Archive for the 'Bathrooms' Category

Jul 06 2010

Easy Ways to Update and Refresh Your Bathroom

Published by Leon under Bathrooms

We spend a great deal of time in the bathroom, but often fail to dress up the room we use so often!  For many, white walls and few accents leave the room looking like a hospital bath.  We shower, shave and relax the day’s stresses away in the tub, filled with bubbles or scented oils.  Why not make this room look and feel appealing?  This article offers tips and ideas for making your bath more appealing.

Remember, most guests that visit your home will see this room, so make the most of it!  Whether your bathroom is small or spacious, there are many things you can do to give it a fresh new look.

Tips for Small Baths
Do you have a tiny bathroom only big enough for the necessities?  Visually open up the small space by painting walls a light, soft pastel color.  Keep shower curtains, towels and any items that are visible colored in light hues.  If you have shelves or any other object that sticks out from the walls, remove them.  This helps open up straight, clean lines, which leads to a more spacious look.  Consider brighter lighting and additional mirrors to reflect light.

For the floors, keep things light as well.  A light colored linoleum or ceramic tile makes the room appear larger and more spacious.

Have a Large Bath?
With a larger bath, you have more options.  If you want a rich, elegant look, use dramatic color on the walls and add accents.  A rich burgundy wall accented with deep hues of blue and green is beautiful in a bath.  Coordinate your shower curtain, towels and other fabrics with the walls.  Frame your vanity mirror with molding for extra appeal.  Stripes and bold florals work well in a spacious bath.

Floors can be bold and dramatic in larger baths.  Intricately decorated ceramic tile adds even more depth and a rich, warm appeal.

Accents
Whether your bath is small or large, pictures add interest and depth.  In a small bathroom, keep prints light colored, with either metal frames or no frame at all so that things stay light.  Larger bathrooms can handle large pictures with dramatic or embellished frames adding to the rich, bold look.

In small bathrooms, minimize clutter.  The top of the vanity should be left bare, with all necessities such as toothpaste, shaving cream and lotions stored underneath.  This provides a clean, open appearance.  Larger bathrooms look beautiful when decorated with color coordinated candles and plenty of plants.  Candles also help make the room smell wonderful!

Whether your bath is small or large, consider stenciling patterns on the walls, or use a feather duster to create softly edged abstract patterns.  Just remember to keep paint colors light in the small bath.

Don’t ignore your bath!  It is one of the most frequented rooms of your home, and visitors are impressed when you take the time to make this room comfortable and stylish.  Put these tips and ideas to work for you, and your bathroom will be anything but average and dull!

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Jun 22 2010

Transforms an Ordinary Bathroom into a Sleek, Chic Space

Published by Leon under Bathrooms

To be honest, the bathroom is one room that many home owners pay very little attention to with regards to design and décor.  This room is used for very limited reasons; however it could be used for so much more!  Relaxing and unwinding after a hard day’s work is something that many people fail to do, and the tub is the perfect place to do it.

If the décor were a bit more dramatic, maybe people would use this room as more of a sanctuary when they want to get away from it all.  This article explains how to transform the look of your bathroom, and make it an area of the house you will actually enjoy utilizing!

Start Out Slow
Until you decide if you want to incorporate black and white into your bathroom, start out with something simple to give you a taste of the look.  A stark white wall adorned with a simple black and white print framed in solid black will give you an idea of what to expect.  This décor is not for everyone, but if you love bold and dramatic it should suit you perfectly.

How Color Affects Your Mood
Different colors are proven to affect mood.  With black and white, black radiates excitement and sophistication, while white represents tranquility.  In this way, you can see that the two colors are a sort of blend of opposites, which makes for some very exciting decorating!

The Floor is Essential to the Overall Look
Many people ignore floors when it comes to decorating their home.  In any room, the flooring and rugs can completely transform the look of the room!  When considering the black and white bathroom, think about bold designs.  Tile or marble flooring is great in the bathroom to begin with, and a mixture of black and white tiles makes a dramatic impact on the look of the room.  The look is bold and exciting, yet refined and tranquil at the same time.  If you currently have a snow-white floor in your bathroom, jazz it up with a jet black rug!

