Designer Shower Curtains
by: Max Bellamy
If you are looking for a quick and easy way to make over your bathroom, consider buying a new shower curtain. Shower curtains are available in a variety of styles, materials, and prices. Shower curtains can be whimsical, floral, traditional, or a host of other styles. And, of course, they can be designer.
Many of the big-name designers have taken part in shower curtain designs. Liz Claiborne, for example, offers a Cable Knit shower curtain in Ivory or Aloe. If you decide to have a Liz Claiborne master suite or guest room, matching accessories include duvet covers, towels, shams, wastebasket, lotion pump, and more.
Nautica offers a sophisticated shower curtain in classic colors. It is offered with matching sheets, duvet, and bed skirts.
Regent also offers shower curtains. Their embroidered shower curtain is multi-colored and offers many matching accessories, including wastebasket, lotion pump, tissue box, towels, toothbrush holder, soap dish, and tumbler.
Eddie Bauer offers a nice selection of shower curtains, including a denim curtain. They also offer towels and robes in coordinating colors.
Tommy Hilfiger has also entered the home décor arena. Their shower curtains have a retail price of $90. Hilfiger also offers many color-coordinated accessories like towels, lotion pump, wastebasket, soap dish, and tumbler.
Ralph Lauren, DKNY, and Hotel are a few other well-known designers now offering bathroom décor.
Many fine department stores such as Macy’s, JC Penney, and Foley’s, sell designer shower curtains. Specialty home stores, such as Linens N Things and Bed Bath and Beyond also carry a selection of shower curtains by well-known designers. While designer shower curtains can be more expensive than their non-name brand counterparts, you can sometimes find them at a discount. Overstock offers many products at deep discounts over retail. While their inventory changes regularly, it is worthwhile to visit their site and do a search.
Whether you pay full price or get them at a discount, the look of your finished bathroom is sure to be priceless.
About the author:
Shower Curtains Info provides detailed information about unique, designer, hookless, fabric, and kids’ shower curtains, and shower curtain rods and hooks. Shower Curtains Info is the sister site of Bathroom Vanities Web.
Circulated by Article Emporium
Showing posts with label Bathroom Design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bathroom Design. Show all posts
Monday, July 7, 2008
Mirrored Cabinets Add Functionality and Fashion to Bathrooms
Mirrored Cabinets Add Functionality and Fashion to Bathrooms
by: ARA
ARA) - In today’s homes, the bathroom is becoming a symbol of luxury and relaxation as homeowners equip these spaces with spa-like amenities such as multiple-head showers, whirlpool tubs, plush towels, soaps and candles. But it is hard to maintain that feeling of spa serenity when the bathroom is strewn with all the necessities of day-to-day life and grooming.
Toothbrushes, makeup, toiletries, hair products and other such items have to go somewhere. But if they end up in a jumble on the bathroom countertop, the appearance is not very soothing. Especially in older, smaller bathrooms but also in many newer ones it can be a challenge to find enough conveniently located storage space.
Whether you’re looking for a design statement or are in need of a functional bathroom storage space, a good option is a mirrored cabinet. While once medicine cabinets were basically a hole in the wall with a mirror as a door, today’s products offer ample storage as well as enhance the design elements in the room.
For example, mirrored cabinets by Robern, a leader in stylish bath storage innovation, offer options such as a safety lock-box to provide security for personal items like prescriptions and jewelry; mirrored, lighted interiors, so you don’t have to close the cabinet to see yourself; and an interior electrical outlet where you can recharge and store small electrical devices such as a cell phone or an electric razor.
Because medicine cabinets can be recessed into the wall to achieve a flush, clean look, homeowners are not giving up any valuable space in the bathroom when they add one. And they don’t have to compromise their design sense, either. There are cabinets to complement a wide variety of styles and fit any décor, from traditional to modern.
Robern’s Fairhaven cabinet brings back the styling of the early 20th century. Inspired by the summer communities and seaside cottages in New England, this cabinet combines the benefits and functionality of a luxury cabinet with a traditional, relaxed look. Details like crown and foot moldings, a beaded door with a beveled mirror and round doorknob all add to the vintage appeal.
For those with more modern sensibilities, Robern’s Métallique cabinet reflects the Art Moderne movement of the ‘30s and ‘40s, an era when high style and beauty meant glamorous touches throughout the home. The cabinet has clean, simple lines in polished chrome, brushed nickel or Monaco gold finish. It is part of a collection that includes matching faucets, towel bars and other bathroom accessories of the same finishes.
