From the category archives:
Design
The modern bathroom of today allows home owners to escape from the worries of the day in a relaxing, stress free retreat. The amenities it offers were once only included in those of the upper echelon of society. A sleek contemporary look, coupled with a clean vibe is the hallmark of these rooms. To keep the modern bathroom updated for years to come, focus on natural materials and straight lines. Whether you need a simple makeover or a complete remodel this is the look for you. This article will show you the ingredients you need to put together a modern bathroom retreat in your home.
The key to modern bathroom design is the ability to combine natural elements with an industrial touch. For example, choose a vanity with a granite or even stainless steel top. Mixing this countertop with an antique cabinet can give you a one of a kind look that can’t be duplicated.
When it comes to tile selection, search for unusual shapes and sizes. You can find marble in oversized tiles or search out miniature glass mosaic tile. You can even simulate river rocks or pebbles through your choice of unique tile. If you’re worried about cold floors don’t hesitate to add throw rugs, or even heat.
You have host of options when it comes to color choices for the modern bathroom. If you want a contemplative look, choose neutral tones like shades of brown and green to mimic nature. Or go bright and bold with a retro blue and orange look, highlighted with pop art.
But when it comes to choosing colors for expensive components like fixtures and tile concentrate on neutral color options. To ensure your bathroom design has long lasting staying power nothing beats black, brown white or grey.
A modern bathroom offers many amenities, making it feel like a trip to the spa. You should look for ways to incorporate extras like towel warmers, soap dispensers and even TV’s. Many have separate bath and shower enclosures. And the showers offer multiple spray jets and heads, some even offer steam. Toilets are different as well, new ones are one piece and streamlined.
A sculptural element should be introduced through your vanity basins and faucets. Treat them as the sparkling jewels in your bathroom design. Look for basins that are wall mounted or sit on top of your vanity. Another accessory you won’t want to neglect is the lighting. Look for beautiful sconces that mimic vines or flowers, and consider utilizing a small chandelier. Highlight the bathing area with curvaceous track lighting or focus a single drop of light on a piece of artwork through small, recessed spotlights.
Related Posts:
{ 0 comments }
Bathroom lighting design is something that needs to be considered carefully with your update or remodel because the room can literally come alive with the right lighting choices.
You can choose from bath ceiling fixtures and bath bar designs for vanity areas. There are lamps for task lighting and recessed lighting. Even track lighting has its place in today’s bathroom. We’ll break it all down to help you select the right lights to make your bathroom lighting design ideas come to life!
Ceiling Fixtures – Today’s ceiling fixtures are a far cry from those even a decade ago. They’re no longer boring, utilitarian monstrosities shedding poor light on a dingy bathroom. Today they range from chandeliers to modern art, and every style imaginable in between.
Bath Bar – These fixtures are wall mounted lights and are generally found over the vanity and or sink. They come in many different design styles. The most numerous variations contain individual lights mounted to a central bar. The number of lights can vary widely, although the most common are four light bars, three light bars, two light bars and one light bars. If your bathroom vanity contains two sinks it’s usual to see two matching bath bars used, one over each sink.
Wall Sconces – This type of fixture is related to the bath bar, but can be characterized by a softer, mood enhancing light. The styles of sconces range from contemporary to cottage with everything in between.
Track Lighting – Today’s track lighting has come a long way from the clunky black and chrome options of the seventies. Track lighting is sleek and graceful, often times utilizing halogen bulbs for intense bursts of light. The tracks themselves can be straight or curved, facilitating their use in an infinite number of places. Track lighting will make your bathroom lighting design look very modern.
Recessed Lighting – These fixtures have finally come into their own. In the past they required larger openings in the ceiling and really intruded into the design style. Today the lights range from large to tiny. Some of them emitting only a drop of light, highlighting an accent wall with brilliance.
Table Lamps – Yes, table lamps. Believe it or not, these also fit well within some bathroom design styles. The types used in baths are generally smaller than the ones in a living area, but their shades and bases can add an instant pop to a marble or granite vanity.