Include Great Accessories
The ‘accessories’ are the jewelry of any room.  In the bath, the window and shower curtains can help pull the look together and make it complete.  Choose a bold geometric or abstract pattern that incorporates black, white and gray if you like.  Add a dramatic mirror over the vanity edged in black or silver.  Decorate a large wall with an intricately patterned mural or tapestry.

To update the look of your cabinets, give them a coat of paint in either black or white.  Finish off with a high gloss coat of polyurethane, and add knobs in the contrasting color.  Can you picture in your mind how fantastic this bathroom is going to look?  One thing is for certain – it will never be called plain or dull again.

Make your bathroom a sanctuary where you can relax and unwind after a long, stressful day.  Fill the tub with scented bath oil, bubbles or whatever you like.  Light a few candles, enjoy a glass of wine, and totally love your surroundings.

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Jun 15 2010

Making Your Small Bathroom Look and Feel Spacious

Published by Leon under Bathrooms

Do you have one of those bathrooms that feel so small you can barely turn around? There are several things you can do to make the room look more spacious, and actually make it feel less cramped at the same time. This article will give you some tips and ideas to help you turn your tiny bathroom into a room that you will actually enjoy!

Color, lighting and a few other tricks can actually transform your bathroom without adding to the square footage. Whether you want a bath that looks cozy and inviting or elegant, it can be accomplished with a few little changes.

Pale Colors Open Up a Room

This isn’t to say that you have to paint your bathroom white, but light, pastel colors visually open up the spaces. You might consider a lighter colored floor if yours is dark. Paint the walls soft shades of peach, cream or any other light color. Save the bold colors for smaller accents such as towel holders or in artwork for the walls. The top of your vanity, as well as the doors underneath, should be light colored. For wooden cabinet doors, this can be easily achieved with a little paint. If you use towels as décor, choose light shades that complement the rest of the room.

Bring More Light In

Adding light to the area visually brightens and opens up any room. In a bath, you can consider wall sconces for additional lighting, as well as recessed lighting in the ceiling or a small lamp for the vanity. If your budget allows, consider a skylight to allow natural light to brighten up the room.

If It Takes Up Space, Take It Out!

Many people have extra shelving in their bathrooms to hold towels, cotton balls and other vanity items. Anything that protrudes into the room is detracting from a spacious, open look. Take shelving and other storage units out of the room; you can store these items under your vanity, or in a linen closet elsewhere. You will be amazed how airy the room looks when you remove the clutter.

Expand With Mirrors

It has long been known that mirrors reflect light, and make any room look much larger. In the bath, you might want to consider replacing the mirror over your vanity with a larger one that will reflect the color and design of the bathroom. One over-sized mirror will work great, or if you prefer you may use several arranged artistically to add interest and reflect light. If space allows, you may want to use another mirror on a separate wall to further expand the boundaries.

In any room, clutter looks messy and visually diminishes the size. The same holds true in the bathroom! The less clutter, the cleaner and more streamlined the room will look. Toothpaste, shaving cream, deodorant, lotions and other small items should be stored away and not left to take up space on the vanity. Put these tips to work for you, and your bath will look and feel as though it has doubled in size!

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Apr 27 2010

Transform Your Bath Into An Exquisite, Relaxing Sanctuary

Is your bathroom no more than a room where you shower or bathe? Do you not give much thought to its appearance or how it can really be used? Why not think of it instead as your own little private sanctuary—a place to escape to! What’s better after a hard day’s work than to relax the stress away and rejuvenate your spirits?

There aren’t many places in your home where you can actually escape the rest of the family. Often your young children follow along right on your heels and it’s difficult to get time to yourself. Everyone needs and deserves a little time now and then to unwind. Your bathroom provides the perfect spot to do this, but for it to be relaxing, you need to create the right atmosphere.

