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Posts Tagged ‘bathtub’

Redesigning your Bathroom with Cardiff Bathrooms

Whilst researching for information for cardiffbathrooms.com I came across this very interesting article, taken from about.com.

The smallest room in your home will undoubtedly require the largest number of professionals to remodel. A plumber, tiler, electrician, flooring installer, painter and cabinet installer will be called on to transform your bathroom—unless you’re terribly talented, handy, and patient.

If you see the bathroom as strictly utilitarian, you may choose to do a superficial cosmetic redecorating job. But if you’re adventuresome, this smallest room in your home can showcase the design of your wildest creativity. Colors or patterns you’d be afraid to use in another room can shine in this private area. And materials that would be prohibitively expensive in a larger area will fit into the bath budget.

New homes are being built with special attention given to luxurious, large bathrooms with multiple sinks, toilet and bidet, separate tub and shower stalls, custom tile work, and closets to die for. But most homes offer minimal space and leave lots of room for imagination, dreaming, and adapting.

The necessities of a bathroom include sink, toilet, tub and shower. Everything else is frosting on the cake. But sometimes the frosting is the best part!

One of the first things you’ll consider when thinking about a bathroom remodel is the tub or shower, and your choice will make a huge impact on the overall success of your project. Do you dream of a sunken whirlpool tub for leisurely soaking? Does your Victorian home require a claw-foot tub with a hand-held brass showerhead? The least expensive alternative is a pre-molded fiberglass unit which incorporates both shower and tub.

The next most important selection you’ll make is the toilet. There are almost as many choices for toilets as there are for sinks or tubs. If you want a vintage look, you can choose a pull-chain flushing mechanism. If you want ultra-modern, how about a remote-controlled model? There are models with a built-in bidet for saving precious floor space. Toilets are available in many styles, designs, and colors and can be selected to coordinate with your décor.

You’ll save a lot of money if your remodeling plan can utilize the existing plumbing for both the toilet and tub. If you select a new larger tub, will walls have to be moved to install it? There are things to think about besides what looks best.

Bathrooms in Cardiff

Bathroom Decoration

A useful article that I found whilst researching for information for cardiffbathrooms.com.

The challenge in designing a bathroom often lies in deciding on the finishes and materials to be used. Any materials that are used have to be not only resistant to the day-to-day use of the bathroom, but also be attractive and pleasant to look at. When planning out your room, you could perhaps try a combination of different materials to help ensure the room is fully functional whilst also being eye-catching. For instance, wood whether real or artificial, will add warmth to any room, and is increasingly found within bathrooms. Iroko, Teak, Oak and Wenge (Dark Walnut) are just some of the most common types of wood found within the bathroom. However, almost any type of wood can be used in a bathroom providing they have been treated for such use. Cedar, Maple and Birch can also be found in bathroom furniture. The different shades of wood mean that it is perfect for the creation of different moods, from modern through to traditional, or even rustic.

Tiles are perhaps amongst the most versatile materials that can be put to use within a bathroom. Coming in all shapes and sizes, and available in a mass of patterns and designs, they are extremely useful. Thanks to being impermeable, they can be used in shower or bathing areas, in addition to being an attractive decorative option. Marble is also increasingly sought after, used as both a decorative and a waterproof finish.

The colours that you choose for your bathroom will go far in the creation of a mood or theme. Whilst accessories and coverings can help in this respect, the environment that is created by the tones of the walls and surrounding furniture should be addressed first. Don’t use colour simply to decorate the room, make use of it to enhance the feeling of space. The tone that you use will have an impact upon the feeling of the room; while red or orange will give a feeling of warmth, blues and violet can be used to create a cooler feeling.

Using yellows and whites, will serve to enhance the light within a room and create a better sense of space throughout. Such a technique would be extremely useful in a room that is limited in available space. The opposite is also true when trying to create a feeling of intimacy within a much larger space. If one uses darker colours and tones, then a bathroom can feel smaller in size, and help with this feeling of cosiness.