All of the lights mentioned above come in a myriad of bathroom lighting design styles. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine when it comes to choosing bathroom lights and other decor for your remodel.
Related Posts:
{ 0 comments }
Bathroom lighting ideas can be plentiful if you are contemplating a remodel. When considering your bathroom lighting ideas, natural light is an often forgotten option that can brighten any bathroom. It has a profound, uplifting effect on people. Many studies have shown that regular exposure to daylight, especially sunlight, can dramatically affect our mood and outlook. A majority of bathrooms are small and dark, with little or no natural light. Adding natural light, through the installation of a skylight, can add visual space to these areas.
There are three major types of skylights to consider with your bathroom lighting ideas. The first is the what most people think of when they hear the word skylight. These are generally fixed, domed openings, and the size of these can vary greatly. It is recommended that the consumer go with a high quality, curbed skylight with energy-efficient glazing, as well as the factory flashing kit recommended for it. Even though more inexpensive plastic models are available, they often cost more in the long run due to repairs and replacement costs.
Another type is the venting skylight. These have been particularly popular in bathrooms because of the venting capabilities. With skylights in mind, one drawback to this second of three bathroom lighting ideas is the fact that almost all skylights are out of reach. These models do come with a special tool to open and close the skylight. But most consumers find, after they’ve had them installed, that they are simply too much trouble and rarely use the venting feature.
Even though the previous two types of skylights vary in size, they are available in standard models that fit between standard rafters. If you choose a large skylight the installer will need to cut one or more rafters to facilitate its installation. That works well if the house isn’t built with a truss roof. Truss roofs should never be altered in the field because of weight distribution considerations. It is possible to use several smaller models grouped together instead of one large model.
The final type of skylight, for these types of bathroom lighting ideas, is the tubular skylight. These are relatively new and quite innovative. They generally cost a lot less to install and are surprisingly effective for bathroom lighting ideas. Tubular skylights protrude from the roof directly over the room and are generally smaller than traditional models. On the roof is a metal frame which houses an acrylic lens and a domed casing. The narrow tube leading to the room is lined with a reflective material. The other end of the skylight is installed in the bathroom. A big advantage to this type of skylight is the fact that this end resembles a light fixture in size and shape.
Skylights can also add natural light without loss of privacy. In a time when houses are being built closer together, this can be a major advantage. These considerations make skylights a good option when looking for new bathroom lighting ideas when you remodel, update, or redesign with new decor.
Related Posts:
{ 0 comments }
Bathroom tile designs can be done in many different ways. Tile is the “go to” medium as you begin a remodel. It offers durability, stain and moisture resistance, as well as design options that are virtually endless. Tile fits with any design style.
Tile sizes vary widely, from large 24 in squares down to tiny one inch squares. When you take into account the color, style and design options in can be over whelming. In fact, the only drawback to tile flooring is its almost limitless possibilities. We’ll breakdown the different kinds of tile to give you a head start on your design.
Porcelain and Ceramic – These two types of tiles share many more similarities than differences. They are made the same way, although their exact composition varies slightly. They are both waterproof and easy to care for.
- Porcelain – It is the harder of the two, made with less clay and more feldspar. This composition also renders it more scratch and chip resistant. It can also be made “full-bodied” the process of keeping the color consistent all the way through the individual tile. This makes repair much simpler.
- Ceramic – This tile is slightly less expensive and easier to install. But either option is a good choice.
Natural Stone – These tiles are quarried stones, with many different finishes. Some are hardier than others, but all invoke a natural beauty that will add charm and value to any home.
- Limestone, Marble & Travertine – The warm tones of these stones evoke a cozy, snug atmosphere in any bathroom. Their only drawback is something called etching. Etching is a chemical reaction that occurs when unsealed stone comes into contact with acidic or alkaline food or products. Food products aren’t usually a problem in the bathroom, but some cleaning products can be very harsh.
These stones can be polished, but because of safety concerns that finish isn’t recommended for your bathroom tile designs. Instead try a tumbled finish that helps with traction when wet.
- Slate – Slate tiles have an almost masculine feel and their deep, rich colors are beautiful to behold. It can be difficult to choose durable slate tiles. Some slate is long lasting while other pieces seem to crumble with minimal wear. Because of this variance, slate is recommended for low traffic areas.
