Bathroom
The Great Bathroom Debate: This or That?
By: Kelly Goldthorpe
Decorating your bathroom might seem like a fairly easy process. You need a bathroom shower, sink, and toilet – everything else can be filled in later. Even with this straightforward approach, the amount of variety in bathroom furnishings provides you with countless choices and options to choose from. If you have a general idea of what you would like your bathroom renovation to look like, this article might help you fine-tune your design aspirations.
Bathroom Shower vs. Bathtub:
A standing bathroom shower has a compact nature, which is great for small bathrooms. You can have curtains or sliding doors for a standing shower, allowing for versatility to fit your bathroom design. Because there is no bathtub wall to worry about, standing showers are very easy to enter and exit. You also save on water as showers do not require as much water consumption as baths. Shower stalls are typically smaller than bathtubs with shower heads. This is good during the remodeling stage because you can more easily install it and position it based on your desires. While there are different sizes available, some larger than others, you may feel cramped in.
Bathtubs are a more traditional choice for your home. Typically, bathtubs are installed against a wall with an affixed shower head. The most obvious advantage to a bathtub is that you can take baths. Great for children or great for relaxing from the children, many homeowners frequently enjoy baths and would not want to be without this feature. However, because of the large volume of a bathtub, it requires a significantly larger amount of water to fill the space.
Consider your space and personal preference when deciding between the two. You will be able to shower either way, but will you miss having the option to take a hot bubble bath if you go with a standing shower? If you don’t enjoy baths, then perhaps a shower will save you space and money that you would rather spend elsewhere.
Vanity Sink vs. Unconventional Sinks:
Sinks serve a pretty distinct purpose, and unlike bathtubs there are not a lot of additional benefits between different sink designs. When choosing a bathroom sink you will mainly be deciding between which type fits best with your bathroom design.
A vanity sink is the most traditional form of sinks seen in households today. Part of the bathroom countertop, vanity sinks dip down below the countertop level. These are a relatively cheap option. Bathroom vanities can also easily been designed to have two sinks, a convenient option for couples.
However, if you want to make a bold statement in your bathroom you may want to go with a different style of bathroom sink. Wall-mounted sinks can look sleek, but don’t provide the storage that a vanity sink offers. Pedestal sinks take up just a little more space than a wall-mounted sink, but are still ideal choices for a small bathroom. This would make a good choice for a guest bathroom. Pedestal sinks are free standing and are available in many different designs to fit your bathroom décor. There is no option for storage below the sink though. A compromise between the wall-mounted sink and the pedestal sink is a console sink, which has two legs in the front and is attached to the wall in the back. Because there is no middle leg underneath the sink you can still store things below it if necessary.
The final option for a bathroom sink is a vessel sink, which has recently gained popularity with modern homeowners. Instead of sinking into the counter, vessel sinks sit on top of it. They can be made out of a variety of material as well, such as stone or marble. The advantage of these sinks is that you still have that countertop space and below sink storage. Think carefully about how you would want to incorporate this into your bathroom design.
Energy Efficient vs. Get-the-Job-Done Toilets:
A working toilet is essential to a bathroom. Clogs can be a nightmare, so purchasing a toilet that meets your needs is imperative in the bathroom renovation process.
Energy efficient dual-flush toilets have steadily grown in popularity with the desire for people to go-green. These toilets are designed with two flush levels, depending on what they’re working with. This can reduce water consumption by up to two gallons per flush. These can save money and water. However, they can be intimidating for guests who are unacquainted with this style of toilet. You may also require an additional flush to make sure the job gets done.
Standard toilets are the traditional choice among American households today. These are easier to install and available in more designs and styles. You can even purchase colored ones if you’d like! While they require more water, some homeowners believe they are more efficient in the long run.
Unfortunately home improvement stores don’t offer tests runs like car dealerships, so when making this decision you should discuss with your family members what they think would work best in your home.
Picking out your basic bathroom furnishings can be more complicated than expected. Consider your needs and head to your local bathroom design stores to view products in person. Don’t be afraid to sit in the tub and try it out!
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Choosing a Floor for Your Bathroom
By: Danielle McVicar
Remodeling your bathroom can be a nightmare, and choosing the flooring can be especially painful. All bathroom floors should share similar characteristics; they need to be water proof, durable and attractive. There are surprisingly many different kinds of flooring that meet these qualifications, each offering their own advantages and disadvantages.
Tile is by far the most popular of all bathroom flooring options. It is water proof, durable and easy to maintain. Tile is both stain resistant and extremely easy to clean. Ceramic tile comes in a vast variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Decorating with tile is easy with all the different finishes available, examples being decorative, glazed and matte. Tile does have its drawbacks as well; it is very cold and hard under bare feet and can be slippery when wet. By strategically placing bath mats or carpets around your shower you should be able to lessen these negative aspects.
