<p>We built a spa shower system with a steam unit in the basement last year. It has four body sprays, rain shower head, a multifunction handheld showerhead and incorporates a steam vent near the base. Unit is comprised of ceramic tile with epoxy grout. We did add radiant heat to the bathroom floor since this room sits on concrete. Although the project was expensive, we have never had such a luxurious and relaxing experience! I don’t know if this would be functional as the daily-use bathroom, but for us it is an occasional escape to heavenly bliss on cold, winter evenings!</p>
<p>I have a sauna. It was installed by a former owner, is freestanding and was probably not that expensive. I can skip the swimming pool, soaking tub and rain shower but I hope to have a sauna if I move into a new place. (And an outdoor shower. That I don’t have but it’s always a highpoint when I go to the beach.)</p>
<p>My master will have a steam shower someday. I have allergies and asthma so that sounds so wonderful. My poor plumber just found out today I added a handheld nozzle to the rain shower. The guy in the store talked me into it just by mentioning how hard it would be to clean without it. The workers have perfected this look they give me when I remember a change I’m making - lol - it’s priceless. Now tomorrow my husband is making me tell them I forgot to think about wanting a light in the closet down there, and the wiring is done and they’re just getting the last minute stuff for inspections. A few of them are here during the day, and this is a side job for another guy. They get to see me at all hours in nearly all situations. I don’t even care anymore. </p>
<p>OP here–I appreciate all your comments, they are helping me to clarify my thinking. Because we are remodeling in a condominium, we are limited as to what we can do. Our goal is to make it our home for the next 20 years or so (we hope!).</p>
<p>I spent some time this past weekend in lots of bath showrooms. We have pretty much settled on a contractor and now we have to get down to making some selections and it’s just overwhelming.</p>
<p>I want a shower head with enough power to blow me out of the shower–so I welcome any suggestions.
We are probably going to go with two showerheads plus a handheld unit–in two previous homes we had body sprays and never really used them. We will be putting in a grab bar and want there to be no lip stepping in if possible.</p>
<p>We are looking at very simple finishes–I tend to always go for clean and sleek with art for color-- so probably all white, or white and grey.</p>
<p>I wish we could have a sauna. I love baking myself when it’s cold and damp outside.</p>
<p>I did not read all the way through this thread but one thing I love about or remodeled bathroom is the placement of an outlet at the back of one of my top drawers. My blowdryer and flat iron stay plugged in all the time and I just have to open the drawer and take the one I need without having to plug it in each time. I love this feature! The other features I love are the radiant floor heating, toto seat warmer/bidet-type functions and the triangular small tile shelves in the far corner of my shower, the lower of which is at the perfect height for shaving my legs, (the solution we chose when the contractor said niches wouldn’t work).</p>
<p>Another feature that I would like to see in a master bath: a silent mini-refrigerated drawer for storing cosmetics. </p>
<p>BunsenBurner, I never thought of that - what a great idea! While I rarely wear makeup, it would be heavenly in the hot months to have chilled spray perfume, chilled toner, chilled moisturizer, etc. We do have a wine 'frig in the master suite sitting room. I wonder what dh would say if I removed the bottom rack and used that shelf for perfume?</p>
<p>I’ve read on the GardenWeb forums about people installing warming drawers in their bathrooms to store towels and robes. I prefer heated towel racks instead, mainly because even in summer they’re nice to help quickly dry towels, swim suits, etc.</p>
<p>The idea of heated floors is intriguing–but how do yo fix them if there is a malfunction?</p>
<p>Ellie - If time permits, let us know how the renovation is progressing. </p>
<p>I second the idea of an outlet in a shelf or drawer inside the cabinet. This is not allowed by permit, so if you are getting a building permit, it kind of has to have the wiring hidden in there during the inspection and then they can put in the plug. I had a multiple outlet bar placed on the side of the cabinet above a pull out shelf. All the stuff is plugged in there with an on/off switch and GFCI breaker. I just pull out the shelf, choose hair appliance, turn it on and go!! I even have the hot rollers plugged in and I can pull them out, place on the counter and they are ready to go. </p>
<p>This needs to be designed for the top shelf, and, if at all possible make it a pull out style shelf.</p>
<p>No cords running across the sink/countertop.</p>
<p>We added outlets in places where the electrician refused to add them (long story, Mr B co-wired our house when it was being built). To pass the inspection, the outlet had to be covered with a wall plate so there are no wires of any kind sticking out. We still have a wall plate in the ceiling above the formal living room waiting for a ceiling fan. </p>
<p>Who knew there were so many shades of white?</p>
<p>I use Benjamin Moore’s alabaster (876) for anything white. It looks surprisingly pink on the cards, but it goes with everything.</p>
<p>today I was looking at tiles for floor, shower, etc…</p>
<p>mathrmom, I have used BM’s alabaster before too. It really does go with just about anything.</p>
<p>I will have to remember that, mathmom! Mr B can’t tolerate anything but white on the inside walls, so I’m always on the lookout for another shade of white. </p>
<p>Also considering an upcoming bath remodel in preparation for a future (5-6 years) sale of the home. Ours will be in the guest/kid’s bathroom. When we bought the house (3 beds/2.5 baths) 17 years ago, we just added new floors, painted and moved in. It’s a very basic bath–single sink, tub with shower (curtain) and hardwood flooring which has held up amazingly well. After we redid the Master bath, DD usually just used our shower so the flooring hasn’t had to cope with water coming out of tub/shower over too many years. She is now done with school and on her own, so the remodel really is focused on resale down the road. However, she does look forward to using a newly remodeled bath when she visits!</p>
<p>I’m thinking the remodel should suit a young family, meaning we should leave the tub (the only one in the house) even though we never use it. If we took it out, a walk-in shower could be very nice but we think it would be a mistake to remove the only bathtub in the house. Agree? Leave the hardwood or replace with tile? Also, would you put in 2 sinks? Thanks!</p>
<p>You are correct; I would never remove the only tub in the house. I personally like tile in a bathroom. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>In my market, buyers would expect both a luxury tub and shower. In fact, D2’s bathroom only has a (very nice) shower, and she was disappointed about that.</p>
<p>Quick question–the contractor I am working with has asked whether I want to tile the bathroom walls all the way up to the ceiling, or only half way, then painting the upper wall areas.</p>
<p>Pros or cons of either option?</p>
<p>I was thinking that all tile could be a problem if we ever needed to get into the wall to fix electrical or plumbing issues in the future even though all tile might be a nice look. I was thinking it also might look too sterile (I think we are going with 12x24 white ceramic tiles}.</p>
<p>Paint the upper area. If you get tired of the look, you can always spruce it up with a new color by repainting. With tile, you are pretty much stuck. Or you can do some of those tiny colorful glass tiles all the way to the ceiling on one of the walls - above the vanity. </p>