Whether or not to seal bathroom floor tiles is a subject that comes up frequently. The only reason to seal stone is because stone is porous and sealing cuts down on staining. That’s critical in a kitchen or on a countertop, but much less so in a shower stall or a low traffic bathroom. So let your room usage determine the necessity of sealing your floors, which tile you use, and which bathroom tile designs you come up with.
Related Posts:
{ 0 comments }
Bathroom light can vary depending upon the layout, shape, color choices, and design of your bathroom, so be prudent in your decision of the types of light that are available as it can make or break the room and what you’re trying to accomplish.
There is nothing drearier than starting the day in a dark, cramped room. It can sometimes seem that your elbows bump the walls as you try to get ready for the day. While it isn’t possible to add physical space to a small bathroom, the proper use of light can bring life back to it.
The quality of bathroom light can also make a difference in the way you view yourself. Describing the properties of light is difficult and confusing if you aren’t familiar with the terms and what they mean. Below is a basic list that should help bring clarity to confusion.
Lumens – This is the light output. The higher number of lumens the brighter the bathroom light.
Watts – This is mistakenly known as how bright a light is, but it is actually the energy usage of a light. The more watts listed, the more energy the light requires.
Average Life – This number is expressed as a length of time and correlates to how long the bulb should last.
CRI- Color Rendering Index is measured on a scale of 0-100. The higher this number the more accurate the colors will appear. This can be important if you’re trying to apply make-up or decide if that tie really goes with that shirt.
Warm, Cool and Neutral – Light is referred to in terms of warm, cool and neutral. The scale for this index runs from 5,000 down to 2,000. The lower the number, the warmer the light. Warm bathroom light is generally best for general lighting, while cool is the best choice for task lighting.
When it comes to household usage, there are really only two types of bulbs.
Incandescent light – These bulbs are inexpensive to buy at the outset, but they usually don’t last more than a year at the most and are not energy efficient.
Compact florescent light – These bulbs are usually more expensive at the point of purchase, but are much more energy efficient and can last up to ten years.
The last set of terms necessary to know is the types of light.
General – This is just what the name implies, lighting for general use. A neutral light is best here, with plenty of lumens.
Task light– This type of light is usually smaller and more focused. Because of that, it’s possible to use a lower wattage bulb.
Accent or Mood – This bathroom light is more decorative than useful and it should accomplish what the name implies. It should set the mood of the room.
This information about the different types of bathroom light will make choosing the proper light for any new bathroom design easy.
Related Posts:
{ 0 comments }
Bathroom medicine cabinets, just saying the words can conjure up pictures of childhood, taking us back to the home where we grew up. What bathroom didn’t come equipped with the bulky, wall mounted variety? With its obligatory surface mirror it couldn’t have been more boring. Almost everything in the bathroom design was boring and dull.
If you’re one of many who find impossible to envision anything else above the bathroom sink, have we got news for you. Today’s bathroom medicine cabinets are almost too chic to house medicine. They range from tradition rectangles with side lighting to oval mirrors that mount flush on the wall and defy recognition. The styles below will familiarize you with some of the options and guarantee an up to date look in your bathroom.
Traditional Wall Mounted Medicine Cabinets
These are the closest to the one’s you remember from your childhood because they are mounted on the wall (as opposed to mounted flush). But the similarities stop there. There’s nothing boring about these bathroom cabinets. They can come in a variety of shapes and sizes – rectangular, square, circular, and an amazing number of variations. Almost all still incorporate a mirrored front. But many add extras, like lighting. The lights might be mounted flush with the mirror to facilitate bathroom tasks, or between the surface and the wall, highlighting the shape and design of the cabinet.
Traditional Flush Mounted Medicine Cabinets
This type of medicine cabinet has also been seen in years past, but once again, modern design has turned the traditional upside down. Mounted between the studs and set into the wall, the only limit is the width between the studs.
