| The bathroom is no longer an out of sight out of | | | | jumping in on the bandwagon in droves and this |
| mind room. When homeowners are building new | | | | growing trend has even been legislated at the state |
| houses these days, they are now asking their | | | | level. Look at how many green cleaning products that |
| architect and designer to give new thoughts on how | | | | have recently come onto the market. Low-flow |
| to personalize their bathroom space. They want | | | | shower heads, automatic sensor activated sink |
| bigger bathrooms with more compartmentalization for | | | | faucets and ultra-low flush toilets are just a few of |
| different tasks, the master bath being the epiphany | | | | the new energy efficient fixtures and appliances |
| of this newly expanded identity. In here we can now | | | | available to us. |
| find side by side his and her sinks, walk in dressing | | | | And with the graying of our nation comes issues of |
| rooms, steam showers and even exercise equipment. | | | | health and safety in the bathroom. Grab bars, |
| There is also a more profound move towards freer | | | | wheelchair access, wider entrances, higher toilets, |
| mixing of materials and styles with an increase in the | | | | seats in showers and tubs have fostered a whole |
| use of elevated ceilings and a wealth of fine detailing | | | | new category of bathroom accessories and fixtures |
| in decor and cabinetry. There is also a re-interest in | | | | to provide an easily accessible and barrier free |
| the past with the reinvention of antique fixtures and | | | | bathroom environment to meet the needs of this |
| fittings treated with an enormous variety of new | | | | growing segment of our population. |
| styles and finishes. And let us not forget about the | | | | The most widely encompassing trend is aesthetics. |
| emphasis on artificial light along with a new | | | | No longer are homeowners satisfied with just |
| expression and creative use of natural light in the | | | | functionality, they want it to look good and trendy as |
| form of skylights, glass blocks, bay windows and the | | | | well. They feel that they deserve the best and are |
| reemergence of curtains as opposed to blinds to add | | | | demanding when it comes to creating that perfect |
| a sense of serenity and opulence to any bathroom. | | | | bathroom enclave away from the stress of the rest |
| Maybe it's the graying of the yuppie generation, who | | | | of the world. Quality and longevity are also at the |
| were once into peace, love and saving mother earth, | | | | top of their list because everyone wants to get a |
| but there has been an increasing momentum toward | | | | bang for their buck, especially in these trying |
| going green in the bathroom and manufacturers are | | | | economic times when we have to make things last. |