Pardon the potty speak, however we’re discussing bogs right this moment. These are on my thoughts as a result of, to not sound too la-di-da, I simply spent every week bicycling round France’s Loire Valley and touring the excessively lavish castles of beheaded royals and different aristocracy. It clarified for me each why the French commoners revolted and simply how far bogs have come.
Whereas I walked by means of dozens of palatial bedrooms and parlors in luxurious French chateaux, I didn’t see one lavatory. As a result of. They. Didn’t. Exist.
Immediately, after all, French bogs are commonplace, however at any time when I return from any overseas nation, I thank heaven for American plumbing.
Coincidentally, I got here dwelling to seek out that Houzz Inc., the net home-design platform, had simply launched its 2022 U.S. Houzz Rest room Traits Examine, which crunched knowledge from greater than 2,500 householders who had not too long ago accomplished or have been in the midst of a rest room rework.
The juxtaposition of Houzz tallying what number of householders are putting in antifog mirror methods and twin bathe heads, whereas I’d simply witnessed how the richest French kings and queens took weekly baths from buckets was not misplaced on me. I’ll take a bed room with an ensuite lavatory over a bathroom-less citadel any day.
The report additionally confirmed that U.S. bogs are getting even higher. When you’re trying to enhance yours, the pattern knowledge matter. Anytime you embark on a house enchancment undertaking, you need it to not solely make your life higher, but in addition increase your private home’s worth.
I seemed over the 32-page report, then known as Houzz economist Marine Sargsyan to speak me by means of the findings. However first, I needed to ask: “What’s up with the bogs overseas?”
“In different elements of the world, individuals are inclined to view bogs as purely practical, whereas People assume they’re a spot to destress and loosen up,” Sargsyan mentioned.
When you’re trying to rework, right here’s what it is best to know:
Greatest shock: “Wooden is changing white,” Sargsyan mentioned. “For the longest time, white has been the dominant shade in lavatory and kitchen cupboards, so we have been tremendous excited to see, for the second yr in row, wood-tone cabinetry trending up, in addition to different colours.” Whereas 32% of respondents nonetheless selected white vanities, 30% selected wooden (principally midtone), adopted by grey (14%), blue (7%), black (5%) and inexperienced (2%). “We’re nonetheless seeing white in showers and on partitions, giving that look of cleanliness individuals need.”
Fundamental motivation: The primary cause householders renovate bogs is that they’re bored with their outdated fashion (48%). The second largest driver (33%) is that the outdated room is breaking down.
Common price: The nationwide median spend for bathtub remodels jumped 13% over final yr to $9,000, in keeping with the report. The price of the highest 10% of tasks elevated 17% to $35,000 or extra.
Fashionable strikes: Greater than 80% of remodelers changed taps, flooring, showers, lighting fixtures and wall finishes. Greater than three-quarters (76%) changed their vanities. Most (59%) opted for white counters. The bulk (53%) selected pure stone akin to quartzite, marble or granite, whereas 40% selected engineered quartz, a artifical, cheaper quartz lookalike.
Model pattern: This yr, transitional fashion (a hybrid of conventional and modern or trendy) overtook trendy and modern types because the design fashion favored by 25%. Fashionable and modern types slid to 16% every. Conventional got here in at 11%, and farmhouse seems to be held regular at 5%.
Touchless applied sciences: Movement-activated bogs and hands-free taps are usually not only for airports anymore, Sargsyan mentioned. Half of respondents put in a number of high-tech options of their transformed baths. Almost two in 5 added a high-tech rest room characteristic, with notable will increase in bidets (24%), self-cleaning components (17%), heated seats (15%) and built-in night time lights (13%). Many additionally put in tankless water heaters, radiant heated flooring and antifog mirrors.
Professional assist: Recognizing that bogs are advanced areas, 85% of house owners employed a constructing skilled, and 13% employed a designer.
Most important improve: When you can’t afford a whole lavatory rework, begin with the methods. “The typical U.S. house is 40 years outdated, which is why our survey exhibits that 62% of house owners upgraded their lavatory’s plumbing and air flow,” Sargsyan mentioned. “If the methods aren’t functioning, no quantity of design will allow you to benefit from the house.”
Marni Jameson is the creator of six dwelling and life-style books, together with “Downsizing the Blended Residence.” Attain her at www.marnijameson.com.
