Big Showers are a Big Priority for Today's Homeowners

According to the 2015 Houzz Bathroom Remodelling Survey, which polled over 3,000 homeowners who are currently or have just completed a bathroom renovation, more than two-thirds of those surveyed are increasing the size of their shower space. Of those homeowners, nearly one-third are increasing the size of their shower by at least half or more.

Bath design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Design

"Monarch has seen the trend in bathroom showers growing over the last few years," says Monarch designer Amanda Willson-Suppa. "Today's shower designs are not just larger but more luxurious, as well! The shower has become a key feature in the design...a wow factor."

Monarch clients are choosing for their showers to be their oasis. Many are even steering away from having a large soaker or whirlpool-style tub. "Instead, their opting for a single larger shower, inviting luxury into their everyday instead of waiting for when they have the time to take a longer soak in the tub."

Bath design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Design

Aging in place continues as a priority for many of the Baby Boomers surveyed in the Houzz poll, with accessibility features such as grab bars, curbless showers and shower seats making their way into the majority of the bath designs.

Bath design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Design

Bath design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Design

Bath design by Monarch Kitchen & Bath Design

Stay in Your Home Longer with an In-Home Elevator

Aging in place – the ability to live in one’s own home safely, independently and comfortably – has become an increasingly hot topic among homeowners over the past decade.

Baby boomers who have struggled to find a place for their aging loved ones to live safely are realizing that planning ahead for their own retirement and future health challenges is a priority. For many, the planning has changed from downsizing or moving into a seniors’ complex, to aging in place in order to stay safely in their home longer.

And why not? If you consider the amount of time, money and love homeowners put into their homes over the course of their lifetime, doesn’t it makes sense to further invest in adapting your living space instead of planning a big move?

As we age, navigating stairs become one of the biggest hindrances to aging in place. And while chair lifts are a viable solution, residential elevators are fast becoming a popular choice in the homes able to accommodate them.

If adding an elevator to your home seems like an outrageous expense, consider the cost and stress involved in finding a new home and the stress and expense of the move itself.

At Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre, aging in place is a topic we all hold dear to our hearts. Having the ability to make our clients’ home function for them regardless of their age and physical abilities is something each member of our design team strives for.

From something as simple as installing grab bars during a bath renovation to arranging for a design and renovation to include an elevator, Monarch is able to help you in all of your home renovation needs. Our goal is to help our clients stay in their home as long as they are comfortable.

To learn more, call Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre today at 905-686-2001 to discuss your design and renovation needs.

Addressing the Need for Kitchen and Bathroom Design Solutions for "Aging in Place"

As the "baby boomer" generation approaches the age of retirement, their need to downsize or retrofit their existing homes has become a priority.

Lessons learned from watching their own parents deal with the challenges of getting older and finding a safe place to live has no doubt inspired the "aging in place" movement.

From the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC): Impacts of the Aging of the Canadian Population on Housing and Communities
(2008) [Research Highlight]

“There will be profound changes in the age structure of the Canadian population over the next 25 years. These changes will transform our communities and significantly affect housing. Population aging is taking place in a society that is being reshaped by a range of remarkable demographic and socio-economic trends. These include changes in family size and structure, increasing numbers of immigrants with family traditions very different from those of earlier generations, a growing number of persons living alone and new urban dynamics with increased concern for sustainability in the face of urban sprawl.

Other significant trends include the intent of many of today’s near retirees to continue working beyond the traditional retirement age, the increasing participation by women in the workforce and the tendency of young adults to stay longer in their parents’ homes.

An aging population will change the pattern of housing needs and preferences, alter the nature of the demand for services, change transportation requirements, accentuate the need for making communities more responsive to people with disabilities and challenge existing neighbourhood design and community planning practices.

The increasing desire of seniors to “age in place” (that is, to continue to live in their current home and familiar community for as long as possible, even if their health changes) will have major policy implications for housing and communities. It will create a need for housing adaptations and other supports; for more innovative housing options; and for planning and zoning changes.”

At Monarch Kitchen and Bath Centre, we understand the challenges involved in designing a home which allows you to "age in place." Kitchen and bath suppliers such as Kohler do, as well.

Below are two videos which illustrate some of the options available to help you live safely in your home for as long as possible. If you're considering renovating your home as you age in place, drop by our Pickering showroom or make an appointment with a member of our design team by calling 905-686-2001.

Universal Kitchen and Bath Design Ideas from Kohler

As a large percentage of our population approaches retirement, more and more kitchen and bath suppliers are offering not just practical solutions to staying in your home longer, but stylish ones as well.

In these videos from Kohler, Carol Schalla and Cynthia Leibrock offer suggestions on how to stylishly incorporate universal features into your kitchen and bathroom.

Videos courtesy of Kohler.

Bathroom Design Inspiration: Walk-In Shower Wet Rooms

Photo courtesy of Duravit

Looking for the ultimate way to add the luxury of a spa to your bathroom?

Discover the latest European design trend now making a mark in North America: the walk-in shower wet room.

Walk-in shower wet rooms are bathrooms designed to function as full-room showers. With minimal use of materials, the bathing area is not segregated from the rest of the room by walls, enclosed stalls or even lips to step over. Instead, the shower is level with the rest of the floor, making the entire bathroom area easy to access and clean.

Ideal for North America's aging population, this open-concept shower experience can be made even more user-friendly and address accessibility and mobility issues with the installation of benches and handrails. In keeping with its sleek, modern design, toilet screens or separators are usually transparent and the entire bathroom area is intended to operate as a single space.