Do It Yourself

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One thing that comes to our mind loud and clear in all home renovation television shows and DIY magazinez is that the bathroom is one of the most expensive rooms to do up. Therefore, it makes sense to spend a little time and effort in deciding what you want. A good starting point is to try to visualize the style of the bathroom you had in mind. If you have difficulty in visualizing your bathroom, collect photographs of aspects of bathrooms that appeal. It could be a colour scheme, vanity, window treatment or flooring. Tear out pages from magazines or catalogues and put them together. But don’t combine too many styles. Having a “bit of this and a bit of that” doesn’t always work. Don’t be frightened or embarassed to put your plans down on paper. You should also familiarize your self with the various material needed for the renovation.

Bathroom Lighting Tips

Sometimes, changing the lighting inside the bathroom gives it another effect. Try to play around with your lighting. If you want to relax inside the bathroom, then you can try soft incandescent lights. But if you tend to do most of your rituals inside, like putting on your make up and styling your hair, then try a subtle white light. Putting inside some plants can also enliven your bathroom. It creates the feeling of a spa treatment inside. Then, finish of your remodeling by adding some soothing scents inside. Citrus scents like lemon combat foul odors. While floral scents like lavender makes a calming and relaxing effect.

Easy Bathroom Fix-Up

What can you do if you like to have a pretty bathroom in your home, but you cannot afford to renovate as of this time? Then, the easiest solution would be to change a few bathroom accessories in the mean time. Anyway, the bathroom is not only a place to get clean; it is also where we spend time to relax after a hectic day.

A bathroom should have the basic accessories;

• Soap dispenser or Soap dish
• Towel bars
• Trashcan
• Weighing scale
• Toothbrush holder
• Cup
• Mirror
• Toiletries cabinet
• Shower curtain
• Bath mats
• Shower Caddy
• Clothes hamper

These are only a few accessories that fit to a modest bathroom; however one can also modify their bathrooms with a few accessories to suit their needs. So if you would like to change the look of your bathroom, first you should assess its current state. If your tiles and basic fixtures are still intact and in good condition, then you should try to look now into your accessories. Check if the styles of your accessories are up to date and most importantly if they are in good condition. There are now many bathroom accessory designs and collections that are readily available in department stores. They mostly come in uniform designs and colors so one can easily blend it with their current bathroom color. You can also play around with different kitchen necessities like a porcelain sushi tray to hold your simple necessities like a razor and toothbrush or salt and pepper shakers for your cotton balls and buds. Determine first how you would like your bathroom to look after your remodeling. Try to figure out whether what style or theme you would want to put in your bathroom. But if you would like to change the look of your bathroom instantly, here are some suggestions you would like to consider:

Bath Mirror. Remember that the function of your mirror is not only for you to see yourself but it is also for reflecting light inside the bathroom. Both natural and artificial. You may want to change your ordinary medicine cabinet type bath mirror to a more sophisticated circular unframed mirror. Keep in mind that the mirror should not extend over the vanity or sink over which it is hung. You might also want to put some scones at the sides to make it more elegant.

Shower Curtains and bath mats. Shower Curtains are cheaper alternatives for shower enclosures. The design of a curtain instantly changes the overall look of any bathroom. These should be 6’x6’ in height. Try a plain colored fabric curtain made of polyester with a vinyl liner at the back, unlike those that are simply made of vinyl. Most importantly they are mildew resistant and can be easily thrown in the washer. Try to put on some bath mats near the shower area. Buy those mats that have a good absorbent material with latex backing.

Soap dish, dispenser and toothbrush holder. If you don’t have any vanity cabinet inside, then chances are you crowding your bathroom sink with too many holders for your soap, toothbrush etc. try to keep it to a minimum by simply putting a small soap dish or soap dispenser beside the faucet. Then you may just opt for a toothbrush holder that can be hung on the wall. Then keep your other bath supplies in a small enclosed container under the sink. Never put your supplies on top of the toilet.

