The Inipi Sauna by Duravit, with its adjustable coloured lights, music and humidity control, is the last word in bathspace luxury

Remember the story about the man who was so confused he didn’t know what to do in the bathroom? The average mortal, walking into a bathroom fitted with a Duravit Inipi Sauna might be forgiven for being a bit befuddled. The large glass-fronted cubicle (about 5ft-9in X 3ft-10in) has flat surfaces where two people can lie down for a sauna and follow it up with a luxurious shower. And everything from the humidity to the coloured lights and accompanying music can be adjusted — and your personal preferences will be stored. Oh, by the way, this masterpiece of bathroom technology will lighten your wallet by a hefty Rs 28 lakh.

If you’d rather spend a bit less, try a Jacuzzi with room for more than one, all in pink — and with soft pink lights — for a soothing experience. Or you could have a pool in a pleasant shade of green. Or even a Bollywood themed look — imagine walking into a movie set when you step into the bathroom. The themed look could be yours for anywhere between Rs 70,000 and Rs 1.25 lakh.

Once upon a time people nipped into the bathroom for a quick shower and clean-up. Now, if they can afford the giant-sized price tag, they step for a wellness experience. That could include anything from a long soak in a Jacuzzi to a sauna or even a steam bath. “From a purely functional place for personal hygiene, the bathroom is becoming a comfortable retreat with multiple uses,” says Asutosh Shah, managing director, Duravit, an upmarket producer of bathroom appliances.

Enjoy a most relaxing soak with Hindware’s Juventus tub which is equipped with hydromassage jets

And for the complete experience, they’re now accompanied by just the right type of mood lighting, music systems built to withstand the damp, and possibly even a TV screen so you won’t miss your favourite show. “Bathrooms are being prioritised in the list of style statements,” says Nitin Aggrawal, director, India Prayag. So, make way for brands like Duravit, Jaquar, Grohe, India Prayag and even Hindware, with their Jacuzzis, rain-showers, massage jets and even customised pools.

Water therapy: If you’re ready to lighten your pocket by about Rs 1.32 lakh and you’re up for some hydrotherapy then the Cornice Massage Tub by Hindware is just right for you. It comes with a faucet, six hydro-massage jets and six back massage jets and, if that isn’t enough, there are 10 air jets too. Water jets give a more vigorous massage while air jets offer a relatively lighter massage.

Similarly, Hindware’s Juventus, is a rectangular bathtub made of acrylic and comes with eight air massage jets and six wave nozzle whirlpool hydromassage jets (to create a wave effect) and two headrests — you obviously won’t be bathing alone. “Jacuzzis and massage tubs are the best way to de-stress,” says V. Krishnamurthy, senior general manager, marketing, HSIL Ltd which makes Hindware.

Prayag India’s Bollywood theme adds a tinseltown touch to your bathroom

If you want a more extravagant relaxing spot in your bathroom how about the Blue Moon pool from Duravit? This pool (1400 mm x 1400mm) has a multiplicity of controls and underwater lights to ensure that it’s as enticing as possible. With the tub’s waterproof remote control, the bather can adjust the movement of the water — it has power, relax and emotion cycles. And you can adjust the functions and have only water, only air or a bubbling mix of the two. The price — hold your breath —is Rs 12 lakh.

Shower Power: If you’re not one to wallow about in a tub or Jacuzzi, try the Duravit Multi Functional Shower designed by Jochen Schmiddem. But don’t think for a moment that this is any less fancy than a Jacuzzi. This shower can be converted, at the flick of a switch, into a fancy bathroom fitting called a steam shower — a steam room combined with a shower and other features. It has two seats, several shower heads and adjustable massage nozzles. It also offers LED-enabled chromatherapy and aromatherapy. Cost: Rs 20 lakh.

At a slightly less expensive level, Jaquar showers come in all shapes — square, circular and even oval. What’s more they use a technique in which air is mixed in the water through a built-in air mixer that leads to lighter voluminous drops to reduce water consumption by 30 per cent. And Grohe’s latest Rainshower WaterColours Collection offers a range of six handshowers in colours like orange, red and purple. It also has a fingertip water saving feature. The limited edition handshowers are priced at Rs 4,335 each.

Duravit’s Blue Moon lets you regulate the movement of the water inside the pool; (below) liven up your loo with Grohe’s vibrant Rainshower WaterColours Collection

Lights are right: Be it bedrooms, living room or bathrooms, lighting can make or break any look. Duravit’s E-Mood is operated via touch LED. “Ancient builders incorporated natural sunlight into their designs in order to create certain moods. Today, thanks to modern technology and materials, the possibilities of light design are more versatile than ever,” says Shah.

Another product that uses LED lights innovatively is the eco-friendly faucet from Italian faucet manufacturer GESSI by FCML. The coloured-light taps line by Gessi have water in different colours like blue to red or purple depending on the temperature. Similarly India Prayag’s showers have thermostatic controls.

Obviously, only an extremely well-heeled minority can afford to indulge in really expensive bathrooms. But there are people who don’t shy away from splurging. Says Delhi-based architect and interior designer Anita Kataria: “I’ve designed a house where the entire cost went up to Rs 45 lakh for a 350sqft bathroom.” She reckons that you need at least 300sqft for a really plush bathroom.

So don’t step into the bathroom just to clean up. If you’ve got the right equipment fitted, the bath space can be almost mood altering.