When most people think of home improvement bathrooms, what comes to mind is usually basic information that’s not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there’s a lot more to home improvement bathrooms than just the basics.
Down through the years the bathroom has played a large role in homes, yet the facility is one of the most detested areas of the home at times. The bathroom gives off the impression that it is something needed, rather than something we could appreciate or find enjoyment within its realm.
Bathrooms compose an excessive amount of plumbing, overwhelming fixtures at times, and an area that adheres to little room for nothing more than bathing or releasing inner nature.
There are various types of bathrooms. Family, master, individual, compartmentalized, half, guest, and other types of bathrooms need considered when repairing or improving the homes area. Special-use, three-quarter, full baths, and disabled bathrooms are types of bathrooms that may need additional consideration when considering home improvement.
Before starting to work on your bathroom, it is important that you clean the area in which you will work. Removing all dust particles including the tools you will use for repair or improvement.
After you dust the area, take a browse about the area to see what you are considering. Try to plan ahead of the game; by setting up a systematic idea of what you intend to do.
If you want to do things completely right, you may want to file your notions on a piece of paper. After you file you will need to analyze the bathroom to again see what you intend to do to the area for improvement. You could also draw up a list of likable areas and dislikeable areas.
You will need to consider during analyze of the bathroom, considering storage area, space, layout, shower/bathtub, faucets, fixtures, counters, flooring, ventilation, heat, walls, electrical layouts and so forth.
If your bathroom is small, consider what you need to do to expand the area for comfort ability. Sometimes if your home has a larger area in the next room and the space is not needed you could take out a wall linking to the bathroom and other room to expand your bathroom.
I trust that what you’ve read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.
By the way, before you get started remodeling your bathroom you may want to check with your local City Hall. Many states have laws for building, which includes codes and building permits. The permits are often affordable, thus having a permit if required can save you from fines and costs.
If you are improving, your bathroom beware that fixtures are the most costly items to repair within the cavity of the room. Regardless if you need to repair or remodel your bathroom, regardless of the expense think equity and you will be ok.
When remodeling your bathroom if you are searching for appeal you may want to consider replacing cabinets to reach an effect. If you are merely searching for style verses complete make over a few designs may increase the equity of your home value at the same time bring to light that bathrooms do bring forth pleasure.
Common bathrooms give out a somewhat hidden expression at the same time giving a chilling feel. The bathrooms may have cabinets with dark or medium wood coloring, thus the only appeal in these types of bathrooms is the accessories bought extra to bring out the design.
Thus, when considering designing of bathrooms verses home improvement consider the European style, modern style, Mediterranean style, “turn-of-the Century, or else the Oriental style bathroom. Other styles of bathrooms including the rain forest style bring out a warming atmosphere as it provides a refreshing outdoors appeal.
Considering the rain forest style, we can analyze the situation and see that this effect may come cheaper than other styles of bathrooms.
The rain forest style could come to life if the homeowner adds plants, flowers, and other types of accessories to the bathroom coupled with forest-affect wallpaper. Tile is cheap, thus the floors could be finished for around forty of fifty dollars, and bring to life a storming effect.
Home improvement increases the value of your homes equity. Thus, when considering improving your home it is important to assess the situation carefully, take notes, create files, and setup steps for improvement. Finally, if you have a small toiletry area, you may want to consider lighter appeals verses darker appeal to make the room more comfortable for use.
The day will come when you can use something you read about here to have a beneficial impact. Then you’ll be glad you took the time to learn more about home improvement bathrooms.
Archive for December, 2009
Home Improvement – Bathrooms (Part I)
December 30th, 2009Bathroom Tile Design – Material Types For Bathroom Tile Designs
December 30th, 2009Good bathroom tile design should create a floor surface that is attractive, water resistant and safe to walk on. Bathroom tile designs using ceramic tile, rubber flooring or vinyl and linoleum floors are all examples of bathroom tile design material choices that should be available nearly anywhere.
These types of tiles are easy to clean, water resistant and safe to walk on. If you are going to use natural stone or terra-cotta ceramic tiles on your floors to create a more sophisticated effect, make sure you buy the kind with a non-slip finish.
As you consider which bathroom tile designs to select, each type of tile will have unique properties that may or may not provide characteristics that are good for your bathroom. Here are different material types for bathroom tile design along with advantages or disadvantages of each:
1. Laminate and Vinyl Bathroom Tile Design – these types of tile in bathroom tile designs can be found in a variety of colors, patterns and textures. Some tiles even imitate wood, stone and ceramic. It is not very expensive, is water resistant, easy to install and clean and it is durable.
2. Ceramic Bathroom Tile Design – ceramic tile can range from fairly cheap to expensive and it is the classic choice. Tile is made of clay, shale or porcelain and is formed and fired at very high temperatures until it hardens. The higher the temperature and the more times the tile is fired, the harder and less porous the tile. If you are using a white or cream ceramic tile for your bathroom, using a different color grout like “blue” will give your bathroom a dramatic look. Grout is the material used to fill the spaces between the tiles. Make sure you apply sealers to grout lines in areas of heavy wear like countertops. Sealers will also preserve grout colors.
3. Stone Bathroom Tile Designs (marble, granite, brick, slate, onyx, travertine and limestone) – this tile can be beautiful, very strong, durable in high-traffic areas, it will last a long time, is low maintainance and easy to clean. However, it is expensive, it’s a cold material, can be slippery and absorbs stains easily.
4. Linoleum Bathroom Tile Design – this tile is made of renewable and natural materials like linseed oil, ground cork, limestone, jute and wood flour. This type of bathroom floor is making a comeback with new marbled and graphic designs, and it is more durable and easier to clean than vinyl tile.
