Why You Should Use Bath Rugs In Your Bathroom

Your bathroom is not only a functional room, it's also a place where we spend a great deal of time creating a relaxing in an atmosphere we've create why we soak in the bubbles or have a long relaxing shower to unwind from our busy day. Candles, decor, and flooring all play an important role in creating the atmosphere. Here's why you should use bath rugs in your bathroom.

Change the color

If you are tired of the look of your bathroom and you want to give it a make over you can use bath rugs to help. If your walls are a neutral color your job is easy. Choose bath rugs that fit your new color scheme, buy some complimenting towels and accessories and in under $150.00 your bathroom will have an entire new look. You can even find full sets in your local department stores that come with everything to complete your whole bathroom.

Make your bathroom cozy

Most bathrooms have either linoleum or a tile floor which can look very good but is can be cold to the feet. A bit of a shock after crawling out of the tub or shower. Bath rugs can be strategically placed in front of the tub or shower and compliment the existing flooring while providing a warm and soft place for your feet.

Change the look

Modernize your bathroom or turn it into an antique haven. You can do a total character change. Choose rugs that a fun and funky or traditional Victorian for your room. Make a few other small changes to your decor and for under a $180.00 your bathroom can have a total makeover. Excluding the purchasing of a claw foot tub or jet spray tub.

Make a safer floor

Bathroom floors can be slippery when they get wet. Bath rugs can give you a level of safety when stepping out of the tub or shower while at the same time playing an important role in your room decor.

A Spa At Home

Calgon take me away. We've all seen those commercials where a woman is relaxing in her spa tub while the worries of the day disappear. Why not transform your bathroom into a luxurious spa where you can get away from it all. Imagine that deep plush pile bath rug in a rich jewel color, scented candles burning, lights dimmed, soft music playing while you soak away your days worries in your favorite scent. Under $75.00 and your room will be made over.

Fun for the kids

Is getting the kids to brush their teeth, wash up, or have a bath a chore. Are they constantly fighting you because there are other things they'd rather do? Then make your kid' bathroom a fun place to visit. Decorate with bath rugs from their favorite characters, add a matching shower curtain, some toothbrushes, and cups. You can even buy soaps that follow the theme. The only fight you'll have on your hands now is who gets the bathroom first. Under $75.00 and you'll have a kid friendly bathroom.

The most important thing to remember when choosing a bath rug is that your bathroom deserves the same attention you would give to any other room in your home. Start by deciding what you want to accomplish in your bathroom, then choose colors and go shopping for the right bath rug.

Think outside the box, try not to choose those traditional bathroom rugs everyone sell. Rather try something different like a braided rug, a Sisal rug, or an oriental rug.

Of course there are few things that are important to keeping bath rugs sanitized and looking fresh and new. Be sure to wash them regularly and don't choose rugs are susceptible to mold or mildew because of the high moisture content in a bathroom. Make sure the rug you choose has dyes that are firmly set. A rubber backing is great to prevent rotting and slippage. But remember a rubber backing will be ruined by the dryer so you'll need to hang to dry. If the rug does not have a rubber backing you can easily attach a piece and the benefit is it can be removed when you wash it.

Bath rugs are an affordable method of giving your entire bathroom a face lift. Just add some accessories and everyone will think you've been working really hard!

About The Author
John Murray makes it easy to go through the carpet buying process and provides tips to keep your carpet lasting long. To learn more and receive your free mini-course visit: http://www.carpets-guide.com.

Remodeling a Bathroom

So you've decided that it's time to update your bathroom. Whether you're planning to sell your home or you've simply decided your family needs a more updated space, there are a few important decisions you should make before you start.

First of all, consider what needs to go (no pun intended). Are you remodeling because all of the fixtures- tub, shower, toilet and sink- are outdated? Or is there a specific area of the bathroom that doesn't work for you? Maybe the floor is outdated or peeling, or the mirrors are in inconvenient places, or you'd like to knock out a closet or install some shelving. Before you start, pin down the exact things about your bathroom that need work. Don't immediately assume you need to overhaul the entire room. You may be able to save yourself big bucks by starting with the problem areas.

