Is your home decor drab or lacking in color?  This House Beautiful article is here to save the day! Conquer your fear of color with these tips for home decorating.  Spruce up your bathroom design with a splash of brightness by incorporating colorful bathroom accessories or switching up your bathroom wall color.  Break out of your shell and be adventurous with your decor in all areas of your home by implementing some or all of these tips.
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Whether you want orange in the entry or blue in the bathroom, here are some of our best tips to brighten your home.

Start Small

If you’re afraid to go bold, try starting in the smallest room. It’s not as much of a commitment, plus you’ll spend less time and money. This tiny — but cheery — bath in a New Jersey home makes a strong statement. “Powder rooms are places where you can gild the lily. We used a loud geometric in a bright ocean blue to give it a slightly over-the-top feeling,” says designer Mona Ross Berman. Wallpaper is Recessed from Studio Printworks.

Temper Hot Colors With Cool Ones

Because orange can be too intense on its own, Berman added blue accents in the mudroom. “It’s such a welcoming color. Orange feels like a younger, fresher version of red,” she says. “But it can be a hot color, and I needed a little bit of cool as balance, to cut through the heat.” Wall color is Benjamin Moore’s Fresno. Anchor pillow by Jonathan Adler.

Balance Glossy and Matte Surfaces

In this Beverly Hills living room, designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard choose Jean de Merry slipper chairs in Schumacher Sargent Blush silk taffeta. “Silk enriches every hue,” he says. For every glittering color, however, there has to be a matte one to offset it: “You must balance the ethereal with the earth.”

It’s Okay to Mismatch

For the kitchen of a Missouri lake house, designer Rhoda Burley Payne’s client choose a pistachio Aga range. Unsure what to do with the cabinets, Payne decided to paint them in a similar color. “We did them in a green that blended, but didn’t match.” Subtle differences in hues make for a more sophisticated palette. The cabinets are in Benjamin Moore’s Everglades, thinned to a stain so that the grain of the pine shows through. Wall tiles are by Flores Grandes.

Keep Pink in Check

To create a modern living room for a Capitol Hill row house, designer Barry Dixon choose a pink and brown palette. “It’s both masculine and feminine. They set each other off,” he says. The dark browns keep the pinks from appearing too frothy. The French Club Chairs are by Niermann Weeks and a Tuscany ottoman is by Stewart Furniture. Bell lantern by Chameleon.

Choose One Color, But Use Many Hues

Creating an idyllic bath for a Long Island home, designer DD Allen choose a blue palette but did not limit herself to one shade. The custom watery blue of the polished Venetian plaster walls picks up the blue in the floor tiles. Waterworks Classic Undermount tub. Venetian Plaster by JJ Snyder Studio. Architecture by Michael Pierce.

Add Contrast to a Neutral Palette

To make the master bedroom of this Alabama home more dynamic, designer Betsy Brown choose bright white bedding and a white lampshade. “A room of creams and beiges needs something stark and shiny white. You have to interject elements that add intense personality,” says Brown. Walls are Rockport Gray by Benjamin Moore. Saber Leg ottoman by Formations. Cashmere blanket from Suite Dreams.

Source: House Beautiful

If you are looking to revamp your home decor through the use of accessories, then you definitely want to continue reading this blog post.  I found a nifty eHow article that provides step by step instructions for upgrading accessories in your home.  Any room in your home can be updated by simply adding and changing up accessories.  For example, in the bathroom you can add bathroom accessories like soap dishes, toothbrush holders, shower curtains, picture frames, and more.  You can always find different types of accessories to accommodate your bathroom design and any other room in your home.
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Rather than invest time and money in a full home redesign, consider the power of accessories. Upgrading accessories can refresh the space, increase functionality and provide new focal points for your interiors. Gather inspiration for accessorizing by studying furniture showrooms, antique stores, decor magazines and catalogs. Note which pieces, colors, materials, patterns and textures catch your eye.

Instructions

1)  Study your current decor scheme. Try rearranging furniture, artwork and other accessories to open up space and make interiors flow. Identify the pieces that weigh down the space or do not fit in with your aesthetic. These accessories are prime candidates for an upgrade.

