Wet Rooms - The Newest Trend in Bathroom Design

Have you noticed the recent wet room design trend? Wet rooms as extremely stylish and can add a contemporary feel to your home. According to Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, the formal definition of a wet room is "a bathroom in which the shower is open or set behind a single wall, its floor area being flush with the floor of the rest of the room and the water draining away through an outlet set into the floor." Wet rooms can be created from both small and large bathrooms, downstairs bathrooms, or as part of a master suite.

Photo: HGTV.com

Perhaps, a couple of reasons why the wet room has been gaining recent popularity is due to the sought-after spa like bathroom experience. Wet rooms convey luxury with their clean lines and minimal design. They also allow the free standing tubs with the chance to steal the show.

While many wet rooms have recently been found in luxury and larger bathrooms, they previously started out in lower budget and institutional settings. Over recent years, free standing tubs have become a staple in bathroom design and can perfectly complement a wet room. Free standing tubs are often complemented by floor-mounted tub fillers. These might invite some extra splashes and spillage. While this could cause concern, wet rooms have been professionally waterproofed to avoid any possible leaks leading to water damage.

One of the main challenges associated with wet rooms is figuring out an efficient way to keep certain items dry, including towels and toilet paper. One way to keep water from going everywhere is to install a frameless shower screen placed in front or to the sides of the shower. This allows the room to still feel open, while being able to keep some key areas dry. Another way to keep your wet room dry is by adding under floor heating. Adding under floor heating to your wet room is highly recommended. Not only does it mean that you will have a nice, warm floor to stand on, any standing water from showering will evaporate much quicker.

Photo: Pinterest

When planning any wet room, it is imperative to choose non-porous and slip resistant water-friendly materials. A couple of suitable materials include ceramic and porcelain. Choosing slate, marble, and limestone may not be the best choice since they are porous and would require sealing every few months to prevent water damage.

*Bonus: Although it may be expensive, a great way to create a luxurious feeling is by installing the same materials throughout the floor and run it to the ceiling.

While wet rooms can be a beautiful addition to any home, having the shower and bathtub in the same space may be a personal preference and may affect resale. If you are considering a wet room, or a bathroom remodel, please consult with a trusted contractor first. Balducci Additions and Remodeling is a well-known contractor and has been serving the metro Richmond area for over 30 years. Please contact us to schedule a free estimate.

Concrete Countertops: Kitchen Design Trend

Concrete Countertops

Renovating your kitchen and deciding on a countertop material? Want to avoid the ever popular granite countertops? You may want to consider the latest trend in kitchen design: concrete countertops. Concrete countertops are perfect for those looking for a unique design element in their kitchen renovation design.

Concrete countertops are made from a general purpose mortar mix of three parts sand to one part cement. Every concrete countertop is made in a custom made cast, making it one of a kind. They are often precast in molds to be formed and cured under controlled conditions; however, some fabricators prefer to cast the countertop on the site.

Not sure if concrete countertops can compliment your kitchen's decor? Concrete countertops can perfectly accompany industrial, contemporary, and rustic style kitchens. Concrete can be warm and rustic, sleek and elegant, or very ornate. With the endless customizations, concrete countertops can be suited for almost any style.

Customized Countertops

The main attraction to concrete countertops is that it is completely customizable. Not only is the overall shape custom made, you can also incorporate custom colors and features to make the concrete countertop true to your personal taste.

Custom Colors

Concrete countertops can come in an unlimited variety of colors and have several options of ways to dye it. Colored concrete can be created by integral pigment, acid staining, or dye. Each process creates a completely different look and style, so it is important to speak with your installer and/or project manager to help determine which process is right for you. To keep concrete countertops from looking too sidewalk-like, many installers mix in different colors with the concrete. Others simply experiment with a combination of colors and can even create stunning designs.

Built-In Features

Just as it is easy to incorporate custom color designs in your concrete countertops, it is also easy to add built-ins, such as drainboards and trivets. Instead of choosing a sink from a manufacturer, a one of a kind sink can be set in place with intricate curves and angles added to the design, making it the "wow" factor of the room.

Photo: Concrete Exchange

Personal Momentos

Personal touches can be made by incorporating personal items such as seashells, broken china pieces, coins, or glass pieces, petrified wood, or mosaic inlays.

Maintenance of Concrete Countertops

In order to ensure full enjoyment of your concrete countertop, choosing a high quality sealer is essential. There are two main types of sealers: penetrating sealers and topical sealers. While there is no one perfect sealer, it is important to address your expectations of a sealer and discuss them with your installer or project manager.

Although concrete is rugged and durable, some scratching can occur. While scratching is possible for every concrete countertop, darker colors are more susceptible. Thus, it is important to steer clear of aggressive cleaners and to avoid too much scrubbing. This can eventually wear down the sealer.

While concrete countertops may be considered trendy, we don't expect them to go out of style in the near future since they are an overall neutral material. Not only is concrete becoming a popular countertop material, it is also gaining popularity in other parts of the kitchen and in the bathroom. Concrete is being used as floor tiles in the kitchen, and as a seamless vanity top in the bathroom. The possibilities are endless when it comes to concrete.