Do open, airy spaces relax you? Do you prefer an eclectic style that emphasizes both comfort and simplicity? Do you like a clean room with bountiful natural light? Well, then, you just might be the perfect candidate for a contemporary bathroom remodeling project.
With its soft lines and curves as well as its effortless blending of various design elements, the contemporary bathroom is perfect for the harried homeowner who views his or her bathroom as a retreat. The perfect antidote to a stuffy space with stodgy fixtures and outdated design elements, a contemporary bathroom renovation promises rejuvenation. In fact, spas and health centers around the world exploit this design to inspire a mood of renewal and relaxation.
Read below for a brief history of modern contemporary bathroom as well as the preferred design elements and materials for the sleekest of all bathroom designs - the contemporary bathroom.
Homeowners often confuse contemporary bathroom design with modern bathroom design. Although the two styles encourage similar design elements, the contemporary design is, indeed, quite distinctive. Part of the confusion exists in the names themselves. Contemporary design is actually more modern
than modern bathroom design.
Modern bathroom design commenced in the late 19th century, with the birth of the modernist movement in art and architecture, and remained popular well into the middle of the 20th century, before yielding to postmodernism and, in the early 1970s, contemporary design. Although it borrowed its emphasis on simplicity and clean lines from modern design, the contemporary bathroom design abandoned the strict formalism of modernism for a more relaxed style.
Today the contemporary bathroom is the go-to choice for homeowners who prefer a simplified aesthetic that can be adapted to a variety of personalities. With a contemporary design, a homeowner need not sacrifice comfort for style.
The most distinctive design element of the contemporary bathroom is the lines. Similar to the geometrical angles of the modern bathroom, the contemporary bathroom emphasizes style with clean, precise lines. In contemporary design, however, lines are meant to be simple and to highlight the fixture and the surrounding space. Imagine a sole square cabinets, illuminated by two pendant lights that reflect both the cabinets and bare rectangular floor tiles.
Speaking of space, a relatively open and uncluttered space is a key contemporary bathroom update - one that many homeowners crave. Contemporary bathrooms often take advantage of vertical space to free the floor from obstructions, and taking a cue from other parts of the house, many contemporary bathroom renovations include an open floor plan,
which minimizes walls and partitions to create a light, airy feeling.
To support this light feeling, a contemporary floor plan keeps fixtures and furnishings to a minimum. The less stuff,
the better. The less details, the better, too. Gone are the intricate curls of the traditional bathroom and the patterned designs of modernism. The contemporary bathroom renovation could easily borrow the famous design principle of the US. Navy: K.I.S.S.
Keep it simple, stupid!
Finally, with its emphasis on clean lights and bare space, the contemporary bathroom also highlights bountiful light - and plenty of natural light, when possible. Old bathrooms often have small windows. With a contemporary bathroom, the floor plan is designed to allow the most possible natural light. Inventive features like skylights or glass tubes can fill an otherwise dingy space with ample light. And if privacy is a concern, windows can always be made with translucent glass.
Contemporary Materials & Colors: Natural & A Neutral - with a Pops of Color
Perhaps as a reaction to the modern bathroom's use of manmade materials, the contemporary bathroom inspired a renewed use of predominantly natural and organic materials like wood, slate, teak, and rock - all inventive materials for a clean floor.
The modern bathroom's manmade materials might be out, but a contemporary bathroom makeover usually maintains another key feature of the modern bathroom: neutral colors. Neutrals like black, grey, and white help to ground and define the simple aesthetic. To make the contemporary look a bit different, though, don't be afraid to add a distinctive and bold color accent for a fresh and uniquely original vibe.
Kitchen Remodeling
Master Kitchen & Bath Design has set the standard for kitchen remodeling in the Bucks County area for over thirty years. A rare find in the kitchen remodeling industry, MKBD excels in both in-house design and construction. We never use subcontractors, all of our team members, from our lead designer to lead carpenter, take ownership of each project.
Bathroom Remodeling
Master Kitchen and Bath Design designs beautiful bathrooms to complement both older and newly constructed homes. For over thirty years, MKBD has distinguished itself as the leading bathroom remodeling company in the Philadelphia area. When you work with MKBD, you partner with the most innovative and skilled talent in the bathroom remodeling industry.
Finished Basements
In many homes, the basement is a neglected space, a hideaway for moldering storage boxes, discarded furniture, and outdated supplies. A remodeling project can transform your basement into a functional living space. From recreational rooms to guest suites, Master Kitchen & Bath Design excels in the design and construction of finished basements.