If your bathroom seems too small, you might not need to tear out a wall. Maybe you just need a pedestal sink instead of a cabinet one. If you're more than ready to just tear the whole thing up and start from scratch, you'll have to make some decisions about what's going to replace the current fixtures. Take some measurements of your tub, sink and toilet, the replacements you're considering, and the size of the room. Keep in mind that just because you want a claw foot bathtub doesn't mean you should have one- your bathroom may be too small for anything but a tub that fits closely into the wall. Draw some diagrams, and move things around until they seem to fit. But keep in mind that the layout of a bathroom is fairly limited. The water pipes only come out of the walls in certain places, so unless you're planning on tearing up the walls and the plumbing, your toilet and shower will probably stay where they are, even if you replace them with new ones.

Making decisions about what new items to buy should be the easy part. Look into purchasing a low-flow toilet. If you haven't had a new toilet in awhile, you will be amazed at the savings on your water bill once a new, water-saving model is installed. This is also a huge plus to potential buyers, who will love the idea of saving on utilities each month.

Safety in the bathroom is also a consideration. Consider handles around the tub and a non-slip floor covering specifically designed for bathrooms. Many older bathrooms are lacking in safety features, and that's a down side when it comes time to estimate a home's value.

Remodeling your bathroom is going to be a job that requires some forethought. Whether you're doing it to sell the home or for your family, it's best to take space, safety, and convenience into consideration. You spend an awful lot of time going in and out of your bathroom. It might as well be comfortable!

About The Author
Richard Rigor is a real estate agent in Birmingham, Alabama. Visit www.BirminghamRealEstateToday.com to find out your homes value or get a free list of homes for sale that fit your criteria (with prices, addresses, and descriptions).

Aquatic Bath Tubs:- More Than Just a Dip

Bathing is an important part of a decent living. For thousands of years, various cultures and societies have given attention and significance to the experience.

Nothing compares however to the experience of soaking in an aquatic bathtub after a long day. It is a perfect combination of luxury and quality, of leisure bath and healthy water immersion.

What Is an Aquatic Bathtub?

The aquatic bathtub provides for a more relaxing and soothing experience than any ordinary tub out there. It is like having your own spa in the comforts of your home. It is all about hydrotherapy.

What Is Hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy is one method of treating a disease through the use of water. It is deemed to be used by ancient Greek doctors.

This method is more commonly known now as the spa therapy. They are very popular now.

Hydrotherapy or spa treatment can be used to address various problems. The warm water can relax spasm, very useful in alleviating sprains, muscle sprains, fatigue and backache.

Sitting in hot water alone, or a sitz bath, is effective in treating swollen hemorrhoids.

Physiotherapy is another area that makes use of water. The buoyancy of water allows an ailing limb or strained muscle to be moved or exercised, as there is less pull of gravity when immersed in a tub of water.

What Is a Whirlpool Bath?

Whirlpool is a special feature in most bathtubs to have an effective hydrotherapy experience. It is water spinning in a circular motion around a central area.

Heat is used together with this whirlpool bath, to effect a stimulating treatment or massage in an aquatic bath.

Additional Features to Consider

In deciding over an aquatic bathtub, there are hundreds of selections to choose from, with more than 1,500 distributors worldwide. There are premium designs that come with many luxurious features. There are the economical ones that will provide the basic needs of a spa treatment.

1. Two-Person Bathtub

A roomy bathtub will definitely spell comfort. Spacious bathing will dispense with unnecessary adjustments.

2. Support Features

Seek an aquatic bathtub that has raised seats, arm rests and lumbar support. These features should be secured to enjoy a long soak.

3. Neck Pillows

Neck jet pillows and shiatsu back jet system are some of the most sought-after features. Hydrotherapy jets are installed to provide also the ultimate massage experience.

4. Lighting

Chromatherapy lighting will add more than to the aesthetics. This is a desirable bonus to the hydrotherapeutic experience.

5. Continuous Waterfall

This adds to a peaceful ambience as one rests in a relaxing bath. The sound makes the bathing the ultimate calming experience.

6. Remote Control

Since this bath is about relaxation, some manufacturers have already provided for floating remote control. Any features of the aquatic tub can be turned off and on without having to move from the relaxed stature.

The selection provides a wide range of style and sizes. The features are made even more user-friendly now. Anyone can configure the features to focus on a specific area of discomfort.

With these features to watch out for, getting an aquatic bathtub is really a must. It is like having a hot spring in the confines of the household. Anyone can take a dip, any time of the day.

