Is the “most intimate room of your home,” as described by owner of The Bath Remodeling Center Nikki Fella, a spathroom? If not, it may be time to invest in turning your sterile or squeezed-for-space bathroom into your personal spa-like sanctuary.
Not only does a bathroom transformation represent the highest return on investment you can make in your house, but a quality bathroom remodel will last you 20 years. While many homeowners only remodel prior to selling, Fella says the time to enjoy a bathroom upgrade is now. An ideal remodel incorporates your own style and tastes while remaining timeless enough to appeal to others, which comes down to “making it your own but not just yours” with the support of a knowledgeable expert.
At The Bathroom Remodeling Center, which Fella refers to as a “one-stop shop,” the entire process is streamlined to take just two weeks compared to the typical 4–6. This is because Fella has an in-house team and doesn’t subcontract; work inside the client’s home doesn’t even begin until all the materials are delivered. As Fella holds a degree in interior design and a general contractor license, homeowners get both artistic inspiration and practical results from a single person and her “tried-and-true” crew.
We recently caught up with Fella at her impressive Cary design center, where she showed us some of the latest bathroom trends.
Earth tones are having a major moment, with gray finally bowing to warmth. “We’re seeing more natural finishes and neutral colors,” says Fella. While marble and stone remain timeless favorites, the focus is on a calmness and comfort that helps people feel grounded and at peace.
Complementing neutral and natural are bold tiles, with blues and greens coming in strong. The beauty of the home spa trend is that tile can be switched out without impacting the overarching mood.
Brushed gold fixtures are a softer and what Fella considers “much more palatable” alternative to polished brass.
Wallpaper is also making a comeback, and texture is “big” — with accent walls boasting pops of color or vertical waterfall tile, as opposed to yesteryear’s horizontal detailing, making a statement in an otherwise neutral palette.
Storage, particularly open shelving, is increasingly popular and useful. Linen closets are being customized and redesigned, and even medicine cabinets now look and function as contemporary wall mirrors that just so happen to also offer hidden storage space.
It takes up a lot of real estate in a bathroom, so removing the tub is a popular move. For people who aren’t ready to do without, freestanding is the way to go. The days of oversized and multi-jetted tubs are down the drain.
In their hefty place: oversized showers with larger tiles in timeless marble. (Who doesn’t want fewer grout lines and less upkeep?) Open-concept systems, or wet/dry rooms, are expanding the shower space and, thanks to the inclusion of frameless design and roomy benches, ensuring a thoughtfully planned relaxation spot.
Statement pieces are found in the form of lighting. Sterile is out and sumptuous is in, with grand sconces and chandeliers punctuating the soft space with elements of refined luxury.
Wood finishes showcase the earth tones (no longer thought of as just beige, taupe, and brown) that wash the room in warmth and comfort, with painted cabinets on the decline.
If you’re not ready for a comprehensive remodel but still want more of a spathroom feel, focus on the walls. Paint is, according to Fella, “the biggest thing you can do to change a bathroom.” Replacing light fixtures and towels and introducing texture in the form of design accents can also significantly impact the feel of the space.
So, whether you’re ready for a full in-home spa or just want to add a few serene touches, think neutral and natural.
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