Bathroom Accessories » Value

Bathroom Tiling Ideas to Enhance the Look and Value of Your Home

admin — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:52:15 +0000

A wide variety of bathroom tile is available. While contemporary styles like the harlequin design, natural stone and marble tile designs are always desirable, it is the colorful designs that are often more affordable and as a result, fast becoming popular themselves. The harlequin pattern is a true classic which is basically, a bathroom tiling design that boasts the harlequin motif which is arranged as diamonds rather than squares. If you can’t picture the harlequin bathroom tiles, picture black and white squares turned on their side to resemble a diamond. The tiles tend to be a little longer and the pattern resembles a jesters costume in a way, although you can opt for this classic design in just about any combination of colors from earthy tones to bright reds. Tile your bathroom with a traditional harlequin design, add shiny new fixtures and you’ll have a beautiful shiny clean looking bathroom that will look like it cost a lot more than it does. Using chrome and other polished metal fixings looks great initially, but they mark easily and don’t look so good when they are dirty. It’s something to consider when you have young children that enjoy making patterns and marks with their hands on your tile and fixtures. Tile chips too. Cleaning tile can be a daunting task as well. If you do not prefer something flamboyant, you can go for simple and elegant bathroom tile designs. If your budget is tight, you could use ceramic tiles which are cheaper and also are durable. There are also a huge variety of mosaic bathroom tile designs choose from. Be creative with your bathroom tiling ideasYou can get creative with your tile design and convert your bathroom to a giant aquarium, or perhaps an oriental rock garden? Maybe a forest theme, or just about anything you can imagine, just get creative. How about tiling the floor? There are tiles for floors ranging from smooth, through grainy and even anti-skid tiles. A well designed tile floor can catch your guests attention like nothing else!There are plenty of other ideas to choose from, such as natural stone. Natural stone is very good at soaking up water marks. If money isn’t a concern there is always Italian marble as for your bathroom tile design. This can also be used for surrounds in addition to the wall and floor plus comes in a range of beautiful finishes. Bathroom counter materialsThe material used for bathroom counters can completely change the appearance of your bathroom. There are a great many varieties of bathroom counters to choose from. It all really depends on what kind of feel you have set your sights on. If you want a raw look, you could have a pre-cast building material made from concrete. There are also bathroom counter materials that use hardened mortar bonded with tile, crushed and many other types of unique materials you will find with a little research. Tiling a bathroom isn’t overly complicated; however it is not really a job for an inexperienced beginner. Cutting and installing tile requires special tools and a lot of practice. It’s really a job for a professional. Great Looking Tile, Now Get Faster Hot Water!By installing a demand hot water system your bathroom will be equipped with the latest innovation in bathroom technology. Add the convenience of quick push-button hot water to your bathroom and save thousands of gallons of water, reduce the waiting time for your hot water, and add convenience to your life. Hot water demand systems speed hot water from your water heater to your bathroom fixtures without running water down the drain. At the touch of a button the system begins pumping your hot water from your water heater through your hot water pipes to your fixtures returning the cooled off hot water left in the pipes from the last usage back to the inlet of the water heater. When the hot water arrives at the sink an internal temperature sensor detects the hot water and automatically shuts the pump off. You get your hot water faster and you don’t waste any water. Wow! You save time, you save water, AND you get to feel GOOD about conserving one our most precious resources while enjoying the great new look of your beautifully tiled bathroom.

Bathroom Design Strategies That Increase The Value Of Your Home

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:56:44 +0000

When 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!