The use of colour is valuable in helping to portray certain moods and feelings within a bathroom. There are no set guidelines that dictate which colours should be used within your bathroom; at the end of the day the choices you make will reflect your own personal tastes. However there are some things that must be taken into account when choosing colours. In setting the mood there are certain conventions that should be adhered to throughout your choice of colour. If you opt for bright colours such as white or cream, then you will portray a feeling of cleanliness and hygiene within your bathroom. Cooler tones such as light blues or greens will help create a feeling of serenity and relaxation, something that many people wish to achieve with their bathrooms. The use of bright colours will bring about a feeling of vitality within the room. Part of the fun with designing the bathroom, as with any area of the house, is in choosing a colour that reflects your personality perfectly!

Ideas For Small Bathroom Design

Cardiff Bathrooms

This is an article I came across on http://nouveaubathrooms.com/ while looking for articles of interest for the Cardiff Bathrooms blog.

Every person that has a small bathroom is interested in ways of making their bathroom appear larger. Remodeling the bathroom is not always an option and in many cases, remodeling the bathroom would be very expensive. There are a number of ways that a person can use to make their small bathroom seem larger without having to undertake any heavy construction.

Pedal Sink, Mirror, and Lighting to Enhance Small Bathroom

1. Soft Color for Walls
One of the easiest ways that a person can alter their small bathroom design to make it appear larger is to choose light soft colors for the décor of the bathroom.

2. Accent with Color
Bright, bold colors can be used in small bathrooms, assuming you reserve them for accents only. Going overboard with bold or dark colorstend to make the bathroom appear tighter and more intimate.

3. Visual Accents
If your bathroom has wallpaper, avoid using large prints or busy pattern. Instead, choose very subtle wallpaper patterns. Better yet, keep one wall free from any pattern at all. Consider making the largest wall in the small bathroom into a mural of an open space.

4. Light Tones of Bathroom Flooring
Just like light colors on the walls, light colors on the flooring of the small bathroom will help make the bathroom appear roomier and more open. The most popular colors for a light bathroom floor are tans, light grays, and light blues. By incorporating these colors into the flooring of your small bathroom design, you will have the basis for a light colored decorating scheme that will make your bathroom appear more open.

5. Pedestal Sink
Another small bathroom design that can be used to make a bathroom appear larger is to replace a large vanity or countertop with a slimmer, pedestal sink. A pedestal sink can be found in many different styles, colors, and materials, allowing them to be matched to any décor. By placing a pedestal sink in the small bathroom, you can open up the bathroom space by another ten percent.

6. Classic Fixtures
When selecting fixtures for your bathroom, keep in mind they are going into a small space. Choose simple designs made from smooth surfaces, such as ceramic and marble, and opt for light, neutral tones.

Additional Lighting Opens a Small Space
7. Additional Lighting Fixtures
Additional lighting in a small bathroom can make a world of difference in the way the space in the bathroom is perceived. Consider adding additional light fixtures or using higher wattage bulbs, as appropriate. By making the bathroom brighter and more inviting, it seems that the space has opened up and the walls are farther apart.

8. Increase Natural Light
There are a variety of ways that additional lighting can be added to the small bathroom without taking up more space than is already used, including installing a new window, or even putting in a skylight.

9. Limit Items in Bathroom
Many people choose to open up the amount of space available in their small bathroom by greatly reducing the amount of items that they place into the bathroom. Items such as storage shelves, hampers, and decorative items all take up valuable space in a small bathroom and the bathroom will appear much larger if these items are removed and the things that they hold are stored somewhere else.

Keep Clutter at Bay
10. Consider Storage Outside the Bathroom
Some people choose to place a small storage cabinet in their hallway near the bathroom as a place to put all of the things that they would normally keep in their bathrooms. It’s also a good idea to consider putting laundry hampers in the bedrooms instead of in the bathroom. Extra supplies and paper products can even be stored in the pantry.

