Bathroom Shower Remodeling-The Center Point to Any Bathroom Redesign

Despite being just small fixtures, showers play a big role in the overall layout of a bathroom. Bathroom assumes a distinct personality when showers are added.

Planning your Bathroom Shower remodeling

Bathrooms are one of the most expensive rooms in the house remodeling. Bathroom shower remodeling can change the entire design of the room. Your selection of materials has a big influence on the price of your project.

There are many options available right from standard to walk in shower. If you would like the luxury of steam shower at home, go ahead and choose one. Bathroom shower remodeling project can be completed in a day, thanks to the different options available including acrylic materials which can be used to cover the tub and shower walls. You can also eliminate the tub if you wish. However, it is cost effective and faster to leave fixtures in their current position, as moving them will require moving and draining the drain lines. This is a time consuming job and would add up to your expenses, unless you are considering a complete bathroom remodeling.

Acrylic and fiberglass overlays are available, and can be set in place over the existing tub. You can also try matching walls near the bathtub area. This would give an appearance of renovation of the entire bathtub area. Bathroom shower remodeling project can be a good DIY project for homeowners.

Consider Project with End Result in Mind

Plan the bathroom shower remodeling project in advance and sketch the steps involved in the project. Study the sketch thoroughly before starting the project.
Drains have to be matched with the existing ones or be routed, if you are installing a new tub or shower base. Water supply connections should be of little concern with the availability of flexible hoses. However, most drains are solid pipes and will have to match the outlet to which it will be connected.

The next major factor in bathroom shower remodeling is the walls. Using tiles on the walls is time consuming and would cost more, but will last long. If tiles are used wall backing will need special treatment. Using fiberglass or acrylic will make the job easier; it can have fewer joints through which water can leak.

Warning

If the bathroom shower remodeling project is extensive, it would last several days. Arrange for an alternate bathroom facility before starting the project.

By Chet Baker

Designing A Bathroom For Children

Think of how much fun you and your children will have designing a bathroom especially for them or even adding an addition onto the existing bathroom and making it their own special room. Even large homes have small bathrooms with insufficient space so if you can annex an adjoining hall closet or bedroom this can solve some of the space issues. If you enlarge the room what better way to utilize the additional space by providing your child with his or hers own bathing or wash area. By allotting a designated area to young children could alleviate some of the morning traffic when everyone is trying to get ready at the same time.

In order not to incur a greater expense, if possible try to break down a wall that attaches to the plumbing wall. This means you don’t have to worry about installing new plumbing since it is less expensive to install new bathroom fixtures where the existing pipes run. Now that you have added extra square footage, it’s time to organize the bathroom. You may not be able to install a separate bathtub or shower, but you can install a new sink, some added storage cabinets for their bath toys. Partitioning off the bathroom so it gives them the feeling it is uniquely their own place, can be done by installing retractable sliding doors that are quite safe or build a divider wall.

Be practical when choosing a bathroom theme

Now if you have the luxury of an extra bathroom that can be designated strictly to the children, then the design options are endless. So where to start? This should be a joint decision between parents and children. It is recommended to go with a theme that is inspirational to your child or children. First select the color, pastel pinks and blues may not always work if it is a unisex bathroom. Bold colors tend to work well with an all white bathroom suite. White ceramic tiles with some rows of solid colored tile will help in creating a consistent look from the shower to the sink area without distorting the theme. Try to stay away from decorative tiling with animated images, remember children do grow up and their taste in bathroom décor will change. Be practical in your decision making, you may want to sell the house one day. Having to replace a complete shower wall covered with Mickey or Minnie Mouse could be very expensive.

Designing a child’s bathroom can be done on a budget. Providing you don’t go out on a limb and decide to turn the bathroom into one big theme from taps to sinks because they will get tired of this look. It’s easier to paint over a wall than to replace tiles and more practical to stick with white neutral bathroom furniture. Also consider adding shelves into the wall of the shower or bathtub these spaces can hold soaps and bathing toys for children.

