Bathrooms are a Home's True Underachievers
Research shows Americans are slow to invest in major bathroom remodels,
but new products can enhance an existing bath
Judging by the myriad of magazines, decorating shows and how-to
books that assail the average homeowner, it's easy to believe that
Americans live in the lap of lavatory luxury. It's a world of gold-plated,
claw-footed soaking tubs, special steam showers and huge, double-sink
vanities in everyone's home but yours, right? ..Wrong.
While new home builders and developers know and provide what people
really want in the bath, homeowners tend to be painfully slow about
upgrading their existing baths.
A leading researcher in trends related to kitchens and baths,
says its data shows that most Americans have plenty of work to do
if they are to catch up with the bathroom ideal. For example only
14 percent of American homes' master bathrooms have a stand-alone
tub and separate shower stall. That compares with (an estimated)
98 percent of the bathrooms shown in the average home-decorating
magazine!
But it's no wonder -- more than half of homeowners report that
their master bath is less than 75 square feet in size. Also, more
than half of us shower every morning not behind a decorative etched
glass door or a marble dividing wall, but behind the common shower
curtain.
You won't see many of those advertised in the latest edition of
"Dream Baths." Too often, the bathroom plays second fiddle to the
kitchen when it comes to prioritizing home renovation projects,
according to Wanda Jankowski, editor of Kitchen & Bath Business
magazine. "The kitchen has retained and even built upon its position
as the focal point of the home and a center of both socialization
and function. But the master bathroom is still stuck in its hygienic
role and remains a private abode that doesn't get as many opportunities
to impress visiting guests," said Jankowski.
Couple that with the fact that a bathroom renovation can be nearly
as involved and expensive as a kitchen makeover and you have the
makings for procrastination on the part of otherwise conscientious
homeowners.
Research Reveals The Bathroom "Truth" Research shows that the bath
is definitely behind the times. In fact, there's a good chance that
a master bathroom will have an old-style combination shower and
tub -- a 72 percent chance if the home is more than 20 years old.
There's still a 62 percent chance of finding a tub/shower combination
in an 11- to 20-year old home.
The world is very stressful today and bath products can help you
de-stress and offer you a better quality of life. Bathroom makeovers
can increase the value of the home to both its present owners as
well as potential future buyers.
So, if you're looking through one of your favorite home-improvement
magazines wishing you had a bathroom like the ones inside, take
a fresh look at the products currently on the market that can update
your existing bath. Look for products that can provide luxury benefits
and great looks to further enhance the quality of your life, as
well as the value of your home.
Courtesy of ARA Content,
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