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Planning your dream bath? How exciting! At the same time, we know there are so many decisions to make, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed. Where to begin?
For advice, Mr. Steam reached out to bath (steam) expert Cara Highfield at Kenny & Co., Nashville, TN. who shared ten great points she likes to raise for discussion with her clients.
Cara has plenty of experience helping homeowners personalize their bathrooms at the spectacular Nashville bath and tile boutique that has local architects and designers buzzing.
In our informative chat about baths, bathrooms and steam showers, here's are the 10 tips she shares for planning your dream (steam) bathroom:
1. Define your goal for your dream bathroom.
Cara suggests thinking of your new bath as an escape rather than simply a utilitarian space. Perhaps you’ve visited a spa on vacation? What made it special? Most likely it was the serene environment. How would you like to bring this feeling home?
2. Target your bathroom investment.
As the economy comes back, it makes sense to put money into your bathroom and invest in relaxation, Cara says. But make sure the bathroom functions for the way you like to relax. It should uniquely suit your personal needs and lifestyle. Be realistic about your daily rituals.
You might fantasize about soaking in a bath every day. And for some women, that is a reality. But if you’re a get-in-and-go type, ask yourself if that is realistic? “It takes 15 minutes to fill a tub, then you feel like you have to spend 30 minutes in it since you’ve used all that water. Then you have to clean up afterwards,” Cara notes. The point is to be honest about your lifestyle.
3. Decide how much time you really have to relax in your bathroom.
For many people Cara has found a steam shower is the quickest and most efficient way to achieve relaxation everyday in just ten minutes. And if they have Mr. Steam’s iGenie Remote by their bed, all they do is wake up, push a button and, voilà, the steam shower is ready for an energizing spa session by the time they've had their coffee.
4. Balance out the tub and shower for your dream bathroom.
Many people yearn for a deluxe shower but end up with a tub either for looks or for resale. “We always suggest a tub in a master bath. I love to put in an air bath and a huge steam shower, but not everyone can do that,” says Cara.
“As long as there is a tub in a secondary bath, you’re okay. Larger showers, especially steam showers with all the bells and whistles, are a huge up-sell for a house. And you can keep the steam unit even if you redo the bath later. For many people, a steam shower gives them the biggest bang for their buck.”
5. Weigh the water consumption: bath vs. steam shower?
A large whirlpool can consume a whopping 70+ gallons of water per use, whereas a steam shower uses a miserly one gallon of water per session. So steam is a guilt-free indulgence.
6. Don’t assume a steam bath is out of your price range.
People may think steam is beyond their budget, but it’s become more affordable now, Cara points out. For example, a basic Steam@Home for a 3x5 shower enclosure is as little as $1,250 plus installation.
Steam really is an attainable luxury for a dream bathroom.
7. Consider his and her needs for your dream bathroom.
Men love steam, Cara has found, especially the new high tech controls like the Mr. Steam iSteam. They gravitate to it because it’s clean, up-to-date and easy to work with.
In fact, she finds men pushing for steam and using it as a bargaining tool with their wives, as in ‘you can have your bathtub if I can have my steam.’ Sounds like a great compromise.
8. Think beyond relaxation: steam offers many benefits!
Many people don’t realize the overall health benefits that come with steam, Cara notes. While the main attraction for many is relaxation, there are a host of other benefits such as helping breathing problems, easing cold and sinusitis symptoms, opening up passageways, improving sleep, boosting energy and improving the skin.
In fact, Mr. Steam, Feel Good, Inc., has identified 40 benefits of steam! Steam showers are part of a healthy, feel-good lifestyle.
9. Personalize your steam bath experience.
Everyone enjoys music in a shower, with or without steam, and today the Mr. Steam AudioWizard provides a new and enhanced audio experience. With Bluetooth, each user can sync their playlist and have control over their own music. “That’s huge,” says Cara. It pairs up to eight audio devices and up to four speakers. Unlike some other systems, it plays full stereo sound.
Other options for personalizing a steam shower include Mr. Steam accessories that enable users to choose aromatherapy and chromatherapy to fit their individual mood. Need to relax? The scent of lavender may help. Low on energy? Red light could be the ticket.
10. Look for ways to simplify the dream (steam) bath process.
A full-service boutique showroom that also offers tile such as Kenny & Company can help you or your architect, designer or contractor create the whole steam shower, including correctly sizing depending on the shower enclosure material.
Experienced showroom experts can specify the best location for all the components from steam heads to benches, lights, speakers and more. Plus, their detailed drawings minimize any jobsite questions. (To find an experienced showroom near you, click here.)
Another way to simplify the process is to select control packages or spa packages for one easy purchase, Cara points out. For example, Mr. Steam offers the iDream Spa Package, iButler packages and MS Butler packages. They are a simple and cost-effective way to have all the elements of a steam spa coordinated for your individual needs.
Ultimately the most important element in your dream (steam) bath is you, your lifestyle, your needs, your desires, your wellbeing. We say, own it!
