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Tatiana Grigorieva
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The Russian bathhouse has three main goals - to heal the body, relax the soul, and plunge into an atmosphere of friendly communication. Not every building will be able to meet the necessary criteria, but it’s worth talking about a comfortable and practical bathhouse interior. Of course, the room should be comfortable, functional and at the same time stylish.
Ideas for finishing a bath
For many newcomers to the construction and decoration of this utility room, the bathhouse seems like a kind of monolith, but this is not at all the case. In any bathhouse, even the tiniest one, there is always a dressing room and a steam room.
And large buildings can boast of having a washroom, a rest room, and a separate locker room.
And each room requires special finishing.
How to avoid unexpected situations
At the place where it is planned to install the log house, there must be a low level of groundwater flow. The bathhouse should be located no more than 5 m from the well (if there is one).
The steam room and living space must be at least 8 m from each other.
It is clear that if there is a compost pit and a toilet, it is better to place the bathhouse away from these structures. But if there is a reservoir, it can be built 20 meters from it. This will not only provide water supply, but will help you plunge into cold water after a hot steam room.
Materials for decorating a bath
The best material for creating the most attractive bath interior is cozy wood. It:
- Does not heat up, maintaining the most comfortable temperature under any conditions;
- Has a pleasant appearance and aroma;
- Gently relieves stress and tension thanks to its natural texture.
In addition to this natural material, they use:
- Stone;
- Tile;
- Porcelain tiles;
- Brick.
Capricious wallpaper and plaster would not be the most suitable option (they are used only in the rest room); plastic panels are not really needed here (the chemical components of plastic are not entirely suitable for creating an atmosphere of relaxation).
Otherwise, the choice of materials depends on the wishes of the owners and the available budget.
Color spectrum
For a bathhouse it is important to create a mood of coziness and home comfort. Therefore, preference is given to calm natural colors:
- Light brown;
- Terracotta;
- Beige.
Brighter shades are used in shower rooms and after-bath rest areas. Bathhouses don’t really like white colors; here they somehow stand out from the natural background.
The only exceptions are minimalism and Scandinavian style, where they try to finish all surfaces in the lightest possible colors.
Bathhouse interior requirements
The finishing of the bath must be absolutely safe:
- Wooden surfaces must be carefully planed and free of burrs and unexpected protrusions.
- It is not recommended to use paint in hot rooms: some types release toxic substances when heated.
- It is advisable to round the corners of benches and shelves: this will help avoid injuries.
- A non-slip coating is laid on the floor.
- All objects in the steam room must have a low thermal conductivity coefficient so as not to burn those present.
An important point in creating a cozy interior is an attractive appearance: it is recommended to use natural colors, simple shapes and materials that are easy to clean.
Traditionally, wooden boards are used, with preference given to the usual beige, terracotta and brown colors, but you can create a completely unique room by combining white and dark finishes.
Steam room arrangement
The steam room is, of course, the most important of the rooms, and in Russian, the steam room is generally the main one. Most often it consists of burnt red brick, but you can use other materials, even ceramics. Increased temperature conditions and humidity in the room dictate specific rules in order to accurately select the material.
We decorate and arrange
For the steam room, only deciduous wood is suitable that can retain its qualities for many years (alder, linden, aspen). Floors are made both wooden and using tiles. If possible, preference should be given to tiles, since a wooden floor will slowly deteriorate.
We use tiles on the floor
Steam room design recommends a minimalist tone because the wood grain itself is a beautiful decoration. In the steam room you can use a window, which ideally breaks up the interior and is useful for ventilation.
Steam room with a window inside
There are natural boulders on the slab that accumulate and retain heat. Water pouring onto hot stones provokes the formation of wet steam, without which the whole essence of the steam room will be lost. The area of the room and its height should be small in order to achieve heating quickly and evenly. A water container should be installed next to the stove.
Another attribute of the steam room are shelves. Install them in corners or near walls. If possible, shelves are placed in several tiers. It is generally accepted that it is easiest to withstand the hot steam at the bottom, and not everyone can stay on the upper tier. In the end, it is under the ceiling that the bulk of the hot air accumulates, and it is very difficult to breathe there, but this is the main benefit of the procedure.
Shelves are an attribute of every bath
If the dimensions are small, then you can make the shelves narrow and rounded. Strict sharp corners will take up useful space. The best material for preparing shelves for a bathtub is linden and larch, which is quite justified from the point of view of a practical approach - the boards of these types of wood are resistant to moisture and rot, so products made from them can be used for more than a dozen years.