5. Mosaic Bathroom Tile – this wonderful tile was an ancient craft that today can be made of tile, stone, porcelain and colored glass, creating stunning floor patterns. These tiles are small (1 or 2 inches square) and often expensive. What you can do is to add a small section of this type of tile for visual interest to your floor or countertop.
6. Concrete Bathroom Tile Designs – durable, low maintenance, perfect for wet areas and stunning. You can find this type of tile in beautiful textures such as shiny, rough, slick and sandpaper and in various colors and sizes.
7. Hardwood – you can build your bathroom floor using solid wood, parquet flooring or engineered woods (several layers of wood laminated and high-tech materials that are similar to plywood). Hardwoods are wear-resistant, attractive, comfortable to walk on, easy to clean and refinish, not very cold in winter, but they are more vulnerable to moisture when used in a bathroom.
If you want to use a bathroom tile design that includes rugs in your bathroom, make sure you buy the kind that has rubber backing, or add rubber backing strips to the rugs. Be careful with rugs that can slip and slide on a tiled floor or natural stone floor which creates a safety hazard. Rugs can also harbor dust mites and allergens which is a problem for people with allergies.
Whether you’ll be remodeling an old bathroom or creating a brand new one, being active in the design stage helps ensure that your bathroom turns out just like you want. The bathroom tile designs and styles, colors, patterns and sizes you choose can help you have a bathroom that is comfortable, attractive and functional and a room that you will enjoy every day.
Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing
Bathroom Design Strategies That Increase The Value Of Your Home
December 30th, 2009When it comes to adding value to your property, the experts in real estate will agree that to capitalise in the bathroom and kitchen almost certainly guarantees profitable returns.
If you’re considering making your home appealing to potential buyers, then one of the first places to start is in the bathroom. With countless accessories and appliances on the market, making a decision that will ultimately allow you to reap the rewards is daunting.
When it comes to bathroom design, what is it that most people really want? Would choosing a spacious whirlpool bath above a traditional bath be financially beneficial in the long haul?
Wouldn’t designing your bathroom be a much easier task if you were armed with a guideline of what tickled the fancy of potential homebuyers? If you’re going to design your bathroom get it right the first time round to avoid flushing away hard-earned pounds.
Hello simplicity
From as far back as the 1960s much focus was placed on bold colour in the bathroom. Patterned wall tiles of nautical creatures and over-the-top colours were the trend, along with plastic. Plastic bathroom décor was the craze, from bold orange, olive green, mustard yellow and chocolate brown coloured toothbrush, soap and towel holders, to thick patterned plastic shower curtains that screamed colours of the boldest nature.
As the times moved on, the 1970s and early 1980s became a period when gold bathroom fixings and furnishing, such as taps, towel rails and toilet roll holders, were considered very stylish. These ostentatious gold trimmed features were all the rage, and bathroom décor was ‘loud’. Added to this were those once delightful bathroom suites in colours avocado, coral pink, and chocolate brown. Bathroom colour has changed dramatically over the past decade, and shades have become more neutral, sometimes with a hint of colour that adds a complementary vigour to the overall scheme.
Of the many hundreds of people who took part in Plumbworld’s recent bathroom survey, an overwhelming 82 per cent said they “hated” the once glorified avocado and coral pink bathroom suites, colours remnant of 1970s and 1980s, which are typically characterised as being dark and dull.
According to the survey, chrome bathroom taps were much preferred to gold.
So, when designing and decorating your bathroom keep those dark colours at bay, consider white suites, and opt for chrome fixings and furnishings instead of flashy gold.
Shower power
When planning the design of your bathroom, one of the most important aspects to consider is placing a shower. Some bathrooms don’t have adequate space to include a shower cubicle, so assess your options. Consider installing a shower over the bath if space is limited.
The survey showed that 94 per cent of its participants believed that a shower in a bathroom was very important, and 81 per cent said they preferred a separate shower enclosure in a large bathroom. Almost 65 per cent said their ideal would be a power shower, while 27 per cent preferred mixer showers, and only 12 per cent opted for electric showers.
If you have chosen a shower over the bath, then think about placing a fixed glass screen instead of a shower curtain. It may cost a few extra pounds, but more than half of the survey’s contributors preferred a fixed glass screen to a shower curtain.
Choosing your bath tub
Contrary to common belief, adding a whirlpool bath to increase property value doesn’t always do the trick. So if you’re contemplating selling your property, try to avoid purchasing a whirlpool bath in the hopes of gaining additional profit.
The survey revealed that close to 53 per cent of its participants were not phased by them, while only a small 38 per cent of participants “loved” them. Surprisingly, 62 per cent said they had “no strong view” towards corner baths either, which means the traditional rectangular baths still hold clout against their spruced up counter parts.
Bathroom flooring
Try to avoid the urge to place carpets on the bathroom floor, according to the survey it is not too favoured. The survey showed that the preferred floor covering was tiles, with 75 per cent saying they “loved” a tiled bathroom floor. Popular vinyl flooring has not yet lost its place in the bathroom, with more than 61 per cent saying they didn’t have any strong likes or dislikes towards it.
When choosing your bathroom flooring, tiles is the favoured option, but if the budget is tight, then vinyl flooring won’t let you down.
Apart from the flooring, make sure your windows look appealing. When it comes to dressing your bathroom windows, steer clear of those bathroom nets and fabric curtains. The survey showed that 94 per cent said they favoured blinds in the bathroom to curtains.
Keep it clean
If you are planning to put your home on the market, inspect your bathroom for those small generally unnoticed flaws, like mould on the silicone sealant around the bath, and even on your shower curtain if you have one. Potential homebuyers may notice these small faults, which could send then running!
