Two's company
The new trend for twin bathrooms has taken the design world by storm, with luxurious his �n� hers zones to share...
Gone are the days when we formed an orderly queue outside the bathroom door each morning, patiently waiting for some valuable shower time. It's now the case that this area has become much more than a practical pit-stop, and the current vogue for larger-than-life wet-rooms means that modern retreats have become big enough for two. Incorporating chic side-by-side wash basins, twin showerheads and roomy tubs that are just perfect for bathing together with a loved one, you can say goodbye to the crazed daily rush hour and hello to a stylish, ample pamper zone that a couple can easily share.
Vanity pair
The rise in popularity of the larger bathroom has a lot to do with our increasingly hectic lifestyles. Crucial for cutting down on ablution time, these duo schemes combine gorgeous good looks and much needed practicality. Explains Stuart Ross Gower, Managing Director at Splash Distribution, "The fashion for doubling up on your fixtures and furnishings provides the opulence expected from a boutique hotel, in the surrounds of your home."
When planning a decor that's twice as nice, you'll definitely need to bear in mind the essential considerations of dimensions, furnishings, and,
of course, functionality. Lots of dual basins tend to be nestled together in a single unit, but don't dismiss separating them. Create maximum impact by locating these bowls each side of, or below, a window, or maybe at opposite ends of the room. However, don't forget about plumbing possibilities.
Likewise, two freestanding ones, with a distance between them, may be more suitable than one stand-alone vanity that's fitted with a pair of taps. Also, don't neglect that all-important storage - both you and your partner will require cupboards and shelves to accommodate pamper products.
Tubs for two
If you wish to make bath-time with your partner a possibility, then you're in luck. There's a host of double-ended models, designed with bathing for two certainly in mind. Including twin headrests and sculptured body contours, you'll find a sizeable tub to suit. But if you have space, why not go for separate side-by-side baths? You could create a symmetrical look that's pleasing to the eye and extremely luxurious. Two freestanding versions, perfectly placed bang in the centre of the room, might be just the ticket for ensuring a fab focal point. Says Pete Mills, Sales & Marketing Director at Aquaplus Solutions, "Such pieces offer a great level of practicality. Whilst his 'n' hers showers and matching extra-large roll-tops can help prevent squabbles over amenities, they're statements in their own right!" So, for fashion meets function, go on, double up on features within your sanctuary.
Double delight
Don't forget that your bath tubs can be further enhanced by twin fillers set against the wall or in the centre of the room. Also, if you and your partner get ready for work at the same time every morning, and fight over the facilities, it may be a good idea - space permitting - to install his
'n' hers showers. This will ensure you make the most out of the wet zone, keeping everyone happy! Consider duplicate controls as well as a pair of down-sprays housed together in one piece. Or, if you're part of a particularly close-knit couple, be enticed by a single model with an extra-large head that'll provide a downpour big enough to share. Once you've embraced the benefits of a room for two, you can rest assured your hurried daily ritual will soon be a very distant memory.
