Go with the Flow
Save money, add space and simplify morning routines with an updated bathroom
Image courtesy of Kohler's Expanse Curved Apron Bath
Leave those detailed instruction manuals in the kitchen - bathrooms are supposed to be relaxing. With conservation and comfort leading the way, the hottest non-negotiable trends for today's bathrooms require little effort.
Striving for the Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense seal, "new toilets have high efficiency flushing without sacrificing function," says Ellen Tesauro, owner of All Decks and Improvement in Wayne, N.J. American Standard's Cadet 3 Concealed Trapway toilet flushes with 20 percent less water (1.28 gallons compared to the standard 1.6 gallons). The H2Options toilet has dual-flush functionality - one flush option removes liquid waste and the other removes solid waste. "This toilet consistently rates well in product tests. Consumers don't have to give anything up while saving water," says Gray Uhl, the company's director of design. Steer free of complicated installation with solutions like the HydroRight Dual Flush Converter, which drops into a toilet and attaches itself to existing hardware.
"This product is incredibly easy to install; you don't even need tools," says fourth generation plumber and inventor Michael Schuster. This conservation device retails under $25 and can lower water bills by up to $500. Following suit, showerhead technology streamlines water usage. Kohler's Katalyst eliminates unwanted excess spray while American Standard's FlowWise pumps 1.5 gallons per minute rather than the standard 2.5. With the FlowWise, a switch on the showerhead adjusts pressure instantly but automatically resets after each use.
Rainshowers like Moen's Envi line, Kohler's Rainhead collection and GROHE's Rainbow collection stay aligned with eco-performance standards while offering a spa-like sensation for bathers. "With very large water droplets, consumers really feel the differences in experiences," Schrage says.
"People look to get as much space as they can for their bathrooms," Tesauro says. Kohler's Expanse Curved Apron Bath adds six inches with a curved center without increasing its length. Look for curved shower rods to accompany the new shape.
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