Just do not miss out on the aquatic bathtub experience. Whatever it is that may be discerned by the budget and by the desires, make sure to get one. Get a quality one, in keeping with the true hydrotherapy purpose of getting more than just a dip.

About The Author
Claire Bowes is a successful Webmaster and publisher of bath tubs & bathing. Claire provides more information on her site about Aquatic Bath Tubs that you can research at home.
cbowes999@yahoo.com

Major Bathroom Remodeling Guidelines

Although the bathroom, compared to all the other rooms in the home has the smallest area, a "major bathroom remodeling" can be costly; in fact can be compared to renovating a small house.

Upgrading your bathroom appliances as well as knocking down walls are generally the scope of "bathroom remodeling" jobs. You will need important help that will include a designer or architect, an electrician, plumber, carpenter, professional tiler and possibly also a "general contractor" to organize jobs and bring everybody together.

For the superlative bathroom remodeling results, you need to contact a contractor because this won't be a simple do-it-yourself remodeling project.

Benefits of hiring a contractor

The most notable benefit of obtaining the help of a contractor in your major bathroom remodeling project is acquiring "peace of mind" and having to deal with just one person to impart your ideas to or to blame in case something goes wrong.

A reliable contractor carries with him the knowledge and skills to supervise and manage everything in the bathroom remodeling process starting from the tearing-out phase up to the installation of the last plumbing piece.

Your contractor coordinates with the plumber, electrician and any other workers needed in your bathroom remodeling project, obtains all essential permits demanded by your city and organizes work schedules in order that no time is wasted.

Design and planning

A collection of architectural and design plans will help not only you but your bathroom remodeling professionals as well visualize the completed project, although any design ideas and preparations may be helpful.

When contemplating major remodeling on your bathroom, the most essential thing to keep in mind is to consider and look into your "bathroom remodeling" project estimate or figures as well as what you imagine is the most attractive bathroom design for you.

Throughout the your bathroom remodeling course, remember to think and look of the remodeling project from all angles such as functionality, overall design, aesthetic appeal, comfort, materials and colors.

While you may avoid crazy designs generally in other rooms of your house, your bathroom can deal with vibrant patterns and colors and whimsical themes. Furthermore, it can be a meticulous depiction of your homes ambience.

Consult a designer for bathroom design suggestions and ideas, let them know of your design preference so they can give you a sketch or you can examine magazines and cut out designs, ideas and photos that correspond or match with what design you have in mind.

Here are basic questions that you should ask yourself to help you design your bathroom:

• What do you want to accomplish?

• Which do you prefer more, sink or counter space?

• Do you need one more shower compartment?

• Would you like to put in a whirlpool or spa setting?

• Do you need lots of cabinets or just open shelves for storage space?

Establishing a realistic budget for your major bathroom remodeling

When determining your bathroom remodeling budget, bear in mind the bathroom design inspiration and ideas you like as well as if they are expensive.

Remember, it is less expensive when you don't relocate your bathroom's plumbing fixtures, like sinks or toilets, so then when you have a much smaller budget, incorporating your present bathroom plan into your new bathroom design can in fact, be very economical.

Furthermore, the cost of your bathroom remodeling project will greatly depend on your choice of fixtures and quality of bathroom appliances you would like to have. Some bathtubs, fixtures and even tiles could be expensive because of their brand names.

Considering that you can spend hours in your bathroom, taking care of your many hygiene and grooming needs, it is very important that you give thorough consideration on how you want to use your bathroom room.

Today's bathroom is no longer just a place for taking a bath, brushing your teeth, etc. It now can a place where you can relax in the tub, light a candle and read a book and just take pleasure in its calming ambience.

Bathrooms need to be just as functional, good looking and comfortable as the other rooms of your home.

Enjoy the excitement and fun of your bathroom remodeling project and take pleasure in the many years of contentment and gratification offered by your finished bathroom project.

About The Author
The above article was written by Sarah Miller on behalf of a buzzing online Home Improvement community where homeowners easily and painlessly find the right contractor for their home improvement projects and in turn, contractors can find the right Home Improvement Leads! Also check out the http://QuoteCity.com Blog for more related Home Improvement Articles and Ideas.

How to Keep Your Bathroom Looking Showroom Perfect

Those beautiful bathrooms you see in fancy kitchen and bath showroom stores that feature elegant crystal clear glass shower doors, polished fixtures, imported tile and marble always look spotlessly clean. How do they do it?