For the ultimate medicine cabinet, consider Robern’s Cité, which embraces the 1920s decadence and sophistication, highlighted by its leather-wrapped frame. This cabinet adds romance and sophistication to any bathroom, but can also be used in other areas of the home. The cabinet is available in Ebony (black), Ox Blood (burgundy) and Parchment (tan), colors that can blend into just about any décor.
So instead of cluttering your bathroom with baskets of makeup and bins of shaving supplies, you can neatly stash them out of sight, but within easy reach. The clean, stylish surfaces will immediately make the space feel more tranquil and relaxing, so you can pamper yourself in peace.
For more information on Robern cabinets, visit www.robern.com, or call (800) 877-2376.
Courtesy of ARA Content
About the author:
Courtesy of ARA Content
Circulated by Article Emporium
by: ARA
ARA) - In today’s homes, the bathroom is becoming a symbol of luxury and relaxation as homeowners equip these spaces with spa-like amenities such as multiple-head showers, whirlpool tubs, plush towels, soaps and candles. But it is hard to maintain that feeling of spa serenity when the bathroom is strewn with all the necessities of day-to-day life and grooming.
Toothbrushes, makeup, toiletries, hair products and other such items have to go somewhere. But if they end up in a jumble on the bathroom countertop, the appearance is not very soothing. Especially in older, smaller bathrooms but also in many newer ones it can be a challenge to find enough conveniently located storage space.
Whether you’re looking for a design statement or are in need of a functional bathroom storage space, a good option is a mirrored cabinet. While once medicine cabinets were basically a hole in the wall with a mirror as a door, today’s products offer ample storage as well as enhance the design elements in the room.
For example, mirrored cabinets by Robern, a leader in stylish bath storage innovation, offer options such as a safety lock-box to provide security for personal items like prescriptions and jewelry; mirrored, lighted interiors, so you don’t have to close the cabinet to see yourself; and an interior electrical outlet where you can recharge and store small electrical devices such as a cell phone or an electric razor.
Because medicine cabinets can be recessed into the wall to achieve a flush, clean look, homeowners are not giving up any valuable space in the bathroom when they add one. And they don’t have to compromise their design sense, either. There are cabinets to complement a wide variety of styles and fit any décor, from traditional to modern.
Robern’s Fairhaven cabinet brings back the styling of the early 20th century. Inspired by the summer communities and seaside cottages in New England, this cabinet combines the benefits and functionality of a luxury cabinet with a traditional, relaxed look. Details like crown and foot moldings, a beaded door with a beveled mirror and round doorknob all add to the vintage appeal.
For those with more modern sensibilities, Robern’s Métallique cabinet reflects the Art Moderne movement of the ‘30s and ‘40s, an era when high style and beauty meant glamorous touches throughout the home. The cabinet has clean, simple lines in polished chrome, brushed nickel or Monaco gold finish. It is part of a collection that includes matching faucets, towel bars and other bathroom accessories of the same finishes.
For the ultimate medicine cabinet, consider Robern’s Cité, which embraces the 1920s decadence and sophistication, highlighted by its leather-wrapped frame. This cabinet adds romance and sophistication to any bathroom, but can also be used in other areas of the home. The cabinet is available in Ebony (black), Ox Blood (burgundy) and Parchment (tan), colors that can blend into just about any décor.
So instead of cluttering your bathroom with baskets of makeup and bins of shaving supplies, you can neatly stash them out of sight, but within easy reach. The clean, stylish surfaces will immediately make the space feel more tranquil and relaxing, so you can pamper yourself in peace.
For more information on Robern cabinets, visit www.robern.com, or call (800) 877-2376.
Courtesy of ARA Content
About the author:
Courtesy of ARA Content
Circulated by Article Emporium
Warming up the Bath
Warming up the Bath
by: ARA
(ARA) - Of all the rooms in a house, family members most often find themselves trekking to the bathroom to begin and end their busy days. In today’s bathrooms, we find only the most standard of conveniences in an environment that demands solitude, efficient use of space and the desire to maintain a level of comfort. According to a study by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), people are looking for larger, more luxurious bathrooms creating an aura of calm and peace.
With the cooler months looming around the corner, there are some savvy products and design solutions for any size bathroom that offer a simple approach to improving your bathroom’s needs, while giving your family a sense of comfort in a room not-less traveled. Many of these ideas were featured by top designers in the 2003 NKBA National Design Competition.
