Tub Surround DealersEstimating Bathroom Remodeling CostsDesign Your Own Bathroom

Bath Fitter Tublog


  • Categories

  • Contact a Bathroom Design Professional

    Connect with us!

    Archive for the 'Bathroom Design' Category

    Bathroom Towel Bars and Accessories – The Way to Select the Most Appropriate

    Wednesday, September 28th, 2011
    No Gravatar

    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.
    _____________________________________________________________

    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

    Paint Ideas for Bathrooms

    Thursday, September 22nd, 2011
    No Gravatar

    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!
    _____________________________________________________________

    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

    New Bathroom Design Tips

    Thursday, August 25th, 2011
    No Gravatar

    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.


    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.

    10 Tips for Decorating your Kid’s Bathroom

    Monday, August 15th, 2011
    No Gravatar

    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!
    _____________________________________________________________

    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.

    10 Tips for Decorating your Kid’s Bathroom

    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.

    10 Tips for Decorating your Kid’s Bathroom

    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.

    10 Tips for Decorating your Kid’s 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

    How to Create Decorative Shelving

    Thursday, August 11th, 2011
    No Gravatar

    Here I found a nifty home decor video about how to create decorative shelving in your bathroom.  Opt for more decorative bathroom organizers and containers like baskets, bowls, canisters, and display stands.  You can find containers that look nice and pretty while still efficiently storing all of your bathroom belongings. You can match your current bathroom design with your decorative shelving ideas to keep the bathroom decor consistent. Check out the following “Ask the Decorator” video from doityourself.com for more tips on how to create decorative shelving for your bathroom.

    Source: doityourself.com

    Choosing a Bathroom Style

    Monday, August 1st, 2011
    No Gravatar

    These days the possibilities for potential bathroom decor are nearly endless, it can be tough to choose a bathroom design idea to use as a starting point. The end goal is to take your own unique style of bathroom design ideas and combine it with your favorite bathroom style, for a personalized look and feel. This DIYnetwork article lists the details of a few popular bathroom styles, as well as some bathroom design tips.


    You probably have a general idea of the difference between, say, classic and country designs, but a really pulled-together look depends on how you handle the details. Use the guide below for tips on what makes your favorite style unique.

    Classic Bathroom:

    Formal, with architectural detail. The masculine bathroom favors stone and fine woods like mahogany while in the feminine bathroom woods are light and tiles small-scale. Fixtures are always decorative.

    • - In classic style, balance is the key.
    • - Furniture is formal, not fancy, with tight backs and small, rolled arms.
    • - Keep wood furnishings dark and remember longevity of furniture matters more than following the trends.
    • - Make use of classic shapes — urns, columns and pineapples.
    • - If you are at odds over choosing a style, decorate to match the architectural style of the room.
    • - Color can be bold or basic, but patterns take a backseat. Classic style leans towards monochromatic or duo-chromatic color schemes.
    • - To conceal scratches on mahogany, walnut or oak furniture, paint over them with a small amount of iodine.

    Modern Bathroom:

    Sleek and clutter-free, with liberal use of materials such as glass, chrome and Corian.

    • - Modern style means clean lines and simple, geometric shapes.
    • - Modern, mid-century furniture is the way to go.
    • - Choose sleek materials such as stainless steel, glass and plastic.
    • - Keep wood pieces detail-free.
    • - Color schemes are simple and textures have a starring role.
    • - The number one style trait of Modernists is that they hate clutter.
    • - Modernism owes its sleek, mass-produced look to advances in manufacturing techniques.
    • - Another color choice is red, which increases the heart rate, appetite, passion and energy.

    Country Bathroom:

    Casual and cozy, with such features as a wood floor, beadboard paneling or pedestal sink. Accent pieces are painted or distressed.

    • - Country style furnishings are casual and comfortable — pieces have high, cushioned backs and large, rolled arms.
    • - Woods are light and grainy, painted or distressed.
    • - Fabrics are plaid, floral or striped.
    • - Personal touches bring a country home to life.
    • - For a country kitchen look, take anything that comes in a bag or a box and place it in a glass jar.
    • - Tarnished metal is a result of exposure to a source of sulfur in the air.
    • - In the 18th and 19th centuries, pinewood was considered low quality, which is why it was often painted.
    • - Shop for vintage accessories and country-style furniture like a pro — bring a Polaroid camera, a pad and a pen and the most crucial item, a tape measure.

