Tag

bathroom

The Gloves Are…On?

written by Joy

Cleaning. It’s the bane of many a homeowner’s life. You can do your best to keep things clean, but the muck has an annoying habit of building regardless. Worse, it builds the moment you finish cleaning. All you need to do is turn your back, and the dust is there again! Though the cleaning conundrum applies to the whole house, some rooms are worse than others. It goes without saying that the kitchen is a crucial place to keep clean. And, also one of the hardest. But, the bathroom has it beaten in those stakes. And, the bathroom sees a lot more muck and unpleasant stuff than the kitchen side! So, we’re going to look at how to perfect your bathroom cleaning methods. It’s time to tackle the beast!

THE RIGHT PRODUCTS

Buying the right cleaning products should be top of your list. You’re going to be using some heavy duty chemicals. It might be worth stocking up on some rubber gloves, too! Knowing what products you need can be difficult. There are many on the market. For the most part, though, a lot of the options available are unnecessary. For your general cleaning, you should be okay with a bottle of cream cleaner and some bleach. Oh, and don’t forget a washcloth! Other jobs require other products, but these aren’t necessary every time you clean. You may want to buy some glass cleaner for your shower enclosures. In general, the cream cleaner will work on these too. A specialised cleaner may be necessary for getting those stubborn water marks off. Depending on your toilet, you may also want to keep a rim cleaner on hand. Not all toilets need these, but those with small bowls or deep rims could benefit!

SPOT PROBLEM AREAS

It’s also important that you know what things to look out for while you clean. Some areas are going to cause more problems than others. Any tight corners could invite a buildup of muck. Make sure you clean behind your door, and behind your toilet. Areas like these are easily forgotten, but they’re notorious for dirt. Think, too, about problem areas like grouting. If you have shower tiles, it’s crucial you clean the grouting with cream cleaner. You may notice a slightly pink colouration each time. If you don’t wipe that away, it can cause blackening and breaking. If you let jobs like that slide, they’re a lot harder to cope with!

HINTS AND TIPS

Hints and tips will also help in your cleaning quest. After all, you can’t get things right if you don’t know what to do. This is especially true when cleaning those problems areas we spoke about. Get advice about the best way to stop your grout from rotting. Find out, too, how best to clean behind the toilet. You can find out most things online. It might also help to talk to friends and see if they have any tricks to share. A problem shared is a problem halved, after all.

Image credit:

Image 1 – https://flic.kr/p/6YrFq2
Image 2 – https://flic.kr/p/adNn8V
Image 3 – https://flic.kr/p/8WWEnt

March 29, 2017 0 comment

bathroom home improvement

Finding the Right Bathroom Vanity and Cabinets

written by Joy

Your bathroom can be turned into a beautiful room that is easy to organize. There are many all wood cabinets available depending on your personal sense of style. You can pick out a vanity that has plenty of storage room to make your life easier. Imagine what your perfect bathroom would look like, and then find a company who offers premium wood choices that will enhance the look of your home.

Find Quality Wood Products

Instead of going with cheaply made products, be sure to buy from a company that offers first-rate wood items. Each piece should be hand inspected for quality so that you can have peace of mind that the product you are buying will last.

Wood Types

The type of wood that you choose for your vanity will make a big difference in its appearance. Popular wood options include walnut, maple, and cherry.

Cabinet Style

Whether you go with a shaker style cabinet or choose raised or flat panels for your decor, you can enjoy sprucing up your bathroom with a vanity that looks the way that you want it to. You may enjoy a modern look or want to go for a more traditional style. Be sure to choose one that looks good and functions well too.

Storage Space

The right vanity will offer enough storage space to meet your needs. Decide on how many drawers you need and how big of a cabinet space you want underneath your sink. You should be sure that your cabinets and drawers will be able to hold all of the items that you require them too.

