In the thick of winter, we could all use a little extra warmth in our lives. Whether you’re inside avoiding the elements or trying to stay warm while dining outdoors, you might be searching for some creative warming solutions. From outdoor heating, to heated floors, to steam showers, the innovative products on this list are sure to keep you cozy during every winter season to come.
Heated Floors
Heated floors, or radiant floor heating, is a system where hot water pipes or electric wires are installed underneath flooring to create warmth. Heat then radiates upwards and warms a room evenly from the ground up. Compared to traditional heating systems like fireplaces or space heaters, radiant heating systems are more efficient because they heat objects and people in a room directly. In terms of the ideal temperature for your floors, between 80°F and 85°F is comfortable for most people depending on the size of the room and ambient temperature.
Warmup is a British brand dedicated to developing innovative and energy-efficient heating solutions. They provide multiple options for electric underfloor heating, including the DCM-PRO Uncoupling System, and In-Slab Cable System. The DCM-PRO System is Warmup’s latest innovation and is especially useful for tiled flooring, which can be prone to cracking due to subfloor movement. This system creates a new layer between the subfloor and the floor finish, resulting in significant protection from the anti-fracture Membrane.
In addition, if you’re searching for a system to heat wet areas like showers or steam rooms, the DCM-PRO is a fantastic choice. On the other hand, the Warmup In-Slab Cable System is especially ideal for installations within concrete floor construction in new builds where the floor height is not an issue. It is suitable for almost any flooring finish and where the flooring (wood, carpet, vinyl) may be replaced from time to time.
Saunas
Originating in Finland—where there is a deep sauna culture and ritual—these wooden rooms typically contain benches for sitting or lying down as well as extremely hot, yet dry conditions created by a wood or electric heater typically warmed to between 160-212 degrees Fahrenheit. Apart from being the hottest item on this list (literally and figuratively), saunas are an amazing way to convert your bathroom into a spa-like oasis. Saunas boast many health benefits, including stress relief, an increased metabolism, faster muscle recovery, and better sleep. And of course, they are a fabulous way to incorporate warmth into your winter wellness routine, especially after a chilly cold plunge or outdoor morning workout.
For over 30 years, EFFE has been designing and manufacturing saunas with state-of-the-art technology and the highest quality wood available. With various designs and configurations available, there is a sauna perfect for your home. A step above a typical sauna, the EFFE Yoku SH combines a sauna, Turkish bath, and steam shower all in one unit, making it a wellness enthusiast’s dream. With the addition of chroma and aroma therapies, the Yoku SH is a one-stop-shop to relaxation.
Steam Showers
If you’re seeking to elevate your daily bathing experience by bringing in some extra warmth during the wintertime, steam showers are a luxurious way to do so. Steam showers originated from the steam room and Turkish baths, which were both longtime staples of bathhouses, spas, and healing centers. There are a multitude of benefits that come with showering with steam, including hydrating the skin, relieving stress and anxiety, and reinvigorating tired muscles. Over the years, the demand for steam showers in residential applications has increased, and as a result, steam showers have evolved. Now, steam showers boast fun features like aromatherapy, chroma therapy, music therapy, and app connectivity, making the experience enlivening for all the senses.
For those who want to build a spa-like oasis in their home, it is easy to do so with Mr. Steam. Mr. Steam’s showers are engineered to relax the body and the mind, while bringing an air of sophistication and elegance into your space. With aromatherapy add-on options, wireless controls, and accessories like towel warmers and wall seats, you’ll have everything you need to sink into complete relaxation. And, Mr. Steam’s SmartSizing™ technology makes choosing a steam shower generator easy, because it measures the exact amount of steam that works with your space and in your home.
The EFFE Touch & Steam is another fantastic steam shower product. It is a professional steam generator with an elegant, light design that delivers the latest in steam production technology and hygiene. It can be installed in any environment designed to house a Turkish bath, from a home shower to larger custom spaces. Adding steam capabilities to your shower is perfect to warm up in the chilly months, while relaxing the mind, body, and spirit.