The best material for shelves is linden
The most affordable type of wood is pine, which, alas, is not at all suitable for arranging shelving; it cannot be used in a steam room, since when heated it releases resin that can ignite and cause burns.
Dressing up the dressing room
This room usually greets guests of the complex (the exception is the spacious baths, in which this function is transferred to the hallway). Here you can use almost any materials, but preference is still given to wood.
At the same time, they try to use traditional warm shades, but in a large room you can experiment with dark floors and light ceilings, and use ceramic tiles, natural and artificial stone instead of wood.
In a small room where the dressing room plays the role of a locker room, the following is installed:
- Clothes hanger;
- Shelf for towels;
- A small bench.
In the spacious mansions there are lockers for storing all sorts of useful little things, bathrobes, sheets, and towels. If desired, you can install a small table at which guests can relax after the steam room.
Minimalism
The modern style of arrangement of baths is characterized by:
- Smooth surfaces that perfectly reflect light;
- The presence of artificial materials (except for the steam room, wood is traditionally used here);
- Minimum number of items used;
- Closed storage systems;
- Lack of decor.
Such a room may seem somewhat boring, but during use it captivates with its practicality and functionality, space and light. Both spacious and very small baths are perfect for recreating a minimalist design.
Steam room design
Wood is used in this room. Of course, constant heat and humidity do not contribute to the durability of this material, so you should select wood of the most durable varieties:
- Larch perfectly withstands all unfavorable living conditions and only becomes stronger over the years;
- Oak is great for finishing a steam room, but the high price stops many builders;
- Aspen is characterized by good performance characteristics and has antibacterial properties;
- Linden has a delicate color and light aroma, but over time it loses its attractive whiteness;
- Alder attracts with its softness and delicate aroma;
- Abash will give a very durable design; this wood does not darken over time and is durable.
Inexpensive pine and spruce look good, but the material will release resins for a long time when heated, which can lead to burns, and an overly rich aroma can be hazardous to health.
The furniture for this room will be shelves and benches, and the main decorative element will be the stove, which can be decorated in the most unusual way.
Sauna
Sauna is another widespread type of bathhouse in Russia, and its popularity is facilitated by the fact that creating the conditions of a Finnish bathhouse is much simpler and cheaper than a Russian bathhouse. Any metal stove is suitable for this. And if your ventilation is properly arranged, then you can enjoy the heat of a sauna much faster than the warmth of a Russian bath, which, as you know, takes several hours to heat.
So, Finnish sauna - high temperature, low humidity. People come not to steam, but to sweat. Finns prefer to do this while sitting, but their shelves are arranged in such a way that you can lie down if desired. However, a lot of space is not wasted; the shelves are usually made of three tiers, so they are relatively narrow - 60 centimeters wide.
INTERESTING! Finns do not soar each other with brooms, so the space between the tiers is usually covered with clapboard - there is no need to leave space for the soaring person’s legs.
Materials
So, the design of a steam bath-sauna is usually quite simple and ascetic - Finns prefer natural materials, modern processing and the same modern design.
Wood in a sauna is as familiar as in a Russian bathhouse. However, it is not stylized; on the contrary, it is more likely to be timber, lining, a neat block house than a log house. And the likelihood of painting with opaque (hiding the texture) paint is just as high as for varnish.
Metal - metal stoves have a modern design, sparkle with mirrored stainless steel surfaces and have long been preferred in electric versions. Apart from stoves, metal is not used systematically in the sauna; it has nothing special to do in the steam room. But stainless steel parts can be used as fasteners, for example.
Glass. But they love it in saunas. Transparent and frosted doors are made from heat-resistant material, which can be decorated with a variety of patterns. No one will forbid you to do the same with windows. In addition, the very focus on modernity suggests the possibility of using glass in the form of shelves, for example.
Stone - its use in a sauna can be limited to a pile of stones in an open heater, or it can become a stylish element of wall decoration.
Styles
We would say that the current sauna is in itself a fusion of tradition with new technologies, so there is no gap, no retreat into the archaic and no desire (among the Finns) to abandon traditional wood. Therefore, a rather nice unified style emerges, in which the Finns set the tone. And those who buy Finnish items to equip their sauna automatically borrow and reproduce it.
To understand the basic parameters, so to speak, of the style, just look through the catalogs of stoves - there, by the way, you can also find ready-made saunas for sale.
And if we talk about trends, then, as usual in Europe, they are aimed at maximum environmental friendliness, maximum comfort for a modern person who has no time for anything, and maximum minimalism, if we talk about detailing - everything is simple, aesthetically pleasing, devoid of decor and doesn’t even need bright color accents.