Vinyl is another good flooring choice for your bathroom. It is relatively inexpensive, and like tile, it is tough, water resistant and low maintenance. However, unlike tile, vinyl is softer and warmer underfoot. Vinyl is also available in an array of colors, sizes and textures, but in addition it can be made to look like any other material as well. You could purchase vinyl flooring that simulates hardwood floors, stone, marble; the possibilities are endless! The only downside to vinyl is that when used in tile form, over time the tiles tend to come up. Sheet vinyl is a solution to this problem but is very difficult to install and requires the use of a professional.
If you want to add a touch of elegance and beauty to your bathroom, try using marble for your flooring. Marble, along with any other kind of stone flooring, is the most lavish and decorative of all bathroom flooring options. Marble will resist water and last an extremely long time. It comes in a variety of colors and shades and can have either polished or satin finish. However, like ceramic tile, it is cold and hard under your feet and is dangerously slippery when wet. The biggest disadvantage to marble, though, is the cost. It is very expensive, both to purchase and to install.
Hardwood floors aren’t commonly used for bathrooms but due to the water proof sealers you can use on them they are becoming more popular. Wood is attractive and can add a rustic or classic touch to your bathrooms décor. It is fairly durable and is warm and comfortable under bare feet. However, a wooden bathroom floor must be properly water proofed and sealed to prevent moisture, which will cause spots and rot. It will also need regular maintenance in order to keep it looking good.
Cork is another bathroom flooring option available. It is very similar to wood; it is warm and comfortable under your feet and adds a natural touch to your décor. It is prone to the same water and humidity damages as wood, but is far easier to maintain. As long as you coat your cork flooring with a PVC coat it will withstand any bathroom conditions.
Carpet is an option for your bathroom, but it is not recommended. It might be the most comfortable flooring underfoot, but it does not withstand water well at all. Carpet stains easily and will mildew or rot when wet. Unless you have your heart set on a carpeted bathroom, it is not an advisable choice.
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How To: Decorate your Bathroom
By: Kelly Goldthorpe
Unlike your bedroom, home office, or children’s rooms, the bathroom is one of those rooms that guests will always inevitably visit. If you want to give your house a completed look and unite the style of your home, do not neglect decorating your bathroom. Don’t just buy a shower curtain and call it done. The look of your bathroom should consist of the fixtures, textiles, and other furnishings. Of course you can always have a theme for your bathroom (like lighthouses), but if you want to develop a style it goes beyond the decorations.
Old Fashioned Elegance:
Most commonly identified by the clawfoot tub, an old fashioned bathroom has a charming feel to it. Clawfoot tubs, while typically white, can be found in a diverse range of colors. This can help you keep a consistent color scheme within your bathroom. Tiled floors accent the vintage feel. A nice rug can bring additional charm to the room, while warming up the cold floor. An intricate wooden vanity will bring the room together. Don’t be afraid to use wallpaper in this style of bathroom either. If you have a radiator in your bathroom this design will help disguise it, making it seem natural and fitting.
Modern:
For a contemporary look in your bathroom you will want clean and crisp lines. Typically modern design is minimalistic, so avoid wallpaper and frills common in a powder room. A freestanding, square white bathroom sink truly embodies the modern look. If you want to surprise your guests there are also many unique sinks available on the market that will spark conversation.
Unlike tradition tub and shower combinations, select a standing shower with clear panes. These are very common in modern bathrooms. With these, there are a variety of shower heads available. You might consider even buying a dual-headed shower.
Keep the colors clean and crisp. Typically stark contrast is most frequently used with modern design. Incorporating one or two bold colors will add dimension to your bathroom. Accessories, like soap dispensers, look good in stainless steel, creating a sharp edge to the room.
Powder Room:
A true powder room is characterized by lots of flowers, frills, and fancy decorations. This bathroom will have a distinctly feminine feel to it. Live flowers, pink floral wallpaper, and fresh potpourri all work great in this setting. A vanity with perfume spray bottles available will impress your lady friends! Fixtures should be dainty and avoid dark or metallic appearances. If space allows, include furniture like a chair or bench.
Man Cave or King’s Throne:
This bathroom is the man’s man style room. Its goal is to be the exact opposite of the powder room, instead creating a bachelor pad feel. It has a modern edge to it, with touches of masculinity.
Natural tones for the walls allow for dark accents, like black towels. Add touches of stainless steel as well. A dark vanity and framed mirror will add edginess to the room as well. For unique touches, install a Jacuzzi with a television position in viewing range.
Having a distinct bathroom décor will show that you’ve taken care in decorating your entire home.