By Shelley Murphy

Design Bathrooms on A Budget

Creating a stunning bathroom complete with all the luxuries from whirlpool baths, a double basin vanity to radiator towel warmers, finished off with glam bathroom fixtures and accessories for the ultimate dream bathroom is every homeowner’s desire. When starting to explore your options for creating your prestigious space you should start with a wish list of desired needs. The two points of interest at the top of your list will be budget and space, and then sub-dividing the list into two categories, “what can I live with” and “what needs to be replaced.”

Most often we tend to visualize everything brand new and over look the fact that by simply replacing small fixtures such as a new basin mixer tap can bring new life to an existing pedestal sink. When you look at the big picture, you not only save money especially if you are a do-it-yourself person, but you also save on having to purchase a new sink freeing up funds for other necessities such as a new bathroom mirror or new bathroom accessories.

If you are looking to give your shower a modern contemporary look, durable solid glass constructed doors is not only an affordable way to update the look of your bathroom, but allows you to do away with traditional plastic shower curtains and gives the bathroom a sense of spaciousness. Shower/Bath glass enclosures is also a fashionable way of dressing up your bathroom, they are easy to install and much easier to clean than cloth or plastic curtains. Finding solutions to meet both your needs and spending allowance for your bathroom remodeling projects, doesn’t mean compromising quality. Purchasing one good quality item, such as a whirlpool spa bath may mean looking at the “what you can live with” check list in finding items in your bathroom that can be refinished.

Refinish Bathroom Furniture and Save Money

New bathroom furniture does not necessarily mean the physical purchase of a new bathroom cabinet or wall mounted vanity, try refurbishing the cabinet or vanity instead. With a number of commercial products that can easily strip away old paint and wood finishes makes for an easy-to-do weekend bathroom project, with a little sanding and a fresh new coat of paint, varnish or wood lacquer, you will be surprised with the new look of your bathroom cabinet or bathroom vanity. Also determine who will be using the space, will it be a family bathroom or a tranquil place to relax and unwind. Setting clear goals will aid in deciding the bathroom design you are trying to achieve. If there are water works happening in your bathroom meaning children who splash around during bath time, then you most definitely want to think about using durable materials such as acrylics and ceramics. Baths that are filled with Stone Cast Resin with twinned skinned acrylic are far more durable than cast iron or steel where acrylic is less prone to cracks and scratches and pottery only bathroom suites are less susceptible to damage and stains compared to wood finished bathroom suites.

When it comes to space often rearranging the layout of your bathroom to either create the illusion of space or open the space for more functionality to accommodate the family is a workable solution. Today’s baths are available in a number of sizes and shapes, corner baths are an excellent choice for space conservation since they fit tightly into any corner of the bathroom creating a unique focal point and again are ideal for the price consciences consumer.

Turning a dull bathroom into an enchanting delight comes from inspiring ideas which can easily be seen on the internet or by taking a trip to a bathroom shop. Get advice from the experts and do some price comparison. If you are out and about shopping around for bathroom products remember to bring the necessary items to avoid several trips, paint swatches, tile samples, measurements including a floor plan, existing hardware if you plan to replace bath/shower or basin taps for exactness rather than guessing, and pictures of your existing bathroom, this will help with your selection and give you a visual sense of how the bathroom will look. Finally, while trying to get the maximum utility out of your bathroom, always balance out your needs with your bottom financial line and not to stray from your budget.

By Shelley Murphy

European Bathroom Design - Why Is it Becoming A Popular Choice

So, you got your eyes on those European bathroom designs and applications you see on the glossy papers of the magazines and papers? Thinking you cannot afford it? Now, it is not impossible at all. All you need to have is the right combinations of fine bathroom package and essentials. You can easily live in a house with a European influence by having your bathroom affixed with the right pieces of European-inspired furniture, equipments, devices, and storage cabinets.