Get Rid of That Cold, Sterile Look
Sometimes bathrooms end up looking like, well, no more than just a bathroom. Is it decorated with nothing more than stainless-steel towel racks and toilet-paper holders—the works? Is everything in the room pretty basic and straightforward, with nothing too fancy? If this is the case, then here’s where you need to start.

The first step is to soften the look. This can be done by adding wrought-iron towel racks or white or pastel-colored wood. Lavender, sea foam, or another soft, relaxing shade is perfect for the walls. In terms of flooring, two great options are carpet and colorful ceramic tiles. If your linoleum is plain-looking and hardly noticeable, definitely consider updating your floors.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Look at your large bathroom mirror—does it look a little stark? Does your mirror just hang there with nothing around it? Then perhaps it’s time to make a change. As an alternative, hang a mirror trimmed with gold edges or place wallpaper border around it. Choose a border that contrasts with color of the walls. Another option is to completely change the shape. An oval mirror, for instance, adds a romantic touch.

Decorate the Tub
Spruce up that tub, especially if you’re lucky enough to have a garden tub or one with wide edges. For starters, set greenery around the edges. You can make the tub look really inviting with small ceramic pots filled with herbs and greenery. Include some votive candles in the arrangement, and you are ready to soak in a bubble-filled tubs, letting the delicious scents of the candles float your worries away. There’s nothing quite like filling the tub, lighting a few candles, and bathing in a warm candlelight glow.

Accents Pull It All Together
Pull your new bathroom together by adding a few accents. For the perfect touch, consider an oblong or square basket to hold a few bath towels. If you have room, add a small table, painting it a contrasting color and decorating it with stenciled flowers and greenery around the edges. Add some clear glass containers to hold cotton balls, Q-tips, and other items. If you have any attractive body splash and lotion bottles, you might display them as well. Of course, there’s always room for more plants and more candles. Just make the room your own.

It’s so much more relaxing to bathe in a room that’s both exquisitely beautiful and wonderfully smelling. Then there’s no need to jump in and out of the tub. Instead, you can to relax, unwind, and enjoy yourself. By taking along your favorite book or magazine and a glass of wine, you can make it the most peaceful part of your day! Who said bathroom décor needs to be boring?

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Feb 23 2010

Decorating Your Bathroom in an Ocean Theme

One popular theme for a bathroom is an ocean theme. With some ocean-themed décor items, you can give your bathroom a unique ocean look so that every time you set foot in the room, you feel like you’re at the beach. If you’re looking to create a wonderful ocean theme for your bathroom, then use your creativity and follow these tips.

Paint the Bathroom with Colors from the Ocean
You can quickly transform your bedroom into an ocean retreat by painting it blue, green, tan, and cream: the colors of the ocean. You can add a unique twist to the theme by painting one wall an accent color like turquoise and the other walls cream. Add more color to the room by adding yellow, which will work to highlight the feeling of warm sunlight over the ocean.

If you tend to be really creative, you might paint a mural of an ocean scene on one of the bathroom walls. In this way, you can fill in a large space and also create a great highlight for the area. If the bathroom is right off your bedroom, then it will seem as if you are right on the ocean.

Use Real Ocean Accessories
Use items you would find down at the beach or ocean, rather than buying all your décor items from the store. It’s amazing how things such as shells and sand make such great additions to the room. To add instant ambiance, place a basket of shells or bottles of sand on the shelf.

Hang an Ocean-Themed Shower Curtain
One of the first things people see when they walk into a bathroom is the shower curtain. Hang an ocean-themed shower curtain for all to see. In this way, you can really play up the shower area. You might choose one with a beautiful ocean or beach scene, or go with a more playful look, perhaps with pictures of fish. Decide whether you’re trying to create an ocean retreat or a fun beach theme, and choose your curtain accordingly.