Hardware Options

When you want your vanity to be personalized, choose quality hardware to help it stand out. There are a variety of different knobs and pulls available. You may be interested in a black, brushed satin nickel, satin nickel, or dark brushed antique copper style. You can enjoy having a personalized option that will help your vanity to look its best.

Choose the right vanity for your home so that you can enjoy it for many years to come. There are many choices, but remember to get one that will look good and offer all of the space that you need for storage.

Image credit:

January 10, 2017 0 comment

bathroom home improvement

No-reno Solutions to Get a New Look Bathroom

written by Joy

Your bathroom might not be the most exciting room in your home. It’s for a practical purpose, although you might also spend time relaxing in there. Even if you’re not going to have tonnes of fun in your bathroom, it can still look good. In fact, most people like their bathroom to look beautiful. Otherwise, it would just be a little depressing. Not to mention that it wouldn’t give a great impression to guests. If you want to update your bathroom, your first thought might be to remodel. But this can mean extensive work, which might take a long time and perhaps get expensive too. If you want to avoid renovation, you could try one of these options instead.

Repaint or Wallpaper

One of the simplest ways to give your bathroom a new look is to repaint it. A fresh coat of paint could change the room dramatically, depending on what you choose. Many bathrooms stick to neutral colours, but you could be much more playful if you wanted to be. You could use brighter shades or perhaps try out some pastels. However, paint isn’t the only option. You could also use wallpaper to refresh your bathroom. Of course, you have moisture to contend with, as well as heat. However, you can buy special bathroom wallpaper that will withstand both of these things.

Update Your Existing Bath

If you want to give your bath a new look, you don’t have to replace it. You have other options if you feel like a change. One of the things you can do is to remodel your existing bathtub. You can find a company like Service Today Plumbing that offers this service. It works by installing a liner in your bath that gives it a new look. While you can’t change the shape of your bathtub, you can change the colour. This is ideal if your bathroom has an old-fashioned pink or green bath. If you think it’s an eyesore, you can simply turn it white. You can do the same to your shower tray.

Play with Lighting

Your choice of lighting can make a huge difference to your bathroom. It’s relatively easy to change if you want to avoid a complete renovation. You could start by looking at new shades you could use. Find fixtures that you think could elevate the look of your bathroom. You could do a bit of rewiring if you want to install something new. However, you don’t need to do that if you want to change the lighting. You can stick to more straightforward options to make things cheaper and easier.

Update Hardware

You can also change your hardware and accessories for a new bathroom look. Think about things like door handles, taps, and even your shower curtain. A few well-placed accessories can make all the difference in your efforts to update. Something as small as a soap dish might make your bathroom look better.

There’s no need to renovate completely if you want a new look for your bathroom. Some more minor changes could be enough to get your desired effect.

October 5, 2016 0 comment

bathroom home improvement

3 Ways To Improve Your Bathroom’s Atmosphere

written by Joy

The bathroom in your home is a place to relax and rejuvenate. It’s the place you go to collect your thoughts and enjoy some solitude. If your bathroom is not providing you with these scenarios, then it may be time to improve your bathroom’s atmosphere. There are a number of ways to improve your bathroom, from major changes to little additions.

Some major adjustments to your bathroom include replacing the bath, increasing the area of your shower, adding windows or changing the tiling and colour of the room. These improvements will be some of the best ways to refresh your existing bathroom area. Not only will this allow you to enjoy your bathroom, it will add value to your home and be of benefit if you plan on selling your home in the future. Don’t go another day wishing your bathroom was better, so something about it and improve the atmosphere of your bathroom today.

Retile

A great way to bring new life to your bathroom is by retiling it. It’s not as cheap as putting up a new shower curtain, but it’s not as expensive as putting in a new shower or tub. Get rid of those old vintage tiles that make your bathroom look drab and put in some fresh new tiles. Ensure you pay a professional to do the labour, especially if you’re not confident doing it yourself.

