The spa bath takes a plunge

Years ago, home design professionals borrowed the spa concept from swank hotels and resorts to give the bathroom a soothing ambience, even if its occupants couldn't steal away. Now, another metamorphosis is underway.

New York architect and designer Anjie Cho has found that some clients who travel frequently no longer want to be reminded of a hotel at home. They seek more personalized style, she said.

Carolyn DiCarlo, also a New York architect and designer, agrees, saying more homeowners view the room's purpose as a place to shut the door and enjoy their own personalized daily rituals.

And although some may equate this space with excessive energy and water consumption, Los Angeles designer Sarah Barnard thinks the room has become more environmentally sensitive, particularly in California, where stricter guidelines are in place. "The bathroom can still offer a luxurious experience, but in a much more responsible way," she said.

Here's what else our trend spotters are saying, along with what's now passé:

Big windows allow more light and even fresh air when space permits, said developer Jean Francois Roy, whose new luxe AquaVita Florida condominiums make that a priority. But place them strategically when possible, near a vanity where someone applies makeup, said Florida-based Cheryl Kees Clendenon, owner of In Detail Interiors.

While white still ranks as the No. 1 palette choice, including for tile grout, more designers are suggesting variations in creams and grays. The exception — a new trend — is a touch of bolder color for a personalized look. Barnard suggests blue and purple to bring in the outdoors but says to limit the application. "Pick one dominant element in the room for the addition of color, such as one tiled wall," she said. Luxury textured finishes are gaining a following. DiCarlo suggests rich mahogany or walnut cabinetry; resin for tubs and sinks instead of cast iron or enamel, and bronze, gold and tinted glass accents. Clendenon prefers impervious materials such as natural quartz Silestone from Cosentino.

Big whirlpools that require being encased along perimeter walls are fading from popularity, since many homeowners find them a maintenance headache, noisemaker and space guzzler. But not everyone wants only a shower if there is adequate square footage. The free-standing tub, often curved, has taken off when there's sufficient space all around, although it's impractical for some seniors. Another possibility, said Cho, is a deep soaking tub for total immersion.

The notion of two-person showers generated buzz years ago, but the reality is that many simply want a large enough shower for one — and not too large, said DiCarlo. She finds that larger than 4 feet by 5 feet eliminates the warm, nestling feeling of a shower. The panoply of jets and sprays also has been scaled back, with emphasis on a big rain head for a more functional luxuriating experience, Barnard said. Cho prefers handheld shower heads, sometimes on a bar. She also likes to include a built-in bench and a niche for bathing products. And shower door hardware is being scaled back or removed, with some installing only a single fixed panel, Clendenon said. "It cuts cleaning, though it also cuts warmth, and you can't do a steam shower with it."

Creating a sleeker look, which also makes any size room look larger and pares maintenance, has spurred the popularity of wall-mounted, floating vanities rather than floor-to-counter cabinetry. This style offers another plus: For baby boomers beginning to think about aging in place, it permits greater accessibility, with room underneath to accommodate a wheelchair, Barnard said. She favors wood or faux wood materials in a light maple, birch, alder or white oak. Caveat:  A floating vanity requires good bracing; otherwise, countertops may sag, Clendenon said.

• Big, high-maintenance whirlpool tubs.

• Dozens of shower jets and sprays, some of which rarely get used.

• Harsh minimalism that doesn't feel nurturing.

• Mirrored walls that lack interest and have a cookie-cutter look.

• Vessel sinks that look great but aren't practical.