It’s easy to forget just how much great-looking tile can make a bathroom sparkle. One of the elements that can make a bathroom look old and tired is outdated tile. While companies that install one-piece bath and shower combinations say that their solution is the wave of the future, such cost-cutting efforts can be fraught with pitfalls.
One of the remedial tips to remember is that placing a one-piece over old tile can actually foster mold growth that may already be trapped between the wall and the old tile and can eventually compromise your wall structure. The best remodeling efforts for old, tired bathrooms involve tearing out the old tile and installing new material. Here are some bathroom tips for selecting the right tile to make your bathing oasis look fresh and inviting.
Good planning is at the base of all bathroom renovations, tile included. Make sure that you know where all elements will be located. Don’t assume that the tile is the size that it says it is. Many larger tiles are also manufactured for the European market and are measured in centimeters, making your measurements slightly off. Measure and then lay tile from the ceiling down to get the best effect from patterns.
Pay attention to the differences between wall and floor tile as the latter have a higher wear rating issued by the National Floorcovering Alliance. Most floor tiles have a rating of 3, 4 or 5, while tall tiles have a rating of 0, 1 or 2. Wall tiles are usually smoother and slicker than those for the floor, which will usually be thicker and often have a rougher surface for traction. Choose floor tiles that are glazed, or ones that can absorb glazes, to make them waterproof. Wall tiles usually have a semi-gloss or matte finish and maybe too porous. Porous wall tiles should not be used in a backsplash or bathtub/shower area.
Three different types of tile are well suited for bathroom renovations: travertine, porcelain and mosaic tiles. Travertine, cut from natural limestone, is elegant and is a good choice for floors and walls in upscale installations. Porcelain is manufactured by firing sand at high temperatures and pressure. It’s available in a wide range of sizes. Choose mosaic tiles, which usually come in smaller sizes, to create a statement and draw attention to an area. Since they easily contour around curves, they are a good choice for showers and drains. Use them sparingly as repeated patterns can be overwhelming.
The summer season is the perfect time to entertain, whether you’re hosting a pool party, having backyard barbecues, or just spending time with friends and family in your outdoor living space. As a host, you want to make sure that the inside of your home is ready for guests, too. That means ensuring that your bathrooms are clean and accommodating. Here are some summer tips to help you get your guest bathrooms in great shape for entertaining:
Keep Soap Dispensers Filled. Check your soap dispenser to see if it’s time for a refill. Guests want to be able to wash their hands, so keep the dispenser filled up, or have a new soap with pump ready to be used. You can keep it out on the counter so that guests can just grab it easily if the soap runs out.
Have Extra Towels Handy. Hand towels are a must for the powder room, but if you’re hosting a pool party, you may want to consider leaving a few bath towels out, as well. This way, guests can dry off when they’re in the house, and they can leave their damp towels outside to dry. It’s also helpful to have dry, clean towels available to them if they’re going to be getting changed out of their swimsuit. Another option for guests to dry their hands is paper napkins or towels. Keep a small stack out on the counter.
Stock Up on Toilet Paper. Make sure that you check your powder room before guests arrive to ensure that the toilet paper is stocked up. There’s nothing worse than being in someone else’s bathroom and not knowing where to find a new roll. If the current roll is running low, take out a new one and place it by the toilet where guests can easily see it.
Ensure Freshness. If your powder room has a window, you may want to open it up to allow fresh air to flow in. You can also use an air freshener or a candle to keep the room smelling nice and clean. Also, keep a can of aerosol air freshener out where guests can see it, since they want to use it before they leave the bathroom.
You want to ensure that your guests feel comfortable in your home, so take the time to check these bathroom tips before they arrive. An inviting bathroom is one where guests won’t have to worry about finding the essentials.
During the summer, it can be easy to want to spend your free time outdoors, enjoying the nice weather. However, it’s important to make time for housekeeping, as well, and we have some smart cleaning bathroom tips to help you do just that. Here are some simple summer cleaning tips to keep your home feeling fresh and clean:
Set a Cleaning Schedule, and Stick with it.
Setting a weekly cleaning schedule is a great way to ensure that no room is overlooked. While you probably do some light upkeep throughout the week, you need to designate certain days and block out times to tackle those big cleaning tasks. After all, those toilets aren’t going to clean themselves! Get other members of the household involved by assigning certain tasks. With a cleaning schedule in place, you won’t overlook the more unpleasant aspects of deep cleaning the bathrooms, which is essential to keeping germs and bacteria at bay.
