Thursday 28 July 2011

Smaller Bathrooms Look Larger With the Right Decor and Bathroom Furniture

If your bathroom looks quite small and cramped, there are a number of ways of improving its appearance and making it appear larger than it actually is. Certain colours and types of bathroom furniture can make the room seem perceptually larger, similarly, the wrong colour palette and furniture can create a small and overcrowded look in the bathroom. Here are some tips you can use to make your bathroom look and feel as spacious as possible.

When it comes to flooring and walls, keep the colour tones light and soft. The colours you choose for the flooring and walls of your bathroom will have a significant impact on how spacious or cramped your bathroom appears. Colour choices will also affect the overall 'mood' of the room. If you have a smaller bathroom, avoid wallpaper with too much detailing or painting walls in contrasting colours. Soft, simple patterns are best and walls in neutral tones will help in making the most out of a small bathroom space. If you love bright colours, you can always spice up the room later with coloured towels, curtains or other bathroom accessories.

Lighting is another important factor in creating as large a space as possible. The right kind of lighting can make your bathroom appear far more spacious than it actually is. If it is available, natural lighting can do wonders; a skylight is especially flattering to the size of a bathroom. But if you have small windows or even none at all, there are other lighting tricks that can help. Pendant lights and lower level lights will help to create a wonderful ambiance in the bathroom and make it feel more like a spacious luxury spa than a modestly sized room.

Mirrors are yet another issue one must think about when trying to open up the bathroom space. If you have a window, placing a mirror opposite it will help to bounce the natural light around, as well as giving the illusion that there are two windows in the room. Making sure the mirror is frameless will also help in maintaining this illusion of space.

When it comes to choosing bathroom furniture that will enhance the space you have available, make sure to choose long, narrow shelving and cabinets instead of wide, low furniture and storage. This will make the room look as if the ceiling is higher than it actually is. Remember to go for light coloured furniture. Heavy, dark and fussy bathroom furniture can work very nicely in a large bathroom but in a smaller space, it will create a cramped and somewhat dismal appearance.

Another area that can make or break the look of a bathroom is the use of 'knick-knacks', that is, small decorative items that are usually used to make a bathroom feel cosy and pretty. Again, these are great in larger bathrooms, which can look a bit cold and harsh without them, but their presence should be kept to a minimum in smaller bathrooms. Anything fussy or crowded will only make the room look even smaller than it really is. You can still make your small bathroom look inviting by adding a small vase of flowers, or by placing some colour coordinated candles around the room.

Thursday 7 July 2011

How to Choose the Best Fixtures for Bathrooms

Are you planning to redecorate, refurbish or renovate your bathroom? Are you afraid to buy different types of bathroom supplies and equipment due to lack of ideas and information?

Our bathroom is a vital area of our house that needs care and attention. It is a multi-functional area not only for the family's basic needs, but also for colleagues, friends, neighbors and relatives. This is where we rejuvenate and re-energize after a long stressful day from the office or in school. It is where we relax, the place where we wash, sanitize and cleanse ourselves.

Despite its significance to the family and to other people, it is one of the neglected areas of the house when it comes to interior design plans. If you decide to upgrade your bathroom, you should make sure that you have the right bath and shower fixtures to meet the individual needs of family members. The most common bathroom fixtures that should be considered in your bathroom remodeling include shower, toilets, sinks and tubs.

In buying any type of bathroom fixture, you have to consider the following factors:

* Budget - In every purchase that you make, be sure to consider how much you can afford without compromising the quality and durability of the item. Budget is the most effective determinant in any commercial purchase because it makes it easier for buyers to eliminate those that they cannot afford and out of their pre-determined price range. Whatever items you buy, make sure that it is not only practical, but functional as well.

* Theme/Style - With the myriad of styles and designs that emerge everyday, it is vital for you to consider the theme and style of the bathroom you prefer to have. Do you want to have a modern bathroom? Do you want to have a contemporary themed bath and shower room? At present, stainless steel and metallic colors are popular among homeowners. In choosing a specific color, be sure to match it with your preferred style and, of course, include your personal touch.

* Durability - In every item that you purchase, make sure that you do not compromise the durability and quality of the products bought. The fact is that there is no use buying trendy fixtures that will not last long. With resourcefulness and diligence, you can find stylish, affordable and durable bath and shower items. Stroll through various stores and surf the Internet to find the best deals in town.

* Bathroom fixtures - Before setting off to the nearest furniture shop, be sure to consider and assess the items you need. By having a list of these items, you can avoid buying unnecessary and unneeded items. If you like certain furniture found in magazines, get the name of the distributor first. Then, search for it in the Internet and assess its availability, price and the retail store. Buying products online is one of the convenient shopping ways that can help in widening your options. Aside from that, you can also save money, time and gasoline.