Look for Themed Accessories to Complete the Look
There should be no problem finding bathroom accessories that fit in with the décor, as ocean themes are popular these days. There should be lots of soap dishes, bath mats, wastebaskets, and even towels that are ocean-themed. Tailor the accessories to fit the theme. For instance, if you’re creating a fun bathroom décor, then choose something like a fish-shaped soap dish. But if you’re going for a serious ocean retreat, then try something like shell-shaped soaps displayed in a blue soap dish.

You can use an ocean theme for a master bathroom, as easily as you can use it for a child’s bathroom. You can follow many different variations on this theme, everything from lighthouses, to sand sculptures, to fish. Have fun with this theme, and be sure to include your own personality when designing the style.

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Jan 27 2010

Great Tips for Decorating a Kid’s Bathroom

When decorating a kid’s bathroom, it’s easy to get carried away. But you do need to be sure that the room is functional as well as fun. You don’t need to undertake a big remodeling project to create a perfect bathroom for a kid. Often, all that’s needed in a great decorating plan that makes sense. When it’s time to decorate a kid’s bathroom, keep in mind the following tips.

Get Your Kid Involved in the Decorating
By giving your child a say in decorating a room, you make it much more likely that he or she will use that room and keep it clean and organized. When it comes to choosing colors and a scheme for the bathroom, consider your child’s opinion (if he or she is old enough). See if your child would be interested in helping you paint or making art projects to hang on the walls. They will be much more enthusiastic about the bathroom if they are involved in any aspect of the decorating.

Always Remember Safety First When Decorating
When designing your child’s bathroom, it’s important to keep issues of safety in mind at all times. It’s so easy to get caught up in planning and implementing the design, and then realize belatedly that you’ve created a safety hazard. This is particularly important for younger kids and toddlers. If there are younger children in the home, remember to add things like a non-slip tub mat and safety latch for the toilet. It’s also a good idea to add safety locks to the cabinets to keep medications out of the reach of little hands.

Be Sure to Add Plenty of Storage and Organization Space
If you want your kid’s bathroom to stay clean, then you need to provide a designated space for everything in the room. By providing your kids with plenty of storage and organization space, you will make it more likely that they’ll clean up than if they don’t have a place to put their stuff. Place smaller bins and baskets in the cabinets and drawers to help organize them. Also keep in mind that your storage and organizational spaces can be decorative ones as well.

Add Style or a Theme with Small Touches
Kids grow up so fast. It’s therefore often smarter to decorate the room in a neutral manner, keeping the walls and flooring plain. You can then add stylish flair to the room with smaller décor items. After all, wallpaper borders and shower curtains can easily be changed later on. Other smaller décor items that will add instant style are towels, baskets, and artwork.

Get Creative with the Decorating
Remember that this is a kid’s bathroom—not your dining room or living room. Therefore, you can get creative—even go a little crazy—with the décor. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone when decorating this room. It doesn’t need to match the style of the rest of your décor, particularly since the only people who will probably see it are you and your kids.

Both parents and kids can have a lot of fun decorating a kid’s bathroom. By keeping these tips in mind, you can be well on your way to creating a great kid’s bathroom.

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Nov 20 2009

How to Create Your Own Spa Bathroom on a Budget

Spa BathroomMost people would love to have a spa bathroom right in their home. A spa bathroom makes a great addition to any home; it can also be quite expensive to install. Completely renovating your bathroom to resemble the local spa is going to cost you. Fortunately, there are some affordable tricks you can do to create a spa-like bathroom on a budget.

Install the Right Lighting
When it comes to the bathroom, lighting plays a major role. After all, adequate lighting is necessary for such things as putting on makeup or brushing and flossing your teeth. At the same time, for a spa atmosphere, you don’t want light that is too bright disturbing you. To create a lighting compromise, install a dimmer switch for your bathroom lighting. This way, you can have full light for everyday tasks but also dimmed lighting to set the mood when you are relaxing in the tub.

