No Cutting Corners - Using Corner Sinks to Spice Up the Bathroom

Too often, when it comes to home renovations, many homeowners think that there is not much room for creativity. With small spaces and bulky, set pieces of furniture, bathrooms can seem somewhat limited in terms of overall design. However, for homeowners who are willing to think outside the box, there are plenty of options to both maximize the space as well as giving the room a distinctive flair that is sure to breathe new life into an old space, as well as increase the value of your home.

One way to redefine a bathroom is to consider a corner sink. A sink is a staple in any bathroom, from a first floor water closet to a spa-inspired master bath. While many people may consider the different styles of bathroom sinks, from pedestal units to modern basins units, it is also important to remember that a sink can be chosen not only for its style and material, but for its placement as well.

A corner sink may be an unconventional choice, but there are many reasons that some homeowners may discover that it is the smartest choice for their space. The first reason to consider corner sinks is that it is an efficient use of space. Some bathrooms, especially in older homes, are exceptionally small. In some extreme cases, it is actually nothing more than a converted closet, which is obviously very small and leaves little room for creativity in the design. Because of this, fitting in all the necessary components can be a difficult task, leaving homeowners with an awkward layout and no room to maneuver. By choosing to use a corner sink, homeowners can use their space in a way that opens up the floor, which can make even the smallest bathroom seem a little bit larger.

Another reason to consider using a corner sink is for purely stylistic reasons. Since bathrooms often have prescribed items to go in the space, such as a toilet, sink, and bathtub, finding ways to set the room apart can be difficult. By opting to use a corner sink, a bathroom will have a more custom look, making it both space efficient and stylistically memorable.

Since corner bathroom sinks are not as common, there may be a smaller selection for homeowners to choose from, but it is still possible to find one that fits in to any decor. From pedestal sinks positioned on an angle, to more custom looking vanities, and even units installed floating on the wall, it is possible to find the perfect unit to light up the corner of any bathroom.

By Derek Farley

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Bathroom Injuries

As humorous as the title "Bathroom Injuries" may sound, restrooms are a very common place for household and hotel injuries. There are a number of hazards that can result in injury and even death. This article will give you some advice as to avoiding the hidden dangers that may be present in your own personal bathroom.

Bathrooms combine several dangerous elements that can result in injury. Most bathrooms are made of tile or other hard flooring, and have showers, bathtubs, sinks, and toilets that can splash water on the floors and make them slippery. Also, burns, drowning, and even medication overdose can all occur in the bathroom.

First, the bathroom floor and the shower floor can become extremely slippery when covered in water. Also, product buildup, such as soap scum, can also contribute to slip-and-fall accidents. If your bathroom is not properly constructed, it may not drain water, which can result in almost a hydroplane effect on your feet. Additionally, some shower and bathtub flooring does not have special grip strips. As you are showering and shampooing your hair, you can lose your balance in the shower, resulting in a fall.

Slip-and-fall accidents can result in injuries such as head trauma, lacerations, broken bones, and chipped teeth. If you happen to be knocked unconscious, there is a chance that you can lay for hours alone in your bathroom, possibly drowning.

Studies show that one of the most common bathroom injuries is being burned by scalding hot water. If you are washing your hands or stepping into the shower, some water heaters may be turned up too hot, resulting in burns to your hands, back, head, and body.Next, any accumulation in water can be dangerous for people who cannot swim. Even a few inches of bathwater in the tub can provide enough to kill a baby or a person who has fallen face down in the tub. Thus, you should never leave young children or elderly people alone in a bathroom. Also, toilet bowls hold enough water to cover someone's mouth and nose. You should consider always putting the lid down or even getting a lid latch to keep possible drowning victims out of the bathroom.

Also, if the tile or granite in your bathroom is poorly cut or construction, it can chip. This may lead to abrasions and lacerations from the sharp surfaces. Lastly, many people choose to keep their medicine cabinets in the bathroom. Curious kids and suicidal people may exploit this fact, resulting in mental damage or even death.