Today these bathroom cabinets are almost impossible to detect. They utilize picture frame molding no different from what we find anywhere else in the home. It’s common to see models with ornate gold frames or sleek, black metal contemporary ones. And once again, the shapes are endless, limited only by the design style you choose.
You can also find flush mounted models with only a thin mirror on the surface of the wall, no frame or molding of any kind giving away it’s hidden depths.
Corner Mounted Medicine Cabinets
These cabinets utilize limited space in an innovative way. They are generally more sleek and contemporary in design, with both front and side mirrored. But some traditional models are available. Space within this type of cabinet is more limited, but since it’s space that would be wasted anyway it is often a good trade off.
No matter your design style or storage requirement there’s at least one, of the many types of bathroom medicine cabinets available, to meet your needs. Also, before making any final decisions with it, be sure to compare with the main bathroom vanity cabinets you have chosen to ensure everything matches.
Related Posts:
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
Bathroom vanity cabinets have finally come into their own, welcomed into the home as a useful and beautiful piece of furniture. Their designs are a long way from the painted wood, laminate topped boxes we’re used to seeing. There are many different design styles to choose from, so take time and explore the intriguing possibilities.
Contemporary – If you’re looking for a cabinet that’s fresh and graceful this style is for you. Contemporary cabinets are marked by clean lines and spare details.
Traditional – Conventional style and design marks this category. But just because the style is traditional doesn’t mean it has to be ordinary. Look for standard details used in original ways.
This is the time to make some detailed measurements of the space where you cabinet will be installed. These measurements are critical, so be sure to double check your numbers.
Now it’s time to put in a little research. Before making your selection, take time to familiarize yourself with the options available. The list below will take you through the process step by step.
Internet – This is the place to begin your quest. Enter bathroom vanity into the search engine of your choice and start browsing. Be sure to keep a pad and pen nearby. You’ll want to make note of the styles and companies that interest you most. Even if a piece seems beyond your budget write it down. You’ll be surprised at the options that translate at lower price points. Some of those details make the transition into inexpensive pieces.
Magazines – Now it’s time to visit your local library or bookstore. Keep your pad and pen handy, your list isn’t complete. Look at as many current design and building magazines as you can lay your hands on. These will offer different settings and options for the pieces that have drawn you in on the Internet. Also pay attention to the overall design style of the bathroom where your favorite pieces are displayed. This can give you options you might not have considered before.
Brick and Mortar Businesses – Once you have your list it’s time to take a more hands on approach. Plan to spend at least a day covering all the options. Start with Building supply stores and then move onto local cabinet shops. They are all great places to look. Take time to see the pieces that interest you in person. Talk to the sales staff, you’ll find they know all the specifications and details, as well as any variations that are available.
These simple steps will result in a bathroom vanity that fits your lifestyle and personality perfectly.
Related Posts:
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
New bathroom vanity cabinets can be very expensive and because of this budget bathrooms are quickly becoming more and more popular, particularly modifications or updates from an existing cabinet instead of buying new cabinets. The hard economical times are hitting everyone from the rich to the slightly less well off. So more people are turning to budgeting when it comes to remodeling a bathroom, and making the most of what they have.
The saying goes that buying something new goes a long way to making a person feel better. So what if making something look new can help a person to feel much better?
As well as the obvious physical and psychological benefits of do-it-yourself, the payback to ones pocket through budgeting a new addition to your property is also very welcome.
With budgeting in mind, turning to how-to-improve the look of an old and beaten up bathroom vanity cabinets at low cost is something to consider.
Easy low cost improvements
Firstly to ensure that this do-it-yourself improvement you will need to make sure that your vanity unit’s frame is in good order, so have a good check inside and out for any water damage, rot or mildew.
1. If you do not have any damage then you can proceed to the next stage(2), however if you have rot then you will need to consider replacing the parts of the frame that are no longer good, or treat areas with mildew with a general household mildew remover and then prime the wood with wood primer paint.
2. Remove and measure your cabinet doors/drawer fronts and check the hinges and handles, if they are good then you should keep them. These can cost a lot of money to replace as new so can save you quite few dollars.