11. Adding Mirrors
Adding additional mirrors to the bathroom will also help the bathroom appear bigger than it really is. Placing additional mirrors in the bathroom will help to capture all of the available light and reflect it back into the room to make it brighter. Adding extra mirrors to the room will also add depth to the room, as the mirrors reflect each other and make the walls appear farther away.

12. De-Clutter
Other ways you can use to make a small bathroom design appear larger include removing clutter and extra items. Instead of storing all of your beauty items on the counter, place them in a cabinet or in the medicine chest when not in use. The more items are visible in a small bathroom, the more cramped the space will look and feel.

Using these subtle design changes to modify the look of your small bathroom is easy, inexpensive, and most of these design changes can be completed in a few hours. By changing your small bathroom design, you can make your small bathroom appear larger within the space of a day

Cardiff Bathrooms – The Perfect Bath

Another interesting informative article for Cardiff Bathrooms, taken from WD Bathrooms.  Hope you find it interesting.

A bath can be one of the most important areas in any bathroom. Not only does it offer a place to wash and cleanse, but it also provides an area to relax and soothe aching muscles. That’s why, when buying a bath,  you should take your time to consider all the options available to you.

If luxury is what you look for in a bath then the Victoria and Albert range is definitely the one for you. These freestanding baths come in contempory or traditional designs and create a focal point for any bathroom. A great example of their contempory designs is the White Ella Quarrycast Bath, which is available with two or no tapholes. This is extremely popular and it is not difficult to see why. Its curved shape creates unbeatable style, while the choice of feet enables a totally co-ordinated design scheme. The feet come in a choice of black resin, wenge, beech, silver, and white, so you know this bath will always match your needs. Its double ended style is fun for those of us who love to share.

For a more classical bath, the White Richmond Compact Double Ended Roll Top Bath is a bestseller. This is provided with two centre tap holes with creates bathing fun for two people. This comes with white, Victorian style feet and the recommended waste kit. This bath would compliment a cottage or any traditional home.

If relaxation is what you crave, then a whirlpool bath would be the perfect choice. Imagine, soaking in your bath after a long days work, the swirling currents from the jets massaging away all your exhaustion. I can’t think of anything better, can you? They have also been proven to have certain health benefits too. It is a form of medication, called hydrotherapy, which has been practiced since the time of the ancient Greeks. This helps to stimulate circulation without increasing your heart rate, which causes an improvement in skin tone and reduction of stress hormones in the blood system. It relaxes tired muscles and joints, tones and cleanses the skin, and revitalizes the senses. The pressure of the water causes your body to release Endorphins, which are ‘feel good’ hormones, allowing your troubles to float away.

These baths are available in many sizes, styles, and come with different amounts of jets. The Saninova Whirlpool Baths have a fantastic range to suit all budgets. Their Silver Line Baths are excellent value for money, while they still provide you with optimum performance. They come with six Power Maxx Jets for more flexible and focussed massage of the skin and muscles. It also has five Micro Back Jets which help to relieve back aches and stimulate circulation.

Why not really spoil yourself and purchase the Platinum Line 21 Jet Whirlpool bath? These baths have the same as the Silver Line Bath with a few added extras for super indulgence. For example, it also comes with ten bottom air spa jets, where a heated blower feeds warm air through the jets, and chromotherapy lights with automatic disinfectant cleaning system after drainage. These chromotherapy lights use restricted spectrum coloured lights to ease ailments.

Do you want a shower enclosure and a bath but have not got the space to have both? Then why not incorporate the two and have a showerbath? These have been specially designed for this reason and are easily affordable. The Niagara Sanelle Showerbath is a firm favourite. These baths curve outwards at one end providing a spacious showering area, which is enclosed with a pivot door and bath screen, creating the illusion of a shower enclosure. The bath itself is minimalist and deep, providing luxurious immersion bathing. The Niagara Sanelle Showerbath also comes with the main bath panel.