To help you in conceptualizing European bathroom design, here are the following must-haves:

First, and the most popular choice, is having a frameless shower doors. This is typical in a European home. Frameless bathroom doors have in fact originated in Europe. These are great choice not only for aesthetical reasons but for safety as well. They emanate a grand, elegant effect because they make your bathroom look and feel so different.

Apart from that, a frameless bathroom shower door is easy to maintain. So, having one is also a way to keep your European bathroom spotless. It is usually constructed out of materials that have passed rigid safety tests. And this is the reason why frameless bathroom doors are sold widely in the US.

You can get a frameless bathroom shower door that come as package together with the new tub or shower unit. If you don’t want as complete package, you can have one that can be fitted over your standard tub.

When purchasing as a separate unit, it is important to consider mainly the sizing that matches your existing tub or shower unit. You don’t want the hassles of tripping back to the store where you purchased the wrong one to replace it, so make sure you have checked this issue.

Next must-have is a shower that has its nozzle stuck onto the wall. Floor drain is another vital European thing that must come with this shower concept.

Curtains are essential. While there are many kinds of curtains available, choose the right one. Curtains can actually pass as optional, but having those lovely designed curtains will surely push your new bathroom like it is into uniquely elegant place.

Half-tub and bidet are other must-haves. Half tub allows you to sit and not lie down. The bidet on the other hand is the kind that lets you clean some parts of your body that are not often tanned.

Having these essentials will make it easy to conceptualize your new European bathroom design. And since this is most likely new venture for you, always consult a professional.

By Anthony Lee

Simple Bathroom Decorating Ideas

There are a number of simple bathroom decorating ideas that don’t require a line of credit but still add something fresh and beautiful to the home. These easy, do-it-yourself bathroom changes can turn a boring bath into a work of decorative yet functional art.

The most important of all simple bathroom decorating ideas is just that - keep it simple. The bathroom and its fixtures are necessary in every home, and the best way to keep them looking nice is to keep the decor simple. This is especially important because most bathrooms are on the small side. An over-done small room is not pleasing to the eye. It feels chaotic instead of calming - not the place for a relaxing soak in the tub.

Here are a few bathroom decorating ideas that reflect simplicity while adding color, organization and flair to any size room.

The Bathroom Mirror
 
Most bathroom mirrors are just a rectangle stuck to the wall - no frills at all - with plastic clips and screws. To add a finishing touch, build a decorative frame around the mirror using wooden strips of molding that can be purchased in a variety of styles, sizes and designs at any home store. Then simply paint or stain the wood in a color that is complementary to your bathroom décor and attach it to the mirror edges. It gives the room a finished feel and looks like you spent hundreds on a fancy, framed mirror.

Turn Towels Into Decorations
 
Get creative with towel storage by putting pegs on the wall to hang the towels instead of folding them. This is great for a bathroom with minimal storage as well as for houses with teens and kids (and adults too) who don’t want to fold their towels and put them away. All they have to do is hang the towel back on the peg, and the bathroom looks neat and picked up. Towels come in fabulous colors and this can be a great way to inject a burst of fresh color into a more neutral room.

Use Bins and Baskets for Storage Decor

There is no reason why bathroom storage cannot enhance the room’s décor. Get some baskets, bins and boxes that are colorful and spice up the atmosphere of the room. This can be as simple as taking some spray paint to any storage baskets and bins already on hand. A big basket is a great way to display those extra towels and transform them into a decorating tool. Storage boxes and bins can bring in a touch of color, and they also help keep things looking ship-shape and organized.

Which brings us to the easiest way to enhance any room in the house - keep it clean. A big mess never looks appealing, so be sure to tidy up the bathroom on a regular basis. A clean room always looks well decorated.

