Remodeling projects have surged in recent years, with homeowners opting to renovate their existing living spaces rather than purchase new ones. And at the top of the remodeling list is the bathroom, arguably the most important room in the house. After all, it serves necessary functions for health and hygiene and offers a critical space for your daily routines.
The bathroom is where you begin your morning and end your evening. It’s your personal sanctuary, your special place where you brush your teeth, take a shower, and fix your hair. It’s also an area that allows you to contemplate, decompress, and even find inspiration. Your bathroom experience sets the tone for the entire day. In fact, the average person spends about 18 months of their lifetime in the bathroom, by some estimates.
Jennifer Castile, designer and owner of Jennifer James Inc., a luxury kitchen and bath showroom in Eugene, says bathroom remodeling is an excellent way for folks to upgrade and add value to their home, and improve their quality of life.
Castile says current bathroom trends include spacious walk-in showers and steam showers with soothing features such as aromatherapy, chromotherapy (also known as color light therapy), and music, creating a spa-like experience where “you can have all your senses invigorated at the same time.” There’s also a focus on safety features such as non-slip floors, curbless showers, benches, and grab bars.
Other popular offerings include large soaking tubs, which are deeper and longer than standard tubs, and freestanding tubs that are unattached from the walls. “With freestanding tubs, there are some cool options,” Castile says, pointing to Toto weightless tubs, which are engineered to create the feeling of weightlessness to experience total relaxation.
Bathroom sinks have also changed significantly in the past few years, evolving from purely functional washing stations into stylish fixtures that emphasize technology, beauty, and sustainability. Castile cites two brands, Lacava and Native Trails, that offer a wide variety of shapes and styles. “There are lots of different options out there,” she says. “You could go for a more industrial look or add various textures, elements, and colors to your space. You can make it reflect how you feel.”
Castile, who also co-owns Castile Construction in Eugene, says that when it comes to toilets, the biggest trend is a slow-closing lid, which gradually closes by itself (and some will even slowly open when you approach). Bidets — particularly bidet seats—have also been gaining attention from consumers. The difference between a bidet and bidet seat is that the seat can be added to an existing American standard toilet.
“I would say that we’re putting a bidet seat in the majority of the bathrooms that we do,” she says. “They have heat and better flushing capability, and it’s a nice product to incorporate into your design.”
Another principal component of bathroom remodels is the cabinet above the sink. “Medicine cabinets are not just cabinets anymore,” Castile says. “They can be used for storage, and with some, you can plug in your toothbrush and other bathroom accessories.” Many new bathrooms also feature vanity storage for grooming implements and styling tools, which you can leave plugged in and tucked away for ready use.
Remodeling your bathroom also includes picking everything from flooring and tile choices to the proper decor—but the most essential design component, according to Castile, is the lighting. “Lighting is so important in the bathroom,” playing a crucial role in creating a functional and welcoming space, she says. “You need the appropriate lighting to see your face, to shave and to put on makeup, and carry out the functions we need to do.”
Castile says her clients are encouraged to experiment with colors, patterns, and textures when designing their new bathrooms, and her top priority is always about capturing their unique tastes and style preferences. “Bathrooms are intimate spaces,” she says, “and it’s important that the designs reflect people’s personalities.”
Jennifer James Inc.
1350 Chambers St.
541/554-1527