2)  Determine your focal points in various rooms. Typically, the spaces above the fireplace mantel, above the dining room table, across from the living room couch and above the heads of beds have eye-catching accessories. Make these areas your priority, and choose accessories for them. Then accent with other details throughout the room.

3) Use artwork, heirlooms and do-it-yourself projects as key accessories. The best accessories are those that tell a story and reflect a side of your personality. Hang a favorite painting in a prominent frame over the fireplace mantel, and make a vintage vase or bowl the centerpiece of the dining room table.

4)  Integrate high-end functional pieces into your home decor. Switch out plain furniture hardware for designer, artisan or vintage handles, knobs and hooks. Cover a boring light fixture with a stellar shade, such as a Moroccan hammered-tin lantern with colored glass insets. Hang a chandelier, a series of pendant lights or a bouquet of bright silk lanterns over a bed, coffee table or dining area. Outfit bathrooms with long bath sheets in Egyptian or organic cotton. Fit beds with high thread-count sheets and down comforters in beautiful duvet covers. Line a bed, couch or day bed with throw pillows in luxe fabrics.

Source:  eHow

Do you get bothered when getting out of a hot shower or bath to find that all your bathroom mirrors are foggy? Well you’re not alone.  Foggy mirrors can be rather annoying and sometimes it takes awhile for the fog to clear up.  Here I found a helpful eHow article that explains ways to keep your bathroom mirrors fog-free after a bath or shower.  Read up on these instructions before you bathe next in order to help eliminate fog from taking over your bathroom.
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Fog immediately covers bathroom mirrors when trapped steam from a hot shower is let loose by the opening of a shower curtain. This poses a problem for those who want to brush their teeth or shave immediately after showering. However, there are a few tricks that utilize products commonly found in your home that you can use to keep the mirror fog-free.

Instructions

1) Drape a towel over your bathroom mirror before you jump in the shower. The towel acts as a barrier so that when you open the shower curtain, the moisture is absorbed into the towel instead of it having rest on the surface of the mirror. Simply remove the towel when you are ready to shave or brush your teeth.

2) Squirt some shaving cream on a paper towel and rub it all over your bathroom mirror. Take a fresh paper towel and rub the mirror again until you no longer see traces of the shaving cream. The shaving cream acts as a natural defogger and prevents the fog from ever building up on your mirror.

3) Apply anti-fog spray made for the windshield of a car to your bathroom mirror following the product label’s directions. The anti-fog spray will do just as good of a job keeping fog from forming on your mirror as it does on a car windshield.

4) Replace your mirror with a fog-free mirror, sometimes referred to as a fogless mirror. These mirrors are a bit more expensive, but they will save you from having to use a towel, shaving cream or an anti-fog cream on your current mirror.

For the full eHow article click here.

Autumn has arrived! Now that the seasons have changed it’s time to start thinking about switching up your bathroom décor.  There are plenty of bathroom accessories out there that you can incorporate into your bathroom design for the fall season. Take a look at these autumn bathroom décor tips from Go Articles and let us know what ideas are your favorite!
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Autumn is finally upon us. It is the season of vibrant colors. In the fall they are all around us. Look outside your window and you will likely see the brilliant reds, yellows, and oranges of turning fall leaves. And let’s not forget the oranges and blacks of Halloween! In short, it is a spectacular time of year, one that can be used as a theme for home décor.

Many individuals already incorporate some form of autumnal aesthetic into their interior design schemes during the months of September, October, and November. Those can take any number of forms. For example they can be a range of simple classic elements of autumn, such as the aforementioned leaves, or pumpkins, apples, other signs of the season. They can also be tied into a holiday and feature spooky and whimsical Halloween decorations or a nostalgia inducing Thanksgiving theme. Whichever way they go however, often times this decorative scheme does not make its way into the bathroom.

While it first may seem a bit silly to incorporate autumn décor into one’s water closet, the bathroom is such an integral part of our lives it would be odd not to include it when putting up autumn themed home decorations. Here are some great tips for decorating your bathroom this autumn.

There are a number of different options when it comes to seasonal bathroom decorating. Just as there are themes to general autumn home decorating, there are those very same themes available for bathroom décor. Picking one is important, and of course it can change from month to month.