Towel Warmers
Whether it is a small, medium or even a large master-suite bathroom, towel warmers add a versatile approach to displaying your fabrics, while offering an added benefit to keep your towels warm and dry. Most major manufactures of bath products offer towel warmers in their product lines and they can easily be purchased at many local retailers and dealers.
Heated Tile System
If you prefer the look of tiled flooring in your bathroom but can’t get past the idea of stepping on that cool floor during the coldest of days, installing a heated tile system provides a desired level of comfort not to be overlooked. These systems can be easily installed by an NKBA professional when performing even the most basic bathroom renovation.
Insulating Windows
Windows in the bathroom often add to the appeal of inviting natural light into your sanctuary, but they also add to an unseen problem that is often overlooked. Probably the best location for losing heat from your bathroom, windows can conduct precious heat from inside right out into the cool air. This is especially a problem for those in older buildings with single pane windows. The easiest way to stop this free flow of your heat to the outside is to install a window insulating kit. These kits can be purchased from a number of local retailers and dealers and can be installed by an NKBA professional.
Temperature Control
To improve the safety of your shower area, installing pressure balances and control valves can minimize the scalding effect on children and adults of all ages. Pressure balance and control valves will prevent your faucet from spitting out water of extremely high temperatures in the event that cold-water pressure fails. This can happen if a sink or washing machine is being operated throughout the house while you are taking a shower.
Spa/Steam System
One of the more trendy developments in bathroom design is a spa/steam system. According to a study conducted by the National Kitchen & Bath Association, more than two-thirds of the respondents (66 percent) stated these style systems to be a hot bathroom idea. A system such as this can create a luxurious spa-like environment without leaving the confines of your home. An NKBA Certified Bath Designer will be able to design a retreat that matches your desires and budget.
For more information on bathroom remodeling, contact the National Kitchen & Bath Association at (877) NKBA-PRO or visit their Web site at www.nkba.org. Let an NKBA professional add value to your investment by applying their experience and expertise to the job.
Courtesy of ARA Content
About the author:
Courtesy of ARA Content
Circulated by Article Emporium
by: ARA
(ARA) - Of all the rooms in a house, family members most often find themselves trekking to the bathroom to begin and end their busy days. In today’s bathrooms, we find only the most standard of conveniences in an environment that demands solitude, efficient use of space and the desire to maintain a level of comfort. According to a study by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), people are looking for larger, more luxurious bathrooms creating an aura of calm and peace.
With the cooler months looming around the corner, there are some savvy products and design solutions for any size bathroom that offer a simple approach to improving your bathroom’s needs, while giving your family a sense of comfort in a room not-less traveled. Many of these ideas were featured by top designers in the 2003 NKBA National Design Competition.
Towel Warmers
Whether it is a small, medium or even a large master-suite bathroom, towel warmers add a versatile approach to displaying your fabrics, while offering an added benefit to keep your towels warm and dry. Most major manufactures of bath products offer towel warmers in their product lines and they can easily be purchased at many local retailers and dealers.
Heated Tile System
If you prefer the look of tiled flooring in your bathroom but can’t get past the idea of stepping on that cool floor during the coldest of days, installing a heated tile system provides a desired level of comfort not to be overlooked. These systems can be easily installed by an NKBA professional when performing even the most basic bathroom renovation.
Insulating Windows
Windows in the bathroom often add to the appeal of inviting natural light into your sanctuary, but they also add to an unseen problem that is often overlooked. Probably the best location for losing heat from your bathroom, windows can conduct precious heat from inside right out into the cool air. This is especially a problem for those in older buildings with single pane windows. The easiest way to stop this free flow of your heat to the outside is to install a window insulating kit. These kits can be purchased from a number of local retailers and dealers and can be installed by an NKBA professional.
Temperature Control
To improve the safety of your shower area, installing pressure balances and control valves can minimize the scalding effect on children and adults of all ages. Pressure balance and control valves will prevent your faucet from spitting out water of extremely high temperatures in the event that cold-water pressure fails. This can happen if a sink or washing machine is being operated throughout the house while you are taking a shower.