Got more space than you know what to do with? Then the Opulent Massage Tub is the one for you. A soak in one of these baths leaves you feeling that you have had a visit to a health spa and they have enough gadgets to keep everyone amused. These baths are designed for comfort. The underwater light makes you glow as the multi jet whirlpool system and bubble bathing ease your aching muscles. Longer bathing is a must in these baths as they come with a luxurious pillow and a heater pump to maintain water temperature. The FM radio will keep you entertained, which also comes with an optional CD cable. You can control all these features with the computerised control which is included. The taps and multi function shower attachment create no need for a separate shower enclosure. After bathing switch on the Ozone sterilisation unit so you know that your bath is always fresh and inviting. This bath is designed for two people for twice the fun and is supported with extra strong cradle feet.

<h2>Cardiff Bathrooms-Bathroom Taps </h2>

Let’s face it, bathroom taps are a necessity for every bathroom and with the choice available they no longer have to be a dull purchase.

Designers such as Hudson Reed, Pegler, and Technik have revitalised the bathroom tap world, providing styles to suit your individual needs. Their styles vary from contempory to the more traditional and come in all different shapes and sizes.

Traditional bathroom taps are often used in cottages and period homes to help create the feeling of simple Victorian style. The Hudson Reed Jade Range with ceramic disc continues to be a popular choice. This up-to-date technology offers increased practicality without compromising on style. This bathroom tap is available with lever handles or cross headed handles and with one or two spouts, dependent on your individual preferences. This bathroom tap comes with a 10 year guarantee and is recommended for a minimum operating pressure of 0.5 bar for best performance.

Contemporary bath taps are a popular purchase for modern homes and flats; transforming a dull bathroom into a fashionable heaven. These taps often come with unique shaped spouts, such as the Platino designed by Peglar. This arced spout comes with a single lever to activate your water as well as a pop up waste system and looks fabulous in every modern bathroom. Another unique bathroom tap is Arcade designed by Hudson Reed. This bathroom taps square handles and strikingly minimalist spout is a firm favourite with all those who seek a bathroom with a wow factor. This can be matched with a Square Sheer Fixed Shower Head and Thermostatic Shower Valve to create the ultimate look.

Bathroom taps can often be complemented by co-ordinating showers. The Huson Reed “Xeta” bathroom taps are a fine example of this, whose lever design creates a stunning modern feel and can be supplied with matching shower. This can be created by connecting a deck mono bath filler to a mono standpipe, which is then placed behind the bath to create a unique showering experience. Match these bath taps and shower with a Victoria and Albert “Amanda” Bath for an intense feeling of contempory chic. This bathroom tap is provided with a 10 year guarantee and is recommended for a minimum operating pressure of 1 bar for best performance. Bathroom taps can now be made to fit into one tap hole for a minimalist look. These taps are called basin monos and look exceptional on a wall mounted basin, such as the Aquaplus L71C. The Technik Series 7 is a popular choice due to its upright design and lever handle. This basin tap can be matched with a bidet and bath mixer to provide the whole bathroom with elegance.

Bathroom taps to fit into two tap holes complement a large basin such as the RAK Washington 45cm Basin. Hudson Reed’s Kia Basin Taps complement this basin with their fashionable cube design. This also comes with a matching shower and bath taps.
Whirlpool Baths

<h2>Ideas for Bathroom Design by Cardiff Bathrooms</h2>

Updating your bathroom designs involves more than just deciding what colour bath to pick! A re-design means that you can swap the layout and make room for a separate shower and more storage units. The first step is to plan the design as with kitchens, your local supplier will run off a computer-generated plan based on the bathroom’s dimensions and your particular requirements.

If you’re sticking with the same layout, make sure you measure your bathroom suite carefully before you go shopping for a replacement so that you know the new items will fit. Re-plumbing and re-wiring will push the cost up so stick with the existing service points if at all possible although this may not be unavoided if you want to change the positioning of the bathroom suite.

