With an abundance of tile, porcelain and metal surfaces, a bathroom can feel downright chilly during colder months. But there are plenty of things you can do to transform your bathroom from a dash-in, dash-out icebox to a warm, inviting retreat.
SEAL IT UP
If you haven’t already, take the chill out of your bathroom by properly winterizing the space. Seal around any leaky windows with silicone caulk or weather stripping.
Plantation shutters, or a variety of other window coverings, create another layer of insulation between you, your windows and the elements.
Tour this entire custom home build west of Loveland in the “Buckhorn Canyon Custom” blog series.
If you live in an older home, it might be time to replace your single-pane bathroom windows with new energy-efficient options.
See this Old Town Fort Collins whole house renovation in “Cozy Craftsman Cottage.”
ADD MORE HEAT
Beyond traditional heating systems and showers, try adding more sources of heat to your bathroom.
A steam shower surrounds you in warmth by capturing moist heat for a spa-like effect.
Explore the complete renovation of this Windsor patio home in “Modern Luxe Remodel.”
Just remember that steam showers require floor-to-ceiling waterproofing that includes a ceiling with an impervious membrane, and a good fan to exhaust all the moisture once you finish showering.
For the true heat lovers out there, consider adding a sauna to your bathroom for the ultimate experience in luxury.
View this sauna and steam shower combo in the Fort Collins renovation “Before and After: Basement Remodel Full of Surprises.”
To avoid the shock of stepping onto a freezing floor after a warm shower or bath, think about installing a radiant floor heating system.
Radiant floor heating involves a safe network of hot water tubes or electric cables (above, left) installed beneath flooring materials like tile or stone. The result (above, right) is invisible to the eye, and delightful under the toes.
Explore the complete photo gallery for this Loveland custom build in “Mid-Century Mountain Home.”
Heated towel bars – like this hard-wired, wall-mounted chrome version (above) – literally wraps you in warmth coming out of the shower or bathtub.
Take comfort and relaxation a step further by adding a natural gas fireplace to your bathroom, especially near the tub.
Check out before-and-after photos of this Fort Collins bathroom remodel HERE.
CHOOSE WARM FINISHES AND DECOR
Finally, consider adding more textural and visual warmth to your bathroom.
Thick rugs provide a warm, comfortable layer between toes and cold flooring, and plush towels or bathrobes offer physical warmth after a shower.
Although it obviously won’t affect the actual room temperature, rich wood tones and ambient lighting can make spaces appear warmer.
Using finishes and accessories in the yellow, orange or red color family – even a hint – visually adds warmth to a space.
View this Old Town Fort Collins remodel in “Historic Second Story Addition.”
Installing an accent wall in richly textured wood tiles can also warm up a bathroom.
Explore more bathroom remodeling projects in our Bathrooms gallery.
Whether you’re ready to start developing plans for your custom home, or want to reimagine the space you have with a remodel, HighCraft’s experienced design-build team can navigate every detail of the planning and construction process for projects of any size or budget. Contact HighCraft with questions or to schedule a free consultation.
