The bathroom has long been a key room that can win buyers over in a property. As an upshot of the pandemic, difficulties in saving for deposits and pooling funds available for a property, more homeowners are looking to buy together. In turn, changing the parameters of how they need the bathroom space to work.
Sarah Evans, Head of Product Marketing at Hansgrohe UK, looks how property developers can embrace this trend and help create homes that can deliver for, and benefit, a variety of ages without detracting from both the aesthetic appeal and the overall showering experience.
For many customers, when they think long-term or about multi-generational safety in the bathroom, they may feel they will have to compromise on overall style – which simply isn’t the case. Being able to relax and enjoy the bathroom experience is something that shouldn’t, and needn’t, be restrictive. It is often the additional of practical but well thought out touches that can make the most difference here.
Selecting a thermostatic shower is a given when designing a room that will accommodate less able or multi-generational needs, to limit avoidable fluxes in temperature to provide protection against unexpected hot or cold water. However, it is possible to make product recommendations that go much further to combine aesthetics appeal and experience for all concerned.
An easily accessible shower area could transform the independence of a less-able family member and the ability of an adaptable spray pattern that can make the shower work for all skin types. Similarly, opting for push button control can make light work of selecting the showerhead, temperature and flow of the shower and enables easy bathing for those with limited dexterity. Simple graphics further maintain the intuitive use of the shower and the overall sleek style of the product.
When designing AddStoris, for instance, it was important that the finish of the hansgrohe shower or basin mixer chosen could be carried right across the room. This makes it simple to bring in functional options, such as grab rails for accessibility, but in a way that doesn’t detract from the cohesive, crisp look that ultimately appeals to buyers.
Removing water
A level entry shower or wetroom is ideal to provide the accessibility needed, yet, if not drained effectively, can also bring additional slip concerns for buyers considering purchasing with multiple generations.
However, there are options available that can help overcome this. The linear design of the latest RainDrain shower drain from hansgrohe, for instance, has a sleek design that not only adds interest to the overall look of the bathroom or wetroom design, but it can take away 60 litres of water per minute, removing excess water as swiftly and effectively as possible.
Slotting easily into the floor, RainDrain is available in multiple colourways from Polished Gold Optic to Matt Black, again allowing developers to bring this functionality in while echoing the shower finish for a cohesive finish.
Should an unobtrusive design be required, the RainDrain Rock is available, which includes a ‘cassette’ to house the same flooring as the rest of the room, again creating the seamless appearance property buyers are looking for.
Flow and power control
Being able to adapt shower patterns is something that might not immediately spring to mind when recommending products for a multi-generational space, however it can make a dramatic different when catering for multiple age groups.
Where an invigorating shower might be ideal to wake up for many, a forceful jet of water is less likely to appeal to the very young or old who may find this more uncomfortable than relaxing.
Looking out for products that allow you to alter the intensity of the water and even the droplet formation can be an extra selling point that not only looks great but doesn’t any additional hassle to the project in hand. A gentle flow of water can be selected for those with more delicate skin or changed to a massaging jet of water to suit user preference.
Hansgrohe’s Rain and PowderRain spray patterns deliver control over the intensity of the spray; ideal especially when someone is showering seated. PowderRain is The micro spray technology incorporated into many hansgrohe products, for instance, is much finer than conventional shower jets and is designed to envelop the body in a gentle cocoon of water. As it includes six-outlets per nozzle, it transforms the spray into thousands of micro droplets to imitate misty rain droplets. A press of the select button easily turns this in a more powerful Rain experience for those looking for a more invigorating showering option, while massaging jets are ideal to relieve tension or stress.
Meeting approval
Choosing products and fixtures that meet Regulation 4 of the ‘Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations’ 1999 and Scottish Byelaws 2014, should be a given, but it takes on even greater importance when it comes to specifying for multi-generational homes.
Products with WRAS, KIWA and NSF approval not only make specification simpler as they demonstrate compliance with regulation 4, but also gives the end user, extra confidence that the product is fit for purpose and has undergone rigorous testing. For example, a basin mixer, during mechanical endurance testing, is turned on and off 200,000 times, and a swivel spout turned 80,000 times. Over 1000 products in the hansgrohe portfolio feature these approvals, making specifying to meet this regulation as straight-forward as possible.
Whilst overall safety and ease of use will be most important in designing a multi-generational bathroom, customers may not want to sacrifice an indulgent, relaxing and aesthetically pleasing experience to achieve this. Being able to offer product options that can deliver on both aspects can help meet this need, without compromising on style or function.