Spa/Steam System
One of the more trendy developments in bathroom design is a spa/steam system. According to a study conducted by the National Kitchen & Bath Association, more than two-thirds of the respondents (66 percent) stated these style systems to be a hot bathroom idea. A system such as this can create a luxurious spa-like environment without leaving the confines of your home. An NKBA Certified Bath Designer will be able to design a retreat that matches your desires and budget.
For more information on bathroom remodeling, contact the National Kitchen & Bath Association at (877) NKBA-PRO or visit their Web site at www.nkba.org. Let an NKBA professional add value to your investment by applying their experience and expertise to the job.
Courtesy of ARA Content
About the author:
Courtesy of ARA Content
Circulated by Article Emporium
Ways to Make Your Bathroom More Energy Efficient
Ways to Make Your Bathroom More Energy Efficient
by: Chileshe Mwape
There are a number of design features and fittings that can improve bathroom energy efficiency and reduce energy bills and greenhouse pollution. Remodelling your bathroom to make it more energy efficient will improve your home because doing it right will reap the benefits of health, safety, comfort and will save you money and energy.
1. Energy Efficient Hot Water System
Select an energy efficient hot water system and place it as close to the bathroom and laundry as possible to reduce pipe length and reduce heat loss.
2. Energy Efficient Labelled Ventilation Fans
Bathroom moisture is often controlled by the use of an exhaust fan. The fan sucks out the moisture-laden air, which is then replaced by drier outside air.
Install properly sized energy efficient labelled ventilation fans to control moisture in the air while you shower or bathe. By removing moist air and drying out your bathroom, a ventilation fan will help prevent mold and mildew. Fans help remove moisture, which can increase the level of humidity in your house. High humidity can damage building materials. Worse, high humidity can cause mold growth and mold may affect your family's health. Install self closing exhaust fans to avoid heat loss or gain when not in use
3. Energy Efficient Labelled Lighting
Another easy way to make your bathroom more energy efficient is to install energy efficient labelled lighting (e.g., Light Fixtures: suspended lights, ceiling-mounted lights, cabinet lights, recessed lights, or compact fluorescent bulbs). Attractive, energy-efficient lighting adds value to your home and reduces home energy bills.
4. Insulation - Insulate Walls and Ceilings
The walls behind tubs or showers are often poorly insulated and air-sealed. Opening these walls as part of the remodelling project provides an opportunity to ensure comfort by sealing air leaks with caulk or expanding foam and installing insulation. Also make sure to air seal around plumbing and electrical penetrations.
5. Energy Efficient Windows and Doors
If you are replacing windows, doors, and skylights, consider those with the energy efficient label. New technologies in the glass and frame systems help make your home more comfortable, and lower heating and cooling costs too.
6. Energy Efficient Showerheads
The shower is the largest user of household hot water. Install an AAA showerhead to reduce the amount of hot water consumed. AAA showerheads are available at many bathroom supply stores and hardware stores. A flow rate of approximately 7L per minute is considered as AAA for showerheads.
7. Water Pipes and Water Saving Devices
Insulate hot water pipes to reduce heat loss and save energy. Install water saving devices like water saving aerators and flow regulators in your taps. Select water saving taps that have a similar water saving rating.
About the author:
Copyright 2005. Chileshe Mwape writes for the Designer Bathrooms website at: http://www.designer-bathrooms.org.uk/which features bathroom remodelling tips, ideas and supplies.
Circulated by Article Emporium
by: Chileshe Mwape
There are a number of design features and fittings that can improve bathroom energy efficiency and reduce energy bills and greenhouse pollution. Remodelling your bathroom to make it more energy efficient will improve your home because doing it right will reap the benefits of health, safety, comfort and will save you money and energy.
1. Energy Efficient Hot Water System
Select an energy efficient hot water system and place it as close to the bathroom and laundry as possible to reduce pipe length and reduce heat loss.
2. Energy Efficient Labelled Ventilation Fans
Bathroom moisture is often controlled by the use of an exhaust fan. The fan sucks out the moisture-laden air, which is then replaced by drier outside air.
Install properly sized energy efficient labelled ventilation fans to control moisture in the air while you shower or bathe. By removing moist air and drying out your bathroom, a ventilation fan will help prevent mold and mildew. Fans help remove moisture, which can increase the level of humidity in your house. High humidity can damage building materials. Worse, high humidity can cause mold growth and mold may affect your family's health. Install self closing exhaust fans to avoid heat loss or gain when not in use
3. Energy Efficient Labelled Lighting
Another easy way to make your bathroom more energy efficient is to install energy efficient labelled lighting (e.g., Light Fixtures: suspended lights, ceiling-mounted lights, cabinet lights, recessed lights, or compact fluorescent bulbs). Attractive, energy-efficient lighting adds value to your home and reduces home energy bills.