For example, in September you can have a bathroom aesthetic that incorporates the general themes of autumn. A great way to set the mood is buy to buy a festive shower curtain that features a pattern or color scheme that is symbolic of the season. For example, a shower curtain depicting autumn leaves is a fantastic option. Another way to incorporate autumn motifs into your bathroom is with scented soaps. There are a number of different companies that makes soaps that smell like pumpkin pie, apples and cinnamon, or even autumn leaves. Each and every time you wash your hands you will be rewarded with a whiff of seasonal delight. In the same vein, air freshener companies also create an extensive line of fall themed potpourris an plug-ins that will leave that bathroom smelling fall fresh.

When October rolls around and all things dark, spooky, and mysterious emerge from their shadows to give us all a good fright, you can make your bathroom part of the Halloween fun. Depending on your own personal preferences you can make it either cute and whimsical or seriously creepy and scary, or, of course, anything in between.

For the full article click here.

Have you ever walked in to a bathroom where the mirror was hanging too high or very low?  There is a strategy to hanging mirrors that some people may not know of.  It’s very important to take into account the height of the people who will be using the bathroom mirror the majority of the time.  If your family is on the taller side, then you will want to hang the mirror slightly higher or if your family is short then you’ll want to hang the mirror a little lower.  Whatever your bathroom design is, this eHow article will help you figure out the best height for hanging your mirror.
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Use Average Eye Line Height As a Guideline

According to interior decorator Carmel Maguire, the average person’s eye line is right around 5 feet. To meet this average standard, she recommends hanging the mirror so that its center is 5 feet from the floor.

Consider Users’ Heights

According to Starcraft Custom Building, it is important to consider the height of those who will be using the mirror when determining how high to hang it. If most users are taller than average, the mirror should be hung higher. Hang it lower for shorter users. It may not be possible to satisfy everyone’s needs, but height considerations can help you make the right decision.

Bottom Line

The standard average height can be used as a guideline for how high to hang a bathroom mirror, but ultimately the decision depends on the users’ needs. If you have small children, keep a step stool in the bathroom so that they can safely use the mirror.

Source:  eHow

With the huge amount of options available today, choosing a color for your bathroom design can take a while. It requires more than just matching a color to your bathtub, shower or other bathroom accessories. I found this Bathroom Designs Ideas article very helpful because it breaks down the meaning of colors and how they affect us and bathroom design. After reading this article I hope you get a new found understanding and appreciation of color, and can apply it to your home accordingly.

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Understanding meaning of colors will help you to choose bathroom colors

The bathroom colors chosen can affect mood and even visually change the size of the bathrooms, make it looks smaller or larger. Become acquainted with some basic color wheel information as well as meaning of colors and how colors affect mood and you’re on your way to finding the right color scheme – perhaps a pretty-in-pink or black and white bathroom.

But first – the color wheel

The primary color wheel has only red, blue and yellow (sometimes called the primary colors) and any one of them can be used alone in a room, if mixed with lighter and darker shades of a single color. Using a single color creates a monotone theme. But red, blue and green each can have very different effects on mood so you’ll want to make sure and pick the right color for the right room.

By mixing the primary colors, other shades can be made. Red and blue create purple, yellow and blue makes green and yellow and red make an orange color. Each new color also affects mood and every color has variations that affect the way a room is perceived.

Let’s talk about meaning of colors

Knowing meaning of colors will help you to choose correct colors. What feelings and images come to your mind when you think of blue? The color generally helps to reduce stress and increase tranquility, peace and calmness. Being in a blue room may even help to make people feel more trusting. It may be an ideal bathroom color as well because of the calming effect, perfect for those wanting to slip into a soothing bath or shower. The stress may literally drain away. If a bathroom is going to be used by both males and females, blue is a safe bet.

Red, yellow and green create different moods than blue. Because green is often seen outdoors, perhaps on the leaves of a blooming flower or in a grassy meadow, it can be soothing. However, the shade of green is very important. No one wants an institutional green in a bathroom.

Red is even trickier because it generally increases energy and passion. While a red bathroom may help in keeping a person alert before work or be ideal for a guest bathroom, it might not be the best choice when trying to achieve a sense of peace and quiet. It is very popular for children’s bathrooms, however. A true, deep red will make a small bathroom look even smaller, unless one wall is mirrored.