In your bath at home it's probably a different story. Having unsightly water spots everywhere, like your glass shower doors, walls, fixtures, and mirrors, can leave your bath looking embarrassingly unpresentable all the time.

Well, believe it or not, there is an easy way to keep your bath looking "showroom-perfect" all the time. Best of all, it does not take the employment of a full-time cleaning staff or a huge amount of special effort. The trick is to squeegee the glass shower doors, tile, marble, and mirrors immediately after bathing, while the surfaces and you are still wet. The procedure takes just seconds and helps you avoid a huge cleanup job later. And, secret be known, it's kind of fun ....no kidding!

The only thing you have to remember to do after squeegeeing is to leave the squeegee in the bath so it is handy to reach the next time you need it. I know what you are thinking....isn't leaving an ugly industrial-looking squeegee in the bath kind of like trading one problem for another? No wants to leave an unattractive squeegee in the bath....right? No worry, there is one squeegee which has been specifically designed for the bath and it's a beauty. It is known simply as the Clerét Bath Squeegee. It is very unique in appearance – not the typical t-shape, janitorial-looking squeegees found everywhere – and it almost looks like a statue when stored in the bath because you can stand it on end. Very cool!

Let's talk function: one swipe of the Clerét Bath Squeegee shows why it was awarded the Gold Medal for Design Excellence and selected as Consumer Product Of The Year by the Industrial Designers Society of America. What's really neat about this product is that unlike regular window type squeegees, it has two super-soft wiping blades that work on both flat and textured/contoured surfaces, providing incredible streak-free cleaning. In addition, its clever, compact form allows one to reach difficult corners. And last but not least, it has been ergonomically designed to reduce the strain on the hand and wrist.

So the next time you see one of those fancy bath setups you'll know how they keep everything so clean! AC-0003

About The Author
Al Hansen heads Cleret, Inc., where you can buy the best squeegees for your home, car, boat, and more online. Visit Cleret today at http://www.cleret.com/ to learn more about the squeegees' unique design and to buy a set for yourself or a friend.
cleret@exclusiveconcepts.com

Shower Tray and Shower Enclosure Installation

Making the decision to install an additional shower in your home takes some careful planning and the first consideration is where you plan to install the new shower unit.

If you are not using the existing space where the bath tub presently resides then the location of the new shower must facilitate the plumbing in order to leverage adequate water flow and waste, otherwise the project becomes two folded as new pipes will have to be installed and routed.

Selecting the right shower tray

Depending on available space and budget there are numerous shower enclosure and shower tray options to choose from. Shower trays come in an array of dimensions from square, rectangular and quadrant for corner units with coinciding shower enclosures to ensure conformity in the bathroom. Purchasing a shower tray made from acrylic filled with heavy weight stone cast resin is one of the best choices, since they are durable and quality produced these trays are free from shrinkage and cracking. Their practical design offers a skid resistance base and provides ample standing room when showering.

Water drainage from the shower tray should also be taken into account at the design stage since the shower tray sits at floor level means the waste hole will need to be recessed. To make the installation less labor intensive it is recommended that you either seek the advice of a professional or hire a contractor to install the primary plumbing.

Keeping in mind when it comes to installing the shower tray it is always best to fit the shower tray first before purchasing the shower enclosure since tiles and sealants can alter the size of the shower tray. Furthermore, never comprise value and quality when it comes to sealing the shower tray. It is extremely crucial to use a watertight sealant around the shower tray; improper application of silicone sealant may cause your shower to leak causing extensive water damage in the bathroom. Also, depending where the shower is located, water can seep through the floor, destroying the ceiling to the room situated below the shower unit which could lead to expensive repairs.

Installing the shower enclosure

Once the shower tray has been installed only then should you choose a matching shower enclosure. Today's top trends in shower enclosures are easy to maintain frameless glass designs and since there is no frame there is less chance of lime scale or dirt build up in these styles of enclosures. Prior to selecting the shower enclosure, make sure proper measurements haven been take to allow for the additional height of the shower tray to balance out with ceiling space, this is extremely important especially if your have a low ceiling. Before the actual installation of the shower enclosure, carefully examine it for solid construction, placing the enclosure on the tray only to later find out there may be design flaws in the unit will lead to double duty and frustration. Testing the enclosure for leaks is suggested, according to shower manufacturers, spay bottle testing is one of the best methods to test for leaks. By simply spraying between the glass and the adjoining frames will determine if in fact there are any water leaks, at which time the unit is returned in exchange for a new one, preventive measures prevent additional work.