First decide on the correct place for the bath and/or shower. If your loo is in your bathroom, decide where this will go and then position the washbasin. Once the fittings are planned you can work out how to use the remaining space which, in modern bathrooms, may be quite limited. Some kind of storage, either cupboards or shelves – preferably both is required for toiletries, cleaning products, toilet rolls and children’s bath toys. If your bathroom is spacious you may also keep clean towels and your linen basket in there.

Choosing the bath and basin can be a time-consuming task. Even if you’re not opting for something like a jaccuzzi spa or indoor hot tub, baths come in all shapes and sizes standard oblong, rolltop bath, corner, curved, wider at one end than the other and colours. Unless you desperately yearn for a particular colour it’s best to stick with white. It’s clean-looking, inoffensive and will go with any colour you decide to use for paint and furnishings.

Taps, too, come in a bewildering array of styles – choose a design that will complement your bathroom. Before making your final decision on the bathroom suite it is helpful to check your plans with your plumber to see if there are any potential snags with the designs you have picked. Even if your window has frosted glass make sure you have a curtain or blind with ‘blackout’ lining unless you want neighbours or passers-by watching the silhouette of you bathing, washing or worse. When it comes to decoration, remember to use or specify, if someone else is doing the work grout that is resistant to steam and water. Similarly, choose paint and wallpaper that will stand up to heat and steam look in the ever-expanding ‘kitchen and bathroom’ ranges. Pale colours brighten a small bathroom, especially one with no natural daylight but it’s fun to experiment with colour. And a large mirror across one wall, especially the wall opposite the window, will help make a small bathroom look and feel much bigger and lighter. Floor coverings, too, come in all types of material and colour but avoid carpet which is impractical and unhygienic in the bathroom. If you’re installing a shower either as a separate feature or above the bath – investigate the different types before deciding which to choose. If you have high water pressure you could opt for a thermo shower which is connected direct to your heating system and keeps the water temperature even.

An electric shower system heats the water itself and is mostly used above the bath. Power showers will give you the ultimate shower experience, even if you have low water pressure. Look for a non-slip surface in both bath and shower. Speak with your plumber and find out that the drainage can take the amount of water your shower is producing an overflowing shower tray can cause serious problems. Above all, the main thing to remember when redesigning your bathroom is choose a design that works for your lifestyle.

Cardiff Bathrooms

<h2>Cardiff Bathrooms – Designs for Small Bathrooms</h2>

Got a small bathroom and at a loss on what to do with it….I found this article whilst surfing the web for information for my blog, and thought that anyone who is interested in bathroom design may find it useful.

Compact Bathrooms

Bathroom for a Compact Space

A small bathroom is a common problem, but is easily solved with the correct bathroom suite. The last thing you want is your bathroom to be as cramped as a store cupboard. After all, you spend a lot of time there don’t you?

A major problem in a small bathroom is storage space. Everybody needs some where to keep their belongings, but sometimes space is very limited. Try to utilise the space you have, not letting any area be unused. A great example of this is the area under your sink. Why not buy a Roya Rubi Sink which comes with storage underneath, then you will never struggle to find somewhere to put your shampoo. The great thing about this unit is that it is only 34cm in depth, meaning that not too much of your floor is used up.

Another amazing storage solution is using the space behind your mirror. A lovely example of this is the Chiltenhurst Single Mirrored Wall Cabinet. At 40cm wide and 62.5cm high it is big enough to hide items that you don’t want on display. With its contempory and sleek design it can transform any bathroom into a showroom. It comes with the colour choice of high gloss white or wenge, which highlights the mirror in the centre.