Yellow generally creates a mood as sunny as the color. People talk more in yellow rooms and the color helps to lift the mood. Intense shades can be overwhelming, however, and should be used primarily as accents in bathrooms.

Most other colors in the color wheel can be made by mixing shades of red, blue and yellow. White and black tend to stand on their own, creating a crisp, contemporary look when they are the only two shades used in a bathroom colors.

For the full Bathroom Designs Ideas article click here.

There are a lot of bathroom accessories out there that one can have in a bathroom.  One of the more essential bathroom accessories is a towel bar.  Towel bars are extremely efficient and come in a bunch of different varieties for any bathroom design.  You can go with a standard towel bar or you can up the ante with a heated towel bar! Other than towel bars, there are a lot of other bathroom accessories out there that could be used in both small and large bathrooms.  Check out the following Small Bathroom Makeovers article to learn about different types of towel bars and bathroom accessories that you can easily utilize in your bathroom.
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To anybody who has put a lot of their hard work, time and effort into producing an aesthetically pleasing, relaxing, atmospheric bathroom, there’ll always be some finishing touches and crucial bathroom accessories needed to simply put the final seal on the project. As a bath and shower are two of the focal points of nearly any bathroom, the bathroom towel bar is one of those crucial bathroom accessories. And also picking the right location for the towel bar, which ought to have been done at the start of the project, it’s essential to choose a type and design of towel bar that will complement the bathroom design and furnishings, and especially the shower and bath unit.

Towel bars, and certainly all bathroom accessories, come in a lot of different varieties in our modern consumer society that it’s difficult not to be overloaded by the sheer volume of choices readily available. The very first step, of course, is to consider the décor of the bathroom itself. Towel bars can be found in chrome or gold finishes, or in white, they can be mounted on the wall, or free standing on the floor. They vary significantly in size, and in the number of towels they can handle.

It is actually now possible to buy towel bars which will heat your towels so that they are nice and warm when you use them. These towel bars and warmers are completely safe, because they are not designed to heat the towels so they’re hot, merely to provide a gentle warming to towels that would normally be cold and uncomfortable to the skin. Of course it goes without saying that these heaters are manufactured in line with the very strict Government Safety Regulations, that are especially important in bathrooms. These heated towel bars give a touch of luxury to even the most simple bathroom.

The heated towel bars come in a variety of styles and types, and are available from all good retailers of bathroom accessories, both in the shopping malls, and on the web. With the modern computer it has never been easier to browse through the entire range, and choose exactly what it is you’re looking for. As well as the standard towel bar which is permanently fitted to the wall, there are lots of different types of free-standing rails and racks. The heated towel bars that fit on the wall could be anything from the traditional single bar to a big unit featuring three or four groups of bars, each capable of holding several different towels.

Thanks to the modern computer and the internet, it’s right now possible to look into the catalogs of many different retailers of bathroom accessories simultaneously. With the ease and convenience of home shopping, it has never been easier to design and enjoy the bathroom of your dreams. Putting the finishing touches to your bathroom with elegant, aesthetic accessories will be the crowning glory of your bathroom design project. A well-chosen towel bar, especially a luxury heated one, can permit you to soak in the luxury of a hot bath knowing that when you leave the bath, the towel will not be far away. It might even be heated to simply the right temperature.

Source: Small Bathroom Makeovers

One of the most essential pieces of your bathroom design is the color of your bathroom.  The wrong bathroom wall color and texture could throw off the entire bathroom design and decor.  This eHow article provides great paint ideas for bathrooms.  Not only is your bathroom paint color important, but you also need to consider your bathroom theme, the mood you are looking to achieve, and the type of walls you have.  Whether you are looking to completely change your bathroom design or you’re just sick of your current bathroom wall color, this article is a great read with plenty of ideas!
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Your bathroom paint is peeling, mildew has taken up residence, the walls look drab, or you just want a change. Changing the wall color makes the most noticeable difference. Before buying paint, consider a few factors along with color. Use a textured paint instead of adding textures, such as plaster, underneath paint. Since moisture is a common problem, investigate the best type of paint to address dampness, mildew and mold, as well as chemicals from hair spray.

