If you’re considering renovating your bathroom, you’re in good company – it’s one of the most popular renovations to undertake! It’s an expensive proposition though. If you consider how big a bathroom is (usually not very) and how much it costs to renovate, you’ll quickly find out that it’s the most expensive cost per square foot of any space in your home. But it’s also one of the most impactful things you can do to improve your quality of life, which is one of the reasons that it’s done with such regularity.
One of the great things about updating or redoing your bathroom is that you can incorporate some truly amazing products as part of the design. Are these really needed? Well, that depends on you! We don’t call them High End Splurges lightly, but that doesn’t mean that they’re out of reach. Here are some incredible things you can do:
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Nice and Clean, from Bottom to Bottom
During the COVID pandemic, do you remember when you couldn’t find toilet paper? Toilet paper hoarding was very real, but savvy designers, plumbing experts, and consumers knew what to do – we all bought bidet tops for our toilets! There’s no better way to eliminate paper waste in the bathroom, but it’s also a very luxurious experience. Some seats open when you approach, many seats are heated, the water is heated, there are deodorization functions, toilet bowl cleaning functions, and a plethora of other features. Inexpensive bidet seats start around $100, but really nice ones can be $1,000 or more – the best ones tend to be made by Toto and Kohler. If you really want to splurge, you can invest in a smart toilet, which is effectively a toilet with an integral bidet seat with every feature imaginable – take a look at the Kohler Eir if you want to see something truly remarkable!
Rub a Dub Dub, Three Men in a Tub – Wait, Do We Really Need This?
One of the most popular bathroom changes that we work on is eliminating giant whirlpool bathtubs – some people truly love them, but for the most part they sit there, unused. While whirlpool tubs seem to be on their way out, soaking tubs are very much in. A good pedestal or standalone soaking tub is not just luxurious, but it can be a statement piece in your bathroom. Some do come with jets, or other features such as tiny air bubbles that make it feel like you’re bathing in seltzer. Prices tend to start around $1,000 and go up to the $5,000 range or more.
Singin’ in the Rain… Head
We spend a lot of time designing big and beautiful showers for our clients. One of the great things about a large shower is that you can incorporate lots of amazing features, and the most-asked-for feature right now is a really nice rain head. Is the rain head perfect for washing hair? Not really, but that’s why there is always a standard shower head as well. The rain head is more therapeutic. Design by the Jonathans innovated with rain heads by placing them directly above shower benches, so that you can relax (or sleep, in my case) under your own hot waterfall. We also love Kohler’s Real Rain shower head, a large panel that mimic rain with different size droplets – there’s nothing quite like it. A standard rain head can start at $100 or more, and the Real Rain costs a bit over $2,000.
Steam-Powdered Shower
If you really want to splurge on your shower – and give yourself the true spa treatment – you can invest in a steam system for your shower. This can get pricey though… you don’t just need a steam generator and output port, you also need to tile your shower ceiling, run your shower glass to the ceiling and provide a tilt-out window, and include extra ventilation. We love the products from Mr. Steam, which tend to run between $2,000 and $4,000 for a standard system, but you can also add in aromatherapy, chromatherapy, and even an audio system if you’re up to spending a cool $8,000. The additional tile, shower glass, and ventilation can easily add another $4,000 or more to the price tag. It seems like quite a lot of cost, but you’ll be getting the steam sauna of your dreams in your own shower. If you consider the cost of building a standalone steam sauna, this is actually a pretty good deal.
Stone Cold Luxury
The true bathroom splurge isn’t always in the plumbing fixtures – for a truly spectacular decorative element, entire stone slabs can be used as an accent wall, or even a floor if it’s treated to be non-slip. Your floor will need to be reinforced to carry the added weight, but there’s nothing quite like looking at a true natural artwork in your own home every morning as you shower. These slab installations tend to start around $10,000 and can reach incredible price points depending on the stone, the quantity, and the way it’s installed. For a slightly less expensive idea with a similar impact, there are ceramic tile slabs that look like stone that can be used instead – they’re lighter weight, and still expensive, but just a bit more economical.
These five splurges are truly fantastic ways to elevate your bathroom. Even if you’re only renovating a small space, incorporating one or two of these design elements can really improve your quality of life. For more tips and tricks, and some phenomenal photos of these luxury elements in action, follow us @designbythejonathans on Instagram.