With all of the dangers that are present in bathrooms, you should keep your personal restroom as protected as possible against drownings, burns, and slips. You should also be able to trust a hotel to keep their bathroom safe as well. However, there is no guarantee that a hotel is vigilant about bathroom safety, which can result in an injury to you or someone you love.

By Joseph Devine

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5 Ways to Decide if a Bathroom Remodel Makes Sense

Have you considered remodeling one of the bathrooms in your home? If so, then you’re definitely not alone. In fact, over 60% of the homeowners who visit Remodel or Move have expressed interest in remodeling or adding a bathroom.

But just because you want a new or improved bathroom, doesn’t always mean it’s the best idea. There are times when it makes sense to go ahead with your plans. And there are also times when you should consider other options. So how do you know when the time is right for you?

Three reasons to move ahead and not look back:

1. You have a 1 bathroom home in a 2+ bathroom neighborhood.

A 2nd and even a 3rd bathroom are among the most basic requirements people have when looking for a new home. If all of your neighbors have two or more bathrooms and you only have one, it would be a good investment to add another. If you use good sense in the design and placement of your bathroom, you will most likely recover your costs and even make some money when it comes time to sell.

2. Your bathrooms are an eyesore.

Living with a bathroom that has broken fixtures, stains and unreliable plumbing can be miserable. In this case, an appropriate remodel is a good investment of your time and money. This is even the case if you’ll only be staying in the home just a few months and then moving.

An appropriate remodel is one that results in a room that fits the scale and style of the entire home. It should not be too large or result in a completely different look and feel from the rest of the house. The materials should also be equal to what can be found in the rest of the house—not significantly cheaper, no more expensive.

3. You really like your home, but don’t like your bathroom style, size, or features.

If it just makes you feel better, your tastes can sometimes dictate remodeling or adding a bathroom even if it may not be the wisest financial investment. But only up to a point.

Make certain that you really do like much of your home, the location, floor plan, and yard. If you don’t like several aspects of your home, it may be smarter to move then to fix several items to suit your needs. You should also accept that it may not necessarily be a great investment. Surprisingly, it is entirely possible to remodel a bathroom and not have your home appreciate in value at all. This is the case if you are changing the style of a perfectly good bathroom

Two reasons to carefully consider before plunging into a bathroom remodel or addition:

1. Your bathroom is in good condition, and you only plan to stay in the home for less than two years.

Bathroom remodels can take several weeks, they are generally intrusive, and unless you are going to live in the home for several years and enjoy the results it may not be worth living through the inconveniences.

2. You already have the largest and nicest home in the neighborhood.

If your home has three bathrooms and four bedrooms, more than other homes in your neighborhood, and you’re considering adding a fourth bathroom, you should definitely think twice. You may be building a home that is desirable—just not in your neighborhood.

When you go to sell, will people who are interested in a 4 bedroom / 4 bathroom home want to live in your neighborhood or a neighborhood filled with similar homes? In this case, your addition may not add any money to the value of your home.

There are many things to consider when you’re thinking about the addition or remodel of a bathroom. Some of them may not seem as obvious to you, but they can have a significant impact on the value of your home. To get a quick and easy estimate of the cost to remodel or add a bathroom visit www.remodelormove.com.

By Dan Fritschen

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Quick Smart Cleaning - The Bathroom

The bathroom isn’t like any other room in the house; it needs to be cleaned to a certain standard to maintain hygiene. But it doesn’t necessarily have to take an eternity. In this Quick Smart Cleaning guide we can show how get that bathroom clean in fifteen minutes.

First of all let’s grab the supplies. It's important to have these together before you start. This will mean there is less chance that you will get diverted from doing the job in hand by having to run back and forth, collecting your cleaning products.

Here's what you'll need:

· A bag or basket for any non-bathroom items

· a brush and mop

· laundry basket

· a bin

· disinfectant wipes

· glass cleaner and cloth

· toiler cleaner and brush.

OK, let’s get started!

Grab the laundry basket and put all the dirty washing in the basket: that’s it, pile it all in there. Next, put any litter lying around inside the litterbin. I bet it’s starting to look much tidier already!