Quick tip: It will be much cheaper to get a professional to do it right the first time. It’s going to be a lot more expensive to get someone to come in and fix any mistakes you’ve made.

Bathtub

You want your bathtub to look great, but more than anything you want to enjoy it. You want to relax and rejuvenate in your bathroom and in your bath! Always sit in a tub before you buy it. Big bathtubs may look great but they might not suit your needs, bigger is not always better. When you are at the shop give it a test run. Assess the angle of the back and where you would rest your head for comfort and neck support.

Quick tip: If you only have space for a small tub, buy a deep one.

Bathroom Vanities

You can get really creative when it comes to the bathrooms vanity. A freestanding vanity may not seem very practical but it has a stunning aesthetic appeal and makes a huge statement. You can also choose from a top mounted or under mount sink. While the top mounted sink provides an elegant look and they are quite popular at the moment, they are not always practical. “When purchasing a sink, focus on the material. Tests showed that the material is more important than the manufacturer. Similar materials performed similarly across brands.”

A under mounted sink is a lot more convenient for cleaning purposes. You also have to think about other member of your family, if you have children, a top mounted sink might not be accessible. Check out steps you need to take if you want to start a family.

Quick tip: Think about your requirements when it comes to storage and accessibility before you make a big decision like remodelling.

Improving the atmosphere of your bathroom can be as simple as giving it a good clean. “Hire cleaners every so often and clean out the bathroom first so they can steam clean in all the corners. Houses are never as clean as when you first move in, so every year or two pay a heavy duty cleaner to give the house a good scrub.” Keep in mind that your bathroom should be a reflection of your personal style. It should also address all your needs, physical and spiritually.

June 10, 2016 0 comment

bathroom home improvement

Bathroom Building: What You Need for a Renovation

written by Joy

Building the bathroom takes several types of professionals, such as construction, plumbing, and electrical experts. Grey Bruce custom home builders endeavor to build large, safe, roomy bathrooms with all of the most desired appointments. In most cases, the home builder will act as the general contractor who manages all of the phases of bathroom building and home renovation in Grey Bruce or around the country.

Image credits: Ambro – freedigitalphotos.net

Start with Planning

All renovation projects begin with a basic plan based on personal needs and preferences. Once the specific renovation needs are determined, the next phase of the project is design by a professional. Building a new, attractive, functional bathroom begins with a custom design. In large homes, bathrooms are constructed in bedrooms, as well as designated areas like a master bathroom. Half bathrooms may adjoin a laundry room, or be included in a basement area. As such, bathrooms are designed with a specific square footage that fit into the home’s basic design. Make sure your design fits the room’s parameters.

Renovations and Repairs

Renovations, repairs, and installation are the third phase of the project. The degree of bathroom renovation will determine the actual needs to complete the project. A construction professional can redesign the configuration of existing walls to expand the size of the bathroom if space is available. They may also relocate bathroom fixtures like a tub or add a free-standing shower. The new design may include relocating the toilet or vanity, to make the room appear more spacious and modern. For the homeowner, this may require consultations with the renovation expert to determine whether new plumbing piping and fixtures are necessary. This depends on the age of the existing bathroom, and the location of water supplies and drains. A bathroom renovation can also include installation of recessed lighting and an exhaust fan. Tub and shower enclosures are also needed to protect from water damage to flooring.

Final Touches

The final phase of completion may include new accessories like cabinetry, designated storage closets, peripheral shelving, window treatments, and choosing coordinating bathroom linens, shower mats, and slip-proof rugs. Decorations should be thought of in terms of necessity first. Get everything needed in first, then think about where to hang that wall painting last.

The major needs for a basic bathroom renovation often include thinking about the toilet, vanity, cabinets, and the shower or tub. Once the planning for each stage is complete it is important to look over what else can be fixed and added to. In no time, you should have the bathroom of your dreams.

