Since the pandemic, there has been a greater push to make our homes more inviting and relaxing. Instead of spending most of our time outside the home, we now want to experience the same feeling of fun, socializing and relaxation in our homes. Because of this, there have been changes such as using biophilic interior design to make interior spaces feel more like oases, bringing the formal dining room back to the home and, as far as the bathroom is concerned, the addition of a bathroom lounge to boot to make it more relaxing.
A bathroom lounge is exactly what it sounds like: it features additional seating where you can relax and unwind before slipping into your bath. This seating can take all sorts of forms and depends mostly on how big your room is. For example, if you have enough space, you can add anything from a chaise longue to a compact sofa chair. If you have a small bathroom, a small stool or chair makes more sense. However, the intention behind this trend is to give the space a spa-like quality, inviting you to sit back and relax before indulging in further pampering. But is it right for your home? Here are the pros and cons.
Benefit: It promotes well-being and self-care
Design is not just about aesthetics. It's also about inspiring behavior. Just think of all the studies showing which colors are best for the bedroom to lower heart rate, or which colors are best for the office to stimulate creativity or drive. Likewise, the lounge bathroom is intended to awaken the urge for self-care. It literally invites you to pull up a chair and relax. Whether you sit back for three minutes to scroll on your phone before jumping in the shower and tackling your next task, or you spend a good hour reading before heading out to do the rest of the housework, it is designed to help you slow down.
“Choosing a bathroom lounge provides a moment where we can take some time for ourselves,” Barrie Cutchie, design director at BC Designs, told Homes & Gardens. If you feel like you need even more rest and relaxation in your day, this could be the perfect trend to indulge in. If you have a large bathroom, consider purchasing a comfortable chaise lounge, such as the Troian Upholstered Chaise Lounge. If you have a small bathroom, consider purchasing a small stool to sit on, such as the Threshold Elroy round velvet ottoman.
Con: It's not the most hygienic option
While the bathroom lounge trend may help us slow down and relax, it's also not particularly hygienic. The bathroom is one of the germiest rooms in the house. Not to be too graphic: Even when you put down the toilet seat, studies have shown that aerosol droplets of water and waste products are sprayed across the room. This is why we are encouraged to wash all upholstered furniture in the bathroom, from our shower curtains to our bathroom rugs to our towels. But you can't really throw an ottoman or chaise lounge in the washing machine.
If you have a germ phobia or value sanitation and sanitation above all else, this trend may not be for you. However, there may be a workaround. You can choose a chair or seat without upholstery, such as a wooden chair or a metal bench. This allows you to clean and disinfect it regularly so you don't have to worry about germs.