By Peter J Lee

Small Bathroom Design Ideas Involve Some Careful Consideration

Small bathroom design ideas are many but they all have to keep in mind the requirement of space. You cannot simply use every kind of design or color in a small bathroom design idea. There has to be simplicity in the design and color if you do not want your bathroom to look gross.

But even if a bathroom is small, it can be made to look elegant with the help of some easy ideas. Here are a few small bathroom design ideas to help you in this matter.

Visual accents have become a very popular means to accentuate the show of your bathroom. While bright wallpapers in general circumstances would add shine to your other rooms, in case of small bathrooms they become a little risky. A lot of designs or busy patterns tend to cover up the wall and makes the area look smaller.

Subtle wallpapers should be chosen. It is even better if you do not put any pattern on a wall. Take the largest wall of the bathroom and do not put any designs there. This will make your bathroom look much larger in size.

Just like the walls, floor coloring is important too. It is advised that you go for floor colors that are light or neutral. This makes the small bathroom look roomier.

Light blues, light shades of gray and tans are the best choices for this kind of bathroom. Light colored walls and floors give a new dimension to your bathroom. They make it appear more sophisticated and airy.

Lighting is a very important aspect of small bathroom design ideas. Light has the wonderful capability of making a space look bigger. So if you have a small bathroom, then it would be a good idea to light it up with additional lights.

If you don’t have space for additional lights, then you can use bulbs that have a high wattage. This makes the bathroom appear brighter and very inviting. This in turn gives the feel that the walls surrounding the bathroom have drifted further apart.

By Dudi Permana

Ideals for Remodeling Small Bathrooms

With more and more households adopting urban living, the luxury of space is becoming more and more appreciated, such that designs for small but efficient bathrooms are sought more than of expansive bathrooms. These small bathroom designs that are economical in space and money are fast getting peoples interest. Because even though the remarkably lack of space, these new age toilets makes more than enough in terms of accommodation and efficiency. Small bathrooms can become luxurious, too when you put extra ideas into place. Going around to stores that carry bathroom supplies, you will get the ideas for remodeling small bathrooms.

Approaches in small bathroom designs are quite popular to those households located on metropolitan areas. New York for instance, and the surrounding suburbs of Boston and Washington DC with its high density population, leads the pursuit for smaller yet highly posh and sophisticated accommodations.

Are you in the midst of remodeling your small bathroom? How would you fill your roughly 7 square feet of bathroom space? Check out these fantastic ideas for remodeling small bathrooms.

Yes, bathtubs are extremely space consuming, yet some models try to incorporate several features into one compact package. Like the Steam Shower and Whirlpool Combo WAS-2245 from Wasauna.com. This shower combination offers several fantastic features: shower nozzles at the ceiling to afford non concentrated showering and a hand held showerhead. 22 adjustable body massage jets and a foot massager will relax tired muscles with pinpoint accuracy. The 3 Kilowatt steam engine can generate enough steam and the temperature detection system will ensure that the temperate remains steady. All these come into one compact 59” x 59” x 86.6” package.

While ideas for remodeling small bathrooms are aimed more for convenience, some ideas are indeed aimed to be aesthetically pleasing while maintaining space-effectiveness. Like for instance the Wasauna Bathroom Vanity Table WAS-0003 also at wasauna.com. tabletop integration is not an oft used design, and this vanity, while sporting the tabletop design also features a tempered glass sink. This package also includes a mirror and a mini shelf.

Porcelain fixtures are still popular choices regarding ideas for remodeling small bathrooms. Cost effective and considerably sanitary looking, porcelain sinks and lavatories also have the uncanny knack of fitting to just any sort of ambiance or decoration.

By Milos Pesic

How to Elimate Bathroom Moisture

Did you know that excess moisture is the leading cause of decay in bathrooms? And even worse, most bathroom moisture issues will go undetected for years – until it’s too late and menacing mold develops or structural damage befalls. The following is a list of five steps you can take toward guaranteeing that moisture will not be a problem in your new bathroom.