Using the disinfectant wipes, wipe down the sink and bath tubs. Try to spend a little more time on the sink to make it presentable. The toilet is next. Using the toiler brush and cleaner, scrub inside the toilet bowl. If this is done on a regular basis it really shouldn’t need much more maintaining. Use the disinfectant wipes to wipe around the outside of the toilet.

If you have any glass in your bathroom take the glass cleaner and cloth and wipe it down, spend a little time to make sure you haven’t left any streaks!

Put any non-bathroom items into the bag or basket and return them to their proper places. You can then sweep and mop the floor. With bathrooms normally being the smallest room in the house this shouldn’t take too long.

We’re done again! Now did it take anymore than fifteen minutes? Probably not. Remember if you make these steps part of a routine maintenance for your bathroom each clean up will go a lot faster.

By Amber McNaught

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The Finishing Touch For Your Bathroom - Tiling Your Bathtub

There could be nothing more straightforward than the procedure required to do the tiling around the bathtub. Along with some basics from tiling courses and with a bit of learning and patience, any homeowner can probably pull of this task quite easily.

Since tiles are very easy to clean and maintain, they are probably the best option for the bathroom mostly because of the prevalent damp atmosphere. The tiles that you use around a bath may be made of ceramic or stone or glass. The choice is certainly up to you and when deciding on tiles, consider the type of look that you are trying to create and make sure it fits in with the décor of the rest of the room.

To kick start the tiling procedure, you will need to use the basic skills that you learned at the tiling courses that you attended. Make sure that all the tiles are laid out precisely. This is a key step in the tiling job especially when relevant to the steps of measuring and cutting. When setting off on this job, stay away from thinset and use mastic instead. The stickier nature of mastic makes sure that tiles don't slip down the wall or move out of place.

Following this step, measure the height of each wall that is on top of the tub. Divide this length into half to find the exact halfway point on each of these walls. Once you have done this, measure how many tiles will fit below and above this line. If you end up with tiles which are less than half at the top and/or bottom, make a small adjustment to the center mark to give yourself increased working space. A small sliver will certainly look out of place and you will run the risk of cutting it crookedly.

Once the tile layout has been fully planned out by you, start your tiling job at the center mark and work outwards. From the time it has been laid on, mastic will remain sticky for about twenty minutes; hence there is no need for you to put too much on at a time. Make sure that you make deep ridges with the trowel to ensure proper spreading out of the mastic and full adhere to the tiles. To ensure that the tiles are laid evenly, use tile spacers. Tile spacers will also make sure that there aren't any huge areas of grout. Do not forget to leave space between the tub and the bottom row for the caulk.

Just as your tiling courses may have warned you about bath tub tiling, you may need to cut up some tiles to fit edges or for the areas around the faucets. Always remember that the tiles should be measured twice and cut once. Always keep some extra tiles on hand in case there are some unexpected breakages.

Finish off the job by putting in the grouting into the gaps between tiles. This will also help in holding the tiles. The grout should be pushed gently into the gaps and the excess should be wiped off with a damp sponge. Do the final touch on the next day after you have given your project a good chance to dry.

If you are not too confident about your tiling abilities, take up some tiling courses to gather the skills and confidence that you need.

By Poongothai Ratnavadivel

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Add Value to Your Home With a Bathroom Remodel

If you are struggling to sell your home there are ways to make your property more appealing to buyers. The current unpredictable housing market is making home owners nervous and only those who are 100% sure about the purchase will buy. As a seller you need to make sure your property is immaculate and as appealing as possible to prospective buyers. A lick of paint will make a positive difference. However, by revamping an entire room you can increase your chances of a sale. With a small initial outlay you can reap that larger reward you're looking for.

A good starting point is to find the current market value of your property. Based on that price, how much are you willing to pay for improvements? Obviously, you'll want a mix of quality and value for money. A new kitchen is probably not a sound choice as collectively it contains the most expensive items in the house. Re-decorating is a good option, but as new buyers prefer neutral colours when viewing a property this won't add that much needed new flair you're looking for.

