An en-suite love affair by designer Jennifer McGee, with a large double vanity, sauna, oversize shower, and framed soaking tub.
During a recent design trip to London, I spoke to James Lentaigne, creative director of Drummonds—a luxury British brand known for timeless bathroom products—about the growing idea of bathrooms as the new “meeting space” for couples. This got me thinking: In today’s hyperconnected world, filled with constant distractions, it’s no surprise that homeowners want their bathrooms to be a rare private retreat to unwind and reconnect…but is this trend gaining traction in the U.S.? And if so, how is it taking shape? Is something more than technology driving it?
Designer Xander Noori, who is also a partner designer for House of Rohl, recently completed a project for American clients who requested a single, larger primary bathroom, noting, “Often the only time they have to see each other is in the morning when getting ready for the busy day and in the evening while winding down. [She] recently mentioned how nice it is to see her husband every morning and still flirt while they brush their teeth.”
A replica of Freddie Mercury’s bathroom with a Drummonds bathroom and De Gournay wallcovering.
“The Last Frontier of True Privacy”
Cell phones aren’t the only thing behind this design trend—it’s a lack of intimate spaces in our homes. “The bathroom has become the last frontier of true privacy,” Jean-Michel Lebeau, CEO and owner of the bathtub maker BainUltra, says. “Think about it. It’s the only door with a lock that everyone respects. The bathroom has become the last bastion of adult space in homes increasingly designed around children’s needs—the Switzerland of domestic territories where even the most boundary-challenged family members typically honor the closed door.”
Overpacked schedules aren’t helping matters. “The demands of modern life—stressful commutes, long work hours, shuttling kids to school and activities, and juggling endless responsibilities—leave little room for uninterrupted time together for many couples,” Ashley Steinhardt, vice president of sales for Hydro Systems, adds. “By the time the day winds down, the bathroom may be the only place where they can truly escape, disconnect from their phones, and focus on each other.”
A bathroom with a tucked away bench showcasing the Versailles tub from Hydro Systems encased in marble.
What’s in a “Meeting Place” Bathroom?
You may be thinking…this sounds great, but my partner’s bathroom habits really annoy me. Lentaigne points out that this newly considered space only works if each partner gets their own customized space within the larger shared environment. Essentially, we want to connect with our significant other—but only if we have enough elbow room to avoid getting on each other’s nerves. Once that’s dealt with, meaningful conversations can follow.
Heather Shannon, senior vice president of marketing and communications for the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) agrees, saying, “By personalizing the experience for each partner and solving the frustrations of a shared space upfront, time spent in the bath can be supportive and centered around those emotional needs.”
The new Brizo Beauclere Bath Collection
The New Couple’s Shower
We’re not suggesting you cozy up under a single stream of water. Picture larger showers with dual shower heads or an at-home steam shower. For instance, a couple’s shower might feature different shower head styles on either side: One likes waterfall, the other a removable handheld, both love a good body spray.
Mandy Ellington, director of brand management and business development at Brizo, also mentions using technology to set individual preferences. With digital thermostatic valves and other integrated features, shower experiences can be preset for both individuals. “This intimate setting should foster both connection and relaxation, allowing couples to unwind together while still enjoying their own personalized comforts. By incorporating thoughtfully curated details with state-of-the-art technology, we create an environment that feels both indulgent and effortlessly practical,” she says.
The INUA bathtub with hydrothermal (water) massage, a heated backrest, raised seat, and chromatherapy.
Bathtubs Built for Two
A tub immediately makes a bathroom feel like a sanctuary—you don’t hurry in and out of a bath. That’s why a freestanding tub wide enough for two is ideal. “The tub is a key part of that equation,” Steinhardt says. “It’s not just about fitting two people in the tub; it’s about fitting them comfortably.” Connecticut-based designer Sarah Blank loves surrounding the tub in a cased opening for an intimate setting.
Bathtubs have come a long way—you can forget the jetted tubs of the 1990s. The INUA tub shown above has a heated backrest and water massage features. They’re customizable too.
A double vanity bathroom by Patricia Brown with a shower on one side and a soaking tub on the other.
Split Vanities
Even more so than a double vanity, couples want separate vanities (and their own ancillary storage, like medicine cabinets) to suit their individual needs. If you can’t fit two vanities, you want enough room to spread out. Separate or together, each person should be able to configure “their” drawers in a way that suits them, with power outlets and dividers.
The Lounge
It’s also important to create a cozy post-shower spot in case one person is already set. Sometimes a tubside perch or smaller ottoman does the trick. Designer Meredith Heron says, “A well-placed chair adds both function and intimacy, creating space for conversation—whether you’re starting the day or unwinding at night.” Lebeau also says you need seating that invites lingering, noting, “the best conversations happen when nobody’s standing awkwardly or perched on the edge of something cold.” Wrap the seating in moisture-resistant outdoor fabric, and voilà: You’ve created your own at-home therapy retreat.
As for the walls, Blank recommends covering them in wallpaper, where appropriate, or a beautiful vinyl mural and limiting stone to the showers and counters. Ideally, you can give this spot “a style that looks more like a living space and not just tile and marble,” she says. Small pieces of furniture, like an antique dressing table, a rug, and a surface-mounted light fixture warm up cold surfaces.
A simple armchair tucked next to the bath in this space designed by Christi Petty.
Other Design Elements
If you’re creating a bathroom design from scratch, you can plan it in ways that create just the right amount of intimacy. For instance, “strategic sight lines [can] create visual privacy without isolation,” says Lebeau. Keep this in mind when planning your shower. He adds that dimmable lighting and sound-dampening materials are a must to “keep conversations in and household chaos out.” Blank recommends heated floors, which are “soothing and add a level of calmness.”
Admittedly, it takes a big bathroom to fit all these amenities. But it might be worth buying some space from your bedroom to reconnect with your person everyday—after all, it’s an investment in you.
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