Use an All Natural, All-Purpose Cleaner.
Since the bathroom tends to be a smaller, more confined space, you will want to choose an all-purpose cleaning solution that is natural. This way, you can avoid those toxic fumes that are typically associated with harsh cleansers. There are many safer products on the market today that can effectively clean toilets, showers, tubs, and sinks. Use a product that is both safe for your family’s health and effective at killing bacteria.
Keep it Dry.
Mold and mildew growth really thrive in damp rooms, so it’s very important to keep your bathroom as dry as possible. Use an exhaust fan when showering to prevent steam from settling on surfaces. If your mirror and other surfaces are wet once you’re done showering, take a dry towel and wipe them down. If you have a window, open it up, or leave the bathroom door open to allow fresh air to flow in.
No one enjoys deep cleaning the bathroom, but it’s a job that must be done to ensure your family’s health and safety. By following these simple cleaning tips, you can enjoy a dry, fresh bathroom all summer long.
When it comes to a summer decor guide for bathrooms, focus on brightening up the space without overhauling the design. Simple changes can make a big impact, and you won’t need to completely redo the room in order to achieve the perfect summer look. Little touches can really create that relaxing, breezy feel that every room in your home should have in the summertime. Here are 3 bathroom tips for how to achieve your ideal summer decor:
Lighten Up. For the summer season, focus on making the bathroom light and airy. You probably won’t want to repaint your room to match the season, so focus on the simple details that are easy to change out. Switch out dark curtains and dark shower curtains for white ones to let in more natural light and open up the space. Place light colored towels on shelving or towel racks. Use light colored rugs and bath mats. You want the bathroom to feel as open and bright as possible in the summertime.
Add Fresh Flowers. Use a charming vintage vase or Mason jar to display fresh flowers. Place them on the counter top, or up on a shelf. With so many beautiful flowers in bloom throughout the summer, this shouldn’t be hard to do! It’s the perfect way to bring the outdoors in and add a soft, colorful touch to the bathroom.
Bring the Beach Home. When you think of the summer season, you probably can’t help but imagine yourself relaxing by the beach. Add touches of the seashore to your bathroom with natural elements like seashells and sand, and cool colors like blue and crisp white. There are many different DIY projects that you can do to create that relaxing feeling by using sand, shells, and even nautical items, like anchors and rope. Create a candle display by filling a large glass holder halfway with sand, then placing a white candle in the center. The possibilities are endless.
For the summer season, you simply want your bathroom to look light and fresh. Simple touches will add just enough to achieve the perfect look. Choose elements that you love, like fresh flowers or nautical decor, to create that easy, relaxing summertime feeling.
Basement bathrooms don’t have to be dingy places. Despite having to work around piping, dim light and ceilings that are usually lower than above-ground rooms in your home, you can easily turn your basement bathroom into an additional oasis by applying good design principles. In other words, many of the other bathroom tips provided by Columbus Bath Design are applicable to the area on the lowest level of your home.
Designing a basement bathroom, however, does have some special considerations that you should take into account when making a general plan and selecting accessories.
Decide on a Purpose. What is the primary use for your basement? Is it a recreational and entertainment area or will you use it as a guest bedroom suite? If it’s the former, you only need a powder room with a pedestal sink or vanity and a toilet. Whatever you have, there’s no need to make it plain just because it’s in the basement. Dress it up as much as your budget allows. Splurge on high-quality fixtures, high-end tile and the like. Don’t forget storage such as built-in cabinets or open vanities so you or you guests don’t have to run upstairs for towels or other necessities.
Add Extra Light. Let’s face it, basement areas are below grade, meaning less natural light will make it into rooms. Many basement bathrooms don’t even have a window, so good lighting is a must. Make sure you have enough of it by placing extra fixtures such as wall sconces to eliminate shadows and dim areas. Use light colored tiles and walls to open up the space and provide mirrors and chrome accents that will further reflect light.
Provide Sufficient Ventilation. Because basements are below grade with exterior walls in contact with soil, this area is much more humid than the rest of the home. Make sure the bathroom is properly vented to the outside with an exhaust fan powerful enough to pullout excess moisture to avoid mold and mildew problems. Because of the possibility of excess moisture, make sure you choose water-resistant materials for the floor and walls. Tile and natural stone do well in such areas and also play into the elegant look that you want for your basement bathroom.
