Anyone with a designer eye or the desire to have one knows there is a whole lot more to bathroom accessories than just towels and washcloths. Choosing just the right accessories can make or break a design theme.
Beyond the fixtures, the wall coloring and the floors, the bathroom accessories are necessary to tie a design scheme together. When every detail is “just right,” the bathroom can turn out to be the best-dressed room in a home.
The types of bathroom accessories that can add to or take away from the look of the room include:
* Throw rugs. These are standard accessories in most bathroom designs. Protecting other carpeting or feet on the way out of the shower or providing comfort for those using the commode, these rugs are vital for tying a look together. Try to choose them carefully to match the design that has been chosen. A modern scheme for a child’s bathroom, for example, might call for very bright and bold throw rugs.
* Soap and toothbrush holders. These are pretty small touches in the grand scheme of things, but they can carry on the theme. A nautical bathroom, for example, might have a beautifully hand painted soap holder on the vanity top and a similar design for the toothbrush holder.
* Shower curtains. Unless a glass door is in use, this is a major accessory to consider. The shower curtain is often one of the biggest accessories that goes into a bathroom. Find the right materials, color or design to match the chosen look. Pay attention to the curtain chosen when picking out other appointments such as rugs and towels.
* Trash receptacle. This can be a huge addition in a bathroom design. The options here range from those that are meant to sort of blend into the background to those that standout all on their own.
* Magazine holders. These can also be fantastic bathroom accessories. When they are attractive and match the design theme, they can really help complete a look.
* Mirrors. Anyone can have a plain, unframed mirror on the bathroom wall, but when these accessories are designed to make a statement they can do so in a big way. Some people opt to find designer mirrors that accent their theme and have them altered to serve as medicine cabinets. Others opt for funky-framed mirrors to hang on the wall as they are.
* Pictures. These should be chosen to add to the look desired. A country-themed bathroom, for example, might have pictures of flowers, crops, hearts, barnyard scenes or more. Pay very close attention when choosing these accessories for the bathroom. Beyond the shower curtains, these might be the single most important accessories for bringing a look together.
Some people choose to have a plain old bathroom. Others want a look that follows a theme and turns the room into more of a retreat. This can be accomplished quite well when the bathroom accessories are carefully chosen to build up and build on the theme.
By: Samantha Kay
Archive for October, 2009
Seven Easy Bathroom Accessories To Give You The Look You Want
October 27th, 2009Choosing Curtains and Bathroom Accessories
October 23rd, 2009Choosing the right curtains for a bathroom can become a task. The marketplace offers one a wide array of curtains, which doesn’t make matters easier. We do have options however. The options enable us to choose style, colors, patterns, and so on. The most important thing a person can do however is to investigate their bathroom first. Your investigation will help you choose coordinating colors and patterns.
How do I choose the right color for my curtains?
When choosing the right colors, you want to use information you have gathered, since choice of style, color, and patterns. You may want to go online, or to local department stores to view, the variety of curtains offered to you. Having a visual always helps one to choose patterns and designs.
Once you have chosen your style and patterns, it will be easier to choose your colors. The basic concept is to make sure that the colors match the colors of your existing bathroom accessories, windowpanes, doors, floors, rugs, wall covers, etc.
How will I know if my curtain fits?
To make sure that your curtain will fit you must measure your window first. Use a standard craftsmen-measuring gauge. You want to measure lengthwise and widthwise starting at the center of the fabric. If you are creating your own by hand, measure across the length and width. Leave a bit of allowances for your seams, which should always be around half-inch to a quarter inch.
How do I choose hooks or rings?
When deciding the pattern you can consider hooks and rings once you finish. Like curtains, you have a wide array of curtain rods, rings, and hooks to choose. You have the choice of hooks, or rings such as the looped items, which loop around your rod. Remember however, that the rod should fit the style of your curtains, hooks and/or rings.
Your choices include the round pine and maple rods. The rods will add a twist of charm to your new atmosphere.
How do I install my new curtains?
Installing the new curtains is not difficult. Keep in mind that your brackets are straight. To do this you may want to use a tape measure to gauge the distance down from the ceiling. Make sure that you start on both sides, starting on the same side. Once you finish, use artisans pencil to mark the spot. This will help you to remember where you need to drill holes for mounting. If you want you can choose common brackets to mount your curtain rods, screws, etc, which you will need to mark you spot so you don’t forget also. Once you finish, you can then hang your curtains.
When you start to measure, your curtains start in the room, measuring the window, measuring the window length to width. Keep notes so that you do not loose your information. Once you have your curtains mounted, you may want to consider shades, top treatments, home accents, coordinating pillows, and more. If you added flowery curtains to your bathroom, you may want to purchase and/or build a corner stand. Sit the stand in the corner of the room and add a flower vase and coordinating artificial flowers. In addition, you can add a few wicker baskets in your bathroom to store decorative soaps, perfumes, fancy toiletries, and so on. The baskets filled with fancy items will leave a lasting impression on your visitors.
Speaking of curtains, you may want to review window binds instead. Window blinds give a natural feel to the atmosphere; as well, the blinds are easy to wash. If you have a loved one in the home with a handicap, you may want to consider showers designed to accommodate the disabled also.
By: John Pawlett
