From multifunctional showers to infinity baths, taps that change colour as the temperature rises and waterproof TVs, the latest bathroom kit is brimful of spoiling possibilities. Take the plunge and invest in some of the latest looks with our guide to what's hot in contemporary bathrooms.

Wet wonders We're warming to wet rooms, says Wesley Boucher of Vogue Bathrooms. "The difference between them and traditional shower enclosures is that there is no shower tray used and the floor is usually just tiled and ready to walk in. This gives an ultra-contemporary appearance. The rooms themselves are a simple panel of glass with no door or moving parts." An effective waterproof membrane is a must, he counsels.

"This seals the room completely and is tiled over."

Shower power Shower panels fixed to the wall, normally with six to eight built-in body jets, are an easy option for those who want to upgrade. "The panel is preplumbed and comes with a fixed head and removable handset, " says Boucher. However, powerful showers with body jets require a three-bar pressure pump. Large 'rain' type shower heads such as Dornbracht's RainSky unit which incorporates LED lights, a mist projector and aroma sprays, are making a splash.

Smart showering is facilitated by digital solutions. Tap into the new wave of digital showers such as the 'Mira Magna', which set temperature and flow according to individual preferences.

Thick glass and flat angular designs are evident in many high-spec shower designs.

Multifunctional showers such as Duravit's Jochen Schmiddem number pack a punch with several shower fittings, steam, aromatherapy, coloured lighting and speakers.

Tray chic Trends to watch out for include larger shower trays and those that move away from the standard rectangles, squares and quadrants. "Alternative quadrant designs and bow-fronted sliding doors provide relief from typical design offerings and present an opportunity to fit larger showers into spaces where a window or radiator usually limits the choice to conventional tray shapes and sizes, " says Stephen Belcher, technical director of Flair. Matt finishes are also popular. "Lower-profile trays can help create a wetroom look without the complication of actually constructing one, " says Boucher.

Blissful bathing The latest tub shapes include circular, oval and rectangular with some funky free flowing designs now available.

Stone and wood are among the high-end options but resins are making their mark as their flexibility facilitates a variety of forms. Composites such as Crystal Plant and Corian have the added advantage of being environmentally friendly.

Durat is another eco-friendly seamless material.

Boffi's 'Terra' tub in white Crystal Plant by Naota Fukasawa, is a large mono-block moulded bathtub without jointing points. The basin is moulded and integrated in the entire volume of the bath, and the lateral water supply is like a waterfall.

Another high impact creation is Jaime Hayon's uber glamorous lacquered fiberglass bath from the 'AQHayon' collection, a real leggie lovely.

In keeping with the wellness trend, whirlpool and spa baths are in demand. Jacuzzi's covetable 'Aura' design offers complete immersion, underwater lighting and two headrests.

Sink in style The new basin collections, whether curvaceous, square or rectangular, are often multifunctional, with integral towel rails and storage. Piero Lissoni's table system for Boffi is a wall-mounted table system, with washbasins. Vessels that sit on countertops also make a style statement.

Turn on Wall-mounted fittings, floormounted taps and sensor designs are on-trend. Porcelanosa's 'Nora' is a safe and stylish choice for those with young children. The colour of the tap changes as the water temperature climbs, altering from blue to purple and red.

Hansgrohe's 'Metris S', a 2007 'Red Dot' winner, features functionality triggered by an infrared proximity sensor.

New hues Colour in the bathroom is staging a comeback, mainly in shades of red and black. Durat baths offer the opportunity to get creative with colour. Those who prefer to play it safe can opt for Keuco cabinets.

Tile style Clean, minimalist tiling is still the way to go, but with darker richer colour schemes than we have been used to, according to James Rush of Surface.

"Ivory and cream neutral tones are giving way to richer deeper tones, " he says. "Combining contemporary washbasins and toilets with tiles that have a hint of classic style, Art Deco or Baroque finishes, but in modern large formats, is also modish." The direction for this type of design is for bringing the decor of the bedroom into the en-suite, keeping continuity throughout the house.

Narrow horizontal and vertical porcelain strip mosaic is great for creating feature walls behind the washbasin or back wall of the shower. Rush advises using the same tiles on the floor and walls for a clean-looking fit. Combining this approach with wall-hung ware and concealed pipe work will add to the sense of space.

Furniture feel Cool cabinetry can add to the aesthetics of a bathroom. Rich tones of walnut and ebony are featuring in many of the latest collections. Watch out for Aquavision's 'VaniTV', perfectly tuned into the requirement for innovative ideas in the new comfort zone.

USEFUL WEBSITES
>> Antica: www. antica. ie
>> Dornbracht: www. dornbracht. com
>> Duravit: www. duravit. com
>> Flair: www."airshowers. com
>> Hansgrohe: www. hansgrohe. com
>> Keuco: www. keuco. com
>> Surface: www. surface. ie
>> Versatile Bathroom and Interiors: www. versatile. ie
>> Vogue Bathrooms: www. voguebathrooms. com

MAKE YOUR BATHROOM SELL YOUR HOUSE Bathrooms are very important when selling houses and attract attention from prospective purchasers, says Adam Clarke of Savills Hamilton Osborne King.

>> Don't spend huge amounts of money refurbishing a bathroom if you intend to sell immediately. Instead, ensure the bathroom is squeaky clean, tidy and looking its best.

>> Ceilings can suffer from condensation and can easily be perked up with a lick of paint.

>> Carpet in bathrooms is a real no-no. Tiles should be cleaned and regrouted to ensure a cleaned-up act.

>> Always have fresh towels, new toilet roll and the WC clean and fresh for viewings. Use any of the detergents or eco-cleaning devices on the bathroom prior to showing the property. Use air fresheners . . . not the very over-powering ones . . . to give the bathroom a nice smell.

>> If the bathroom is particularly poor, it may be worthwhile to buy new sanitary ware. However, be cautious about overspending and jarring additions. Buy something that looks the part and will fit in to the room.

>> It's always worthwhile to invest in installing a guest WC downstairs if there's space.

>> Before spending considerable money, get advice from an agent on what best suits a house, and how it may or may not add to its value. You may find that spending the money on a new bathroom is as good as flushing money down the loo.