4. Insulation - Insulate Walls and Ceilings
The walls behind tubs or showers are often poorly insulated and air-sealed. Opening these walls as part of the remodelling project provides an opportunity to ensure comfort by sealing air leaks with caulk or expanding foam and installing insulation. Also make sure to air seal around plumbing and electrical penetrations.
5. Energy Efficient Windows and Doors
If you are replacing windows, doors, and skylights, consider those with the energy efficient label. New technologies in the glass and frame systems help make your home more comfortable, and lower heating and cooling costs too.
6. Energy Efficient Showerheads
The shower is the largest user of household hot water. Install an AAA showerhead to reduce the amount of hot water consumed. AAA showerheads are available at many bathroom supply stores and hardware stores. A flow rate of approximately 7L per minute is considered as AAA for showerheads.
7. Water Pipes and Water Saving Devices
Insulate hot water pipes to reduce heat loss and save energy. Install water saving devices like water saving aerators and flow regulators in your taps. Select water saving taps that have a similar water saving rating.
About the author:
Copyright 2005. Chileshe Mwape writes for the Designer Bathrooms website at: http://www.designer-bathrooms.org.uk/which features bathroom remodelling tips, ideas and supplies.
Circulated by Article Emporium
Quick And Easy Bathroom Decor Changes
Quick And Easy Bathroom Decor Changes
by: Duane Lipham
Are you tired of the way your bathroom looks? Don't feel bad, a lot of folks are in the same boat. The bathroom is one room in the home that can look drab and run down very easily. And what if you don't have an unlimited budget to make changes in the fixtures and plumbing? Well take heart, there is lots that you can do for very little money that will totally and radically improve the decor of your bathroom.
One of the biggest problems with bathrooms is their tendency to get cluttered. You know, towels hanging all over the place, bath products on top of the vanity and on the shower floor, and things like that. So if you really want to make a 100% improvement in your bathroom clean up the clutter.
Fortunately, that is very easy to do and inexpensive. If you go to any WalMart or Target store, you will find plenty of organizer products for use in the bathroom. They are also very cheap. So get some of them and start to install them so that the most used products and items are within easy reach of wherever they would be used in the bathroom. If you make the storage spot convenient most people will continue to put it back in it's place after they use it. If you make the storage spot even a little difficult to access, you will see those items left all around wherever someone finds a spot for it.
Next, get some extra towel racks and install them so that there is a towel holder within easy reach of almost anywhere in the bathroom. Extra towel holders mean that even used towels can have a spot to be hung up instead of just left lying over the tub or shower stall door. Another advantage decor-wise of having extra towel bars is that you can use some of them to put up fancy towels for show that will really pick up the appearance of the room and highlight the colors that you used in your bathroom design.
Another simple and easy change to the appearance of any bathroom is the flooring. If you don't like what you see, change it. Fortunately, most bathroom floor spaces are fairly small and so not much material is needed. There are several options that you can choose from including vinyl sheets, ceramic tile, or vinyl tile squares. If you want simple and easy, stick-on vinyl tiles are probably the way to go. You can get them at a local Home Improvement store and they are usually very inexpensive too, and you can get some great looking designs that look very close to actual ceramic tile at a casual glance. Armed with a small cutter to trim the tiles when needed or shape them around an object on the bathroom floor, you are ready to go. If you make a mistake, peel up that tile, throw it away and use another one. Simple and easy!
Finally, buy some new towels for the bathroom. Get some great new colors and designs that are eye-cathcing and pleasing. Again, not much money invested for lots of return in visual appeal.
Change out the door knobs on your vanity and closet, and change the shower curtain and rings if you have one.
Just a few of these inexpensive changes in a bathroom can go a long way to changing that tired, old, cluttered, bathroom into one that makes you proud to show it off, and a pleasure to use.
About the author:
Duane Jones - All About Bed And Bath provides free information, resources and tips on finding bedding, comforters, bathroom fixtures, tubs, and more for your home at the very best price.
