Bathrooms now a center for style

Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The bathroom is often considered a less important part of a house. Because it is not so exposed, many think they do not need to spend extra effort on their bathroom.

However, times are changing.

Architect Sammy Hendramianto of Grahacipta Hadiprana design consultant said that for many people, the bathroom has become their favorite room compared to the dining room -- because they often eat out -- or the living room, because spending time in this room has become more and more of a luxury.

In fact, many people seek professional help to design their bathrooms to reflect their preferred style.

Like other parts of the house, a bathroom can be designed with a different theme, starting from ethnic, modern, minimalist or classic.

Some people design their bathrooms to get the most out of their morning bathing ritual and to allow them, in order to save time, to cope with their daily activities.

Busy people make sure they do not miss the latest information every morning by adding a newspaper shelf, a radio and even a television set to their bathroom.

People are now aware that bathing can be a relaxing experience, especially after a stressful day at the office. A bathroom is now not just about taking a refreshing shower or a cool dip in the bathtub, more people are also installing home spa cubicles and jacuzzis.

These people also realize that atmosphere plays a role. Many house owners also incorporate soothing natural elements in their bathrooms, like indoor plants and some even establish a "mini garden" in theirs.

Variations can be limitless, depending on one's creativity and budget.

Sammy said bathrooms, even small ones, must have a shower or a water basin, a toilet, storage space (like a shelf or drawer to store clean towels and other bathroom essentials) and good ventilation for proper air circulation.

He said it is advisable to keep the bathroom dry by separating the wet and dry areas. This is why, he added, using a shower is better than having a water basin.

"A shower is usually accompanied with a curtain to prevent water from splashing over to other areas," he said.

A bathroom, at its smallest, usually measures 1.5m by 1.5m, and is divided by a curtain into a 90 cm width wet area. The rest is for the dry area. A toilet is placed in the dry area near the door. A shelf can be hung right on top of the toilet and a mirror can be placed in front of the shower or the toilet.

A bathroom needs to be equipped with a towel rail, a roll of toilet paper and a mat.

A larger bathroom can include other items such as a bidet (installed next to the toilet), a bathtub, a washbasin and a separate shower cubicle. While spacious ones can have twin washbasins (for couples) with a mirror or a vanity (a cabinet with a washbowl set on top), a jacuzzi and a wardrobe.

Sammy said the most common mistake made when designing a bathroom is the failure to include storage, leaving the washbasin or vanity unorganized, cluttered. People also often forget to install proper ventilation to enable steam and humidity to escape from the bathroom and fail to suitably place bathroom objects, for example installing the bidet away from the toilet or placing toilet paper out of reach.

The best material for the wall and floor in wet areas is ceramic tiles, because it is easy to clean and maintain, while elegant and durable marble is best for the dry area. And as larger bathrooms retain less humidity than smaller ones, it is also possible to line the floor with wood.

Imported materials, Sammy added, may not be suitable because they are not designed to fit local conditions, like local water -- which is corrosive -- and the constant humid climate. He also advised against the use of natural stones, unless for accent, because they tend to retain dust and water, which may give an unclean appearance.

While stressing that monotonous colors should be avoided, Sammy encouraged people to create a style by blending darker colors with paler hues to create balance.

People may refine their bathrooms by embellishing them with paintings, beautiful lamps, ethnic objects, indoor plants and other ornamental items that fit the theme.

As for the lighting, a planned lighting arrangement can enhance the atmosphere.

"Instead of using one bright light, you can use soft lighting in strategic spots like near a mirror, near a painting to highlight them. An interesting lamp can also be placed as a decoration. It gives a romantic atmosphere," Sammy explained.

Proper maintenance is very important, the basic key is to keep the bathroom dry. Sammy said that corrosive water in Jakarta can stain marble, corrode steel and cement.

"Make sure to keep the bathroom clean, including the console or vanity top. Ceramic bathroom floors can be regularly cleaned using detergent," he said.