Written by Shelley Murphy on behalf of www.victoriaplumb.com an online retailer of bathroom furniture, steam showers, shower enclosures, whirlpool spa baths and bath related products serving the United Kingdom.

About The Author
Shelley Murphy of www.trendmx.com brings with her over 10 years of Search Engine Optimization and e-marketing strategies to web based businesses. Holding two BA's in English and Journalism Communications her writing skills have been a great asset for both onsite writing and monthly newsletters publications.

ViVid Bathroom Vanity Lighting The Most Inexpensive Way Of Improving Your Bathrooms Decor

Because the bathroom vanity is used the most in the daytime, allowing natural sunlight will help in saving money on your energy bills. If your bathroom design is built with an outside wall then chances are you have a small window and have natural light already. To add more light you can add a bathroom skylight or a high cluster window. Another way is to enlarge the small side window. Direct sunlight is generally bluish white and the benefits are that the light reflects off surfaces that are in the bathroom. A bathroom design which has indirect sunlight will pick up the colors of the bathroom tiles or bathroom vanity. Although sunlight is great the problem may arise that on glossy or textured surfaces you will get glare. You can control the sunlight and the surface glare problem by several means. Using fixed or movable diffuse panels like window blinds or window coverings on special window shutters will help in reducing the scatter of the direct sunlight. On the outside you can use the benefits of sunshades or awnings that will cut sunlight altogether.

Artificial bathroom vanity lighting

There are twice other basic artificial bathroom lighting sources that your bathroom vanity can use. First there are the incandescent lights. They are small, bright, and generate heat as well. An example would be recessed lighting, surface mount and suspended types. The other is the fluorescent bathroom light fixtures which emit very little heat but look more cumbersome because of the ballast that is needed to run them. Generally bathroom lighting which ever style you use should provide relatively uniform with no shadows lighting over the entire bathroom decor.

Bathroom vanity Lighting Tips.

· Try avoiding glare with exposed light bulbs especially eye level.

· To make a bathroom decor seem larger, use soft even lighting with light color schemes.

· Low bathroom ceilings will do best with a flat light color or the use of recessed lighting fixtures.

· High ceilings give you the choice of using larger suspended bathroom light fixtures that will enhance the room volume.

· Small light sources create a sharp shadow where as the large light sources give more of the diffused shadows.

· The color of the bathroom lighting should flow with the bathroom décor colors and not clash against them.

· Bright lights will stimulate the bathroom whereas soft ones will have a calming effect.

· Using light warm colors will create a cheerful feel whereas the light cool colors are restless.

· Light levels that are low and the use of somber colors will make the bathroom depressing.


About The Author
Daryl plaza is the owner of http://creativebathroom.com a website that is designed with resources and reviews that will help you with ideas for your bathrooms décor

Shower Tray and Shower Enclosure Installation

Making the decision to install an additional shower in your home takes some careful planning and the first consideration is where you plan to install the new shower unit.

If you are not using the existing space where the bath tub presently resides then the location of the new shower must facilitate the plumbing in order to leverage adequate water flow and waste, otherwise the project becomes two folded as new pipes will have to be installed and routed.

Selecting the right shower tray

Depending on available space and budget there are numerous shower enclosure and shower tray options to choose from. Shower trays come in an array of dimensions from square, rectangular and quadrant for corner units with coinciding shower enclosures to ensure conformity in the bathroom. Purchasing a shower tray made from acrylic filled with heavy weight stone cast resin is one of the best choices, since they are durable and quality produced these trays are free from shrinkage and cracking. Their practical design offers a skid resistance base and provides ample standing room when showering.

Water drainage from the shower tray should also be taken into account at the design stage since the shower tray sits at floor level means the waste hole will need to be recessed. To make the installation less labor intensive it is recommended that you either seek the advice of a professional or hire a contractor to install the primary plumbing.