1 Tubs and showers should be located on interior walls

The idea is to make certain that you are not running supply and drain lines in an exterior wall where they are subject to extreme temperature variations. These fluctuations can produce moisture in the wall around the areas where the plumbing is located and should be avoided if at all possible.

2 Proper ventilation is a must

If you are planning your dream bath with a whirlpool tub or a steam shower you must not forget that these luxury items can create enormous amounts of steam in the bathroom. You should look for a high capacity super quiet bath fan – and don’t be afraid to spend more for a high quality unit. Make certain that the new fan is ducted through an exterior wall by the shortest path possible. Most of all, run the fan. If you have luxury items such as a whirlpool or steam shower, turn the fan on while taking a bath or steam. Afterwards, close the door and leave the fan on for a minimum of 30 additional minutes.

3 Toilet sweat… don’t sweat it

Condensation on toilet tanks is common during the summer months when the water temperature inside the tank can be 20 to 30 degrees cooler than the air temperature. Air conditioning is the best way to eliminate this problem. Alternatively, you could consider using a toilet insulation kit or installing an anti-sweat valve which operates by adding just enough warm water to the tank to keep the temperature differential to a minimum.

4 Looks vs. leaks

If you are planning a large and costly master bath remodel it’s not likely that you will consider using anything other than tile for your shower. If your goals and means are more modest, then you might consider using a one piece shower unit. By design, these units are seamlessly constructed and when properly installed will provide the ultimate protection against leaking. Of course, tile applications look nicer, but each grout line is an opportunity for water to penetrate.

5 Design a dryer wall

On exterior walls the location of the vapor barrier can play a big roll in determining how much moisture is trapped in the bathroom. This issues is relatively simple to address in a bathroom remodel. The determining factor in proper vapor barrier placement is climate, as moisture typically moves in the direction from warmer areas to colder areas.

Your geographic location will determine proper vapor barrier placement. In Michigan we have a heating climate dictating that vapor barrier is placed on the interior of wood wall and ceiling framing while permeable exterior sheeting is used to allow for any vapor that does get into the wall to escape. In a cooling climate the opposite may be true. Check with a local building expert to design the best system for your location.

By applying these five tips when remodeling of your bathroom, you can help fight the effects of moisture and have a great looking and functioning bathroom for many years to come.

By Gerry Snapke

Adding a New Valuable Bathroom in Your Home

If you’re thinking about selling your house, give some thought to your bathrooms before you do. Chances are, there are a few remodeling projects that could potentially add value to your home. If you plan on selling your home with the same old bathroom, you may wind up missing out on some cash. Here are a few bathroom renovations you can do that just might boost your profit margin—and add a touch of luxury to your home while you’re at it.

Install a second bathroom. This will add more value to your house than any of these other tips combined. If your home has only one bathroom, it may have trouble selling—especially to multi-person households. A second bathroom adds significantly to the comfort and lifestyle of a family. If you can find a way to install a bathroom off the major bedroom, even better—parents love to have a private bathroom separate from the ones their children use.

Install a Jacuzzi tub. Add a touch of luxury that potential homeowners will have a hard time resisting. Jacuzzi tubs practically scream luxuriant pampering, long relaxing evenings, and intimate moments away from the kids. It will add that “special something” to your house that often makes the difference—and makes the sale. Jacuzzi tubs can be modest—the size of a regular bathtub, with jets—or they can be elaborate, with room for two or more, beautiful tile work, and more. Whatever your budget, chances are good that you’ll recoup your losses if you spring for a Jacuzzi tub.

Install an impressive shower. If you want your bathroom to impress potential homeowners, go for the “WOW” factor—install a top-of-the-line shower. Glass-door showers are popular, as are two-person showers. Lovely shower enclosures come in unique round shapes, roomy squares, and space-saving quadrant shapes. Add some attractive tiling behind the shower glass, and your potential buyers are sure to get excited when they see your bathrooms.

