Take a cue from these 10 stylish bathroom designs, and transform this most private and indulgent of spaces into your own in-house sanctuary.
Read this and more stories in Luxury magazine, out with The National on Thursday, February 2.
pmunyal@thenational.ae
Opt for an open-plan layout
The main en suite has become a huge focal point, and is being treated as an extension of the master bedroom. While you can choose your own level of exposure, bathrooms without borders, thresholds or even door mechanisms are very popular.
"Floor-level showers flow seamlessly into the rest of the space, inviting one to walk around at leisure. Glass area separation panes may be present, but they are discreet. Basically, the space should flow well and allow for physical movement and the easy incorporation of fixtures and fittings – as well as beautiful design accessories of course," says Markus Singler, managing director of Hansgrohe Middle East.
Introduce seating elements and other unconventional furniture
Statement chairs, crystal chandeliers and opulent ottomans can share space with full-length mirrors, tall lamps and glossy bookshelvesadd to add a luxury touch to more spacious bathrooms. Even storage solutions can take the form of cabinetry that resembles furniture, such as cabinets with legs, vintage dresses and repurposed hutches.
"An elegant chair can add beauty and practicality to a large bathroom. High-end furniture can be upholstered in waterproof fabrics, which makes them ideal for pampering yourself, as well as slinging a bathrobe over," says James Taylor, group sales and marketing director of Hadley Property Group.
Design a residential spa
Residential spas are also popular among homeowners in the UAE, which is unsurprising in a hot and sandy region known for its penchant for luxury. If your tastes lean more towards a fully functional thermal spa or an ice chamber, Esadore offers a range of sophisticated solutions. The Dubai-based company has installed bespoke spa features in private residences and royal palaces across the UAE. These include saunas, hammams, heated beds and walls, steam and scrub rooms, vitality pools, ice chutes and experience showers, which can range in price from Dh30,000 to more than Dh1 million. "For people in the UAE, privacy is a luxury worth investing in. The bathroom is at the epicentre of relaxation and well-being. Creating a spa-like bathroom allows you to create your own escape and gives you a level of privacy on a regular basis," says Theodora Kioussis, managing director, Esadore International.
Technology does the trick
Technology has well and truly moved into the bathroom. Case in point: surround-sound bathtubs, motion-activated toilets, iPhone-inspired shower modules, dry speakers, water-proof televisions and automaton systems.
"One feature you should invest in is a top-of-the-line, self-cleaning rain shower with changing lights and programmable shower settings. It can uplift the whole ambience of your bathroom," says Nizam A Baki, managing partner at Purity Dubai.
Thorsten Bies, Villeroy & Boch's sales manager - Africa, India, NME, South East Europe, adds: "Technology has to be invisible if you want an atmospheric place. Visible cables, too many open sockets or too much and too bright lightning can be stressful and destroy the atmosphere."
Loos with views
High-rises and isolated villas in the UAE make it possible to experiment with all-glass walls and ceilings for an exhilarating sense of liberation.
"The use of glass in interiors can provide a real sense of liberty. A master bathroom we designed for a duplex penthouse faces a floor-to-ceiling glazed wall. Although it is impossible for anyone to see you on the 40th floor, this 'exposed' space instils a visceral sense of freedom," says Dara Huang, founder of the architecture and design practice Design Haus Liberty.
Bring the outdoors in
Introducing natural elements, such as green walls and stone counters, is a good way to create a soothing space. Markus Singler, managing director of Hansgrohe Middle East says: "Finding ways to bring the indoors and outdoors together holds strong appeal this year. The sky, foliage, earth, water, and other outdoor elements make us feel refreshed and calm – therefore natural materials, trees, and plants are encroaching ever further into the bathroom space."
Introduce a pop of art
Art is a great way to personalise your bathroom and make it more inviting. From soothing prints over the bathtub to photographs that hold sentimental value to Plexiglas-framed paintings and eye-catching sculptures, there is no wrong answer.
""Following the development of more modern printing techniques, art can now easily be incorporated into bathrooms. Display something that is not affected by the humid environment – photography reproduced directly on to acrylic is a good solution," says Alex Isaac, head of design at Morpheus London.
Create a book-matched marble feature
Accent walls lend panache to the bathroom, and book-matched marble feature walls look beautiful and have a soothing effect. The installation is made up of two pieces of marble that are chosen to mirror one another to form a V effect.
"When creating bathrooms for our ultra-high-net-worth clients, we frequently look to the world's finest hotels and spas. Marble is renowned as one of the s most luxurious materials, and provides a timeless and classic effect. We recommend book-matching marble, so that a beautiful symmetry is achieved through the continuous veining. Although it's a meticulous process, the finished effect gives the impression of an open book, with each slab matched to create a mirror image, much like the wings of a butterfly," says Alex Holden, managing director of London-based luxury-interior design firm Oliver Burns.
Opt for free-standing wash basins and bath tubs
Free-standing elements offer a lot of flexibity in terms of placement. Give your bathroom layout a twist by placing a stand-alone tub on a raised area or in the centre of your space, while basins in vivid colours and materials can lend a pop of colour.
"Bathrooms in luxury homes have now been elevated an extra level to cater to both the needs of men and women. His and hers en suites are increasingly in demand among those who require a space where their morning routines will not coincide. Thoughtful features such as separate or double basin vanity units create distinguished areas that allow a couple to simultaneously prepare for the day ahead," says Alex Holden, managing director of Oliver Burns.
Up the ante with accessories
Candles, soap dispensers, rugs, magazine stands and even fancy toilet-roll holders – the range is almost limitless when it comes to accessorising your bathroom. For added exclusivity, look to luxury materials, such as this bathroom set crafted from real horn, from the Italian brand Arca Horn available at the Caspaiou showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai.
pmunyal@thenational.ae
