Bathroom bliss

Hyderabad

Refresh, rejuvenate and come alive in a space that is both luxurious and personal your bathroom.

As a place of escape that A lets you relax and unwind in the confines of your home without any intrusion, your bathroom ought to be both, inviting and blissful. Here's what's trending in this most private retreat.

Beyond functional

"The smart bathroom and super luxe toilet trend is here to stay as consumers are more willing to spend on their private space," says Abhishek Somany, Managing Director, Somany Ceramics Ltd. The price tag attached to some shower faucets alone can equal the cost of a mid-sized sedan. "In today's context, bathrooms are looked upon as extensions of the bedroom suite and are no longer tucked away in the corners," stresses architect Ambica Sood.

Opulence redefined

Modern bathrooms are more like spas and lounges. Architects fashion them with mood lighting and aromatherapy spots. "Minimalism is out and opulence is in," says Sonali Arora, Founder, Tresorie. From tiles to fittings-everything is picked with a theme in mind. The top trending ones vary from rainforest to nautical and rain, reflecting nature's serenity. "Impressing your guests is easy and, more often than not, it starts with the basics," adds Arora.

Market gains

According to Harsh Bhutani, executive director of Bravat India Pvt Ltd, in most Indian metros, the market for bathroom solutions is growing at 13 to 14 percent annually, the highest rate of growth anywhere in the world at present. What sets apart a luxury brand from midrange brands is their focus on innovative design. From bathtubs that can heat water and jet-less Jacuzzis that can create mini whirlpools. "The focus is on designs driven mostly by science," adds Bhutani.

Go natural

According to leading architects, there's simply no room for plastic in the modern bathroom de sign. "Plastics are a definite no no," stresses interior designer Sameera Shah. "We are seeing the return of more natural materials such as marble, granite, quartz, wood and stone," says Shah. This means that even towel racks, toilet paper holders, shower cubicles, soap dishes and toothbrush holders are now available in materials that are excellent substitutes for plastic. According to Shah, hard glass is perhaps the most common substitute: "Glass is being used intelligently in bathroom design these days. Mirrors are used extensively to make a smaller bathroom look larger."

The 'wow' factor

The mechanics of modern bathroom appliances are quite complex; so the plumbing requires attention to detail; for example, rain showers require a compulsory pressure pump. Waterfall showers with a cascade flow technology are what give you the most natural experience of standing under a curved waterfall. For a truly immersive experience, you can also choose from swanky shower panels that boast of LCD displays, built in FM players and USB sockets. Today, with the single attachment diverter in the shower panel, you can mix your hot and cold water before it even reaches the tap to obtain that perfect temperature.

With so many innovative ways to spruce up your bathroom, you won't want to leave this space.

Pooja Madhok, Times Property, The Times of India, Hyderabad