Bathroom design comes clean with the times

Maria Endah Hulupi The Jakarta Post Jakarta

Time was when the bathroom was considered an ultra-private area, rarely mentioned and built at the back of the house to be kept away from prying eyes.

Dark and dank, it was not a room that got much attention except for the daily bathing needs of the family.

Fortunately, changing attitudes have led to the bathroom's recognition as a part of the home that should be functional and thoughtfully designed.

The shift has come with a growing awareness among house owners for the need of the bathroom to complement a well-designed home that reflects the owner's lifestyle.

And the switch to dry bathrooms here -- instead of having wet floors from traditional bathing methods and other uses -- is more practical and requires less effort at keeping clean, according to an architect with Arkitekton Lima Pratama architectural firm, Chiquita Pitono.

Another plus is that a modern bathroom can be designed even for a limited space.

"Basically, a bathroom should accommodate basic functions and grooming activities, like a toilet with a hand-held spray right next to it, a wash basin and a shower. But if the space allows it, other items can also be added to meet the owners' lifestyle," she said.

A small cabinet can be installed under the wash basin for storing clean towels or keeping other bathing and grooming necessities like lotions, soaps, shampoos or toothpaste.

To ensure water does not wet the floor, the shower area can be separated by setting up a cubicle or using a shower curtain and a bathmat.

"This type of bathroom is very functional and an owner of such a practical bathroom usually uses it only for bathing purposes and they are not likely to spend a long time in it," the architect said.

A larger bathroom can have both a shower and a bathtub with a bench in one corner to allow the owner to sit while cleaning their feet, for instance.

"The bathtub has now become one of the features of even a simple master bathroom," she said.

Apart from the basic features, a spacious master bathroom can also house a separate wash basins, a whirlpool, a sauna, a shower -- all in one place located right next to a walk-in dressing room.

Today, the bathroom is no longer a place where people make a perfunctory visit to "take care of business". Many find it a refuge from all that is going on around them.

For others, even as they while away an hour or two in the bathtub, they still need to stay connected.

"The bathroom, for some people, is not only a facility but a necessity to pamper his or herself. Equipped with extensive functions,such a bathroom is specially designed to provide comfort and reflect lifestyle."

Communication features -- like a telephone or a speaker connected to television set or radio -- have alread found their way into bathrooms to serve the needs of busy businesspeople.

Chiquita said a bathroom, even a small one, can be designed in various styles -- modern, ethnic or contemporary. It can be set up either indoor or outdoors, according to the owners' taste.

"Owners of houses or villas that are exposed to a magnificent views like a lake, sea or beautiful rear garden usually do not want to waste the opportunity to have an outdoor bathroom that allows them to enjoy a pleasant bathing experience while relishing the soothing view," she said.