A bathroom or shower space is one of the key areas where developers can showcase their properties and provide the elusive ‘wow-factor’ which buyers are searching for. James Walker, National Specification Manager from showering and wetroom spaces manufacturer Coram Group UK explains how small changes can yield big results when it comes to bathroom design.
With fierce competition across the new-build homes sector, ensuring that your development stands out from the crowd is the key to a successful sale. There are many factors involved in the decision to purchase a new home, and winning-over a prospective buyer can be a tricky business. According to the Why Buy New Guide, published by www.new-homes.co.uk: “The cost of upgrading an older home to the same specification as a new build property is nearly £45,000” and £4,500 of this total is attributed towards the cost of a new bathroom. But what does a buyer expect to see when they walk into the bathroom or shower room of a new build property?
Quality Matters
Quality is vitally important. It may sound like an obvious statement, but with hundreds of showering solutions on the market, it really is imperative to opt for excellent quality as a primary principle. The fact remains that reputation rests on the quality of workmanship provided in each build. Even the most adept and experienced installers cannot provide high-quality installations when working with low-quality products. To ensure best-fit solutions, develop an ongoing relationship with a manufacturer who displays integrity with their manufacturing processes, product quality and aftersales service options.
The Devil is in the Detail
Design details are of course important too. Combine contemporary and stylishly designed products with a space conscious layout to maximise the potential of the room. If budget allows, a modern frameless shower enclosure will give the illusion of space. If you’re opting for a regular framed enclosure, choose a sliding door and inline panel combination to create a spacious and appealing shower area.
Wall-hung sanitary ware, chrome flush plates, modern taps and chrome straight-bar shower door handles all add to the luxury appeal of a bathroom without too many cost implications, providing excellent sales collateral for prospective purchasers
For budget-conscious specifiers who expect top-quality for reasonable investment, consider Coram’s smart, modern GB range of shower enclosures which is manufactured from high quality materials in their UK based factory.
The Wetroom Revolution
No longer a purely functional room, many homeowners see their shower spaces as a sanctuary; a place to relax and unwind. Inspired by hotel visits and pamper days, the advent of the ‘spa-style’ bathroom is big news and impressing your potential purchasers with the clean lines and contemporary ambience of a wetroom or wet area is certain to create a lasting impression. According to the recent AMA Wetrooms Market Report UK 2017-2021: ‘a wetroom area is now regarded as a more accessible and luxurious option compared to an over-bath shower or enclosure’. The report goes on to say that wetrooms have been popularised by the ‘growing preference to shower rather than bathe, the trend towards ‘inclusive’ design, and the desire for minimalism and space within the bathroom environment’.
Whether it’s an en-suite wetroom or a wet area in the main bathroom, the sales benefits speak for themselves. In keeping with the trend for minimalist design, the appeal of a wetroom is down to more than just unquestionable good looks. A wetroom is easy to install, clean and maintain. Leak free when properly waterproofed, versatile, practical and adaptable, a wetroom can prove to be an ideal showering solution for all the family. The level-access nature of a wetroom makes it incredibly useful for elderly or disabled homebuyers and their carers too.
With innovative wetroom systems available like Impey’s patented AquaDec EasyFit wetroom floor former, which combines with WaterGuard leak-free tanking solution, it’s quick, easy and cost effective to fit a wetroom.
Adding Luxury Appeal
If you’re creating a high-end development and want to appeal to a discerning clientele, luxury touches will be imperative. No indulgent bathing or showering space is complete without under-tile heating. Proven to be between 15 and 40 percent more effective than radiators, the consistent and even heat flow creates an indulgent ambient warmth, with the added benefit of economic running costs.
If you’re aiming to give your properties a wider appeal, try to add options for multigenerational families and consider future-proofing bathrooms with modern solutions for inclusive living. Stainless steel grab rails or compact, fold-away shower seating are subtle additions which can ensure the suitability of showering areas for every member of the family.
Coram’s ‘Boston Comfort and Safety’ range of bathroom accessories is an attractive collection of multi-purpose bathroom accessories designed to create a safe showering environment without compromising on style. It features contemporary grab rails which have a removable anti-slip grip for increased peace of mind when standing or showering.
Also consider investing in contemporary finishing touches to ensure aesthetic appeal. These may include; large rainforest shower heads, exclusive tile options, sleek and well-designed bathroom accessories or linear drainage options for a wetroom.
Design-led wetroom shower panels, like Impey’s new ‘Soho’, which takes inspiration from the industrial design ethic, are a sure-fire way to add the wow-factor to a showering space.
CASE STUDY
Creating Showering Luxury at a High-End Development
Developer Cameron Homes recently used Coram and Impey products at their impressive Bourne Fields development, consisting of 14 elegant 5-bedroom homes with premium specification. The luxury properties, located between Lichfield and Birmingham are priced from £850,000; boasting the finest in open-plan living and up-market new-build design features including well-appointed, large shower-rooms and luxurious wetrooms, with showering solutions from Coram Showers and Impey Wetrooms.
To remain in-keeping with the modern, high-quality design of the properties, the developer planned a combination of spacious walk-in showers, contemporary wetrooms and ensuite facilities in each of the prestige homes.
In the eye-catching wetrooms, Impey’s AquaDec floor formers create the ideal drainage gradient, and Impey’s AquaScreen X glass screens give the rooms a stylish, modern look.
Luxurious, minimalist shower rooms at Bourne Fields have been created using Coram’s Premier range of high-quality enclosures and low-profile, Slimline trays.
And a selection of the ensuites also incorporate Coram’s Stylus glass shower panels and easy to install riser trays.
Said Craig Floyd, head buyer at Cameron Homes: “We have been working with Coram Group UK for a significant period and find that their selection of products is ideal for the modern, high-quality ethos of our new-build developments.
A wet room is high on the wish list of many of our buyers. And achieving easy installation of the wet rooms in our properties is paramount; making Impey products ideal for our specification.
Coram’s enclosures have been a long-time favourite of Cameron Homes; owing to their modern style and high-quality manufacture. We have used products from all of the Coram Showers ranges and will continue to do so on our future development projects.”