Circulated by Article Emporium
by: Duane Lipham
Are you tired of the way your bathroom looks? Don't feel bad, a lot of folks are in the same boat. The bathroom is one room in the home that can look drab and run down very easily. And what if you don't have an unlimited budget to make changes in the fixtures and plumbing? Well take heart, there is lots that you can do for very little money that will totally and radically improve the decor of your bathroom.
One of the biggest problems with bathrooms is their tendency to get cluttered. You know, towels hanging all over the place, bath products on top of the vanity and on the shower floor, and things like that. So if you really want to make a 100% improvement in your bathroom clean up the clutter.
Fortunately, that is very easy to do and inexpensive. If you go to any WalMart or Target store, you will find plenty of organizer products for use in the bathroom. They are also very cheap. So get some of them and start to install them so that the most used products and items are within easy reach of wherever they would be used in the bathroom. If you make the storage spot convenient most people will continue to put it back in it's place after they use it. If you make the storage spot even a little difficult to access, you will see those items left all around wherever someone finds a spot for it.
Next, get some extra towel racks and install them so that there is a towel holder within easy reach of almost anywhere in the bathroom. Extra towel holders mean that even used towels can have a spot to be hung up instead of just left lying over the tub or shower stall door. Another advantage decor-wise of having extra towel bars is that you can use some of them to put up fancy towels for show that will really pick up the appearance of the room and highlight the colors that you used in your bathroom design.
Another simple and easy change to the appearance of any bathroom is the flooring. If you don't like what you see, change it. Fortunately, most bathroom floor spaces are fairly small and so not much material is needed. There are several options that you can choose from including vinyl sheets, ceramic tile, or vinyl tile squares. If you want simple and easy, stick-on vinyl tiles are probably the way to go. You can get them at a local Home Improvement store and they are usually very inexpensive too, and you can get some great looking designs that look very close to actual ceramic tile at a casual glance. Armed with a small cutter to trim the tiles when needed or shape them around an object on the bathroom floor, you are ready to go. If you make a mistake, peel up that tile, throw it away and use another one. Simple and easy!
Finally, buy some new towels for the bathroom. Get some great new colors and designs that are eye-cathcing and pleasing. Again, not much money invested for lots of return in visual appeal.
Change out the door knobs on your vanity and closet, and change the shower curtain and rings if you have one.
Just a few of these inexpensive changes in a bathroom can go a long way to changing that tired, old, cluttered, bathroom into one that makes you proud to show it off, and a pleasure to use.
About the author:
Duane Jones - All About Bed And Bath provides free information, resources and tips on finding bedding, comforters, bathroom fixtures, tubs, and more for your home at the very best price.
Circulated by Article Emporium
Building Better Bathrooms With Your Own Designs
Building Better Bathrooms With Your Own Designs
by: ARA
(ARA) - Is there a traffic jam in your bathroom? Do you find yourself bumping into your family or the walls while brushing your teeth? If so, it may be time to make your bathroom more functional by rethinking how you use the space.
According to Better Homes and Gardens Web site, www.bhg.com, a standard size bathroom is 35 to 80 square feet. A typical master bath is 100 square feet or more. While it may be small compared to other rooms in the house, this standard space can really open up when you combine your personal preferences and style with how you want to use the bathroom.
Assessing Your Bathroom’s Space
When working with homeowners to create a new room plan, I often start out with the big-picture question: “In a perfect world, what would your bathroom feel like?” In the past, answers have been “like the outside brought indoors” or “like a cottage on the lake.” Hidden in both of those answers was a key to a successful room plan -- the concept of space. You can use the same square footage to create an open, shared space or a private, cozy space. The difference is how traffic patterns and designs can work together to result in a completely different feel.
When you’re reassessing your bathroom’s space, ask yourself the following questions to pinpoint a design that is the most functional for you.
* How many people will use this bathroom? Will they use it at the same time?
* Rethink the essentials. Do you need double sinks or a bidet in the guest bath?
* Take out fixtures that do not meet your functionality. If you are adding fixtures, look for adjoining space to add to your bathroom. Closets and fifth bedrooms are great options for more space.
Another great idea to thin out traffic in the bathroom is to add a sink to another room. American Standard came up with the clever idea of adding a round countertop sink in a glass makeup table in the bedroom.
This not only saves space in the bathroom, but it also allows for more privacy by splitting the areas into two rooms. The single-mount faucet is a simple, sleek option that blends with updated traditional and contemporary styles.
How much privacy do you need?
Should the toilet be placed in a separate room? Popular in the ’80s and ’90s, separate water closets have become a standard in new home design. Many bathroom designs tuck the toilet into a corner or separate space, out of sight from the bathroom’s entrance. If space is still an issue, a half wall or glassed partition can give the feel of more privacy without gobbling up square footage.
What is your bathing routine?
Do you need a shower or a tub or both? If there are multiple bathrooms in your home, there may be the opportunity to simplify function in one or more to open up space. One of my clients wanted a double steam shower instead of a tub for the master bath. This decision created space that they wouldn’t have used with a tub. This client then installed a soaking tub in one of the guest baths for smart space savings and resale value.
How does this bathroom work in the overall house plan?
Do you need to move entrances or change doors? Simply changing a hinged door to a sliding pocket door can convert a tight space into plenty of room. When I worked on the bathroom design and layout with American Standard's 2003 Ugliest Bathroom Contest winner, I encountered a doorway that seemed out of place. We moved a hallway entrance from the master bath into the master bedroom for more privacy. And to save space, we used a pocket door instead of the original hinged door.
In addition to asking yourself these questions, you can assess your bathroom through the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s online questionnaire at www.nkba.com. In particular, the last survey section about room orientation is another tool to help you rethink your bathroom space and function.
Courtesy of ARA Content
About the author:
Courtesy of ARA Content
Circulated by Article Emporium
by: ARA
(ARA) - Is there a traffic jam in your bathroom? Do you find yourself bumping into your family or the walls while brushing your teeth? If so, it may be time to make your bathroom more functional by rethinking how you use the space.
According to Better Homes and Gardens Web site, www.bhg.com, a standard size bathroom is 35 to 80 square feet. A typical master bath is 100 square feet or more. While it may be small compared to other rooms in the house, this standard space can really open up when you combine your personal preferences and style with how you want to use the bathroom.
Assessing Your Bathroom’s Space
When working with homeowners to create a new room plan, I often start out with the big-picture question: “In a perfect world, what would your bathroom feel like?” In the past, answers have been “like the outside brought indoors” or “like a cottage on the lake.” Hidden in both of those answers was a key to a successful room plan -- the concept of space. You can use the same square footage to create an open, shared space or a private, cozy space. The difference is how traffic patterns and designs can work together to result in a completely different feel.
When you’re reassessing your bathroom’s space, ask yourself the following questions to pinpoint a design that is the most functional for you.
* How many people will use this bathroom? Will they use it at the same time?
* Rethink the essentials. Do you need double sinks or a bidet in the guest bath?
* Take out fixtures that do not meet your functionality. If you are adding fixtures, look for adjoining space to add to your bathroom. Closets and fifth bedrooms are great options for more space.
Another great idea to thin out traffic in the bathroom is to add a sink to another room. American Standard came up with the clever idea of adding a round countertop sink in a glass makeup table in the bedroom.
This not only saves space in the bathroom, but it also allows for more privacy by splitting the areas into two rooms. The single-mount faucet is a simple, sleek option that blends with updated traditional and contemporary styles.
How much privacy do you need?
Should the toilet be placed in a separate room? Popular in the ’80s and ’90s, separate water closets have become a standard in new home design. Many bathroom designs tuck the toilet into a corner or separate space, out of sight from the bathroom’s entrance. If space is still an issue, a half wall or glassed partition can give the feel of more privacy without gobbling up square footage.
What is your bathing routine?
Do you need a shower or a tub or both? If there are multiple bathrooms in your home, there may be the opportunity to simplify function in one or more to open up space. One of my clients wanted a double steam shower instead of a tub for the master bath. This decision created space that they wouldn’t have used with a tub. This client then installed a soaking tub in one of the guest baths for smart space savings and resale value.
How does this bathroom work in the overall house plan?
Do you need to move entrances or change doors? Simply changing a hinged door to a sliding pocket door can convert a tight space into plenty of room. When I worked on the bathroom design and layout with American Standard's 2003 Ugliest Bathroom Contest winner, I encountered a doorway that seemed out of place. We moved a hallway entrance from the master bath into the master bedroom for more privacy. And to save space, we used a pocket door instead of the original hinged door.
In addition to asking yourself these questions, you can assess your bathroom through the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s online questionnaire at www.nkba.com. In particular, the last survey section about room orientation is another tool to help you rethink your bathroom space and function.
Courtesy of ARA Content
About the author:
Courtesy of ARA Content
Circulated by Article Emporium
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