Keeping in mind when it comes to installing the shower tray it is always best to fit the shower tray first before purchasing the shower enclosure since tiles and sealants can alter the size of the shower tray. Furthermore, never comprise value and quality when it comes to sealing the shower tray. It is extremely crucial to use a watertight sealant around the shower tray; improper application of silicone sealant may cause your shower to leak causing extensive water damage in the bathroom. Also, depending where the shower is located, water can seep through the floor, destroying the ceiling to the room situated below the shower unit which could lead to expensive repairs.

Installing the shower enclosure

Once the shower tray has been installed only then should you choose a matching shower enclosure. Today's top trends in shower enclosures are easy to maintain frameless glass designs and since there is no frame there is less chance of lime scale or dirt build up in these styles of enclosures. Prior to selecting the shower enclosure, make sure proper measurements haven been take to allow for the additional height of the shower tray to balance out with ceiling space, this is extremely important especially if your have a low ceiling. Before the actual installation of the shower enclosure, carefully examine it for solid construction, placing the enclosure on the tray only to later find out there may be design flaws in the unit will lead to double duty and frustration. Testing the enclosure for leaks is suggested, according to shower manufacturers, spay bottle testing is one of the best methods to test for leaks. By simply spraying between the glass and the adjoining frames will determine if in fact there are any water leaks, at which time the unit is returned in exchange for a new one, preventive measures prevent additional work.

Written by Shelley Murphy on behalf of www.victoriaplumb.com an online retailer of bathroom furniture, steam showers, shower enclosures, whirlpool spa baths and bath related products serving the United Kingdom.

About The Author
Shelley Murphy of www.trendmx.com brings with her over 10 years of Search Engine Optimization and e-marketing strategies to web based businesses. Holding two BA's in English and Journalism Communications her writing skills have been a great asset for both onsite writing and monthly newsletters publications.

Shower Tray and Shower Enclosure Installation

Making the decision to install an additional shower in your home takes some careful planning and the first consideration is where you plan to install the new shower unit.

If you are not using the existing space where the bath tub presently resides then the location of the new shower must facilitate the plumbing in order to leverage adequate water flow and waste, otherwise the project becomes two folded as new pipes will have to be installed and routed.

Selecting the right shower tray

Depending on available space and budget there are numerous shower enclosure and shower tray options to choose from. Shower trays come in an array of dimensions from square, rectangular and quadrant for corner units with coinciding shower enclosures to ensure conformity in the bathroom. Purchasing a shower tray made from acrylic filled with heavy weight stone cast resin is one of the best choices, since they are durable and quality produced these trays are free from shrinkage and cracking. Their practical design offers a skid resistance base and provides ample standing room when showering.

Water drainage from the shower tray should also be taken into account at the design stage since the shower tray sits at floor level means the waste hole will need to be recessed. To make the installation less labor intensive it is recommended that you either seek the advice of a professional or hire a contractor to install the primary plumbing.

Keeping in mind when it comes to installing the shower tray it is always best to fit the shower tray first before purchasing the shower enclosure since tiles and sealants can alter the size of the shower tray. Furthermore, never comprise value and quality when it comes to sealing the shower tray. It is extremely crucial to use a watertight sealant around the shower tray; improper application of silicone sealant may cause your shower to leak causing extensive water damage in the bathroom. Also, depending where the shower is located, water can seep through the floor, destroying the ceiling to the room situated below the shower unit which could lead to expensive repairs.

Installing the shower enclosure

Once the shower tray has been installed only then should you choose a matching shower enclosure. Today’s top trends in shower enclosures are easy to maintain frameless glass designs and since there is no frame there is less chance of lime scale or dirt build up in these styles of enclosures. Prior to selecting the shower enclosure, make sure proper measurements haven been take to allow for the additional height of the shower tray to balance out with ceiling space, this is extremely important especially if your have a low ceiling. Before the actual installation of the shower enclosure, carefully examine it for solid construction, placing the enclosure on the tray only to later find out there may be design flaws in the unit will lead to double duty and frustration. Testing the enclosure for leaks is suggested, according to shower manufacturers, spay bottle testing is one of the best methods to test for leaks. By simply spraying between the glass and the adjoining frames will determine if in fact there are any water leaks, at which time the unit is returned in exchange for a new one, preventive measures prevent additional work.

Written by Shelley Murphy on behalf of www.victoriaplumb.com an online retailer of bathroom furniture, steam showers, shower enclosures, whirlpool spa baths and bath related products serving the United Kingdom.

