Bathroom Design Trends

Design should evolve with a changing philosophy

,By Ted McIntyre with Designer, Ramsin Khachi

“Today’s generation is rapidly reinventing the home, and the bathroom is front and centre of that changing philosophy,” observes Ramsin Khachi.

Celebrating over 25 years of success in the GTA, Oakville-based Khachi Design Group has become renowned for generating creative solutions to problems facing the modern-day client. Noted for his timeless and customized spaces, Ramsin ensures that inventiveness, sensibility and sophistication are the foundations to his design philosophy. But design, of course is dependent upon new products and technology, and that includes the sanctuary of the bathroom.

“This once-impractical space that we’ve struggled to keep pristine is now our haven,” Khachi says. “It’s a place where we strive to live, love and enjoy with family and friends. We’re transforming our homes into personal spaces where we regularly indulge in experiences that we, at one time, ventured outside the house to find.

“As the catchphrase goes, ‘the insperience’ occurs in rooms such as home theatres, home gyms, highdesign kitchens and craft rooms, and the list goes on,” Khachi adds. “We’re not only creating these specialized rooms to give us admission to in-home experiences, we’re also taking everyday rooms and making them the best they can possibly be. In my view, this is the hottest trend—lifestyle trend, that is. Fashion trends come and go, but lifestyle trends grab hold of us and change the ways in which we live in our homes.”

OHB: What does that mean for the bathroom?

“Over the past several decades, our bathrooms have transformed from a routine functional space into retreats where we can escape from our busy lifestyles and clutch a few moments of bliss at the start or end of each busy day. This emergence of bringing ‘out-of-home’ experiences into our personal space has brought about tremendous change in bathroom design. We are moving away from the typical tub/shower combinations and creating more elaborate settings. Requests for spalike retreats, contemporary styling and especially low maintenance have soared, and the desire to be creative and think outside the box is now the standard in design.”

What new products are being incorporated into the design?

“In the past, luxurious design elements have typically been the up-sell on a project and sometimes unattainable by most. Today, these luxuries are typically standard features, from in-floor heating systems such as Schluter’s Ditra Heat or NuHeat’s nVent membrane system, to some very elaborate storage solutions. Other progressive features include new porcelain tile and slab surfaces such as Fiandre for countertops and wall cladding, striking computer-cut mosaic details, elaborate electronic shower systems such as Kohler’s DTV or Grohe’s F-Digital Deluxe system with steam, light and sound modules, and incredible in-wall storage cabinets by companies like Robern. We want bathrooms that are both stylish and functional, with usable and well designed components.”

What are the ramifications for the new home builder?

“With the advances in style and design of these rooms, we also need to embrace evolutions in new technologies as they apply to their construction. While there have been some changes to the building codes, we’ve had technological evolutions that far surpass these bare minimums. Most builders and contractors are still using methods that have been used in bathroom construction for more than 50 years. The rubber liner system is one example that is still the system of choice for most showers. That system was adequate when daily demands on showers were, at most, one or two uses per day. Today, the performance demands on these spaces are far greater than ever before. We need more reliable, long-lasting forms of construction that require minimal preservation.”

For example?

“Comprehensive waterproofing systems from companies such as Schluter are now recognized as superior methods of waterproofing that offer no-leak guarantees when installed properly, protection against mould and mildew, and they deliver non-stop performance. Add to this an entire suite of complementing products such as metal trim details, slim-line shower shelves that fit into grout lines and even colourmatched drains and accessories that make companies like Schluter a go-to for today’s contractors and designers.”

Should products or installation methods be upgraded for toilets?

“Although there are several offsets and installation standards available today, I think it makes little sense to offer more. However, updating height, bowl size and accessory standards does make sense. Traditional toilets were set too low and are uncomfortable to use. Building toilets at more comfortable heights is much more practical.

I also think that extension kits should be made available to increase the height of the toilet without having to add unsightly accessories such as raised seats. We currently manufacture custom extension kits that form to the base of a toilet and raise the mounting height to the desired level. These are ideal in homes where clients have difficulty getting up from a sitting position. What is practical is that the extension piece can easily be removed to return the toilet to the original installed height.”

Is the open wet area here to stay?

“I don’t love painting everything with a ‘single idea’ brush. There are applications where a wet area scenario is ideal, especially in bathrooms with small footprints. However, other solutions do exist such as the Duravit Open Space B shower enclosure that folds in on itself, allowing for more usable floor space when the shower is not in use. I believe creativity and innovation are paramount in creating ideal functional spaces today.”

Are there any inexpensive upgrades you can think of that can make an impact?

Several! Remove that small mirror mounted directly on the wall with clips and install a larger mirror mounted onto a ¾” MDF backer as a cleat system that allows the new mirror to appear as though it floats off the wall. A simple upgrade with large impact. Also, use commercial vinyl wallpaper for a large but economic impact. You can also replace the cheap plastic exhaust fan cover with a piece of ¼” MDF, mounted using standoffs and painted to match the ceiling.”

Do you feel consumer expectations are changing?

“I’m finding that more and more consumers are demanding value, and that’s a word defined not just by price, quality and service, but also by being left with a feeling whereby one does not reflect on what they paid for something. The concept of buying the cheapest has gradually changed to finding a reasonable deal for the best available products—products that work and last.”