The obvious answer is to remodel your bathroom, especially in a family home. "The smallest room" can quickly be transformed by adding even one or two new additions, and with little fuss. A fresh new bathroom suite - matching toilet and basin unit - is an ideal way to start. If you've already freshened up your home with some redecorating, a gleaming new bathroom suite will not only revive your property but make those new buyers feel that little bit more at home and comfortable during the viewing.

If your bath is showing signs of age, a new bath is easy to install, either DIY or by a plumber. Remember to match your baths taps with those on the basin to give that uniform feel, and you can even match taps with the shower unit. A bath screen is also easily installed and will add a touch of panache, especially if your old one is well-used, or if all you have at present is a shower curtain. It's also easier to clean.

These simple, inexpensive investments could make the difference in selling your home.

Finally, if you are using an estate agent to sell your home, don't forget to tell them you've done a bathroom remodel so they can adjust the selling price.

By Harry Young

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Don't Hurt Yourself When Seeking Bathroom Window Curtain Ideas

Think bathroom window curtain ideas, and your mind traipses past a series of resplendent images. Images, all decidedly delightful and dazzling that have the amazing alacrity to ignite a thousand dreams. So why would anybody turn a blind eye to their sizzle? When you are trying hard to infuse a dose of freshness and verve into that quiescent space, these sparkling ideas come to your rescue instantly.

Can you think of a more economical yet efficient way to give a refreshing new twist to that tired, old bathroom? These spectacular ideas are sure to just blow you away.

Sure To Be Hung Up On Them

The massive assortment of ideas for bathroom window curtains will surely make you completely delirious with joy. You can find fabulous fabrics that have passion interwoven with skill, captivating colors that send your senses galloping and intricate designs and patterns that would leave even a high-profile designer completely breathless.

However, it's more than just the selection of lightweight weaves or heavy-duty drapes. But don't let this ostensibly mind-boggling task dim your ardor. Here's what you need to bear in mind while making the perfect choice for your dream bathroom:

Since we love the way in which the sun bathes the space in a warm, surreal glow, we rather not have something that's a party popper. Ensure the drapes are lightweight.

If its silk, and not cotton that appeals to you, make sure you line it with cotton fabric to prevent its eye-candy appeal from fading.

Attention to detail is key when the fabric is being sewed. Let your sense of style guide you while creating awe-inspiring patterns. Consider the length of the drapes earnestly.

The color and designs must be completely in sync with the theme of your space. So while a sensational dark colored, heavily embellished curtain will burnish the aura of a contemporary space; a beige colored drape with an ornate diamond design and beautiful borders will be a sight to behold in a traditional bathroom.

Your bathroom is all set to take that gigantic, unimaginable leap to the frontline. Just hope you can catch up.

By Yamini Chowdhury

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Bathroom Vanity Lights: Tips Before Buying Vanity Bathroom Lights

Bathroom vanity lights are often overlooked in a bathroom. Artificial light from vanity bathroom lights and general lighting is important during hours when natural light is not available. Without good lighting, the decor and the personality of your bathroom can not be developed properly. And since the day usually begins and ends with a trip to the bathroom, time spent there should be comforting, relaxing and easy to see when grooming.

Bathroom vanity lights typically include one light or perhaps two or more above the mirror. Or, there may be lights or sconces on each side of the mirror or medicine cabinet and one ceiling light or a row of recessed ceiling lights over the vanity, depending on the size of your vanity and mirror. Make sure your bathroom mirror is evenly illuminated and free of shadows since this is where applying makeup, shaving and other grooming activities will take place. If you have two bathroom vanities, each one should have the same bathroom vanity lights setup.

You should have both ambient lighting and task lighting in the bathroom. Here are lighting types for providing artificial bathroom light:

• Ambient Lighting - chandeliers, surface-mounted, bathroom vanity lights, wall sconces and recessed fixtures are types of general lighting that illuminate the overall bathroom area. This type of illumination allows you to move around and see safely in the room. These types of bathroom light fixtures should be controlled by dimmers where you can change the intensity of the light for a relaxing feel when you are soaking in the tub, for example. General ambient lighting gives your bathroom the most illumination towards the floor, but it will produce more glare than other types of bathroom light fixtures.

