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Shape is less of a problem in baths than in other rooms. But fortunately for visual appeal (and safety), most bath fixtures have rounded sides that contrast nicely to the squared-off shape of the room. Elsewhere, you’d have to make sure to include a round table or oval-backed chairs to relieve the too-rectangular aspect of windows, doors, and storage furniture. Obviously, the more drawers, divided-light windows, towels, and tiles in the room, the more rectangular and square elements there are. Balance these with cathedral-topped cabinet doors, Palladian windows, round drawer pulls, and other curvy elements. Space and form are the architect’s tools for creating balance in the largest sense of the word.
Next to injury from burns and falling, poisoning and drowning are the most common hazards to children in the bath. The powder room (sink and toilet only) or the half bath (sink, toilet, and shower stall; no tub) is a versatile addition to any home. For a few dollars, install safety latches on lower cabinets and on the toilet lid, and insist that teens be totally vigilant about keeping their personal care items stashed in upper cabinets. Tucked into the basement, it makes a family room or recreation room more comfortable.
Space, or voids, have a real presence; they are not just the absence of form and are especially important when creating asymmetrical balance. Form includes mass as well as shape that you can modify with visual techniques. Replace it with a clear liner or a glass door, and the mass recedes to the far shower wall. In the bath, you’ll immediately sense when space and form are out of whack (e.g., when all fixtures are on one wall with no balancing cabinetry or area of interest on the opposite wall). For instance, a small bath with a conventional shower/tub combo looks even more cramped with a busily patterned, dark-colored shower curtain, no matter how pretty, taking up most of one wall.
Universal access has come to mean not just access for people with traditional “handicaps” but increased livability for children, senior citizens, pregnant women, and others who have had to make do with uncomfortable or dangerous fixtures. Once you have the bare bones of your new bathroom determined, you can personalize it even further. Once you’ve made sure your new bath will meet your physical needs, you can go on to the fun part: choosing intriguing bathroom decor. Grab bars and wider doorways are just two universal access benefits that can make your bath more comfortable today — and through all your tomorrows. On the next page, check out some intriguing ideas about bathroom decor.