Increase Your Home’s Resale Value With A Bathroom Remodel

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:52:40 +0000

Have you taken a good long look at your bathroom lately? What condition is it in? If you were to try to sell your home today, what would prospective buyers think about it? The condition of your bathroom can seriously affect the resale value of your home. It’s true the bathroom is not the focal point of the home, but the condition it is in and how “dated” it appears will affect the home’s overall appeal. And in some cases, it could even be the deciding factor on whether or not to make an offer on the home. So if you want to keep your home at peak resale value, you need to keep your bathroom modern and make the necessary renovations.
But Why the Bathroom?
Many people don’t see the value of remodeling the bathroom when other, more visual parts of the home could be renovated first. This is a valid point; however, the bathroom is normally the most outdated part of the home because of that exact reason – it’s not a highly-visible part of the home. You’re not forced to look at it every minute of the day like the living room or kitchen, so it’s easy to disregard the bathroom when it comes time to remodel (especially when you’re on a tight remodeling budget). As a result, the bathroom endures years of neglect and before you know it, every time you step into the bathroom, it’s like stepping through a time warp. This may become a novelty for you and your family, but when it comes time to sell your home, your once “quaint” avocado green bathroom with the outdated wallpaper and linoleum can quickly become an albatross around your home’s neck.
That’s why the bathroom needs to be updated and remodeled in accordance with the overall style of your home. Even if you haven’t renovated your home in many years, remodeling your bathroom can give your home the edge it needs to be the hot property on the block.
What to Consider When Remodeling the Bathroom
The reason a newly remodeled bathroom can positively affect the resale value of the home is because of the luxuries a bathroom can contain. Every master bathroom has a bath tub/shower, toilet, and sink. But not all bathrooms have a whirlpool tub, elegant bathroom mirrors, and an under-lit vessel sink resting gracefully on the latest designed vanity. A stylish, well-designed bathroom can make a huge impression on prospective home buyers and even be the deciding factor when choosing between two homes. Who knows, after remodeling your bathroom and installing that whirlpool tub, recessed lighting, under-lit vessel sink, and sleek bathroom vanity, you might not want to sell your home after all.
If you’re thinking about renovating or updating your bathroom and want the latest bathroom designs and styles available, check out Modern Bathroom’s wide selection of bathroom vanities, sinks, faucets, mirrors, and more.
For more information, visit http://www. modernbathroom. com

Custom Bathroom Vanities: Adding Beauty & Value to your Home

admin — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 02:08:01 +0000

Custom bathroom furniture vanities are a great way to add value to your house or the house you are remodeling. These are not vanities that you will find in your neighbors homes nor will you find them at your local home improvement superstore. It used to be that custom bathroom vanities were exactly that. . . custom made for each situation. They were designed specifically for you and according to the requirements you set forth. With more and more products being made in China, they have even started importing Decorative or Custom Bathroom Vanities that come completely assembled, with the vanity top, sink bowl, hardware, and matching mirror(s).

So Why Should you Consider a Custom Bathroom Vanity?

The are many reasons why custom bathroom vanities could be right for your project, but most importantly would be resale value. Buyers like the idea of getting a great bargain for their money and are often eager to buy a home that has custom cabinetry in the kitchen or bath that is unique to that house. With all of the mass produced neighborhoods popping up, homeowners are looking for ways to differentiate their homes from those of their neighbors. Because of this, it is very rare that you won’t recoup your investment when you go to sell your house.

There are many things that make custom cabinetry and vanities appealing to many different people but one of the most easy to identify is the quality of not only the workmanship involved but also the craftsmanship. It shows when you have custom cabinets and buyers will recognize that ‘pride of ownership’ and experience less apprehension when buying from you, particularly if you’ve taken great care of your woodwork. With higher quality materials, and more attention to detail, I decorative bathroom vanity will hold up much longer to the wear and tear of your family.

The best reason for making the investment in a custom bathroom vanity is for your personal enjoyment. The bathroom is where we usually start and end our day. With more and more people trying to turn their bathroom into a spa environment, it only makes sense to carry that feeling over to the vanity that you install.

A custom made vanity is not only about appearance but should also meet your requirements for functionality. Everything seems to work better when it has its own place and is put back into that place. A good custom vanity will have a spot for all your morning bathroom routine needs.

Where can you find a decorative bathroom furniture vanity?

Even with the increase in popularity, custom bathroom vanities are still hard to find. Since they are not mass produced, you won’t find custom vanities gracing the aisles of your local home improvement stores. As I mentioned before, you can find some manufacturers and importers online by searching for decorative bathroom vanities or custom bathroom vanities, but even the search engines have a hard time finding all of the companies that are available because of the lack of traffic they generate. Searching for local carpenters is another way to go, but be prepared to pay a lot for your bathroom vanity and be ready to a long lead time.

Most of us have a good idea of what we like when it comes to design features and looks but have very little knowledge of the actual physics involved in getting the look and functionality we desire. Searching on-line is a great way to find samples or pictures of what bathroom vanity you would like to have for your bathroom. It will also give you an idea of what styles each manufacturer or carpenter specialize in.