Keep Things Clean and Organized
If your spa bathroom is a mess and nothing is organized, you are not going to be able to relax. First, be sure that you have a spot for everything in the bathroom. You might add baskets and bins to the shelves and cabinets, which will help keep things organized. If you like, make your organization stylish by adding wicker baskets and painted shelves to the room.

Add the Right Accessories
Accessories don’t have to cost a lot, and they can make all the difference in a décor.

  • An easy way to create a spa ambiance is by adding candles around the bathtub and the rest of the bathroom.
  • Other things such as flower arrangements and air fresheners are also great additions.
  • Install a radio or CD/MP3 player in the bathtub or place one on a shelf nearby for some soothing and relaxing music.
  • A luxurious bath mat near the tub will keep your feet from hitting the cold tile after a bath.
  • A water feature, such as a small fountain, can also set a relaxing mood for a spa bathroom.
  • Surround that small fountain with a few small plants to create your very own oasis in your bathroom.

Choose Peaceful Colors for the Room
Neutrals and pastels are the best color options for a spa bathroom, especially for the main wall colors. Don’t pick anything too loud or vibrant, such as red or bright yellow, for the walls and décor. Remember, you’re trying to create a peaceful feeling that will best come from lighter colors and neutrals.

Peaceful doesn’t necessarily mean boring, however. You can add splashes of color with towels, candles, flowers, and other décor items. Paint is very inexpensive. By simply painting over a dark or vibrant color with a neutral or pastel, you can easily change the entire look and feel of the room.

When creating a spa bathroom in your home, you don’t have to spend as much money as you think. When you apply a little creativity and work with what you already have in the room, you’ll find that there are plenty of ways that you can create a spa feeling in your bathroom without breaking your budget.

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Nov 13 2009

4 Tips for Creating a Child’s Bathroom

Kid's BathroomMost bathrooms are designed for adults. But if you have a kids’ bathroom in your home, you might have to adjust your focus when it comes to decorating. It’s not that difficult to create a bathroom perfect for a child, particularly if you remember who you are decorating for and address any problems your children may have with your ideas.

Accessibility Is Key
If you are creating a bathroom for your child, it’s important to make sure that your child will actually be able to use the bathroom by himself. There are many different ways by which you can make the room more accessible, especially for those younger children. Simple things like a kid-friendly faucet or cabinet pulls can instantly create a more accessible bathroom for your child. Place a stepstool in the bathroom if your child can’t reach the sink by himself, or consider lowering the height of the counter and sink.

Make the Bathroom Safe
A bathroom can actually be a pretty dangerous place for a child. If you want peace of mind when your child goes to do things by herself in her own bathroom, it’s a good idea to make the room as safe as possible.

  • If there’s a shower, be sure to install non-slip adhesive decals or a mat for your child.
  • Place a cover over the faucet and bathtub spout that will control the temperature of the water and prevent scalding.
  • Don’t place items up high that your child will have to climb to reach.
  • Don’t place toothbrushes and other items above the toilet or sink; put them down lower in a cabinet.

Add Plenty of Storage
A child can accumulate a lot of items in one bathroom. The key to getting your child to keep the bathroom neat is to have plenty of organized storage in the room. As with anywhere, if children have a specific place to put something away, then they will be more likely to do so. Use plastic baskets and bins for larger items and then drawer organizers and bins for smaller ones. A separate bucket for tub toys is also a great idea, so they’re not all over the bathtub.

Sharing Is Possible in a Child’s Bathroom
Don’t worry if more than one child will need to share the bathroom. You can avoid a lot of problems by keeping things organized and labeled. For instance, give each child his or her own basket or bin on its own shelf, which will prevent confusion over whose item is whose. If you have a larger bathroom, you might want to even consider installing a double sink in the room, which will prevent fights when everybody is getting ready. Ask each child for design ideas. This way everyone will feel like they’ve had a say in the bathroom’s décor.

You’ll be surprised how fun it is to design a child’s bathroom, particularly when you get your child involved in the process. This is a great project that you and your child can plan and create together, resulting in a special bathroom specifically designed for your child.

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