Sunday, March 15, 2009

The Truths About Bathroom Design

What you may want to realize is that behind every myth you encounter about modern bathroom designs, there is a small speck of truth. You can learn from the mistakes of others and begin to build the bathroom that you've always wanted, but just didn't know how to plan or to build. Here are five main truths that you can keep in mind as you begin to change your bathroom from where it is now to where to you want it to be.

You need to back away from conventional thought

When it comes to ventilating your bathroom, you want to think about more than just a ceiling ventilation system. Sure, they work well, but you can provide even more moisture control with a fan that is installed from the outside of the house through the roof. Not only does this take away the ugly look of some ventilation systems in modern bathroom designs, but the sound is quieter and the overall efficiency better.

It does not matter where you put a bathroom

If you are looking into contemporary bathroom remodeling, you may want to realize that you do not have to put two bathrooms back to back if you do not want to. This seems more efficient because the two bathrooms will be sharing a plumbing system, but it also means they will be sharing a smaller space, which can disrupt any plans you might have for either bathroom. When you're trying to create an open bathroom setting, remember that it does not matter where it goes so long as it does what you want it to do.

Your sink should be multifunctional

Though most people believe the modern bathroom designs would look better with a compact pedestal sink, the truth is that this just is not realistic for most families. If you need to place any items around the sink area, you will be out of luck with a pedestal sink. Instead, opt for a vanity cabinet that will help you store items both above and below the sink conveniently. Save the pedestal sinks for guest bathrooms that are only going to be used for short tasks.

Figure things out ahead of time

Instead of waiting for your contemporary bathroom remodeling project to be completely done before you add some final touches, why not add them as you go along? If you are not ready to actually install them, you can simply mark where they will go in order to get a sense of what the final product will look like. Things like pictures, and paintings, towel holders and racks can be marked onto the walls with pencil and figured into your overall remodeling project.

The lighting does matter

While most of us have grown up thinking that you can only have bathroom lighting right above the sink, that is not the best choice. When you place a light right over your head, you will allow your face to be shadowed in some way no matter how you turn. And if you look at many modern bathroom designs, you will see that they are beginning to put the lighting off to the side instead. Maybe you can too.

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Saturday, February 21, 2009

The Latest Way to Improve Exteriors of Your Home

Swimming is a soothing exercise that can relax body in a good way. This healthy exercise can make you feel good in the ambience of warm water as you can give a thought to forget about all your worries and tensions of day long work.

Often people simply rush to their swimming pool to enliven their spirits. That is why swimming pools have become an essential part of virtually everybody’s life and they want to have their personal swimming pool in order to enjoy the fruits of convenience at the maximum.

Swimming pool has emerged as a new tool for home improvement, which along with comforts embeds the exteriors of the homes. These days, swimming pools come in an attractive array of sizes, shapes and colors. You can select the one according to the space available at your home and get it installed.

Now is presented the main factor that can mould your demand of swimming pool. The foremost that generally dominates minds of people before buying a swimming pool is concerned with the facet of cost. If you are among this category making your decision accordingly, then you must go for above ground swimming pool. This is a cost effective option and the best part is you do not have to incur huge costs while getting it installed in your home.

But if you fall in the category of enthusiasts who want to give royal look to their home, in ground swimming pool is simply meant for them. This is because the inground swimming pools look really elegant and consume more of time and money during installation process.

Nowadays designer swimming pools are being viewed as great option for home improvement as they can be customized according to your needs and preferences. If you have family with small kids, the best design to go for is small round swimming pool. On the other side, if you are willing to create a workout area, you can opt for a large swimming pool.

If you want to have a captivating look in your home, the best way to make this possible is through getting installed a kidney shaped swimming pool which is perfectly encompassed with waterfalls on edges.

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Selecting Hot Tubs for Your Bathroom

Many people are not quite sure how to choose the proper hot tub for their bathroom. What is more, many are not aware of the great varieties of hot tubs in the market, and the many uses they can be put to. A hot tub is more than a bath accessory; it offers you the chance to relax and rejuvenate. That is why you need to know your options before selecting a hot tub.

