D.C. bathroom upgrades look spa-like
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Illustration: Natalie Peeples/Axios
D.C. homeowners are among those thinking about wellness when they renovate their bathrooms.
- Organic materials, a bathing setup near a window and large showerheads are just a few ways locals are making bathrooms more luxe.
Why it matters: As more people make home design choices in the name of wellness, bathrooms are getting more spa-like, which could have mental health benefits.
Zoom in: When D.C. residents upgrade their bathrooms, they consider adjusting everything from plumbing fixtures and lighting to toilets and shower stalls.
What they're saying: Now, "everyone seems drawn to a shower that is light and open. … Gone is the expectation of any privacy between the shower and the rest of the [bathroom]," Dale Overmyer, owner of Overmyer Architects in D.C., tells Axios.
Zoom out: When removing a bathtub, 78% of U.S. homeowners enlarge the shower, according to a 2022 Houzz trend report
- And "larger walk-in showers" tops the list of desired bathroom features — with 60% of respondents interested — per a national survey by The American Institute of Architects.
By the numbers: During a bathroom renovation, more than three in four homeowners incorporate premium features, per Houzz, such as:
- Rainfall showerheads (52%)
- Dual showers (19%)
- Body sprayers (16%)
- Thermostatic mixers (13%)
- Mood lighting (8%)
This Georgetown bathroom has taken tranquility to the next level with generous space, a simple color palette and several shower sprayers.
- The project cost an estimated $75K, according to Overmyer.
"Keeping things neutral and visually peaceful and calm [helps make for a] spa-like experience in your own home," Overmyer says.
- Intentional details like handmade tile can keep "your eye entertained" and speak to "a narrative of something older and creative."
Go deeper: New home trend: Spa-like showers