Towel Warmers
Imagine stepping out of a warm shower or bath, and wrapping yourself in a warm, fluffy towel. Towel warmers are an amazing choice to elevate your bathroom experience and warm up in the wintertime, all while lending a spa-like feel to your home. Choose between freestanding, wall-mounted, or bucket-style to match your budget and bathroom aesthetic.
While towel warmers may not be your top priority for your bathroom design, we’ll list out a few reasons why they’re worth the splurge. Besides having warm towels and robes ready when you step out of the shower, towel warmers can also help prevent mildew from growing in your towels. After you use your towel, you can place it back on the warmer to dry it out completely, keeping them smelling fresh for longer and reducing the need for constant laundering. Towel warmers can also serve as a space heater in a bathroom, keeping the whole space warm and cozy.
If you’re concerned about the aesthetics of your towel warmer, there’s no need to worry, as there are many beautiful designs out there to choose from. Heated towel racks from brands like Amba and ICO Bath provide your bathroom, laundry room, spa, or mudroom with a stylish and functional solution to warming up during the colder months. They offer a range of collections to suit different styles, with a wide selection of finishes and sizes to find just the right fit for your space.
Heated Toilet Seats
Heated toilet seats have become an increasingly popular bathroom feature in recent years. They originated as a practical solution to improve comfort on frigid mornings in Japanese bathrooms but are now mainstays in most modern bathrooms. TOTO’s heated toilet seats can maintain an optimal heat level consistently, using electrical currents to heat carbon cores positioned around the seat. From different materials, like plastic, wood, or ceramic, to adjustable temperature controls, to built-in bidets, you can find a heated seat suitable for your budget and design style. With heated toilet seats from brands like TOTO, KOHLER, and Duravit, making your bathroom experience more comfortable is easy, especially during the chill of winter.
Heated Back Rests
When you’re relaxing in a warm bathtub, the last thing you’re probably thinking about is a heated back rest for your tub. But what about when your water gets cold, and your tub starts to feel cold against your back? That’s where a heated back rest comes in, and it transforms an ordinary bathtub into a more luxurious, cozy place for relaxation. For those looking to upgrade their bathing ritual, a heated back rest provides targeted comfort; the enveloping radiant heat helps soothe aches in shoulders, neck, and back muscles while unwinding in a steamy tub without the risk of getting too hot.
Bain Ultra’s cutting-edge bathtubs feature various therapies designed to fully relax the mind and body. The WarmTouch Shell® technology in particular features 3 heating zones built into the bath’s inner shell. These heating zones transmit and circulate continuous heat to the headrest, backrest, and seat. They touch and warm the body’s most sensitive areas, providing a deep feeling of relaxation from head to toe. They warm up to 101.3 degrees Fahrenheit in less than 4 minutes and maintain that temperature for the desired duration of your session.
Outdoor Heating
While you might be spending more time indoors than usual in the wintertime, nothing beats dining al fresco. And, depending on where you live, dining outdoors in the colder months can be comfortable with the help of some outdoor heating.
Bromic Heating is recognized around the world as having revolutionized infrared radiant heating for the outdoors. With on-going investment in patented Smart-Heat technology, Bromic Heating engineers have successfully developed effective radiant heating systems and solutions that have applications for both commercial and residential markets. Available in gas, electric, and portable models, there’s a suitable option for every environment. Bromic’s portable outdoor heaters are extremely versatile, bringing flexible warmth to outdoor spaces. Available in both the Tungsten and Eclipse collections, these heaters offer top-of-the-line heating technology in a stylish, modular design. For maximum comfort and warmth, position them to direct heat toward the center of seating or dining areas. With the help of outdoor heating elements, there’s no need to shut down your outdoor kitchen for the season!
In the dead of winter, when we’re bundled up in coats and hats outdoors, we may forget about all the creative ways we can warm up at home. Thankfully, there’s no need to worry about keeping warm with all these wonderful heating innovations. From outdoor heaters, to saunas, to heated floors, there are so many creative ways to stay cozy in the wintertime, no matter where you live.
To learn more about these innovative warming products, visit a PIRCH showroom near you, and speak to a sales consultant.