Decoration of the washroom
The room is used for taking a refreshing shower, so it can be finished with any moisture-resistant materials.
- Most often, the usual tiles live here, which are completely unperturbed by water falling on them and wash well.
- Sometimes wood is used as finishing materials, but such an exception is made only for large and well-ventilated rooms.
- If you really want to decorate your shower room in the old Russian style, then use wood-look tiles.
No furniture is needed for this room; people usually don’t spend much time here. But for comfort, you can put a wooden pallet on the cold floor, which will have to be dried after finishing the bath procedures.
Stylistic features
There are several styles that are often chosen for a bath complex.
Russian
One of the most beloved and popular. What makes it different is the finishing and decor.
- Wood is the key element. The walls, floor and ceiling are finished with timber. The furniture chosen is also wooden: benches, tables, chairs - literally everything.
- Objects that are reminiscent of Russian bath culture are selected as decorative elements: brooms are hung in prominent places, a samovar is often displayed on the table, and a horseshoe is hung above the door.
- Furniture items can be further stylized by decorating them with carvings. This design of the bathhouse inside in the photo looks very impressive.
- You can complete the interior with textiles with traditional embroidery and ornaments.
Country style is very similar to Russian style - rustic. The main differences are in the decor. If you are attracted, for example, to a chalet, accessories and furniture finishing will be less decorative, closer to the modern direction.
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Instagram @pechnik40
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Instagram @pechnik40
Instagram @kristina_ivanova1
Decoration of the rest room
There are no special restrictions on decoration and furniture in this room. For registration use:
- Tree;
- Tiles;
- Porcelain tiles;
- Natural and artificial stone.
But when using cold tiles, you will have to worry about placing the rug so that your feet are warm and comfortable.
There are no restrictions on the amount of furniture in the room: most often a table and chairs (benches) are installed here, but you can also fit a small sofa, and cabinets with kitchen utensils and a supply of bath accessories.
For representatives of the fair half of humanity, a dressing table will not be out of place, where you can place creams, lotions, and masks.
Design ideas
We talked a lot about wooden details, but we didn’t take into account one unusual idea for a bathhouse - an interior made from saw cuts! Assembling a mosaic from wooden elements is certainly more difficult than nailing down clapboard. But this design looks much more original. Transverse cuts are used separately or alternated with longitudinal slabs.
The second option will appeal to lovers of oriental motifs in bathhouse design. It is not necessary to build a hammam on the site for the room to “smell” of the charm of Turkey or Morocco - just take a small mosaic or ordinary tiles with various patterns as a basis. It is convenient for finishing showers, but it can also be used in steam rooms.
Installing a heater also requires a design approach - firstly, wooden walls should be protected from excessive heating. To do this, the space near the stove is made of stone or tiles. Secondly, it is important to protect visitors: build a fence around the system so that no one accidentally touches the hot surface with their foot or hand.
Having adapted a well-known saying, we can say: if you love to wash in a bathhouse, you also love to select the finishing. Now you know how to make your bathhouse last for many years to the delight of you and your guests!
Lighting in the bath
Good soft lighting will be another source of pleasure.
- There is virtually no natural light in the dressing room, shower room and steam room, so the main emphasis is on artificial light sources.
- These can be the usual Ilyich light bulbs or lamps built into the ceiling.
Windows are usually installed in the recreation area, sometimes they are large panoramic structures, so that during the daytime the lighting problem is easily solved.
In the evening, ceiling lamps, table lamps, and wall sconces will create a pleasant atmosphere.
Decor
Before purchasing decorative elements, it is worth correctly assessing the size of the room. In a large bathhouse, wooden tubs and buckets, carved shelves and hangers will look charming.
- In a modest room, they try to make decorative elements as inconspicuous as possible.
- Most often, for a steam room in this case, they purchase a thermometer, a couple of ladles and basins.
- The washing room is decorated with a stylish rug and shelves for storing soap, shampoos, and gels.
- The dressing room boasts a cozy rug and fun hangers for hanging clothes.
The relaxation room is decorated with paintings, bouquets of flowers (including dried flowers), and brooms. Nice curtains are hung on the windows, a carpet is placed on the floor, souvenirs, cute little things, and sets of aromatic oils are placed on the shelves. A fireplace will create additional comfort.
Of course, the selected items must match the chosen style and create a pleasant atmosphere of warmth and comfort.
Furniture
The furnishing of the room depends on its size and the chosen style. For ethnic styles, choose wooden tables, benches, stools, and chairs. In modern designs, preference is given to glass and plastic, except for the steam room, traditional materials are still used there.