• Task Lighting - is a direct beam of light that illuminates a particular area with very work-specific tasks, not intended to light the entire room. Task lighting can be a beam of light directed towards the reading area while in the tub, while shaving, reading, exercising on the treadmill, applying makeup or putting in your contact lenses. It can be turned on only when you need it. Use wall sconces on both sides of the mirror or medicine cabinet as bathroom vanity lights so that you benefit from lighting from both sides.

• Accent Lighting - these types of bathroom light fixtures are intended to create a certain visual drama and atmosphere in the bathroom, and they provide focus to selected details of the room for a decorative touch. Consider using track lighting to spotlight decorative objects or to provide a relaxing environment that you'll enjoy when soaking in the tub.

• Decorative Lighting - these are lighting fixtures that draw attention to themselves as objects and they are used to create an effect. Chandeliers, candles (traditional and electric), fireplace, candelabra and low voltage pendant fixtures are examples of decorative lighting.

Always choose light bulbs for bathroom vanity lights that provide light in the natural daylight spectrum. Bulbs that are mostly yellow or white will not show you how you will appear outside the bathroom, which makes applying makeup more difficult.

You should have many options for your bathroom vanity lights. Just as a luxurious soaking bath is a great way to begin or end the day, the lighting in your bathroom should provide you that warm, cozy feeling when you want. And when you need to see while grooming or shaving, vanity bathroom lights and lighting should make it easy to see.

If you find yourself unsure of how to proceed, consider consulting with a lighting designer to assist you in creating the best lighting for your home. Read and learn as much as you can about bathroom vanity lights and home lighting. Good lighting planning, design and implementation will provide you enjoyable, practical and dramatic effects for your bathroom and your home in general.

By David Buster

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Different Types of Bathroom Sinks

When it comes to choosing new bathroom sinks you can become overwhelmed with all the different types and materials. With each type of material used come advantages and disadvantages due to the properties of each sink. This article will talk about the different types of sinks available and the pros and cons to each of those types. Hopefully, at the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of these different sinks and be able to make a more educated choice on purchasing your new sink.

Standard bathroom sinks are usually made of stamped metal and covered with a ceramic coating. The sinks are inexpensive to manufacture, durable, and look okay for their price point. They are easy to install, usually self rimming, and held in place by screw clamps under the sink. You would typically find these types of sinks in apartments, condos, or sub division styled housing. The other reason the sinks are such a good price point is they are the most common therefore the most mass-produced.

The next upgraded sink would probably be a cast iron sink with a ceramic or porcelain coating. These sinks are heavier therefore more durable and come in more of a variety of shapes and sizes. These tend to blend better with tile counter tops and typically have a deeper rim in a variety of shapes. Both of these styles of sinks are susceptible to chipping but can be repaired using a special kit, sold at most home improvement stores. Unless the sink is a standard white color, these repair kits can be hard to match.

Decorative Clay sinks can be beautiful but are very fragile. These are recommended more for a powder room or hall bath than they are for a bathroom that gets daily use. Clay sinks are fired in a ceramic kiln with a coating to make it waterproof. These coatings can be transparent or solid and can have a mixture of colors and designs. Typically the thicker the bowl the less of a chance it will crack but all bowls have a tendency to chip. These types of bathroom sinks are very hard, if not impossible, to repair.

Glass vessel sinks are probably the most decorative sinks available. They can be mounted to counter top, for a wash bowl effect or they can sit on a stand or pedestal. They are very fragile.These glass vessel sinks can be mass-produced or created by an artist to suit your most fanciful need.

By Jim Leahey

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Design Your Own Bathroom Makeover! - Peruse, Price and Plan

Thinking about a bathroom makeover? The cost of a bathroom redo can get out of hand easily and that is why you need a plan. We planned the renovation of our lower level bath carefully and have stayed within budget.

Since I have a degree in art, I am acting as the designer. I am also acting as the contractor and this will save us 15% or more on makeover costs. You do not need a degree in art to design your bathroom makeover. All you need is patience and these steps will help you sort wants from needs.