Color and Theme

Color creates the theme that you embellish with accessories such as towel racks, linens, shower curtains and even soap dishes. For a bold look, go all out with dark red. If you love the outdoors, try sky blue or spring green as a nature backdrop. Fill out this theme with stencils of clouds, daisies or fish. Add a shower curtain with a tropical fish design to sea foam green. Orange lends itself to a desert theme.

White, beige and egg shell tones give a feeling of space to a small bathroom. These neutrals also give you unlimited color choices for towels and wall decorations.

Color and Mood

Consider the mood you want. According to Living.health.com, colors create moods or energy. Reds and violets give energy, and may be too intense for some people, or be a helpful boost in the morning. Conversely, blue, if not too vivid, has a calming effect. Green and yellow give an impression of springtime and sunshine, which may be just the cheerful effect you want for this small but essential room in your house. Orange is exciting and cheerful, says Realtytimes.com.

Texture

For walls with depth, use textured paint. This eliminates the extra step of adding a plaster or other effect to the wall before painting. Use a roller to cover the walls. These paints have rough textures like popcorn or sand or a smooth finish and are available wherever you buy regular paint, according to CBSnews.com.

Paints that Fight Dampness

Some bathrooms retain moisture, inviting mildew and mold. Don’t skimp on paint quality. Satin finish, semi-gloss and interior latex paints repel dampness and hair spray residue. Look for indoor paints with “mildewicides,” made for kitchens and bathrooms. You also can add mildew-inhibiting products to paints. Do not use outdoor paints, which contain chemicals that don’t belong in a confined space.

Some companies manufacture paints specifically for damp interiors. Kilz makes a primer with antimildew and antifungus chemicals and an Interior Satin acrylic enamel latex with a mildew “resistant.” Zinsser has a Perma-White Mold and Mildew Proof paint that can be tinted.

Source: eHow

Are you contemplating a fresh design for a new bathroom, or trying to breathe new life into an outdated bathroom? There are so many choices and options for every aspect of the bathroom. There’s all sorts of showers, bathtubs, bathroom decor and colors.  While searching for fresh new ideas to save you time, I found this doityourself.com article full of new bathroom design tips to help you get started.

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If you want to spruce up your bathroom to create an all new bathroom, the following new bathroom design tips can help. Implementing these new bathroom design tips can help spruce up your bathroom quickly and easily.

Step #1: Create a Comfortable Connection

The bathroom and the bedroom need to have established a comfortable connection in order for them to work. Consider your bathroom as part of your entire master bedroom. Your master bedroom and your master bathroom need to have a connecting relationship or a smooth flow. They should connect fluidly. For example, if your bedroom is most sage green and brown, be sure to include either or both colors in the design or color palette of your bathroom.

Step #2: Find a Space for Each Function

Make sure to decide on specific space for each of the bathroom’s most essential functions. For example, a counter area with container space should be created for the purposes of a sink. The same thought process will be required for your tub, shower and your toilet area. Ask yourself: How should I best arrange these functions so that each essential function has its own specific space? Equally important to consider is storage area. Consider your storage needs for towels, toiletries, etc.

Step #3: Treat the Bathroom as a Room

Organize the functional areas around a single central space, and make this bathroom space have a real room-like feel rather than making it stuffy and cold. Consider your bedroom: What if you lined up your bed, and every other piece of furniture against the wall, what sort of feel would that provide? The same rules apply to bathrooms. The best way to get the most out of your new bathroom design is to make sure that your new bathroom design is functional.

Step #4: Choose Fixtures and Materials That are Compatible

The last tip to consider is is to carefully select the materials and fixtures. Be sure to the fixtures are compatible with your home and its character. Choose tiles, fixtures, counters and other materials that are in line with the overall flow of the home. If you are having doubts, consider hiring a designer that is sympathetic to your own unique tastes as well as the needs of your home in order to make sure that all needs are met and expectations exceeded.

For the full doityourself.com article, click here.