    Eclectic Bathroom:

    Uses colors and materials that let the imagination run free.

    • - Mix different styles and periods.
    • - Design by instinct: If you love it, it will work.
    • - Shop at flea markets and specialty stores.
    • - Create cohesion with color and reputation.
    • - Don’t forget the details. Accessories like wall sconces, glassware and linens make a big difference in a room’s design.
    • - Whether you choose solids, stripes or prints, make sure to employ a unifying color.
    • - Try cutting soft pastel colors with furniture that is very dark.

    Source: DIYnetwork

    2 Decorating Ideas For a Southwestern Bathroom

    Thursday, July 28th, 2011
    No Gravatar

    Ready to bring the rodeo to town? Okay well maybe that’s extreme, but how awesome would it be to have a southwestern bathroom decor theme?  Summer is the time to spice things up with bathroom design and decor, so if you love southwestern style and are looking for a change check out these decor tips from doityourself.com!
    ______________________________________________________________

    Whether you live in the southwest or you just love the feel of it, southwestern bathroom decor provides a warm atmosphere with unique designs and patterns. Keep reading to find out what elements can be used to create a southwest ambiance in your bathroom.

    Color Scheme

    The basic colors follow a desert tone with almost all shades of brown. The theme also includes a lot of cactus green, dark reds, bright yellows, orange, and turquoise. These colors may seem like quite the combination, but with more of the browns and reds with the yellows and oranges playing as accents to them, you will be able to create a subtle look of southwestern style.

    Pieces and Other Accents

    Southwestern décor includes brightly painted items like tiles and ceramics to add authentic, cultural detail. Adding unique tiles to the walls, such as one line of tiles all the way around the bathroom, will definitely enhance the southwestern presence. You should also be able to find bathroom-specific items with the southwest feel. You can find soap dishes, shower curtains, towels, light fixtures, small pictures, and even floor mats to go with the theme. Native American pottery and rugs will advance the theme as will pinion-scented candles and potted cactus.

    Source: doityourself.com

    Proven Small Bathroom Decorating Ideas

    Monday, July 25th, 2011
    No Gravatar

    Whether your bathroom is big or small, bathroom decor is important!  We spend a lot of time in the bathroom every single day, so your bathroom design and decor should be something that appeals to both you and your family.  The trick to bathroom decor is to keep in mind the size of your bathroom.  If you have a small bathroom you may think it’s more difficult to decorate, however this is not true.  Make your bathroom an oasis, no matter the size by checking out the following small bathroom decorating ideas for a little inspiration.
    _____________________________________________________________
    By Joseph Celestine

    Are you looking for small bathroom decorating ideas? If so you are not alone. People spend a lot of time and money decorating the public areas of their house. They will spend years searching for just the right couch for the living room or thousands on decorative pots and pans for the kitchen. Have you ever given a thought to your bathrooms? Everyone spends time in their bathrooms daily, is yours decorated? Or is it just a towel and a toothbrush? Make yours an oasis with our small bathroom decorating ideas.

    Decorating will help you make every trip into your bathroom a pleasant and relaxing trip. A decorated bathroom also shows your friends and family that you care about your entire house, not just the “public” areas. Carry a theme throughout the decorating in your house and you will look very creative to your guests without having to create new ideas for each room. Using the same theme and colors to decorate in the bathroom allows you to design one coherent space and will give you a sense of home no matter what room of your house you are in.

    If you are stuck for small bathroom decorating ideas, start by looking at the colors and ideas you have used for other rooms. You have probably spent a lot of time thinking about the design and decorations you use in your house so there is no need to redo that work when you start decorating your bathroom. If you have extra furniture from decorating your house and have room in your bathroom try the furniture out, you may be surprised that it fits and that it looks great. Bathrooms are also a great place for family pictures that you simply do not have any other wall space for. Your local frame shop can assist in creating a frame for your pictures if you are afraid of water and steam damage but most people do not have any water damage on their pictures from being hung in the bathroom.