Your first step is to peruse bathroom design. I started a makeover file. When I saw a photo I liked, I cut it out and filed it. These photos helped me to refine the design. The Internet has thousands of photos and looking at some of them is worth your time. You don't have to replace everything to update your bath. According to the "Basics of Bath Design," an article on the bathroom Remodeling Website, "Giving your bathroom a new look is a simple as upgrading your tub." Our lower level bath has a shower only, so we didn't have to deal with the tub issue.

Pricing is the next step you need to take. Start a list of products and manufacturers. For example, you may like Moen faucet. Put the list in a file or notebook. "One way to begin is to start keeping a notebook for when a design idea for your bathroom comes to you," advises the Dream Log Home Website. "You'll soon define the room that will be the best for you." Keep this list for several months and, as it grows, do some comparison shopping. Cross off products, put a star by the possibilities, and narrow your choices.

Financial planning is your last step. Of course, you could make a budget first. But the problem is, you don't know what you want, or how much you can spend, until you see what is available. We comparison shopped, decided how much we could spend, and made our budget. According to an article, "Does Your Bathroom Need a New Look?", on the Bathroom Central Website, you don't want to get half-way through the job and discover you're out of money. Include the cost of "contractors, electricians, and plumbers if you're not a do-it-yourselfer." Even if you're handy you may wish to hire professionals.

My husband and I are both do-it-yourselfers and, though we've painted more walls than we care to count, we hired a professional painter. We also hired a plumber and a carpenter. These charges are included in our budget. The lower level bath is still a mess, but we are rounding the third base of our bathroom makeover, and headed for home plate. Our lower level bathroom is going to be striking.

If you peruse, price and plan, your bathroom makeover can come in on budget and be just what you imagined. Enjoy it!

By Harriet Hodgson

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Choosing a Sink For Your Master Bathroom

One feature people often overlook when doing a master bedroom/bath remodel is the vanity sink itself. You may not choose to replace the existing sink, and that's fine, but if you want your sink to fit into the overall environment you're creating during your remodeling, you may want to take a look at all the different sink models that are on the market today.

After all, your master bathroom sink is something you're going to be living with for a long time to come.

With all the sink options available, you're sure to find the perfect one for your needs. A vanity that includes a built-in sink has become a popular choice. Although the basic idea of all of these vanities is the same, there are many different variations on the basic theme. Take time to browse through a home improvement store or a plumbing supply house before choosing the sink you like best.

Start by making a list of all the qualities you're looking for in a sink. Are you adding a double vanity so that you'll need two sinks? How much counter space do you want? What style are you interested in? How much have you budgeted in your plan for purchasing a sink? All of these factors need to be well thought-out prior to shopping for your ideal sink/s and vanity.

If you are looking for something new, different, and sleekly-modern, you might try a frameless vanity cabinet or a European style cabinet. A frameless vanity has hidden hardware which makes the cabinet look seamless and streamlined. Other newer models include such items as a glass sink bowl that sits on a glass shelf and has no cabinet under it or ones which include faucets hung from the wall instead of the sink.

Your choice of sink often depends on the vanity you have chosen. You can also put the cart before the horse and select a sink before picking the vanity to put it in. The new glass-bowl sinks sit on top of the counter which increases the amount of storage space under the sink. This would be an ideal sink to include in a dressing room application.

Even if your budget is somewhat limited, you'll still find many beautiful options available to you. Vanities are available made of different materials such as wood, porcelain, and wrought iron. Some of the different sink constructions include stainless steel, glass, ceramic, porcelain, rock, tile, and enamel coated. Think about the positive side of this situation. Without a budget, how would you ever decide amongst all those wonderful options?

Choosing hardware is a very special consideration when remodeling a bath. Cabinet hardware and faucets are available in many materials and in a wide price range. Just an individual knob for your cabinet could run you $20. If you choose a vanity with several cupboards and drawers, you'll need a knob for each one of them which could run into big bucks. Faucets can range to much higher prices. Select materials that will go along with those used in the rest of your house. If you've used brushed nickel doorknobs and drawer pulls all over your house, you don't want to change to gold in the master bath. This will also help narrow down your choices.

