How lucky you are to design a Chicago bathroom remodel that includes a luxury steam shower. Once that shower is in use, you’ll wonder how you ever survived life with a regular ol’ shower all those years.
Ideally, this type of shower design should be a once in a lifetime experience, including all of the highest-quality upgrades your budget can handle so you benefit from the ultimate steam shower experience. The last thing you want is to close the door, kick up the steam and think, “I wish we would have installed a grab bar," or, "if only we’d thought to install a subtler lighting system…”
Consider These Features for The Ultimate Steam Shower Experience
Fortunately, we have you covered. After decades of designing Chicago bathroom remodels, and by following the recent trend towards spa-like master baths, we’re well-versed in our clients’ preferred steam shower features.
Use these suggestions to inspire your upcoming bathroom design:
The right lighting design
Candles are wonderful surrounding the soak tub, but they putter out quickly in a shower. Hence, it’s important to design a thoughtful bathroom lighting plan that includes ambience – especially in the steam shower’s location.
In addition to dimmers and softer lighting options, you can also look at lighting systems that offer colorful options – these are even offered in certain steam shower kits – to further enhance the mood.
A comfortable seating area
Comfort is the overarching theme of a steam shower’s design, right? So don't pass up an opportunity to sit down – or, if space allows, to lay down. Talk to your bathroom designer about shower bench options. These are typically built using wood (teak) or the same natural stone used in the shower surround. However, flip-up or portable benches are also options when space is an issue.
As long as you’re at it, we also recommend installing appropriately placed grab bars. While these are a must-have for those interested in universal bathroom design, grab bars come in very handy when you’re sore after a workout, are treating an injury, are ill and when you’re just plain worn out or over-relaxed.
Remote shower operation
Why get up off the relaxing shower bench if you don’t have to? Temperature adjustments, lighting, music and more can all be handled via a waterproof remote. Talk about relaxing!
Don’t forget the sound system
Steam? Check! Lighting? Check! Bench? Check! Now it’s time to think about sound. Rather than blasting your music device so you can hear it above the shower and steam functions, you can install a waterproof speaker system and in-shower sound system instead. Compatible with your gadget’s Bluetooth system, and operable via the remote shower function, you can put together the playlists of your choice to augment the steam shower experience.
Steam showers come with aromatherapy options
Aromatherapy may seem overrated - until you try it. Using individual essential oils or custom blends, you can add your favorite scents to enhance the steam experience. Choose a scent you love, or consult with essential oil specialists and select oils for specific purposes – to breathe easy, to unwind, to invigorate, to feel more positive, and so on. For example, Mr. Steam offers aromatherapy options that work with their AromaSteam injector pump.
Saying you want to install a steam shower in your Chicago bathroom design is just the beginning. There are so many ways to go about it. Come on in to the Kitchens & Baths Unlimited showroom and we’ll make sure your steam shower installation is everything you’ve dreamed of and more.