Size
Hot tubs are available in a range of sizes. Therefore, it should not be much of a hassle to select the right tub. However, floor area is important. Many people with secluded properties also like to install outdoor hot tubs. The best option to go for a portable hot tub, where you can move the tub indoors when needed.

Accessories
Hot tubs can accommodate many kinds of accessories, depending on your preferences and budget. The cheapest, and most sophisticated, are holders for glasses and bottles, creating an air of indulgence. You can also install a TV or music system with the hot tub. Adding the right essential oils to the bath water will give you an aromatherapy session at a fraction of the cost you would shell out at a salon. Another popular accessory is the remote control.

Shell
The hot tub must not only look good, but also be comfortable and safe. If the structure of the tub is weak, it will not be able to contain the large volume of water comfortably. The tub must be easy to clean, stain resistant and scratch proof. All this can be ensure only by a good shell structure.

Water Quality
Water quality can affect not just the surface of the hot tub, but also the health of the users. So you need to have some kind of water purification or ionization system in place. If you have a communal use hot tub or spa, then you will need to use chlorine for disinfecting the water, and silver or copper ionizers to prevent growth of algae.

Pneumatic vs Electric Systems
Most modern hot tubs have electric systems to offer the best user experience. This includes digital displays such as temperature, faults, and other parameters. Pneumatic systems involve manual controlling of switches and various systems.

Now that you know what you should be looking for when buying hot tubs, it will not be tough for you to select one that is right for your property.

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Saturday, January 24, 2009

Tips For Creating Antique Bathrooms on a Budget

The bathroom is usually seen as the most practical room in the house as well as being a room for people to escape from modern life in. This means that your bathroom has to be functional so that you can keep yourself clean but also give you a sense of serenity when you need it; in the case of winding down after a hard day and just needing some "me" time. Some people don't always like the clinical look of modern bathrooms and for those of you who don't you can always go for the antique effect in your bathroom.


You don't have to do a total overhaul to get that antique look in your bathroom. You don't have to be an antique expert either when it comes to down to it. A total novice can create an antique bathroom without too much effort. With a little imagination, you can easily turn your bathroom into a space of old-fashioned quaintness.

Keep in mind that anything considered to be an antique is usually more than 100 years old. However, not all collectible items are considered antiques. Also, not all antiques are collectible items - it's just how things work out. If you have ever watched the Antique Road Show on TV, you'll have seen a lot of people with items that have been in their families for over 100 years but are pretty much worthless.

It's possible to get your hands on antiques without paying insane prices too. You can go down the route of looking for genuine antique items which can and will cost quite a bit of money. But you can also get replica antique items that look the part without costing the earth. A lot of hardware stores (online and offline) have items like soap dishes, door handles, mirrors, vanities and shelves that can create the antique look you're wanting to create at home. Even adding a few items like these to your bathroom can start the antiquing process. Some places even sell these items in matching sets.

You can also turn your modern bathroom into an antique one by purchasing antique mirrors. How much you are willing to spend depends on your budget and just how badly you want to create that perfect look in your bathroom. You can shop for antique mirrors online or in high-end stores. Sometimes a great antique mirror is all that you need to transform your bathroom.

Another aspect of creating an antique bathroom is what paint you're going to use. Look at pictures of the décor using the Victorian era or other similar areas and you'll have an idea of what colors were used. You could also consider some faux painting techniques to artificially age or weather your bathroom décor to give it a more authentic antique feel to it. Getting your paint scheme right is critical to your antique bathroom looking just right.

If these ideas for antique bathrooms are not enough, consider the fact that many companies are making fixtures that have an antique look in order to satisfy this customer trend. You can buy new antique pieces without worrying about the problems that you might have with authentic antiques or the cost involved with genuine antiques. The cost of maintaining antiques makes using modern replicas more practical and cost-effective.

By Niall Roche

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