3. Is the counter top in good shape? If it is then consider keeping it (If no go to 3) and just giving it a good clean along with removing the old sealant/caulk with a utility knife. Then reseal using a good waterproof bathroom sealant. You will be amazed how new your countertop will actually look and will have saved you a small fortune.
4. Whether you counter top is in good or bad condition, the surface is usually where a lot of things can be done to improve the look and condition. You can add a sunken sink effect by sanding down the countertop surface adding some 2-3mm deep grooves/channels 1 inch apart. Then adding a mosaic of tiles to the countertop. The grooves are so that the tile grout has something to adhere to. You can be as creative as you want with your mosaic design, cheap end of line tiles can be found at a hardware store, or very cheaply on craigslist as unwanted items. You may even have some lay around yourself. You can get instructions on how to set/install tiles to a countertop with an online search.
5. There are two things you can do with your cabinet doors and drawer fronts. You can measure and replace them for new ones or some that are in good condition second hand. Ensuring you find the correct sizes and matching hinge placements. This is still much cheaper than replacing the full unit. Or you can sand, prime and paint the doors (making sure you have removed any handles and hinges first). You can be creative and choose any color of bathroom paint you want, you could have a contrasting frame color and doors, mix and match – you decide. Allow for paint to dry.
6. Remember to sand, prime and paint your frame first. Allowing for drying times then replace your doors and drawers.
Of course this is just a starting tutorial and you can be as creative as you want, but hopefully you will have ended up with a new looking set of bathroom vanity cabinets and saved yourself a good couple of hundred dollars in the process.
Related Posts:
{ Comments on this entry are closed }
Bathroom designs ideas ideas are usually flowing from a homeowner like water from a faucet, and for those that do not have many or want more they can easily be found with a quick search on the Internet or at your local home center. If you are going to do the work on your bathroom remodeling project yourself, be warned that it can be a nightmare if the right precautions aren’t taken.
Your bathroom designs ideas need to become reality. Why? Because they are YOUR ideas.
Bathroom remodeling can be an experience that you may never forget but the end result is always worth the wait. It doesn’t matter if you are replacing a bathroom vanity, installing a new faucets or installing a new toilet, having the right tools for the job makes your bathroom remodeling go a lot smoother. There is nothing worse than being in the middle of a remodeling project and discovering that you are short a tool needed to do the install of hardware, wiring or plumbing work.
As you begin work on implementing your bathroom designs ideas, you’ll find that a tool belt pouch is fine, but if you don’t like the bulk and extra weight around your waist then buying a good quality tool box is essential. Stocking your toolbox with the basics first is a step in the right direction. A straight and Phillip’s screwdriver, a pry bar, a level, plumbing tape, electrical tape, hammer, pipe wrench, vise grips and clamps are perfect starter tools. When considering screwdrivers, a magnetic screwdriver set can save you time from chasing after run away screws. Are you now seeing how important the right tools can be to making your bathroom designs ideas a reality?
Installing a toilet is a simple part of many bathroom designs ideas and may sound like a simple enough job but it can turn into a nightmare if you are not prepared for the installation. For example, if you plan to replace an old toilet with a newer or different model, be sure to take the proper measurements to be certain the new one you get will actually work in your bathroom. For example, measure the distance from the tank to the wall on the old toilet, then do the same on the new one. Also, you need to know where your water lines come in. If you try to force square peg into a round hole, or in this case a new toilet where it just won’t fit, then you’re setting yourself for leaks and constant problems.
The one tool that is essential is a small hack saw because if you ever run into a rusty bolt that just wont come off you can at least cut it off. If you are comfortable with air tools they can save you time when finishing up projects like laying down a new sub floor in your bathroom design project. Why torture your knees if a finishing brad nailer can help you lay that new bathroom floor instead of using a manual hammer? In bathroom remodeling projects we all have our favorite tools and it is up to you if they are hand tools, air tools or a combination of the two.
Do your research, study as many different websites, books, and home centers that you can in order to find the right bathroom designs ideas that match what you are envisioning, then make certain you have all the right tools to do the job efficiently and well or it could turn into a real nightmare.
Related Posts:
{ 0 comments }