Some bathroom suites are specially designed for compact spaces. The designer, RAK, understands your needs and has provided a range of suites that would be suitable for compact bathrooms. One of our best sellers is the RAK Compact bathroom suite. With its curved, sleek design this is understandable. The WC’s cistern is extremely slim line, measuring a mere 19cm from the wall. Team this with a wall hung basin, which comes with the choice of one or two tap holes, for a contempory design which does not take up too much space. The wall hung basin is 20cm in depth and 45cm wide providing plenty space to wash your hands. As this does not have a pedestal this also creates the illusion of more space as it does not take up any room on your floor.

The RAK Evolution bathroom suite is also designed to minimise space used. These corner units are perfect as they use the space that is otherwise wasted. Not many people use the corners in their bathrooms do they? The WC measures 60cm in depth and can be matched with either a wall hung basin or a corner basin with pedestal. Both these examples are good for maximising your space. Why not place a corner mirrored unit above the corner basin to double up as storage? A nice example of this is the Sloegrin Compact Corner Mirror.

A perfect accessory to any bathroom is a heated towel rail. Not only do they provide somewhere for you to keep your towels, they also double up as a heat source, keeping you nice and warm after your shower. Some of these towel rails look quite sculptural, for example, the Hudson Reed Mini Coil Rail in chrome, or the Emerald Towel rail which curves on one side. These create a great focal point to your bathroom, but are functional as well.

If you want a designer bath in your bathroom but do not have the space for a freestanding one, why don’t you jazz up your standard bath with a nice bath panel? The Tudor bath panels are great for Victorian luxury, whereas the Superstyle panels create a modern feel. Pair this with an Aqualux Energy Sail Bath Screen and your standard bath will be magically transformed into bathroom heaven.

If you don’t have room for a bath in your bathroom then a shower enclosure can look just as inviting. Our shower enclosures go down to a minimum of 70cm square, which provides plenty of room for all you showering needs. For a contempory look the Sloegrin enclosure is perfect. With its chrome surround and handle this enclosure looks divine, and it also comes with 8mm toughened safety glass and a life time guarantee! You can’t beat that can you?

If you have a bit more room in your bathroom and crave luxury then I would recommend the Profile Plus cubicle with platinum glass. This smoked glass is the finishing touch to any bathroom and highlights the chrome frame to perfection

I found this article really interesting, I found it whilst searching for information for my blog, cardiffbathrooms.com. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Pamper yourself with home spa amenities.

It used to be the most luxurious thing about a bathroom was a good book, a candle and a tub filled with bubbles. Not anymore. With people working harder than ever, the bathroom is rapidly becoming a haven in the home. And dual-incomes are allowing homeowners to indulge their cravings for unique, top-of-the-line additions to their bathrooms.

“People are really enjoying their homes these days,” said Suzanne Maviano, ASID and owner of Suzanne Maviano Designed Interiors, Riverside, IL. “Even though they spend a lot of time at work, when they are home, they want to feel like they’re walking into something amazing.”

The bathroom as spa

With spa visits becoming more common across the U.S., homeowners are now looking for ways to bring that experience home with them. And since whirlpool tubs and radiant heated floors are now almost standard in new construction, designers are really starting to think outside the box when adding spa-like touches. Or in one case, inside the box.

“The latest thing is to use warming drawers that are made for the kitchen to store towels,” said Janet Blutter Shiff, ASID and president of Blutter/Shiff Design Associates, Chicago, IL. “They’re very easy to install in a vanity and you get a nice warm towel when you get out of the shower.”

Showers and bathtubs are also getting the deluxe spa treatment. Steam showers and shower jet panels are gaining in popularity and air baths, which feature tiny, effervescent bubbles instead of targeted jets, are a hot new addition to the bathroom marketplace. Homeowners who are really ready to make an investment are opting for custom showers that combine a series of showerheads and body sprays mounted on the walls and ceiling of the shower space. The result is a unique rainforest-like experience for the user.

“Basically, the bathroom is the only place you can go to be alone anymore, even more than the bedroom. Because of that, people are willing to give themselves more luxury in the bathroom,” said Blutter Shiff.

