The bathroom is arguably one of the most overlooked yet heavily used rooms in the house. We tend to avoid anything but quick, necessary trips in there. Yet statistics indicate that throughout our lives, we’ll spend upwards of 1.5 years in the bathroom.
Given this mildly concerning fact, it isn’t all that surprising that during the many days spent at home during the Covid-19 pandemic many people are turning to the idea of remodeling their bathrooms. Gone are the days of the large, farmhouse bathroom with lots of shelving to store things though, new trends are taking over.
In today’s modern bathroom, sleek, clean, and minimal are all the rage. Energy efficiency is a bonus that isn’t just trendy but can actually save you quite a bit of money in the long run. But before you dive into a full bathroom remodel, here are some ideas to help make it the modern bathroom of your dreams.
A Minimal Lifestyle
Minimalistic and clean are the two terms that describe the style of the bathroom in the homes of any modern trendsetter. But though the idea sounds great, it can be a lot more difficult to design a modern minimalistic bathroom than you might think. For instance, where can you hide all of your towels and extra bathroom supplies?
With the right decorations and design features, anyone can manage this type of bathroom style. Some simple yet classy tips include things such as:
- Adding plants in stylish pots that match the overall theme of the room
- Consider putting in recessed cubbies that eliminate cupboards
- Create a bright room with a lot of natural lighting from skylights
- If natural light isn’t an option use trendy, simplistic light fixtures
- Use bold shapes and textures to create depth
- Capitalize on the open shower idea and avoid curtains
- Upgrade the toilet
- Install a deep sink
- Use simple white, greys, or blacks with the occasional pop of color
Not only do these bathroom ideas scream hip and stylish, but when we envision them we also can’t help but think of them as clean. Keeping bathrooms clean isn’t always easy, of course, but there are plenty of things you can do to help achieve that goal. Doing small things such as installing modern towel bars can make a huge difference.
Increasing Efficiency
Beyond modern bathroom styles, the next big thing that many people are hoping to add to their bathroom remodel is greater efficiency. For better or worse, older bathrooms can be quite inefficient, making it relatively easy to upgrade and see a noticeable difference in your energy and water bills. Things such as cleaning and replacing filters in the room are simple and can improve cleanliness, increase energy efficiency, and air quality.
Water efficiency is one of the big ones in the bathroom — in the U.S. the average person uses approximately 60 gallons of water per day. Most of this water use comes from doing things in the bathroom such as flushing the toilet or taking a shower. Small changes such as fixing leaking faucets, taking slightly shorter showers, or turning off the water while brushing your teeth can add up pretty quickly into big water savings.
Beyond water and filters, there are plenty of other things that can be done to save energy in your home. In the bathroom and other rooms in the house, these can be small things such as replacing light bulbs with LEDs, using natural lighting, and turning off the lights when you leave the room. But you can also do much larger things such as installing a low-flow toilet, change the showerhead to a more efficient one, or improve the insulation and windows in the room.
What’s Ahead
The next year is sure to continue to bring several difficulties and opportunities for us. COVID-19 has shown no signs of going away, which means that many of us are going to be spending a lot more time in our homes, especially as the weather turns. But it also means that there is that more motivation to design and install the bathroom of your dreams.
In 2021, we can expect that home trends will continue to lean in a more minimalistic direction. After all, working from home begs for the removal of clutter and a more clean and organized working environment. Additionally, bathroom trends are likely to lean towards a more natural look, incorporating things like bamboo and house plants which add a touch of color.
As we move into the new year, we have many opportunities to work towards a bathroom we really want to spend a year and a half of our lives in. Incorporating simplistic, clean, and energy-efficient designs can help reduce clutter and give your home a sleeker feel while also saving you money. As you dive into your next big project, remember, you’ve got this!
This post was authored by Sam Bowman