A custom bathroom vanity or a piece of decorative bathroom furniture can not only add value to your home, but also create a unique focal point for your bathroom oasis. By having a good idea of what you are looking for, doing some research on-line, and narrowing down the manufacturers and carpenters that specialize in what you are looking for, you will be able to find the custom bathroom vanity of your dreams.

Furniture Style Bathroom Vanities: Ultimate Combination of Value and Selection

admin — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:54:29 +0000

Your bathroom design project needs fixtures that are above the ordinary, yet easy to use and durable. Remodel and design your bathroom with innovative furniture style bathroom vanities, a collective term for bath furniture, bathroom faucets, basins, grab rails, or mirrors. The Internet is a treasure house of several design styles, color schemes and combinations. Your taste would determine whether you want a stylized stone bathroom vanity, charming old style vanity made of wood, or the very contemporary hi-tech stainless steel and glass vanity.

Here’s an insight into these bathroom sinks and vanities :
Stone Bathroom Vanities: Stones such as marble and granite offer the perfect combination of beauty and endurance. They always remain as good as new, are easy to clean, and never go out of fashion. Natural stone, Travertine and Onyx are also used. You may have an experienced stonemason help you select the best material from the extensive range of quality stoneware and create the bathroom vanity that reflects your style and suits the needs of your family. To make things easier and also more cost-effective, you could simply order online from a reliable specialty retailer.

Wood bathroom Vanities: Wood is the most versatile and ideal material to create a look that is antique, contemporary or modern. You can capture the look that you want with different types of wood, such as mahogany, cherry, and oak. Of these, Mahogany is light pink to a dark reddish brown color, and the most inexpensive and easiest to obtain. Cherry wood is perhaps the most commonly used, as it is ideal for carving and cabinet making. This type of wood is a light to dark reddish brown color and is fairly heavy.

Vanities made of wood, when sealed properly against mites and water damage, can last for quite a long time. Wood for unique bathroom vanities can also be finished so as to give it a rustic appeal or crafted to achieve the much-favored Victorian look, with inset doors, wood knobs and wood latches. . Also, it can be hand painted or further sanded for a smooth finish. Wood vanities go great with countertops and sinks of a variety of materials, such as, Porcelain, ceramic, glass, metal, stainless steel, copper, and aluminum.

Steel and Glass Vanities: Stunning designs are available in stainless steel and glass vanities, with choices between glass top wall mounted vanity, clear glass double bowl vanity, one-piece bathroom vanity with frosted glass, and several more. Designed steel stands cradle and showcase your glass sink while adding an element of artful interest.

Glass vanities are of course more fragile and delicate than other traditional vanities, and it takes an extra effort to maintain them. While good quality glass vanities can withstand high temperatures, thermal shock may yet shatter the glass. Also, any heavy objects dropped on the glass will break it.

Here are some valuable bathroom sinks and vanities shopping tips:

If your bathroom is small, consider going in for an open-concept vanity with a glass top that will create the illusion of more space, yet be practical and functional.

Style of countertop can vary according to your personal style. While ceramic is traditional and granite beautiful and durable, there is none more impervious to water than quartz or tempered glass.

More than looks, your bathroom vanity must fit in the layout, and make for storage.

For a fresh urban feel , get a stone vessel in the form of a sculptured bowl or a mint green tempered glass sink.

When shopping for faucets, look for something that complements the tone of your bathroom vanity. Brushed nickel or stainless steel are popular finishes.

Strive to achieve a look that combines a natural serenity and a sense of cool sophistication.

Bathroom sinks and vanities change the overall feel of your bathroom to make it soothing yet cheery. Mix and match with bath decor, such as sinks, curtain rods, showers, side cabinets, basin, mirror, countertop and faucets. Be sure to have fun with it!

On the Internet, you can definitely find the perfect vanity to match with your bathroom interiors. There is a wide selection in all price ranges, and you’re sure to come across the perfect one that fits your budget. There are a few good sites, for instance, www. homelivingstyle. com that help you discover the beauty and potential of bathroom space. Eventually, making furniture style bathroom a part of your bathroom decor must mean the ultimate combination of value and selection!