    If you haven’t started decorating or designing your house, you may find that working on your small bathroom decorating ideas first is a great place to start. Decorating the bathroom first is great because the smaller space makes decorating fast and easy. You can also try out your decorating ideas in your bathroom to avoid spending a lot of money on an idea you want to try out but are not sure you will like long term. Have you ever wanted to paint a wall orange? Try it in the bathroom first.

    Once your done decorating the small bathroom you will have a great sense of pride and you can take ideas you came up for your bathroom and carry them over to the other rooms in your house. Did you tile the sink? Use the same tile in the kitchen to save money. After you have completed the decorating of your small bathroom you will start to discover that new decorating ideas never stop popping into your head. After all spending some much time in a room that you just finished decorating is inspirational.

    It does not have to be difficult to come up with small bathroom ideas. Make the most of your ideas and you will have a great looking bathroom you can be proud of.

    Article Source

    Inspiring Outdoor Bathrooms

    Thursday, July 14th, 2011
    No Gravatar

    It’s finally the summer! You know what they say: It’s summertime and the living’s easy!  Well it may not be that easy, unless you are a teacher and get summers off; so here we brought you inspiring outdoor bathrooms from Apartment Therapy that will take you on a mental vacation to lovely resorts! Check out the exquisite bathroom designs and bathroom decor themes of these outdoor showers and bathtubs. How awesome would it be to have one of these outdoor bathrooms?
    ______________________________________________________________

    My sister and I used to spend a few weeks with our grandparents on the eastern shore of Maryland every summer. While I loved going to the beach I hated my Gramps’s rule that returning beach-goers must bathe outdoors in a dark, make-shift, outdoor shower whose regular inhabitants—giant spiders—didn’t seem too pleased to see me either.

    Even with that bias in place, I have to say I am totally swooning at the idea of an outdoor bathroom after seeing these inspiring images!

    Inspiring Outdoor Bathrooms

    Inspiring Outdoor Bathrooms

    Inspiring Outdoor Bathrooms

    Inspiring Outdoor Bathrooms

    Inspiring Outdoor Bathrooms

    Granted, many of these come from vacation villas and not year round homes, but if I lived in the right climate and my neighbors were a safe distance away, I think I’d be tempted to take to the open air for my daily ablutions.

    What do you think? Is open air bathing something you like to do? Would you consider adding an outdoor shower or bathtub to your home?

    Source: Apartment Therapy

    Get Creative: Options for Your Kid’s Bathroom Decor

    Monday, July 11th, 2011
    No Gravatar

    Decorating a kid’s bathroom can be loads of fun because there are so many different bathroom décor themes to choose from. You can go with bright colors, cartoon characters, aquatic themes, etc. and the opportunities are endless.  Keep in mind your bathroom design and try to use that to your advantage when deciding what kid’s bathroom décor theme would fit best for the size and style of your bathroom. Check out the following doityourself.com tips for how to get creative with your kid’s bathroom décor and remember to have fun with it!
    ______________________________________________________________

    With kids bathroom décor, there are an unlimited number of options available to you. Take the following suggestions into consideration before you decide on what decoration is best for your kid’s bathroom.

    Using Their Favorite Characters

    When planning the bathroom décor, if the child is young, some design projects based on their favorite cartoon or movie characters is a great idea.  Tracing a couple of pictures on the wall and painting them in can add a lot of fun to the room. Also, there is no end to the licensed character products such as toothbrush holders and towels that help complete the look. Additionally, if you intend to update the bathroom as the child ages, use mirror decals and other removable materials in order to change the look later on.

    Using Colors

    One of the easiest ways to redo your kid’s bathroom décor is through the use of color. By picking out your child’s favorite colors and using them in everything from tile choice to a soap holder, you can pull the look of the room together and create a space that your child will love. With a waterproof paint, you can literally paint everything in the bathroom. Vanity doors can get jazzed up with some bright polka dots or squiggly lines. A bright bathroom mat and some contrasting towels will also help brighten up the room. Also, as your child gets older, you can simply repaint the space as their preferences change.

    Using Water Themes

    Another great idea is to theme the bathroom in a water design using different hues of blues and clear plastics. Paint a few bubbles on the wall above the tub. Also, you can design the tub and shower area to look like a submarine or boat in the water. Decorating in this manner is particularly useful if you have a finicky bather.

    Source: doityourself.com