The bathroom as getaway

If you’ve ever spent time in a high-end hotel, you know just how luxurious their bathrooms can be. And when it comes time to check out, people are wanting to pack up that space and take it with them.

“People who travel a lot are seeing these amazing bathrooms in high-end hotels and they want to bring that experience home,” said Maviano.

Elegant vessels sinks and upholstered chaise lounges are making their way from high-rise hotels to two-story homes. Solid-wood cabinetry and pendant lighting that would look at home anywhere in the house are replacing store-bought vanities and medicine cabinets. Cappuccino makers and mini-refrigerators are even being installed right into walls or cabinets.

“People really want their bathrooms to be a big part of their home,” said Blutter Shiff. “In one showhome design, I added a vanity that had a mini KOHLER sink built right into it. People loved it.”

Homeowners are also choosing surfaces that enhance the overall look of the space. Natural stone and handcrafted tiles are being combined to create statement-making visuals. And Blutter Shiff predicts the use of glass – for floors, counters and toilet enclosures – to be the next big thing.

“People are looking for different textures in their bathrooms,” said Maviano. “They’re using unusual combinations of stone and tile – and they’re using them as an art form. Today, [homeowners] are making their bathroom as nice a living space as the rest of their home – if not better.”

The bathroom as multi-media room

The days of listening to music in the shower by way of radio are long gone. Now, complete home theater systems with plasma TVs and surround sound are the norm. And they’re being installed in some rather ingenious ways.

“I recently installed a flat-screen TV in a mirror above the vanity,” said Maviano. “When the TV is off, it looks like a regular mirror. But when you turn it on, the image shows through and you can watch TV. It’s really, really beautiful.”

Even the more modest home improvement budgets are taking advantage of the lower cost of smaller flat screen TVs and are tucking them away with DVD players in the vanity. The result? The news while you get dressed in the morning or Desperate Housewives while you take a bath at night.

<h2>Cardiff Bathroom Accessories</h2>

This is another handy article found during my research into future bathroom installation blog posts, hope you find it handy.

………
Bathroom Accessories – How To Choose

Strictly speaking, the term “bathroom accessories” refers to the products specifically designed for bathroom use and not to any old ornaments or decorations placed in and around the bathroom. Modern day home designers recognise the importance of the bathroom in modern day life and it is becoming increasingly common to see larger bathrooms advertised as major home features. Not so long ago, the bathroom was frequented on a necessity basis only. Now it is a personal retreat and a primary concern for home-seekers and home-sellers. Returning specifically to the theme of bathroom accessories, it is increasingly common to see basic items such as mirrors, towel holders, toilet roll holders, toothbrush holders, soap dishes, hand lotion dispensers and robe hooks. Whilst such bathroom accessories may be chrome in appearance and apparently clean and attractive as a result, the purpose of having them in the first place may be overlooked. This purpose is to keep your bathroom organised and functional. If you use a block of soap as opposed to liquid soap, then purchasing a soap dispenser will mean unnecessary expense and an immediate contribution to clutter. Of course aesthetics are always an issue with bathroom accessories, but primarily it is functionality for which they should be employed. Now it is an ironic truth that too many organisers make a mess, in much the same way as too many cooks spoil the broth (to quote a popular catch phrase). Care should be taken not to over do it. The proper use of bathroom accessories can make your bathroom functional, appealing and very interesting. If styling your bathroom around a particular theme, accessories can certainly help. For example, if you are opting for an oriental theme, choose say a toothbrush holder and mouth rinse vessel made of china with Chinese insignia. This is a very basic and obvious example, but it illustrates the point being made and sometimes it is the obvious things that are overlooked. Ultra modern bathroom themes would likely be best complimented with turquoise-coloured glass or chrome accessories, for example robe hooks, mirrors, spotlights, toilet roll holders and bins etc. A household accessory that is often overlooked in light of bathroom design is artwork. There are affordable paintings to suit literally any theme imaginable and that is no understatement when it comes to art. A painting can be themed to any bathroom design and with the right frame will give the bathroom that little extra life, without taking up any floor space or getting in the way. Again, stick to your theme or desired design using only the accessories that will be used on a day-to-day basis. Decorative ornaments are fine, but be careful not to use too many, otherwise decoration turns to clutter. There are many bathroom accessories not mentioned in this article, likely many that I don’t even know exist, so shop around and seek out the latest innovations by browsing online bathroom stores or your local retailer. The great thing about bathroom accessories is that they are relatively inexpensive and can be changed whenever you feel like it. Changing sanitaryware, painting walls and replacing tiles can prove expensive, but replacing a soap dish, a toilet seat, a painting or a toothbrush holder does not prove a cumbersome or expensive task.

