCIA?
Lucia, Kassik & Monday

“We only use low-VOC paint now because it has an antimicrobial built into it (which inhibits mildew growth). And it has no volatile organic com-pounds in it. That new-home smell you usually smell after you paint is bad because the product is off-gassing. The low-VOC paint doesn’t smell and is healthy for you.”
NATHAN CROSS
NWC Construction

“Back-lit onyx vanities are becoming more and more popular. White carrera marble has come back to baths but also to kitchens, since it brings an elegant, European, timeless and stylish look. Travertine in slab form for countertops and decorative vessel sinks with faucets that come directly out of the wall are also in demand.”
KAREN ROTHENBERG
Natural Stone Motif

“Dual-flush and low-flow toilets per-form as well as—if not better than-—the other options out there and they don’t cost that much more. Also, they come in several colors like white, biscuit, black and almond.”
GREG HARDWICK
Hardwick General Contracting

“People want the organization in bathrooms that they used to ask for in kitchens. They want lots of drawers and hampers and drawer dividers for tooth-paste, hairbrushes and those things. We’re doing wall cabinets that sit on the counter with pocket doors almost like appliance garages to hide electric toothbrushes and curling irons. And we do have people asking for eco-friendly baths. We put in a new display that features a coconut palm door cabinet with an icestone countertop which is recycled. it’s getting more affordable.”
DINA MASCI
Central Kitchen & Bath

“There are now mirrors with TV’s? hidden behind them. you can only see the TV if it’s turned on.”
FRANCIA FUSIK
All in One Decorating Solutions

“There are quite a few hot items in today’s bathrooms. number one is a larger shower with niches that can’t be seen from the rest of the bathroom, hand showers and foot rests and large tiles to minimize grout joints. We’re also seeing vanities with towers centered between the two lavatory sinks and framed, wall-hung mirrors instead of fixed or plate-glass mirrors. Electrical outlets inside the vanity and tower plus toe-kick lighting on motion detectors are popular as well.”
JACK MGRATH
Jonathan McGrath Construction