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One of the many benefits of self-building is that it offers the opportunity to create a bathroom that most people could only dream of. However, with so many luxury options available on the market, making decision on which products are best suited to a home can become a nightmare. A useful insight into what other people deem to be the desirable bathroom features has been unveiled within research findings by online bathroom retailer ukBathrooms.
Whether it’s due to the current economic condition, or just a lifestyle shift, at home spa experiences seem to be growing in popularity, with men and women regularly choosing to pamper themselves within the walls of their own homes, rather than splashing the cash on attending a local spa or beauty salon.
Over 1000 homeowners aged 18 and over were asked if they would like to recreate the spa experience in their own home. Those who answered yes were then asked: “If money was no object, what at home spa features would you have in your dream bathroom?” They then chose from an extensive list of bathroom spa features to reveal which are the most popular.
Research findings
An outstanding 65% of the participants would love to have a hydrotherapy/whirlpool bath. With prices ranging from £200 - £5000, these baths are perhaps not the most unobtainable option on the list but they were by far the most popular choice by respondents. Over 27% of woman and 25% of men selected to add this feature to their dream bathroom.
Ranked in second place was the sauna/steam shower with 55% of participants dreaming of their own – 20% of women's votes and a slightly higher 25% of men’s. A steam shower does attract a higher price tag but features an enclosed shower cubicle that includes a steam generator to produce heated water vapours to fill the cubicle.
The respondents for this survey really seemed to appreciate the benefits of a good shower as the third most popular feature was a massage shower, with 46% opting for this. These showers feature a range of jets, which as the name suggests, massage the user to provide an invigorating shower experience.
38% of participants dream of their own sensory shower with lights and aromatherapy, whereas 28% wanted a home foot spa.
Commenting on the results of the research, Peter Gregg, Director of ukBathrooms.com, says: “Visits to a spa can be pricy, especially if you like to visit frequently, so it’s no surprise that people would love to recreate this experience themselves at home. Initially the outlay would be expensive, however over time the cost benefits would out way this and of course the availability of spa features such as a whirlpool bath or sauna or steam room whenever you want without leaving the house.”
Most people aim to create a bathroom experience that allows you to feel refreshed and energised in the mornings and encourages relaxation and the ability to unwind in the evenings.
The bathroom is one of the few rooms in the home dedicated to solitude – some might go as far as to call it the last personal sanctuary. Whereas the bath is considered a place of lengthy relaxation, showers are known to be more practical, especially when time limitations are a factor. However, time constraints needn’t affect this idea of the bathroom’s power to rejuvenate as technological advancements in both shower and bathtub design have shifted attitudes.
Relaxation and rejuvenation
Peter continues: “When you consider relaxing after a long day, listening to the fizz of bubbles as water jets help massage away your stress and strains from that day, it is easy to understand why whirlpool baths came top of the list. Having the convenience of a sauna or steam shower at home would save you a trip to the spa or gym, so you can understand why these were popular for the research participants.
“There are a wide range of spa bathroom features available on the market. In my experience, massage showers provide the most popular and cost effective choices for many families. If you are remodeling with a bigger budget then consider a whirlpool bath over a standard bath to get that spa feeling at home. Whirlpool baths are wonderfully relaxing, and again, benefit the whole family. However, if money is no object then installing a steam room or sauna in your bathroom can be the ultimate touch of spa luxury at home.”