<h2>Cardiff Bathrooms</h2>

Yet another article I came across during my research into future blogging posts about bathrooms and bathrooms installations. This one will give you some great bathroom design ideas. I’m sure it will help those of you who are redesigning your bathroom or thinking of a new bathroom installation

Bathroom design guidelines.

Updating your bathroom designs involves more than just deciding what colour bath to pick! A re-design means that you can swap the layout and make room for a separate shower and more storage units. The first step is to plan the design as with kitchens, your local supplier will run off a computer-generated plan based on the bathroom’s dimensions and your particular requirements.

If you’re sticking with the same layout, make sure you measure your bathroom suite carefully before you go shopping for a replacement so that you know the new items will fit. Re-plumbing and re-wiring will push the cost up so stick with the existing service points if at all possible although this may not be unavoided if you want to change the positioning of the bathroom suite.

First decide on the correct place for the bath and/or shower. If your loo is in your bathroom, decide where this will go and then position the washbasin. Once the fittings are planned you can work out how to use the remaining space which, in modern bathrooms, may be quite limited. Some kind of storage, either cupboards or shelves – preferably both is required for toiletries, cleaning products, toilet rolls and children’s bath toys. If your bathroom is spacious you may also keep clean towels and your linen basket in there.

Choosing the bath and basin can be a time-consuming task. Even if you’re not opting for something like a jaccuzzi spa or indoor hot tub, baths come in all shapes and sizes standard oblong, rolltop bath, corner, curved, wider at one end than the other and colours. Unless you desperately yearn for a particular colour it’s best to stick with white. It’s clean-looking, inoffensive and will go with any colour you decide to use for paint and furnishings.

Taps, too, come in a bewildering array of styles – choose a design that will complement your bathroom. Before making your final decision on the bathroom suite it is helpful to check your plans with your plumber to see if there are any potential snags with the designs you have picked. Even if your window has frosted glass make sure you have a curtain or blind with ‘blackout’ lining unless you want neighbours or passers-by watching the silhouette of you bathing, washing or worse. When it comes to decoration, remember to use or specify, if someone else is doing the work grout that is resistant to steam and water. Similarly, choose paint and wallpaper that will stand up to heat and steam look in the ever-expanding ‘kitchen and bathroom’ ranges. Pale colours brighten a small bathroom, especially one with no natural daylight but it’s fun to experiment with colour. And a large mirror across one wall, especially the wall opposite the window, will help make a small bathroom look and feel much bigger and lighter. Floor coverings, too, come in all types of material and colour but avoid carpet which is impractical and unhygienic in the bathroom. If you’re installing a shower either as a separate feature or above the bath – investigate the different types before deciding which to choose. If you have high water pressure you could opt for a thermo shower which is connected direct to your heating system and keeps the water temperature even.

An electric shower system heats the water itself and is mostly used above the bath. Power showers will give you the ultimate shower experience, even if you have low water pressure. Look for a non-slip surface in both bath and shower. Speak with your plumber and find out that the drainage can take the amount of water your shower is producing an overflowing shower tray can cause serious problems. Above all, the main thing to remember when redesigning your bathroom is choose a design that works for your lifestyle.
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