Pippin is going one step farther by extending the master bath into the outdoors by installing a garden shower area. "They generally have some Asian flavor, with some teak and some colorful, lace-up canvas panels that can be taken out or changed as desired or needed," she explains. "I either leave them completely open to the air, or enclose them in their own porch area with a skylight."

Pippin is further noticing the migration of the laundry center to the master bath/master suite area from the kitchen. And she's seeing hot tubs moved out onto the decks off the master suite.

FURNITURE FEEL

Another area that's taken center stage is the vanity, agree design professionals. Storage and function have greater meaning for vanities that inhabit family baths. In contrast, in powder rooms, where storage is not as much of a factor as design impact is, vanities showcase more unique looks, with antique furniture pieces, vessel sinks and wall-mount faucets being the materials of choice. They add visual punch to what tends to be a much smaller space.

Additionally, design professionals say that in the master bath, his-and-her vanities - whether together or separate - have now become the norm. In fact, vanities are extrapolated into his-and-hers baths with their own sinks, faucets and countertop height geared for the user. Make-up areas usually complete the "hers" vanities, and many times each area has its own adjacent closet area.

In terms of style for vanities, cabinetry and other storage pieces, the furniture look, which is marked by fluted columns, feet, legs and other moldings, is hot because it gives a bath a warmer, more decorative feel. While that's generally a hallmark of traditional style, when paired with darker finishes and a sleeker door style and ornamentation, it blends seamlessly into today's transitional style, design professionals agree.

Topping those vanities most frequently are natural stones, such as granite and marble, say design professionals.

As for surfacing materials in other areas of the bath, natural stone tiles in marble or limestone, slab granite or marble and other stone-look tiles also reign supreme. Design professionals are also seeing glass tile making headway as accent tile.

"I'm seeing more luxury tile - marble, tumbled stone, ceramic and glass tiles," indicates Howes.

In terms of other fixtures, toilets are still getting their own separate areas in master baths, but, depending on the bath size, they are either simply tucked behind knee walls, or given their own rooms with windows and sometimes their own sinks.

"They are also receiving the linen closets and bidets in some cases," says Pippin.

For faucets, fittings and hardware, design professionals agree that brushed or polished nickel and oil-rubbed bronze are the current hot picks.