Minimalism and modernity are the staples of contemporary design. With this kind of design comes numerous functional upgrades as well. And, while many homeowners tend to make updates to their kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms first, the bathroom may very well be the room that can benefit most from technological advancements.
There are a number of upgrades that can be made to your bathroom to make it more contemporary. These make use of new technologies that could save you time, money, and work.
Tankless Water Heater
These are also referred to as “on demand water heaters”, for the fact that they quickly heat cold water on the spot as opposed to continuously heating it 24/7 the way regular water heaters do. As a result of this, tankless water heaters consume up to 30% less energy. Not only does this ensure you’ll save money on your water and heating bills, but it keeps your conscience clean with its eco-friendliness.
While tankless water heaters are best for small homes, you can install multiple if you have a larger home. And, though they cost more upfront, the amount you save on your bills guarantees a quick payoff.
With tankless water heaters, long hot showers don’t have to be compounded by guilt. Furthermore, if your water heater is kept in/near your bathroom, then tankless is an ideal choice. Tankless water heaters are significantly smaller and take up less space.
The benefits of tankless water heaters are immense, especially because they have a longer life-span than regular water heaters. Furthermore, installing a tankless water heater is a fairly easy process that most DIY-ers can take on for themselves.
Bidet Toilet Seat
The benefits of bidet toilets seats are much like those of tankless water heaters. Bidet toilet seats have been popular in Europe for a long time, but are just recently making their way into the US market. The main appeal of the bidet toilet seat is its hygienic qualities. They are much cleaner than toilet paper, and often eliminate the need for it.
That being said, a bidet toilet seat makes saving on toilet paper a breeze – especially considering the average American uses 23.6 rolls of toilet paper per year. Having a bidet toilet seat reduces toilet paper usage by 75%. Perhaps the best part about this? No more arguing with your partner about whether the toilet paper flap goes over or under. Additionally, lack of toilet paper means fewer clogs and plumbing problems.
Aside from their hygienic benefits, bidet toilet seats have many others too. They are quite sleek looking and easy to install. Just swap out your existing humdrum toilet seat, hook the bidet toilet seat to the adjacent water supply line, and plug it into the wall.
The most appealing aspects of bidet toilet seats are their many features however, from the ability to adjust the temperature of the water and toilet seat, to their built-in deodorizing abilities.
Electronic Faucet
Gone are the days when electronic faucets were just a convenience found in upscale mall bathrooms. Having a sensor faucet in your bathroom is not only a progressive and sleek touch, but it carries many advantages. For starters, it minimizes the spread of germs by eliminating the need to touch faucet handles. A much more hygienic option, it’ll certainly be a hit among your guests.
Sensor faucets also prevent you from scalding yourself with overly hot water (let’s face it, we’ve all done this). They also reduce water waste by operating on a timer, and ensure less messy moments as a result of the faucet being left on overnight (we’ve all done this one too, let’s not kid ourselves).
The only thing to note about this upgrade is that it should be installed by a licensed and experienced plumber, and not taken on as a DIY project.
Steam Shower
A sauna and shower wrapped into one? Yes, please. Make no mistake, as this is perhaps one of the most luxurious upgrades your bath can get – and it requires an abundance of space. If you are updating a large bathroom, definitely consider this addition.
An existing shower can be turned into a steam shower, but it requires extensive work. It will need to be moisture-sealed so as to keep the steam in – a job for a professional contractor and plumber. A steam shower kit can be purchased, consisting of a small generator that will need to be placed adjacent to the shower, and digital controls that allow you to activate the steam shower with the push of a button.
It usually costs about $2500 to have such a system installed, but the payoffs can be great. After a long, stressful day, a steam shower might just melt away your worries better than a bubble bath. Furthermore, steam showers can improve circulation, provide relief for aching joints, clear your sinuses during a cold, and detoxify your skin and body. If you’re into personal pampering, this is a must-have.
Updating your bathroom with the aforementioned items is not only a step toward modernization, but increased personal comfort. A bathroom with these upgrades will impress and de-stress. And, considering we spend over a year of our lives in the bathroom, we might as well make it enjoyable, right?
You might also like to read:
• Some Smart Shower Features Seem Outright Dumb To Me
• Pump Vs. Gravity Fed Shower - Which Is Better?
• The Outdoor Bathroom in the Australian Bush
Category:
