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
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Showing posts with label Small Bathroom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Small Bathroom. Show all posts
Monday, July 7, 2008
Making the most of a small bathroom
Making the most of a small bathroom
by: Steven Cooper
In bathroom terms at least, bigger doesn't have to be better – It’s all just a case of making the most of the modest proportions you’re presented with! And what's more, designing a bathroom that’s small on space usage but big on style and functionality should be a lot more fun.
The Click Bathrooms guide to maximizing a modest bathroom follows three simple principles…
1 - Make it seem bigger
A great way of tackling a bathroom with limited dimensions is by creating the illusion of space. First and foremost, aim to colour your walls in lighter shades such as whites, creams and pastels, thereby avoiding the darker colours that dramatically reduce the sense of space inside a small room.
Good lighting is also a vital tool in expanding the look of your bathroom. By illuminating areas that are prone to shadows with strong directional lights you’ll find that the room opens up even further.
Finally, attempt to generate a feeling of space through the clever use of mirrors, which positioned correctly can literally make a room appear to double in size. For maximum effect, adorn the back wall of the room with one or more large mirrors, or a number of smaller mirrored tiles.
2 - Utilise hidden or difficult spaces
Time to get creative and think outside the box; can you utilise space that isn’t immediately visible? Start at the bottom by identifying any available low-level spaces - under bath storage is a great way to keep towels and toiletries out of sight for a start. If you’re struggling to free up low-level space, wall hung ceramic ware can provide vital extra ground room.
Then it’s time to target the high-level spaces – stylish hooks and hangers can effectively replace the need for bulky closets, whilst a large ladder style heated towel rail can happily accommodate all necessary towels and dressing gowns.
Don’t just give up on the difficult or unusual spaces your bathroom may present to you. Corner fitting WCs and basins can squeeze in to the tightest of spots, whilst short projection bathroom furniture and ceramic ware options should also prove equally economic with space.
3 - Get multifunctional
If space is really at a premium, try selecting bathroom fittings and fixtures that serve more than one purpose. Choosing a combined shower bath will allow you the option of relaxed bathing or rapid and refreshing showering without occupying the amount of space otherwise needed. Then there’s the dual functionality of the heated towel rail, working as both a radiator and a storage feature, or bathroom cabinets that provide shelf space, lighting and mirrors.
Finally, look to combine individual bathroom items to create harmonious multifunctional bathroom features. An inset ceramic basin can be housed on top of a short projection vanity unit to create a stylish washstand with ample low-level storage.
For more advice on space saving bathroom techniques, be sure to visit Click Bathrooms
About the author:
Steven Cooper - Click Bathrooms
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by: Steven Cooper
In bathroom terms at least, bigger doesn't have to be better – It’s all just a case of making the most of the modest proportions you’re presented with! And what's more, designing a bathroom that’s small on space usage but big on style and functionality should be a lot more fun.
The Click Bathrooms guide to maximizing a modest bathroom follows three simple principles…
1 - Make it seem bigger
A great way of tackling a bathroom with limited dimensions is by creating the illusion of space. First and foremost, aim to colour your walls in lighter shades such as whites, creams and pastels, thereby avoiding the darker colours that dramatically reduce the sense of space inside a small room.
Good lighting is also a vital tool in expanding the look of your bathroom. By illuminating areas that are prone to shadows with strong directional lights you’ll find that the room opens up even further.
Finally, attempt to generate a feeling of space through the clever use of mirrors, which positioned correctly can literally make a room appear to double in size. For maximum effect, adorn the back wall of the room with one or more large mirrors, or a number of smaller mirrored tiles.
2 - Utilise hidden or difficult spaces
Time to get creative and think outside the box; can you utilise space that isn’t immediately visible? Start at the bottom by identifying any available low-level spaces - under bath storage is a great way to keep towels and toiletries out of sight for a start. If you’re struggling to free up low-level space, wall hung ceramic ware can provide vital extra ground room.
Then it’s time to target the high-level spaces – stylish hooks and hangers can effectively replace the need for bulky closets, whilst a large ladder style heated towel rail can happily accommodate all necessary towels and dressing gowns.
Don’t just give up on the difficult or unusual spaces your bathroom may present to you. Corner fitting WCs and basins can squeeze in to the tightest of spots, whilst short projection bathroom furniture and ceramic ware options should also prove equally economic with space.
3 - Get multifunctional
If space is really at a premium, try selecting bathroom fittings and fixtures that serve more than one purpose. Choosing a combined shower bath will allow you the option of relaxed bathing or rapid and refreshing showering without occupying the amount of space otherwise needed. Then there’s the dual functionality of the heated towel rail, working as both a radiator and a storage feature, or bathroom cabinets that provide shelf space, lighting and mirrors.
Finally, look to combine individual bathroom items to create harmonious multifunctional bathroom features. An inset ceramic basin can be housed on top of a short projection vanity unit to create a stylish washstand with ample low-level storage.
For more advice on space saving bathroom techniques, be sure to visit Click Bathrooms
About the author:
Steven Cooper - Click Bathrooms
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How to Remodel A Small Bathroom
How to Remodel A Small Bathroom -
by: Ken Marlborough
Not all bathrooms can be lavish spaces with whirlpool tubs and two separate vanities. For some bathrooms, space is at a premium and knocking out walls is not an option, but remodeling must be done. Small bathroom remodeling presents its own complications, but with the right information, a small bathroom-remodeling project can shine.
Before beginning your small bathroom remodeling, design a floor plan that maximizes the room's useable space. Don't be afraid to design up by incorporating free-floating cabinets. Use mirrors to stretch a small bathroom's space, and keep the color scheme simple. Keep a small bathroom bright, fresh, and inviting with coordinated colors and accessories.
Pare down the scale in your bathroom. Big items take up more space in the bathroom and look bulky. Corner sinks are simple and small. These sinks free up visual space below, but don't provide the counter space and cabinet space that a traditional sink provides. Another option is a pedestal sink. These sinks have a more classic design and are free standing. Wall-mounted sinks save space but do not have counter space. Both types of sinks do not provide storage space underneath. Most home-improvement stores stock smaller sinks, or you can custom order one from a cabinet shop for a price.
A simple way to conserve space is to do away with a tub and just use a shower. Smaller tubs, however, are available, although most cannot handle whirlpool faucets. Any tub less than five feet long will probably spill the water sprayed by the whirlpool faucets.
Pick a toilet that can sit close to the wall to conserve space, and the size of the seat and tank design determine just how much space the toilet will use. Also pay attention to the size of the home's original toilet. Older homes have toilets with 10 to 14 inches between the wall and the toilet drain, but newer homes typically have 12 inches. The wrong toilet won't fit. Buying a toilet with a low tank takes up less visual space and compact toilets leave more room, but as with any small bathroom remodeling project, use these suggestions to find a toilet that is both stylish and fits in the room.
Finally, limit what you bring into the bathroom. To save space in a cramped bathroom, for example, it may be best to have a dressing area in a bedroom. Limit the number of accessories -- clutter can easily make a small bathroom look smaller.
Planning a small remodeling may take extra planning, but the resulting clean, beautiful, an uncluttered bathroom will be an inviting space.
About the author:
Bathroom Remodeling Info provides detailed information on bathroom remodeling ideas, costs, plans, and checklists. Bathroom Remodeling Info is the sister site of Kitchen Remodeling Web.
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by: Ken Marlborough
Not all bathrooms can be lavish spaces with whirlpool tubs and two separate vanities. For some bathrooms, space is at a premium and knocking out walls is not an option, but remodeling must be done. Small bathroom remodeling presents its own complications, but with the right information, a small bathroom-remodeling project can shine.
Before beginning your small bathroom remodeling, design a floor plan that maximizes the room's useable space. Don't be afraid to design up by incorporating free-floating cabinets. Use mirrors to stretch a small bathroom's space, and keep the color scheme simple. Keep a small bathroom bright, fresh, and inviting with coordinated colors and accessories.
Pare down the scale in your bathroom. Big items take up more space in the bathroom and look bulky. Corner sinks are simple and small. These sinks free up visual space below, but don't provide the counter space and cabinet space that a traditional sink provides. Another option is a pedestal sink. These sinks have a more classic design and are free standing. Wall-mounted sinks save space but do not have counter space. Both types of sinks do not provide storage space underneath. Most home-improvement stores stock smaller sinks, or you can custom order one from a cabinet shop for a price.
A simple way to conserve space is to do away with a tub and just use a shower. Smaller tubs, however, are available, although most cannot handle whirlpool faucets. Any tub less than five feet long will probably spill the water sprayed by the whirlpool faucets.
Pick a toilet that can sit close to the wall to conserve space, and the size of the seat and tank design determine just how much space the toilet will use. Also pay attention to the size of the home's original toilet. Older homes have toilets with 10 to 14 inches between the wall and the toilet drain, but newer homes typically have 12 inches. The wrong toilet won't fit. Buying a toilet with a low tank takes up less visual space and compact toilets leave more room, but as with any small bathroom remodeling project, use these suggestions to find a toilet that is both stylish and fits in the room.
Finally, limit what you bring into the bathroom. To save space in a cramped bathroom, for example, it may be best to have a dressing area in a bedroom. Limit the number of accessories -- clutter can easily make a small bathroom look smaller.
Planning a small remodeling may take extra planning, but the resulting clean, beautiful, an uncluttered bathroom will be an inviting space.
About the author:
Bathroom Remodeling Info provides detailed information on bathroom remodeling ideas, costs, plans, and checklists. Bathroom Remodeling Info is the sister site of Kitchen Remodeling Web.
Circulated by Article Emporium
Bathroom Designs Idea - Can I Design My Own Bathroom?
Bathroom Designs Idea - Can I Design My Own Bathroom?
by: David Buster
A bathroom designs idea - can I really design my own bathroom? Why not! Today, the bathroom is much more than just a room for grooming and a place to read. Bathrooms can be a good place for home exercise equipment and a good music system or TV, for example. What better way to unwind from the day than a soothing shower or warm soak in the tub with candles and relaxing music. So start a notebook. When you get a bathroom designs idea, write it down. Soon you will have defined the bathroom that is just right for you.
Design my own bathroom? You bet you can! When designing your own bathroom, some of the questions you should ask (and answer) include:
1. How big will the bathroom be? Bathroom sizes include:
• Master bathroom or luxury bathroom - includes toilet, bidet, two sinks, separate tub and shower, whirpool or spa and perhaps more, depending on your budget. Some master bathrooms are large enough to have exercise equipment, and they are subdivided into smaller compartments for privacy depending on what is needed.
• Full bathroom - includes toilet, sink, and combination tub/shower plumbed along one wall. Typical dimensions are 5x7 or 5x8 feet.
• Half bathroom - includes sink and toilet only. It can be placed on the main floor of your home to reduce the morning rush, and the family doesn't have to go upstairs to use the toilet. Common dimensions are between 3x6 and 4x5 feet, about the size of a smaller closet.
• Small bathroom - includes corner shower stall, toilet and sink and typical dimensions are 6x6 feet.
• Childrens bathroom - can be a three-quarter bathroom or full bathroom depending on the size of your home and how many children you have. Children's bathrooms should have plenty of storage and cubbies that are safe and colorful. If several kids will use the same bathroom, a wall or half wall between the toilet and the rest of the bathroom may be a good idea.
• Guest bathroom - can be a three-quarter bathroom or a full bathroom.
2. Are you planning to have convenient storage in the bathroom? A design my own bathroom person will always include bathroom storage. You can find a combination sink/vanity for extra storage. A great bathroom designs idea is you can never have too much bathroom storage!
Use the wall space wisely with shelves or cabinets over the commode or almost anywhere in the bathroom. Consider using corner shelves, and hang towel bars above one another. Add a medicine cabinet with mirror to your bathroom to store grooming supplies, medicine or toiletries. Traditionally, the medicine cabinet was always located above the vanity or sink, but nowadays you can place it elsewhere in the bathroom. Add a shower caddy to your corner shower for extra storage.
3. Do you have enough lighting planned for your bathroom? Natural light is an important element in bathrooms. A window, a wall or roof skylight will bring in natural light, a view or a dramatic skyscape. Having a skylight that opens is great because moisture build-up is reduced.
Artificial lighting is also vital and often overlooked in a bathroom. Without good lighting, the decor and the personality of your bathroom can not be developed properly. Lighting for your bathroom can be natural and manufactured. Lighting should be used to brighten and define the space since both can affect your mood and how you feel inside your home.
4. Another bathroom designs idea - what about ventilation? If you live in climates prone to mold and mildew, you should install an exhaust fan in your bathroom. Ventilating fans are sized by the number of cubic feet of air they move each minute (cfm). A design my own bathroom person will have a good ventilation system that can move the air from the bathroom to the outdoors about eight times per hour or once every 7 or 8 minutes. Bathrooms generate humidity and moisture that can penetrate ceilings, floors and countertops. Remove odors and humidity from a bathroom by installing a power ventilator large enough to do the job. You do not want your walls to break into a sweat every time someone showers.
Design my own bathroom? Go for it! A design my own bathroom person will read as much as possible, thinking through what is wanted and needed in this important room. A bathroom designs idea will range from materials used to the bathroom layout to the finished colors. Having a successful bathroom project is about making informed decisions while planning and while building. Continue the process of learning as much as you can before building begins. How much can you spend, what style will the bathroom be, what size ventilation should you have and so on. Your answer to each bathroom designs idea question is what will guide you so you'll have the best bathroom ever.
Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing
About the author:
David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.yourdreamloghome.comwhere you can learn more about bathroom layout, lighting, storage, bathroom vanities, small bathrooms, childrens bathrooms and much more. Just visit http://www.yourdreamloghome.com/bathroom-design-ideas.htmlto continue.
Circulated by Article Emporium
by: David Buster
A bathroom designs idea - can I really design my own bathroom? Why not! Today, the bathroom is much more than just a room for grooming and a place to read. Bathrooms can be a good place for home exercise equipment and a good music system or TV, for example. What better way to unwind from the day than a soothing shower or warm soak in the tub with candles and relaxing music. So start a notebook. When you get a bathroom designs idea, write it down. Soon you will have defined the bathroom that is just right for you.
Design my own bathroom? You bet you can! When designing your own bathroom, some of the questions you should ask (and answer) include:
1. How big will the bathroom be? Bathroom sizes include:
• Master bathroom or luxury bathroom - includes toilet, bidet, two sinks, separate tub and shower, whirpool or spa and perhaps more, depending on your budget. Some master bathrooms are large enough to have exercise equipment, and they are subdivided into smaller compartments for privacy depending on what is needed.
• Full bathroom - includes toilet, sink, and combination tub/shower plumbed along one wall. Typical dimensions are 5x7 or 5x8 feet.
• Half bathroom - includes sink and toilet only. It can be placed on the main floor of your home to reduce the morning rush, and the family doesn't have to go upstairs to use the toilet. Common dimensions are between 3x6 and 4x5 feet, about the size of a smaller closet.
• Small bathroom - includes corner shower stall, toilet and sink and typical dimensions are 6x6 feet.
• Childrens bathroom - can be a three-quarter bathroom or full bathroom depending on the size of your home and how many children you have. Children's bathrooms should have plenty of storage and cubbies that are safe and colorful. If several kids will use the same bathroom, a wall or half wall between the toilet and the rest of the bathroom may be a good idea.
• Guest bathroom - can be a three-quarter bathroom or a full bathroom.
2. Are you planning to have convenient storage in the bathroom? A design my own bathroom person will always include bathroom storage. You can find a combination sink/vanity for extra storage. A great bathroom designs idea is you can never have too much bathroom storage!
Use the wall space wisely with shelves or cabinets over the commode or almost anywhere in the bathroom. Consider using corner shelves, and hang towel bars above one another. Add a medicine cabinet with mirror to your bathroom to store grooming supplies, medicine or toiletries. Traditionally, the medicine cabinet was always located above the vanity or sink, but nowadays you can place it elsewhere in the bathroom. Add a shower caddy to your corner shower for extra storage.
3. Do you have enough lighting planned for your bathroom? Natural light is an important element in bathrooms. A window, a wall or roof skylight will bring in natural light, a view or a dramatic skyscape. Having a skylight that opens is great because moisture build-up is reduced.
Artificial lighting is also vital and often overlooked in a bathroom. Without good lighting, the decor and the personality of your bathroom can not be developed properly. Lighting for your bathroom can be natural and manufactured. Lighting should be used to brighten and define the space since both can affect your mood and how you feel inside your home.
4. Another bathroom designs idea - what about ventilation? If you live in climates prone to mold and mildew, you should install an exhaust fan in your bathroom. Ventilating fans are sized by the number of cubic feet of air they move each minute (cfm). A design my own bathroom person will have a good ventilation system that can move the air from the bathroom to the outdoors about eight times per hour or once every 7 or 8 minutes. Bathrooms generate humidity and moisture that can penetrate ceilings, floors and countertops. Remove odors and humidity from a bathroom by installing a power ventilator large enough to do the job. You do not want your walls to break into a sweat every time someone showers.
Design my own bathroom? Go for it! A design my own bathroom person will read as much as possible, thinking through what is wanted and needed in this important room. A bathroom designs idea will range from materials used to the bathroom layout to the finished colors. Having a successful bathroom project is about making informed decisions while planning and while building. Continue the process of learning as much as you can before building begins. How much can you spend, what style will the bathroom be, what size ventilation should you have and so on. Your answer to each bathroom designs idea question is what will guide you so you'll have the best bathroom ever.
Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing
About the author:
David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.yourdreamloghome.comwhere you can learn more about bathroom layout, lighting, storage, bathroom vanities, small bathrooms, childrens bathrooms and much more. Just visit http://www.yourdreamloghome.com/bathroom-design-ideas.htmlto continue.
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