When utilities jazz up the bathroom
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Bathroom accessories have become the means of making a style statement, writes Deepti Adlakha
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A sleek finish: Bathroom accessories are gaining more importance in terms of design now.
It is no more the showers and closets that determine the elegance and glamour of a bathroom. Bathroom accessories have gained equal if not more prominence than sanitary fittings and fixtures. Stacking and storage accessories, free standing towel rails, corner tables and storage cabinets, foaming soap dispensers, toilet roll holders, robe hooks and grab bars are some of the most common add-ons to bathrooms.
Functionality, ergonomics and safety are of prime importance in the design of bathroom spaces. Every object ought to have its specific location creating a unified feel which lends a feeling of aesthetics and relaxation. With simple details, intermingled with a play of material and colour, these elements can accessorise and personalise the space, adapted to individual life styles.
Contemporary appeal
Waterworks, a swanky store at Adyar for bath installations and accessories, has an extensive display of contemporary, chic styles to suit different design palettes. With international brands like Sicis, Devon & Devon, Rapsel and designers like Antonio Lupi under one roof, the range of options to choose from offers the possibility of mix & match and an added planning flexibility.
Mr. Abdul Hameed Khan, Partner - Waterworks, says “The world of bathroom design has gone through a complete makeover with new accessories and designer pieces emerging in the market. People are beginning to realise that these are spaces which require attention. Every object is viewed as a work of art that exudes a style statement.”
With new emerging concepts of light therapy and aroma therapy integrated into bathroom design, the possibilities are endless. Objects like Japanese tatami trays & mats, floor lamps, mirrors, attractive posters, display cabinets and vanity units are gaining increasing popularity as focal points for bathroom spaces.
“People have started recognising the necessity of one-time investment in bathroom design rather than haggle over every day issues of maintenance and fixture upgrade. The idea is to invest in good design of sound quality. The design and accessorizing of a trendy bathroom can cost anywhere between Rs. 2 lakhs to 3 crores”, he says.
All-inclusive collection range
Personnal Space, a unit of TVH Consumer Products deals in brands such as Toto, Keuco and Villeroy & Boch. The Keuco brand from Germany has collective editions which include a complete series of accessories like mirror cabinets, towel rods, shower rails, shelf brackets and levers designed and colour coordinated to blend in with their other sanitary fixtures and unify the design theme.
Mr. R Ramesh, Director, says, “The accessory price range varies across a broad spectrum to cater to specific customer profiles. There are brands with a starting range of about Rs.10, 000 and can go up to one – two and a half lakhs for select products in the niche segment.”
Maintenance and finishes
The exterior of these accessories is polished in palladium silver or stainless steel chrome - plated to offer seamless wipe-clean surfaces and minimal maintenance. Other steel finishes like mirror, polish, buffing also add variety to the range of options available. Fusion products combining glass, ceramic and metal with lacquer are the other alternatives.
Apart from international products, Indian brands such as Parryware and Hindware have also introduced a range of accessories in the market. Shower partitions with features like smooth sliding mechanism, magnetic handles and reversibility are available that can be adapted or extended to suit varying dimensions. Current lifestyles demand that bathrooms offer extra facilities beyond the purely functional.
Apart from the now common shower jet panels and Jacuzzis, ingenious trends in design include doubling the bathroom up as gym, complete with an exercise bike and rowing machine. Installation of complete home theatre systems with plasma TVs and surround sound with a dance floor built into this private retreat are some of the other ideas doing the rounds.
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