The luxury homes of the Hamptons are known for being airy, fresh, and light. Their iconic look has garnered its own titular interior design style. Hamptons style is inspired by the iconic summer vacation homes found in the Hamptons, a string of seaside communities on eastern Long Island, and long popular with the New York City elite. Hampton-style homes combine classic looks with modern touches, capturing the essence of luxury for their seaside region.
Homeowners listing their luxury Southampton real estate for sale can radically increase their home's value by following Hamptons’ style influences. Upgrading the bathrooms in your Southampton home will provide beauty, function, and a high return on investment (ROI). However, before getting into any formal renovations, research which upgrades will provide you with the highest ROI.
Your home probably embodies a lot of the Hamptons style aesthetics already, but it’s likely your bathrooms need an update to really stand out amongst the competition in Southampton. Depending on your budget and the current shape of your bathrooms, you might be able to make do with a midrange project rather than a full-on renovation. According to recent studies, an investment of $20,000 for midrange work can recoup sellers roughly 67% of their investment.
Below are the most influential bathroom design trends to consider for Southampton houses for sale.
Color
In order to achieve the bright, airy Hamptons style throughout your home, your bathroom paint and accents should include light, neutral, and cool tones. That includes the walls and the floor as well as the bathtub/shower, vanity or cabinets, and sink.
For the walls, you can achieve a bright and clean look with paint and/or tile.
Hampton vanity
Hamptons style is so distinctive that it even includes its own Hamptons vanity, also known as a floating vanity. This vanity is typically Shaker style, attached to the wall, and rests several inches above the floor, thus the term floating vanity. Not only is it a stylish look, but a Hamptons vanity gives the impression that the bathroom is bigger than it actually is. It’s a fresh look with clean lines. Be sure to match any other cabinetry in your bathroom to your vanity to ensure a clean and consistent vibe throughout the room.
Sink
Another Southampton mansion signature is the bowl sink, also known as a vessel sink. A bowl sink is a freestanding basin that sits directly on the vanity countertop. They come in a variety of styles and shapes, including round, oval, and even rectangular.
Wall tiles
Hamptons-style homes include distinctive wall tile designs, typically including these three options:
◽ Marble wall tiles can be set in a classic herringbone pattern. This option can add a modern feel to your bathroom when combined with clean lines and light colors.
◽ Another classic choice is subway tile. These rectangular tiles look clean and polished and are inspired by NYC subway stations, bringing a bit of the city to your summer home. Subway tiles are usually more affordable than other materials and look just as sharp and fresh.
◽ A third option common in Southampton homes is mosaic tiles, which come in a wide variety of different patterns and materials but are typically made from ceramic, glass, or porcelain.
Once you choose a bathroom tile design for your home for sale in Southampton, be sure to only include it on one or two walls. This ensures that the tiles remain an eye-catching statement, rather than an overwhelming pattern. It’s best to place any tiling on the wall behind the vanity. It helps tie the two elements together and is consistent with a traditional Hamptons bathroom.
Tub
Freestanding bathtubs are a classic Hamptons home feature. Freestanding tubs evoke elegance, romance, and a rustic appeal. If you’ve chosen to go with gray floor and/or wall tiles, then your best bet is to have a white freestanding tub to provide contrast. A classic claw-foot tub provides a retro look, but if you’re going for a more modern look, a freestanding tub that sits directly on the floor is the way to go.
Floor tiles
Typically, Hamptons homes use large, high gloss tiles when tiling their bathroom floors. Your floor tiles are a great place to add a touch of color to your mostly white bathroom. Consider going with a gray or pale blue for a bit of contrast without overwhelming the space.
Tapware
Pick tapware that matches not only your sink but the overall look of the bathroom. Many Southampton homeowners and designers are opting to skip ornate tapware and go with modern shapes and clean lines. While some people prefer a pseudo-traditional look of brushed nickel or chrome, the matte black finish adds a trendy and modern touch to your space. Smart sinks are another affordable, stylish, and convenient choice.
Lighting
Plantation shutters add a thematic touch to your bathroom and bring the Hampton’s seaside appeal into the home. Ideally, Southampton bathroom window coverings should fully obscure the window’s view while also allowing in natural light. Don’t forget to consider new light fixtures and how they complement your window coverings. Together, these lighting choices should play to the advantage of keeping the bathroom sparkling clean. Smart bulbs are also affordable, easily controllable, and easy to install yourself—delivering far more than their cost in ROI and functionality. Your fixtures should be able to illuminate the bathroom brightly when the window coverings are drawn.
When you’re ready to buy or sell Southampton real estate, contact Deborah Srb for local expertise, superb customer service, and guidance for each step of your real estate transaction.