Ready to give your child’s bathroom a face lift? This freshome article provides 10 bathroom decor tips for your kid’s bathroom.  Use your best judgment based on the age of your children, however for young kids your best bet is most likely bright colors and fun bathroom designs like animals or cartoons. For teens, make sure to ask for their input on what bathroom accessories or bathroom decor they would prefer.  Have fun decorating and perhaps make this into a fun family project that both you and your kid’s can enjoy!
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Teaching young children the fundamentals of bathroom responsibilities can be a challenge. From toilet training to how to brush their teeth, kid’s bathrooms should be an inspiring and fun place for them to learn and grow. Decorating a kid’s bathroom can borrow design cues from their bedroom. With color, creative organization, and areas designed just for small hands and creative minds, here are 10 tips for decorating their bathrooms. Depending on the age of your kids, use these tips with age appropriate design in mind. For younger children, primary and bright colors are inspiring, and for older children consider more mature color palettes of neutrals and pastels.

1.)   Create a colorful backdrop: While most plumbing fixtures stay in neutral tones of white, bone, or brown, the backdrop around them should be colorful and fun. Consider painting vanity cabinetry, walls, wallpaper, and stencil playful sayings on the walls. Be careful when using wall stickers, as the humidity in the bathroom may cause them to not adhere well.

2.)   Keep walls clean with durable surfaces: When decorating a kid’s bathroom, especially around wet areas such as the toilet, sink, and bathtub, ensure the surfaces are easily cleanable and durable. Ceramic wall tile, scrubbable wall paint, and beadboard paneling is ideal.

3.)   Supply ample lighting: This tip is for any bathroom! You don’t want to have dark areas in the bathroom. For cleanliness issues and for little one’s to see what they’re doing. Kid’s bathrooms are a prime area to get hurt in, so ensure that lighting sconces, overhead ambient lighting, and even pendant lights over the vanity are bright and don’t cast shadows.

4.)   Organization is key for kid’s learning: When decorating a kid’s bathroom remember to put organization in easy to find areas, and easy to reach heights. Vanity sinks with open shelving below, bath toy storage with suction cup holders, and baskets for toiletries will help kids keep their bathroom clean and tidy.

5.)   Small fixtures for little one’s: Believe it or not there are small plumbing fixtures ideal for toddlers and smaller children. There are mixed reviews as to whether smaller fixtures are good for teaching kid’s how to use the bathroom. Regardless of the reviews, when planning your kid’s bathroom, know these options exist for your growing child.

6.)   Accessorize on a budget: While you can spend a fortune on decorating your kid’s bathroom, also realize that simple color palette matching accessories that are affordable can give you a great look too! From color coordinated bath linen, area rugs, shower curtains and toiletry holders can mix and match colors, and patterns for a designer look.

7.)   Choosing a theme: If you are at a loss for how to decorate your kid’s bathroom, consider choosing a theme that they enjoy. From animals, sports, and fun pass time activities; to their favorite cartoon characters and favorite colors, the options are endless. If your child is old enough, ask them for their opinion as to how they’d like to decorate their bathroom.

8.) Bathroom safety: Ensure their bathroom has proper safety methods instilled in the decor. While beautiful vanity cabinetry crystal knobs maybe beautiful to look at, if not secured correctly they can be a hazard for little ones. Ensure all cabinetry, harmful chemicals and decorative items are not easily accessible by kids.

9.) Updating a teenager’s bathroom: For older children and teenagers the urge to want to over accessorize and color coordinate the decor may not be as strong. Instead opt for temporary accessories that can change as your teenager’s mood! Colorful towels, area rugs, coordinated to a piece of artwork hung on the wall may be all their bathroom needs to make your teen feel comfortable in their space.

10.) Keep it simple: It is easy to get wrapped up in decorating any one room of your home. Remember to have fun when decorating your kid’s bathroom and seek inspiration from blogs, interior magazines and visiting your local houseware stores. Many stores offer “instant bathroom decor” for you. From coordinated color schemes to accessories that you can mix and match. No thinking required!

Bringing the elements together for your kid’s bathroom decor can be simple and enjoyable with the use of these 10 tips. Consider the age of your child when decorating and also your lifestyle. If you’re a busy parent who doesn’t have time to clean up lots of toys in the bathroom, keep open baskets and areas for quick clean up. Remember, you are teaching and inspiring your kids to enjoy bathing and creative learning.

Source: freshome