Trash can. Instead of a bin made of plastic, try those that are stainless steel. They are more hygienic and easier to maintain.

Shower Caddy. Caddies that can be hung at the neck of the shower can be a space saver than those that cannot be mounted. Those that are stainless steel are much neater and more contemporary to look at.

Towel bars. If you cannot store at least four towels in your bathroom, then simply put a towel bar at the back of your bathroom door. Or if you don’t like to put any bars, then simply put on a hook that can hold your towel.

Place the Proper Lighting for your Bathroom

Contrary to what other people believe, lighting can also play a vital role in bathroom designs. Some would use the modern fluorescent lighting since other than being eco-friendly, they also set a brighter mood for people each time they go to the bathroom.

It’s not as it if matters to people but lighting is important for bathroom design complement as well. There are various lamp designs to which people will be surprised. But the thing is, you just have to pick up the ideal design from the usual house furnishing stores today. Choosing and installing them will surely be a privilege for people who invest heavily in their home and its various parts as well.

Colorful but Aligned Bathroom Styles

Colors are the usual direction that a person would follow when it comes to bathroom designs. But while you want to use all colors that you have in mind, you just have to stick to one or two so that you can come up with the ideal and uniform design that will surely fit your bathroom requirement designs.

You can tell a lot from the colors that will be chosen. Pink, blue or green, you can see that these are the usual colors chosen. It all depends if the bathroom should follow a universal theme or gender based color scheme. Whatever the choice may be, it all boils down to being able to use the bathroom at any time the owners feel like it.

Consideration of Cost in Designs

There are various ways to customize your bathroom design but it does not necessarily have to be hard on the pockets. Ideally, some people would improvise and use their creativity to come up with good bathroom designs. Women are the best bet to in making great designs in the home. Bathroom designing is part of them.

If you want something new, you can also ask the professional interior designers as well for tips. They know the modern designs being used today and for sure they will be a welcome note to people who want premium designs in their homes.

Use Scented Candles Over Fresheners

If you are among the green consumers today, it would be best to use natural means such as scented candles rather than the usual artificial fresheners if you want your bathroom to provide that usual alluring scent. Odors are varied in bathrooms and to set the proper scent, you just have to place the proper odor that you desire.

Placing scented candles can make a difference. It is a practice in most modern homes today. While others would choose not to place anything and just leave the windows open for ventilation, scented candles are an option for people who want something different as far as bathrooms are concerned.

Choosing Shower Curtains

For some people, shower curtains would depend on how they can blend with the entire design of a bathroom in their home. Shower curtains are the cheaper alternative over the usual sliding and glass doors. Further, they are safer since in cases of accidents such as the usual bathroom slips, nothing breakable inside it can be encountered.

Shower curtains are cheap and come in various designs. They normally come with hooks that are placed on the poles on top of the bathing area. With elementary means of installing them, you will be surprised at how they can change the ambiance in an instant.

The Tiles Have It

Bathrooms may look ordinary to you but apparently much of the design for a different type of bathroom lies on the tiles that you use for them. These vary in color and designs and normally they would depend on the entire theme of the bathroom according to the owners of the house.

These are usually the first ones installed. They are the foundation of the bathroom and all other things to be installed will depend on what can fit in with their motif. It does seem like a hard process but if you are really focused enough, you can find a lot of things that will surely generate a good bathroom overall design.

Bathroom Tiling – Part 2

What to avoid:

Smooth spread of adhesives – Use a trowel or a fork to make ridges on the adhesive’s surface. With the ridge, leveling the placement of tiles will be easier.
Do not place small adhesive pieces on the corner – This process will increase the risk of cracked tiles. Adhesives shrink upon drying and this puts pressure on the tiles.
Uneven spacing of tiles – Measure for equal spaces between tiles, uneven spaces can cause the tiles to loosen.
Avoid grouting before the adhesive has hardened. – Avoid sloppy application of grout and remove excess grout.
Don’t pass up sealing of bath tops. – Water can leak into the tiles.