September 10, 2014 0 comment

bathroom home improvement

The Secrets To Brightening Up Your Bathroom In Just One Weekend – Guaranteed

written by Joy

Nobody wants to spend all of their time on home renovations when the sun is shining outside. Life is too short, and we all must make the most of it. People are so proud of their homes sometimes, and spend so much time working on them, that they miss out on other things in life.

Credit to Alex Beattie for this wonderful image

I believe that we should all take pride in the place we live, keep it clean, and make the surroundings pleasant. Then, every five or six years, I perform a major overhaul in some of the rooms.

In the years where I am not taking on a big project, I will just freshen rooms up. I love weekend projects and the one I carried out in the bathroom worked particularly well.

Here is the secret to brightening up the bathroom in just one weekend.

Decor

Paint the ceiling with a fresh coat of emulsion. It is cheap and only takes an hour or so to complete. Use a silk product because matt paint will not wipe clean. A roller is still the best way to apply emulsion because it covers a large area quickly and smoothly. Remember to cover the room with sheets before setting to work, or you could have a lot of cleaning up to do.

Vanity Unit

The bathroom vanities take quite a bashing over the years, and they are difficult to freshen up. You will find beautiful new units in the showrooms and online for a very reasonable price. Change the old one for a stunning new unit, it only takes a couple of hours, or even less, if you have knowledge of basic plumbing. It is very straightforward and makes a massive difference to the room.

Tiles

Over time, the tiles become dull, and the grout gets dirty. The grime is very difficult to clean off unless you have a steam cleaner. The hand held units are marvelous for shifting stubborn dirt and limescale from anywhere in the room. They are cheap and come with a range of accessories for getting into all of the nooks and crannies.

Taps

Taps come in standard sizes, so it is quick and easy to replace them with new ones. The only tools you will need are a some adjustable grips and spanners. Turn the water supply off first and let the taps run until the water ceases to flow and then set to work on swapping them. The biggest problem with the job is access. Sometimes you must work in a very confined space. Even so, it shouldn’t take more than three hours to swap the bath and basin taps.

Floor

If you have a tiled floor, clean it with the steamer. If not, think about putting down some new vinyl. There is plenty to choose from in the shops and it is ideally suited to this application. Take your time cutting it to do a good job, and it should only take an hour or two to fit.

So there it is, a bathroom makeover in just one weekend. Some things were replaced, and others cleaned or painted to give the overall impression of a new room. If you follow this example, you will not waste a large chunk of your life working on what is a pointless exercise in the great scheme of things. Concentrate on the important things in life; enjoy it!

June 16, 2014 0 comment

bathroom home improvement

5 Things Everyone Should Include in a Bathroom Makeover

written by Joy

Photo credits: colorhome on Flickr

Every year, if we can afford it, it is good to get started on one major project in the home. Building and creating are just a part of our genes. There are certain things we can do that are almost guaranteed to add value to our homes if they are carried out to a reasonable standard. Improvements include:

New roof.
Gutters and soffits.
New windows.
Extension.
Conservatory.
Loft conversion.
New kitchen.
New bathroom.

There are other renovations and building projects; these are just the most obvious ones that spring to mind. We are going to investigate in this article, what to consider and include when renovating your tired old bathroom.

Space

The first, and very important, thing to consider is the physical size of the room. No bathroom can be too big. If you have an adjacent, unused bedroom, would it be possible to move the partition wall sideways a couple of feet to increase the size of the bathroom? This is not always possible, but it is well worth checking out if the bedroom isn’t used. With a modern house, the wall may be constructed of timber frame and plasterboard finish. These are easy to move.

Shower

A separate shower cubicle,rather than a bath shower, is standard in modern bathroom design these days. Think big, however, and squeeze a double sized cubicle in, with a shower at either end. This can put an end to those moody, rushed mornings when couples are competing to get ready for work. Another question is what type of shower to install. Electric showers are simple to fit and can work independently. Unless a high quality one is fitted, however, they are prone to temperature changes when the water pressure drops or increases. Power showers fare better with pressure changes as the water to the shower is controlled by a pump.