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Bathroom Designs
According to Remodeling magazine, the average bathroom remodeling project costs $15,800 and results in an increase in home value of about $12,400
Source: November 2007, Remodeling Magazine, Cost versus Value Report.
There are different approaches to a bathroom design. Since we spend significant amount of time in the bathroom it is worth giving a long thought. Read more
Tips on Renovating Your Bathroom
Homeowners love to renovate their bathrooms more than the kitchens. This is because the bathroom area is small and it is much faster and cheaper. Read more
Flooring
When installing bathroom tile, it’s important to plan for the square footage you will need to cover and the various tile sizes you have to choose from. Read More
For those looking to remodel their bathroom without using traditional ceramic tile, laminate flooring may be an excellent option to pursue. Read More
Bathroom floor tiles should be given adequate significance. Some people simply ignore it which is not good. You should be proficient in learning about the materials with which bathroom floor tiles are manufactured and their pros and cons. Since bathrooms are smaller the impact of the flooring used is very high.
Click here to view the pages you’ll find information on a number of bathroom flooring choices and their characteristics and care requirements.
Click here to view bathroom flooring designs
Building a Bathroom Fit for a King
They Don’t Call it the Throne Room for Nothing
In an article about creating the perfect bathroom, I feel like men and women would probably have very polar ideas about what will be discussed. Unfortunately for the men, I won’t be writing about how to mount your flat screen TV above the mini fridge that doubles as a beer tap.
To significantly increase the value of your bathroom, and in turn, your home, there are a few very basic steps that will help entice anyone to visit the throne room.
First and foremost, nothing increases value of your home like great floors and countertops. Granite, marble, and tile are almost always great choices, while the right wood can also be perfect for the bathroom. Linoleum and vinyl are, well, durable and cost-effective, but not exactly great for value.
Making sure the color configuration matches throughout the room (and the house) is also a very valuable aspect of any room, including a bathroom. Mixing and matching wood floors with granite counter tops and a tile shower is not considered a good way to mix-and-match. Syncing color schemes allow for relaxation and peace, which is especially important in a room that almost requires relaxation.
When remodeling, it’s also nice to have a bathroom that has bathing and restroom activities separated from the vanity and sink area. It allows the activities to be separated, which can prove to be exceptionally important when living with a loved one, and again, gives you space to use the bathroom for several utilities.
Clearly budget is the overwhelming factor in any home renovation project. The dollars spent on that small space in your bathroom can add up quickly with top-of-the-line products, but you need to do what will make you comfortable. Ultimately, that’s what it’s all about. But, marble floors feel a whole lot better on your feet than walking on linoleum.
How to Reduce Water Consumption in Your Bathroom and Save Money
Water is one of the most important natural resources on our planet, critical to personal hygiene and global health. It’s not an unlimited resource, so it’s important that we all focus more energy to conserve our water supply. Home water usage is one of the most common places where people waste water and then realize it at the end of the month when they look at their water bill. Why is it so important to save water? First of all saving water means saving money: water is becoming increasingly costly, so efforts to conserve water will benefit your budget. Second, in some regions the government limits water consumption because of weather and climate conditions, so not only is it a good idea, it’s a legal requirement. Third, conserving water is good for the environment, ensuring adequate supplies for future generations.
Most of the home water consumption comes from the bathroom. Use of the toilet, sink and shower or bathtub can easily use up significant quantities of water with everyday usage. Every day almost 5 billion gallons of water are flushed down the toilet in the U.S. Here are some tips and suggestions to start saving water in the bathroom with some small adjustments and responsible behavior.
Toilet
Every time you flush your toilet, you consume up to 5 gallons of water. So the first thing you should do is to stop flushing your toilet when it’s unnecessary. If you have an older toilet, consider purchasing a new low flow toilet. You can even convert the standard toilet to low flush. The older the toilet is, the more water it wastes. It’s also important that you periodically check that your toilet is not leaking. Even small leaks can increase your water bill.
Shower and Bathtub
Most people waste a lot of water when they shower. Take short showers (no more than 5 minutes). By turning off the water when you soap up or when shampooing, you can save up to 7 gallons of water per minute. If you really like showering longer and you are willing to spend some money now to save in the future, install a low flow shower head or a toggle switch to turn the water on and off. A bathtub full of water uses about 40 gallons of water. So, if you take a bath use the minimum amount of water to fill up just 1/3 of the tub and make sure that you tap the tub. Consider re-using the bath water for other purposes such as watering the plants.
Sink
It is a common habit to let the water run while brushing your teeth or shaving. Changing this behavior by running the faucet only as needed can save up to 3 gallons of water a minute. You should also have a periodic check of any faucet leaks.
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