A spa shower without taking bath

Read article : A spa shower without taking bath

May 16, 2008|BY ALLISON E. BEATTY

If steamy showers in an Italian marble paradise are not in your bathroom budget, don't worry. There are plenty of ways to design a luxury shower enclosure without spending a fortune.

Shower stalls have become a mainstay in many master bathrooms, as hurried lifestyles push homeowners toward efficiency in bathing. Instead of lounging around in the tub, they often pause for a few minutes in the shower. While the journey is shorter, the surroundings can be just as luxurious.

Many homeowners are looking to create a spa-like environment with multiple water jets, rain showers, steam showers, and plenty of upscale tile and stone. Home builders have taken note, rearranging floor plans to accommodate larger showers with all the fancy finishes.

The enclosure may have thick clear glass or a large opening instead of a door, depending on the desired look. These fancy shower stalls often come complete with marble or granite floor and wall tile and body spray, and a built in bench for relaxing. While it is easy to spend several thousand dollars outfitting an enclosure, there also are ways to be practical.

The first step is to think about your priorities. If you want a spa-like environment with pulsating water options, focus on the shower heads and sprayers. A water jet system with four sprays that cover most of a wall could cost $2,000 or more, but there are many fixtures that deliver a scaled-down level of luxury for $100 to $500.

Grohe, for example, has a Freehander shower unit that includes two pulsating body sprays on a pivoting arm. The unit is wall mounted and sells for about $350. American Standard has several rain shower heads, which bring a rush of water cascading down, for around $100. There also are many hand-held body sprays starting around $100.

If your top priority is the design, look beyond the builder's standard glossy 6-inch tiles to the world of natural stone. While real natural stone can cost $15 to $25 per tile, there are many ceramic and porcelain tiles with similar patterns that are priced from $2 to $12 per tile.

For an extra $200 to $500, you can add a cream tumbled marble design made of ceramic. Some people even carry that look throughout the bathroom, changing the floor tile and tile above the vanity. That type of change could cost an extra $300 to $800.

The layout of the tiles also can create a spa-like environment. "You can install larger tiles on the floors and walls," said Jeff Benach, vice president of Lexington Homes, LLC (LexingtonChicago.com) in Chicago. "By going to an 8-by8-inch tile or a 12-by-12-inch tile, it makes the room seem larger and gives it a more upscale look."

Tiles also can be installed in varying patterns to create some drama.

Many tiles are sold in groups of two or three sizes, making it easy to create a brick pattern or a random design on the wall or floor. Depending on the design, a unique wall or floor pattern might cost $200 to $500 more than a standard tile installation.

Patterns with varying tile sizes or that are laid on an angle often require more labor and materials, which increase the cost. "From an installation standpoint it's more expensive, but it's a good way to give it a custom look without spending a fortune," Benach said.

Another option is to mix in different tile colors or materials. Glass tile insets have become a hot trend and can help showcase a shower stall, said Janis Mitchell, design coordinator for 2100 Condos, a Rokas International development (RokasInternational.com) at 2100 S. Indiana Ave. in Chicago.

A clear or translucent blue glass tile can create an interesting contrast when added as a row around the shower walls. Glass tiles often are one to two inches square and also can be arranged in geometric shapes to highlight one part of a wall. They also can be used along the wall behind the vanity to tie in the sink area with the shower stall.

Another way to create impact in the shower stall is with a fancier door. Some homeowners like the crisp look of having a thick, clear glass door. "It makes a big splash," Benach said. "You can make a rich feeling bathroom without going into rich wood floors or stone floors, which are beautiful but expensive."

There are many ways to create a stunning shower enclosure on a budget. The trick is to focus on a few key areas and always keep your priorities and budget in mind.