European wide survey by Ideal Standard uncovers our weird and wonderful bathroom habits
• One in six Europeans enjoy at least one ‘romantic’ moment with their partners in the bathroom every month
• 13% of men take refuge in their bathroom to try and shake off hangovers
• Women spend an average of 3.5 times a day looking at themselves and scrutinizing their looks
• 48% of 15-30 year olds use their bathroom to get ready for a date
Escaping the family, getting ready for a date, recovering from a hangover or having a romantic rendez-vous are just a few of things we get up to in our bathrooms, aside from our daily ablutions, according to a European-wide survey by leading bathroom solutions provider Ideal Standard.
People between 21-30 years old (29%) are most likely to enjoy regular bathroom couple time. In the UK, 12% of Brits regularly enjoy a bit of bathroom romance. For others, locking the bathroom door is an excuse to escape the family with one in five parents (20%) admitting they use their bathroom to escape and enjoy a bit of time alone.
The survey of 4000 people in 11 European countries was carried out by Ideal Standard, a leading brand of innovative and design-driven bathroom solutions. The aim was to explore the role of the bathroom in people’s lives and to understand how people use their bathroom space other than for routine washing activities. The results reinforce Ideal Standard’s brand ethos "Inspired by Real Life" which reflects a deep understanding of the intimate and personal role that the bathroom plays in everyday life. Ideal Standard total bathroom solutions translate these insights into smart, functional, future-conscious and innovative designs.
While most of us stick to regular functional rituals, such as the daily clean or getting ready for a date. Almost a third of us (30%) like to read a book in the bath or listen to music.
Among some of the more surprising findings are that 61% of Bulgarians wash their pets and 38% of Russians surf the internet in their bathrooms.
The most image conscious Europeans are the French, with 63% using the bathroom to indulge in their monthly beauty rituals. European men are happy to admit they carry out their beauty regime in the bathroom, with a third revealing that they use the bathroom for grooming and moisturizing. This may be a lot less than women (52%), but the men are slowly catching up! The UK is the least bothered about preening and pampering, with less than a quarter of British men and women using the bathroom for grooming on a monthly basis.
Jenny Smith, Ideal Standard comments; "This survey has really opened our eyes to the diverse ways in which Europeans use the bathroom. Far more than just a place to carry out our daily ablutions, people use the space to get up to all sorts of weird and wonderful things. All these findings help us design bathroom solutions inspired by real life to fit the very different ways people use theirs."
Ideal Standard bathrooms: inspired by real life
Whatever takes your fancy in the bathroom, Ideal Standard has a solution that fits into your lifestyle:
For the romantically inclined:
When in search of some intimacy, Ideal Standard’s shower enclosures offer that extra bit of privacy as well as increased safety and a feeling of indulgence. Its Kubo range features a range of toughened 6mm glass enclosures with stylish bright silver aluminium profiles for a minimalist modern look. Ideal Standard Tonic enclosures, made from tempered 8mm thick glass, provide a safe, solid space for a shower or wet room giving the bathroom an exclusive look.
For primping and preening
For those who like to spend time pampering and grooming themselves, a well-organised bathroom with clever storage space and features is essential, especially for those with limited spaces. Ideal Standard Concept has recently been extended with new, smart storage options, specifically designed to create additional space in the bathroom.
For family time
Fitting Ideal Standard shower trays and bathtubs with Ideal Grip, a water-based coating, greatly reduces the risk of slipping making the bathroom a safe place for children’s playtime.
For ultimate indulgence
For those who like to spend time indulging themselves in the bathroom, Ideal Standard Idealrain is the perfect solution. Its ultra-thin shower head provides a more exhilarating showering experience thanks to its extra water nozzles. It also has three spray patterns (Saturate, Invigorate and Concentrate) allowing people to select the perfect experience to suit their mood.