Regardless of whether your bathroom is modern or traditional, every bathroom deserves to be bright and colorful and summer is the perfect time to make those changes. Because it is one of the smallest rooms in the home, it often gets neglected. Yet brightening this space is easy and often inexpensive. Here are some tips to make your bathroom bright and airy.
Maximise the amount of light to make the space feel bigger. Keep as much of the interior as pale as possible will help. White is a great choice as it doesn’t date an goes with any color. Pale, shiny tiles will also reflect light from fixtures. Add extra mirrors or a mirrored bathroom cabinet to reflect light. Unique placement of spotlights in key areas will also optimize the feeling of space.
While a bathroom with pale walls and tiles will maximize brightness, don’t forget about adding splashes of color to give the space some personality. Paint one wall in an accent color or choose a vibrant window blind or bathmat. Colorful tiles can also make a bold statement, but add them sparingly, especially if the space is small. Blues and greens create a tranquil, calming atmosphere and also evoke a feeling of summer. Metallic tiles can provide a sumptuous look.
Other bathroom tips to remember include accentuating brightness with silver and glass accessories to give your bathroom a clean look along with a touch of elegance. Mirrored or glass containers and accessory holders take brightening one step further by reflecting light even more. Speaking of accessories, anything fun you bring in, even if it’s a storage item such as a basket, will also brighten the area. Good storage and organization is essential, but it doesn’t have to be boring.
A beach or nautical theme works wonderfully in a bathroom. Place shells in a see-through container or scatter some larger ones along a windowsill. Add wall decorations of colorful fish, seabird, dolphins or other sea creatures. Driftwood colored paneling used in moderation also works well.
Anything natural, such as fresh flowers,will also go a long way toward brightening your bathroom. After all, what better way to welcome summer than to bring it into our home?
Think Outside The Box When Tackling Bathroom Design – A well-designed bathroom is one of life’s pleasures. It makes us more efficient in the morning when starting our day and is a place to retreat to relieve stress. Often when designing a bathroom remodel, we tend to fall into the same tired patterns that end up only minimally refreshing the space. The following tips will get you thinking out of the box when considering a bathroom renovation.
Ditch the Bathtub. Consider removing your tub and installing a walk-in shower in its place with a frameless glass enclosure. Walk-in showers are one of the most popular contemporary design trends, particularly for smaller bathrooms where the tub, toilet and vanity are located adjacent to one another on the wet wall. A frameless glass enclosure will open up with room and make it elegant at the same time. To open up even more space, one of the best design tips is to include niches for bath accessories to remove external clutter. Place the niches at a height that makes items easy to reach.
Rethink Vanities. Instead of the standard double sink vanity set-up with a large mirror running the length, try two smaller vanities with framed mirrors and lighting on either side of the mirror. This type of design creates interest and visual appeal that you won’t get with a double sink vanity. Place storage underneath each vanity. Open storage will provide additional visual appeal.
Modern Lighting. Wall sconces placed on either side of mirrors is one way to dress up and draw visual attention in your bathroom, but you should remember that lighting always has a functional application. Instead of standard three-light fixtures over vanities, install a medium-size chandelier in the center of the bathroom, or over a spa tub, if you have room for one. Pair this with several colored, glass-blown light fixtures on the accent wall. These types of light fixtures are typically used in kitchens or near a bar table. Not only will you have the light you need, you will also create an ambience of elegance and relaxation. Another option is concealed lighting, which works well if you have a decorative stepped ceiling.
Tile Appeal. One of the most important bathroom tips is to achieve visual appeal along with durability and ease of maintenance in your selection of tile. Go with classic colors and finishes for majority of walls and floors and only use popular trends as accents. Avoid going heavy on trendy finishes, as these will date the bathroom within a year or two.
Many people enjoy decorating with plants. However, certain rooms in a house do not provide optimal growing conditions. For instance, the bathroom is often tiny, lacks natural light, and fluctuates in temperature. With a few tips, it is easy to select the perfect greenery for this type of space.
Compensating for Low Light. Unlike other rooms in the house, a bathroom is usually short on windows. This limits the number of plants that will grow. One type that works well in a dark room is the Creepy Fig. This plant is often found in rain forests and grows quickly. A beautiful way to display this plant is in a hanging basket so that the foliage cascades down. The Bird’s Nest Fern and Chinese Evergreen are two other plants that thrive in dark areas.
Overcoming Varying Temperatures. A bathroom rarely has a steady temperature. When a person is bathing, the room tends to become hot and humid. Other times of day, the space is cool. Many plants will not survive under these circumstances. The Parlor Palm is extremely tolerant and grows easily in all environments. Also, variations of ivy and ferns work well.