About The Author
Shelley Murphy of www.trendmx.com brings with her over 10 years of Search Engine Optimization and e-marketing strategies to web based businesses. Holding two BA’s in English and Journalism Communications her writing skills have been a great asset for both onsite writing and monthly newsletters publications.

Which Bathroom Vanity Is For You?

Planning on remodeling your bathroom? You’ll find out very quickly that one of your major decisions is the selection of a new vanity base and vanity top. Let’s see what the choices are and which one is right for you.

There are two basic types of vanities, built-in and freestanding. Built-in is exactly what the name implies, a vanity base and solid countertop that installs against the wall and is designed to look like part of the structure.

For those who lean toward modern décor, or are remodeling the bathroom in a contemporary home, loft, high-rise condominium or upscale townhouse, a free-standing vanity will definitely appeal to your creativity due to a more unique range of available designs. These vanities also enhance the visual space of smaller bathrooms and powder rooms found in today’s new construction.

Built-In Vanities – The Traditional Experience

The built-in vanity is a two stage process. First you choose the vanity base. Walk into any home remodeling center and you will find rows of stock vanity bases ready to take home, bolt against the wall, drop a vanity top in place and you’re done. There are variations in style, including length, height, number and placement of doors and drawers, but that’s about it. If you have an older, traditional home, this style is most likely your best choice.

Now that you have your vanity base selected, there’s still something missing…the vanity top. Most of the time the vanity top will be made from cultured marble, ceramic or granite, and usually the sink (or basin or vessel, depending on the manufacturer’s description) will be an integral part of the top, forming a one-piece unit that will not leak. In some cases, a vanity top will have a cut-out (or cut-outs in the case of a double vanity) to allow the basin (or basins) to drop in.

Whatever type of vanity top you choose from one of the big box suppliers, the tops that you can take with you are fairly limited and conventional in appearance and configuration. However, those retailers always have a wide selection of vanity tops from various manufacturers that can be custom ordered. Prices are reasonable and you can choose from a wide variety of sink shapes and placement in the top. If you’re re-doing an older house or simply prefer a traditional built-in vanity, this is an excellent way to add a little ‘pop’ to your bathroom while maintaining a traditional appearance.

Another thing to consider, if you’re planning on doing it yourself, is the relative difficulty of connecting the supply lines and drain. When it comes to modern sink and faucet installation, it has gotten simpler for do it yourselfers to make the necessary conections. The problem lies in access to the connecting points. With built-in vanity bases, as well as some of the fine furniture versions and the occasional free-standing ones, you’re going to wind up with your head stuck in a cabinet, trying to thread a nut in a hard to reach area.

Much of the problem with access to these built-ins comes from their name. You cannot move the base or countertop to get to the water lines. Depending on the exact set-up of your bathroom lines, it may not be that much of a problem but other times a complete re-reroute of the water supply line will be necessary to avoid a structural element of the cabinet. In a worst-case scenario, you could end up adding a number of very colorful epithets to your vocabulary as you pull the entire unit out for a mid-project supply line revision. As they say in the army, however, proper planning prevents poor performance.

Freestanding Vanities – From Contemporary to Eclectic

Free-standing vanity bases allow you to be a little more adventurous in design. Unlike built-in vanity bases, they typically come complete with the vanity top. Because of this you get to evaluate the whole look before making a commitment to a particular style. Some free-standing bases look like fine furniture and use tops similar to the built-ins like granite or glass. The holes for the vessel and faucet are pre-drilled and ready for installation.

These vessel bowls are contemporary, artistic and sometimes exotic. They range all the way from tempered glass to antique hammered copper, cultured stone, real stone, and stainless steel. Some of them are designed to mount on top of the flat counter while others sit inside the vanity top with only a few inches of the vessel above the counter surface. In either case many leave exposed the supply lines and drain. If you enjoy being on the cutting edge, these types of vessels or sinks are made to order for you.

Also available are tops integrated with sinks as one piece, usually in interesting ceramic shapes or glass. Other vanities are a flat surface where you can use some of the avant-garde sinks (vessels) by mounting them on top of the solid stone or glass vanity top.

You can find everything from chrome pedestals that stand on the floor to cantilevered wall mounts that support the basin in mid-air. Prefer fine cabinetry? Common wood choices range from wenge (usually painted ultra dark brown, almost black) to oak. Exotic hardwoods become available from time to time such as sapele or zelkova. These rich grains are highly prized by custom furniture makers. It’s even possible to find a free-standing vanity that looks and functions exactly like an antique chest of drawers.