Take your time and explore your choices, and you'll find that you can really enjoy remodeling your master bath because of all the beautiful sinks, vanities, and hardware you have to choose from to create a look that's uniquely you.

By Christopher W Smith

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Tips To Design A Bathroom

If you want your bathroom to be elegant and comfortable, you have to add some modern accessories to it. A modern bathroom reflects your lifestyle. Bathroom is a place where you can get rid of stress. Before planning a bathroom you have to choose a suitable hardware.

One of the most important things which enhance the look of your bathroom is lightning. Your bathroom needs both artificial and natural light. Lightning enhances the look and makes the room look more spacious. Several types of lights which can be used in a bathroom are down lights, shower lights, spot lights, wall lights, mirror lights and shaving lights. If you will maintain proper heat and ventilation, your bathroom will be always fresh. Ventilation keeps out unpleasant odor and moisture.

The next thing which can completely change the look of your bathroom is a bathroom mirror. Bathroom mirror reflect both natural and artificial light. To finish the look of your bathroom you can add certain outfits like towel rails, soap dishes, glass shelves and baskets.

One more thing you will need in your bathroom is furniture. You can buy some cabinets for storage of towels and other important things. Most common accessories which you need in your bathroom are showers, wash basin, bathroom tubs and shelves. If you want to redesign your bathroom first you have to set your budget. The bathroom is no longer just a space for cleaning yourself as it is changing in a comfort zone. It will be a good idea to discuss all your expectations with your interior designer before starting anything.

By Jitesh Arora

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Designing & Planning Your Bathroom

The bathroom is now seen as an integral part of any home, similar to the kitchen in that it should speak volumes about the house by providing comfort along with style and practicality. When deciding to update your bathroom furniture, the choices are endless from adding a few bathroom accessories, changing the taps, switching the bath and pottery for newer versions or in fully redesigning the layout by adding furniture, changing the style of bath, washbasin etc.

The options for this room are now endless with a market worth well over £600 million per annum and therefore any decision requires careful planning and precision, to ensure that everything matches and more importantly, fits.

There are numerous high street bathroom retailers, the majority of which moving towards computer aided design (CAD) that allow for a full 3D design perspective of your bathroom and allow you to play with different ideas to see what the best option would be, without the need for a tape measure and pieces of newspaper. When you are happy with the layout and design of your bathroom the next stage is to find the right products making sure that the sizes used in the CAD design are adhered to.

The cheapest option in any new bathroom is to maintain the current layout so that plumbing points do not need to be moved around the room, which can be costly, and so that the new products can be fitted with relative ease, leaving you with less time without your bathroom and more money in your back pocket.

Baths, washbasins and toilets come in array of designs and therefore can be quite time consuming finding a style that suits. The large industry manufacturers like Ideal Standard hold a portfolio that would take you days to look through and if you are looking to integrate furniture into your bathroom you have another set of decisions to contend with in terms of style, placement and product integration.

Your decision of baths and washbasins is also influenced by your decision on brassware and whether you want a single mixer tap, pillar taps, or even a wall mounted tap. Brassware is now seen as one of the main focal points of bathroom suites with consumers opting for unbranded pottery and spending more money on stylish taps for a modern and sleek look to impress.

Once you have decided on what products you want in your bathroom you now have to decide on the flooring and the walls and not to mention the window decorations. It is always essential that you verify your ideas with your plumber to ensure that they are viable and that you order all the materials you require. With regard to the window simply make sure that any blind or curtain has blackout lining so that you maintain your privacy amongst neighbours and passers by. Whatever materials you choose for your walls ensure that they are fully waterproof and that the grouting being used is equally waterproof as problems here will lead to damp patches appearing in the ceiling of the room below the bathroom. In terms of flooring you have the option of tiles, wood, lineal or carpet though if you're looking to go fancy you could add under floor heating to some tiles as there is nothing worse than cold tiles under foot in the morning.

Overall, the decision to redesign your bathroom cannot be taken lightly and whatever you decide it must be perfect for you as well as being practical.

By Michael Core

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