Small and Decorative Options. Shelving is always useful, especially in a bathroom. If the space is too tight, shelves can be hung on the walls. These make excellent places to display small decorative plants. Glass shelves are elegant and appear to take up less room than traditional wood. Flaming Katy flowers work nicely in a bathroom setting. These plants provide clusters of bright blooms that color for several months. Without much light, some of these plants flower all year long. Dwarf varieties are compact and take up little space. The Eyelash Begonia is another appropriate bathroom choice.
Other Helpful Bathroom Tips. When using plants as decorations in a bathroom, it is essential to limit water. Since the room is often filled with humidity, the soil remains damp for longer periods than plants in other rooms. To compensate for limited sunlight, it is possible to use fluorescent bulbs in fixtures.
Placing greenery throughout the home brings nature indoors. Understanding what plants work well in bathroom conditions will keep the area looking and feeling fresh.
Just because you have a small bathroom doesn’t mean the space can’t be luxurious. Whether it’s a powder room, guest bathroom or even a master bath, there are plenty of ways to remodel smaller bathrooms into spa-like spaces that will be the envy of all your friends and guests.
Tips to open up small bathrooms into spacious areas are remarkably easy. Here’s how to do it…
Use Monochromatic Color. Neutrals, particularly greys, taupes and similar colors are big right now. Use they to your advantage. Take one color and go with in in different shades, starting with wall paint and tile, and finishing with vanity tops and flooring. Paint the ceiling the same color as tiles and walls to open up the area even more. Extend wall tiles up to the ceiling in the bath/shower area to keep the effect going.
Let Light In. As one of the hottest bathroom remodeling trends, clear glass shower doors can really open up small bathrooms. Textured glass will let in some light, but it will also feel like another wall, so opt for clear. Similar, take advantage of natural light. If you have a window, don’t cover it with shutters or light-blocking shades. Use blinds or shades that let some daylight in when privacy is required.
Use Elegant Lighting. Hang a small chandelier overhead to draw attention upward and give the room an elegant feeling. Similar, place two sconce-like fixtures aside mirrors so that light will reflect even more.
Get Creative With Reflection. In a small area, mirrors are your friend. Place large mirrors that extend up to the ceiling over washbasins or vanities. Use an entire wall of reflective glass in opposition to each another to create an illusion of infinity.
Look Out Below. Another way to make small bathrooms appear larger is to open the space below. Instead of using a closed vanity, install one with legs and an open front where you can readily see towels and other essential bath items. Similarly, if the space is too small for a vanity, use a pedestal sink and opt for portable storage.
No matter how clean your bathroom is, clutter simply seems to happen. After the colder winter months, you’re probably wondering how such a nice spa-like retreat can get so messy.
Relax. Decluttering is as simple as taking a day in each of your bathrooms to accomplish spring cleaning. For the most part, you don’t need any fancy accoutrements in any of your bathrooms to accomplish decluttering. What is needed is a sense of purging, of being able to get rid of items you no longer use and not feeling guilty about it. Here is what you need to do to get a wonderfully organized bathroom.
Pitch It. When was the last time you used the vitamins, medication, makeup or anything that may be in your medicine cabinet or drawers? If the item is expired, throw it in the garbage. Similarly, label cosmetics and other consumables that don’t have an expiration date. even if it doesn’t have an expiration date, pitch items that smell or look funny, particularly if you know they are past their prime.
Small Storage Spaces. Organize storage spaces such as drawers or cabinets with dividers or storage bins that will keep similar items with one another. Make sure that storage bins have small compartments that are appropriate for makeup, medicines and other smaller items found in bathrooms. By designating certain areas, whether in a drawer, a cabinet, etc., for items like makeup, medicines and other small items, you’ll minimize time spent in the bathroom and organize your home in the process.
Claim Space Over the Toilet. The area over the toilet is a great place for storage. Many organizational stores have storage units specifically made for placement over toilets. These storage areas are great for items such as extra towels, toilet paper, tissues and other frequently used items.
Clean Up the Vanity. How any times have you seen items strewn across your vanity? Use apothecary jars to organize items like makeup brushes, cotton balls and similar small items. Organizing in this manner will give your bathroom a high-end hotel feel. Save a shelf for knick knacks.
Contact Columbus Bath Design today to start designing your dream bathroom. We look forward to exceeding your expectations.