Freestanding vanities eliminate the installation problems mentioned above because the open designs are easily accessible. The drain hardware is also designed to stay out in the open. P-trap drains, in particular, are very modern in design so you don’t mind them being in plain view.

Odds and Ends – Build it Yourself

There is a third vanity alternative that deserves a brief mention. Namely, custom building a vanity base from scratch. This option provides the ultimate in flexibility (and is sometimes your only choice if you have an oddly shaped space) by allowing you to build from any kind of exotic hardwood. Think long and hard before taking this route, however, because it often takes an experienced woodworker with an ability to visualize in three-dimensions to make such a project successful.

Conclusion

An old adage in woodworking says to measure twice and cut once. When choosing a new vanity, take the time to browse the home remodeling stores to see the common offerings and search the internet if you are looking for something more expressive In other words, research much, choose once. Do that and you will wind up with a new bathroom to be proud of.

Steven Pollack is the owner of Bath Plus, an importer of exotic hardwood contemporary vanities. This line can be found at www.BathGems.com

About The Author
Steven Pollack is the owner of Bath Plus, an importer of exotic hardwood contemporary vanities. This line can be found at www.BathGems.com.

Strike a Balance with Bathroom and Kitchen Taps

The finishing touches to your bathroom or kitchen renovation project is the selection of your tap and should be given the same consideration when purchasing other bathroom furniture. Since mixer taps now come in a wide variety of styles and finishes to incorporate the latest in technology, choosing the right taps either for the bath, shower, kitchen or basin mixer taps can add charisma to any room. Whether you are trying to achieve an ultra modern or a traditional look choosing a design that is relevant to your taste and will be significant to the rest of room creates both harmony and balance.

A Modern or Traditional Tap

What defines beauty and elegance in today’s selection of bathroom and kitchen mixer taps are the ultra modern sleek architectural designs. From curvaceous to modular geometric styles or the combination of both in brilliant chrome finishes can create a statement of authenticity and enhance the atmosphere and mood of your design. The array of choices out in the marketplace can be somewhat baffling, ranging from revolutionary and ornate Laser bathroom basin taps in tubular designs that are triggered by touch for a distinctive contemporary appeal. Traditional cross head taps have been have been brought up-to-date into the 21st century with a more angular construction and is the perfect accent to adorn any basin or bath, whatever your design needs are always go with a style that is pleasing to you and fits into the existing design of your room.

Looking for a tap that is both practical and functional also plays a role in the selection process, mixer taps are the ideal solution for the bathroom or kitchen available in single or dual lever controls providing a consistent water temperature and flow. Subtle and elegant traditional bath and shower mixers are a distinguished way in trying to emulate a bygone era, with ceramic accents these types of mixer taps are a favored choice for making a design statement.

Designer Taps

While the scope of kitchen remodeling is on a much grander scale, choosing the right style of tap should be of the same deliberation as in the bathroom. If the kitchen incorporates stainless steel appliances and other modern furnishings a traditional style tap would create an unbalanced look. Opting to go for a trendy minimalist mixer tap design would be more preferable for a complete modern ambiance. On the other hand if your kitchen has a country rustic appearance, traditional styles such as the Dual-Flow High Bridge sink mixer tap or Bib Tap style that can add a genuine touch of charm in a traditional setting.

With stainless steel kitchen sinks still leading the way in popularity and versatility, there is a broad range of complementary taps in metallic and colored finishes to co-ordinate with your design motif and to co-inside with your kitchen accessories. Deciding whether you want a dual-flow tap which provides independent hot and cold water flow or a single lever taps which combines hot and cold water temperatures with one adjustment at the initial design stage will help ease and narrow the selection process as well as avoiding costly mistakes.

Written by Shelley Murphy on behalf of www.victoriaplumb.com an online retailer of bathroom furniture, steam showers, shower enclosures, whirlpool spa baths and bath related products serving the United Kingdom.

About The Author
Shelley Murphy of www.trendmx.com brings with her over 10 years of Search Engine Optimization and e-marketing strategies to web based businesses. Holding two BA’s in English and Journalism Communications her writing skills have been a great asset for both onsite writing and monthly newsletters publications.