Retile. This can make your bathroom look years younger. Retile using clean modern finishes or classic antique designs. New tile designs can really make your bathroom stand out and look brand-new—even when it’s not. It’s generally not advisable to pick a color that’s too bright or feminine, or a style that’s too wild. When selling your home, pick colors and designs that appeal to the widest variety of buyers.

Install a double basin. If you share a bathroom with your spouse, you’d probably appreciate his-and-hers basin in the bathroom. A double basin is just another of those little touches that can really make a difference when deciding which home to buy—and could easily work in your favor later on.

Add a steam shower. These are true luxuries—the Jacuzzis of the shower world. A steam shower is like a home sauna, with jets along the walls that expel warm water vapor. They are usually built inside an enclosure similar to a glass shower enclosure, but self-contained so as to prevent the water vapor from getting into the bathroom and harming drywall, wallpaper, or paint. The fancier varieties of steam showers can include radios, Mp3 players, foot massagers, and aromatherapy.

Match your furniture. Give your bathroom a put-together look with coordinated basins, bathtubs, toilets and showers with matching faucets, handles, and light fixtures. Stick with a design with a wide appeal—classic antique or clean contemporary—so as not to risk turning off some buyers. Generally, buyers love bathrooms that look as though some time and thought was put into their design and decoration.

Add a designer radiator or towel rail. Another little touch of luxury your buyers will love. Install a towel rail that keeps your towels warm—even in the dead of winter. Towel rails and radiators can be enormously attractive and classy, depending on the design you buy. There’s nothing better than a warm towel on a chilly day—and your buyers are sure to appreciate it.
Selling a house is a big job—and it can sometimes take a while to accomplish. If you remodel your bathroom or make a few of these changes, chances are your house won’t take as long to sell—and, with some of these luxurious bath amenities, it won’t be an unpleasant wait!

By Ray Dobson

Great Bathroom Ideas For Creating a More Spa Like Experience

If you are looking for some great bathroom design ideas, you might want to consider taking a few steps to create a spa like experience in your bathroom. There are several bathroom remodeling ideas you can implement to help create the spa like experience you are looking for, while also designing a fully functional and attractive bathroom.

Choosing the Right Shower

The shower is one of the most important features to consider when embarking upon a bathroom remodeling project. By adding a steam shower, you can express your individual style while also enjoying the benefits a steam shower has to offer. Some of these benefits include…

* Soothing and relaxing your tense muscles
* Helping you sleep better
* Getting temporary relief from sore joints and arthritis
* Opening the pores in your skin to get rid of toxins
* Healing dry skin

There truly is nothing better than a relaxing steam shower after a long day at work to help you relax for the evening. With so many benefits associated with steam showers, it is no surprise that creating a spa like experience is quickly becoming one of the most popular bathroom ideas among homeowners who are remodeling their bathrooms.

Controlling it All from One Central Point

In addition to installing a steam shower that compliments your personal style and taste, you will also want to include a control panel in your shower. By doing so, you will be able to adjust the temperature of your steam shower and obtain the perfect environment for relaxation.

Most control panels allow the user to adjust the steam shower from 90 to 125 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, control panels allow you to set up a steam session for a variety of durations, with most allowing for up to 60 minute steam sessions. By setting up your steam shower with one of these control panels, you don’t have to worry about making adjustments as you steam - just sit back and relax!

Making Installation Easy

One of the best parts about including a steam shower in your bathroom remodeling plans is the fact that they are easy to install and do not take up more space than a conventional shower.

In addition, when you decide to create a spa like experience in your bathroom, it opens up other possible bathroom ideas that can be explored. For example, you might want to include a multi-head shower with the ability to provide you with a full back massage. Or, you may include a whirlpool bath. You can even choose to equip your shower with a radio or a telephone.

The possibilities are truly endless!

By James J.Mahoney