Basins

Think along the same lines as with the shower. Two basins are better than one. Now you will appreciate the extra room gained by moving the wall. Compliment the twin basins by installing high quality bathroom taps and accessories such as towel rails.

Whirlpool Bath

Why not be the envy of your friends and neighbours with a whirlpool bath or jacuzzi? The chances are that this project is costing a lot of money already so another thousand pounds or so may not be too bad. For arthritis sufferers, they are the best invention since sliced bread.

Lighting

A good lighting system in the bathroom will make the furniture and fittings gleam. Recessed ceiling lights are standard now, but they can be complemented with an illuminated bath panel, task lighting by the mirror, and even illuminated floor tiles. The mind boggles at the choices on the market.

After choosing the suite for you and following the above points, your bathroom will be on target to look stunning. It will soon be time to consider the wall coverings and flooring. The trend these days is to tile them with the same, or matching tiles. Alternatively, laminate flooring or modern vinyl will be the best choice for you. Only you can decide this; it is a matter of taste.

Thank you for reading this article; I hope you have found some useful information to take away and apply in your own home. For now, I will leave you in the hope that your bathroom turns out just the way you hoped. Be bold.

March 19, 2014 4 comments

home improvement

Top to Bottom: 5 Home Improvement Secrets For the Bathroom

written by Joy

A DIY project like redecorating the bathroom can come with some beautiful results if one uses just the right designing tricks. Armed with the right know-how, one can make a small bathroom seem twice as large, use space to one’s advantage, and keep things elegantly simple. Follow the tips below and create a bathroom everyone will love.

Planning Space

Bathrooms often have limited space, a reality that tends to decreases one’s improvement options. The solution is to use every inch available, planning out the use of space to create the ideal bathroom. This includes putting corners to good use by having Bedell Full Service Plumbing install a subway style shower in the otherwise difficult area. Getting plumbers in Indianapolis can drastically improve your space and make a small bathroom seem more large and luxurious. It’s just that simple, the wise use of space can create perfectly stylish and roomy bathrooms.

The Beauty of Contrast

A little bathroom doesn’t have to seem quite so small, a bit of contrast going a long way to create the illusion of space. The easiest way to pull off this simple trick is with the use of a large mirror in just the right location. In short, a large scale mirror running the length of the bathroom counters can make the bathroom seem twice its actual size.

Accent Eccentricity

The right accents can make a big difference in the effort to redecorate a bathroom, and the options almost limitless. A well placed vase of flowers on the counter can breathe life into an otherwise typical powder room, drawing one’s eye, and creating a focal point. For a more dramatic effect, tile a single wall, add a fresh coat of paint to the rest, and enjoy the breathtaking results.

Elegant Simplicity

Perhaps the greatest secret to redecorating a bathroom is to keep things simple. Bold attempts to create an elegant room often fall short while little things create an ambiance one wants. Remove the clutter and artwork, use clean lines, and keep things easy on the eyes. Plumbers in Indianapolis can help in that endeavor, installing showers, sinks and toilets that complete that ideal simple elegance.

The right DIY decorating tips can help one create just the right look for the bathroom. After all, knowing just where to place a mirror, or how to use every inch of space available ensures success. However, in the end, the key to remember in any home improvement effort is that simple is far more elegant than needless clutter, and failed attempts to create the chic bathroom.

September 10, 2013 0 comment

bathroom

THE RIGHT PRODUCTS

SPOT PROBLEM AREAS

HINTS AND TIPS

Find Quality Wood Products

Wood Types

Cabinet Style

Storage Space

Hardware Options

Repaint or Wallpaper

Update Your Existing Bath

Play with Lighting

Update Hardware

Retile

Bathtub

Planning Space

The Beauty of Contrast

Accent Eccentricity

Elegant Simplicity