Modern-day bathrooms are equipped with more than just the traditional bath and sink.

Armoires for storage, music or television sets and chaise lounges for reading and relaxing are all becoming integral elements of bathrooms as they evolve.

Designer Michael Sieger sees the bathroom as a crucial component of the house, and through his designs he finds ways of seamless integration of the bathroom with the other living areas of the homes.

His design work for German bathrooms specialist Duravit revolutionised the bathroom, as it provided both a functional and a decorative approach.

“The key is to break out of the typical bathroom design mould. The bathroom should have a tranquil entryway that prompts relaxation as soon as you walk through the door,” says Sieger.

Today renowned sanitary manufacturers offer intelligent products that stylishly combine a bath and shower even where space is at a premium and in doing so set new standards in design. A recent example is the Seadream bath designed by Jochen Schmiddem for Duravit. The L-shaped form means that it can fit into an area of just 163.5 by 110 cm. With a depth of 57 cm, it will cover the shoulders, providing unparalleled comfort. Under water the optional Duravit Whirlsystem offers a further luxury. In this way Seadream ensures relaxation and wellbeing in the bathroom. The clear safety glass shower partition can be rotated 180 degrees to convert the bath into a shower. And there’s plenty of space for the tap fittings on the 10 cm ledge, a Duravit spokesperson says.

Wall-mounted tap fittings are also possible. One end of the acrylic tub is angled at 25 degrees while the other end is vertical to provide a maximum of space for showering. A step the width of the tub that converts the L-shape into a 163.5 by 141 cm rectangle can be used to climb into the shower or for towels and toiletries. There is an additional small step that can facilitate further ease of use in getting in and out of the tub. A variety of wood veneers or decor panels bring warmth to the bathroom and ensure that the bath design complements the rest of the bathroom and home furnishings.

An alternative in a lower price category is the D-Code range from Duravit for customers looking for an elegant solution that is easier on the wallet. It is the first complete designer range offered by Duravit in this price category. The everyday timeless design of the range comes from Sieger Design – nothing superfluous or polarising, clear and crisp like barcode stripes. The result is a clean-lined series that will go with practically any home furnishing scheme.

The range includes a complete series of baths, whose scope is unique in this price segment. Rectangular tubs in various sizes, a corner version and even a hexagonal one to order, with six massage nozzles in the sides and versions with a central outlet to provide an unobstructed standing area for showering.

In this way convenience and design combine in a small area to turn the bathroom into a wellness oasis that will bring hours of relaxation and pleasure, the spokesperson adds.

“The bathroom has ceased to be a purely utilitarian space. More and more people see in their bathrooms a welcome retreat, and as a result the space allocation within the total living space has reflected this change as well: the bathroom that used to be merely a room is now a suite,” says designer Richard M Honein from BMC Gulf for the Finest Bathroom.

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The trend is towards creating a soothing spa-like atmosphere, with separate areas for bathing, grooming and dressing. And maintaining a cohesive look is the most important aspect of the design, he says.

There’s a variety of finishes, textures, forms and colours to choose from, and thus the choices become increasingly bolder and more personal, anything from charming wall coverings to reconstructing soothing nature’s corners.

Dornbr