Designing A Bathroom
If you really want to drive up the price of your home, nothing works better than remodelling your bathroom. A survey carried out by the UK Estate Agents Coalition has found that renovating your bathroom can give up to an 80% return on your investment. In these challenging economic times, it is good to know there are still ways to increase the equity on your property. How much you decide to change your bathroom depends entirely on your budget for the project. But it should be noted that even a partial remodelling can drastically increase the price of your property.
If you are working on a tight budget do not despair, as many of the solutions discussed here can be implemented for a few hundred pounds. As long as you are willing to put the effort in, you will be able to achieve the desired results. To get more information on bathroom solutions for those on a tight budget, visit the cheapest bathroom suppliers Northern Ireland has to offer.
Project Planning
Careful planning is of the utmost importance if you are to achieve the perfect bathroom installation. Deciding on a style for your bathroom is paramount in this process and all design elements will be based on this initial style choice. Try and choose a style that fits in with the general style of your house. Fitting a modern bathroom in a traditional farmhouse would not look right, as it would not be in keeping with the style of the house.
Achieving the perfect balance of style in your house will lead to a bathroom design that complements the other rooms in the house. If your home is already a mix of styles, then you need not worry too much about this but try to match in the style of the adjacent rooms. Assign a large allocation of your time to the planning of the project, as this will save a lot of time further down the line.
Colour and Lighting
Once you have decided on a bathroom design, you then need to decide on a colour scheme that complements the design. Neutral colours work best with small tightly confined spaces, as this creates the illusion of space. If your bathroom is relatively large, you may want to opt for a more prominent colour. Painting the walls of your bathroom a different colour is a really inexpensive way of breathing new life into your bathroom and giving it a quick facelift.
In regards to lighting your bathroom, always find ways of harnessing natural light were possible. Windows and skylights are an obvious source of natural light but where this is not possible, light pipes can be a good alternative. Changing the light fixtures in your bathroom, can give the desired effect and again this is a relatively low-cost way to remodel your bathroom. It is always best to get advice from lighting specialists at your local hardware store, as choosing the correct lighting solution may prove fruitless otherwise.
Undertaking A Complete Remodel
When we talk about a complete remodelling of a bathroom, we mean that the bath, toilet and vanity units are replaced. If you are undertaking such a job, you will be able to create a bathroom in your own vision without having to worry about existing features. In a complete remodel, it is often good practise to remove any tired old fixtures and replace them with new fixtures that blend well with the new bathroom style. You may not need to replace all fixtures but replacing some of them will still give the desired effect. Speak to a design consultant from your local DIY store, if you are short on ideas or if you just want some advice on the latest features. With a complete remodel, you have a blank canvas with which to apply your design to, so make the most of it.
Bathroom Accessories
Once you have completed this stage of the bathroom design and installation process, it is time to accessorise your bathroom. Do not be tempted to be over elaborate with your choice of accessories, as you do not want anything that draws attention away from the underlying bathroom. In this context, less is definitely more as the last thing you want is an over cluttered bathroom. It is good practise to purchase a few expensive well thought-out accessories rather than splurging your money on dozens of trinkets.
Assess Your Work So Far
Once you have completed your work, it is always a good idea to stand back and take a look at the finished project. As there may be a few design flaws that you can still iron out. For example if you look into the bathroom and all you can see is the toilet, it might be a good idea to pay a plumber to relocate this. Alternatively, you could build a half-wall and tile it, thus disguising the area when you initially look into the room. When you stir directly into your bathroom, you will want to see a fresh uncluttered space. If you have achieved this, then you will know you have carried out a great job.
If you are working on a tight budget do not despair, as many of the solutions discussed here can be implemented for a few hundred pounds. As long as you are willing to put the effort in, you will be able to achieve the desired results. To get more information on bathroom solutions for those on a tight budget, visit the cheapest bathroom suppliers Northern Ireland has to offer.
Project Planning
Careful planning is of the utmost importance if you are to achieve the perfect bathroom installation. Deciding on a style for your bathroom is paramount in this process and all design elements will be based on this initial style choice. Try and choose a style that fits in with the general style of your house. Fitting a modern bathroom in a traditional farmhouse would not look right, as it would not be in keeping with the style of the house.
Achieving the perfect balance of style in your house will lead to a bathroom design that complements the other rooms in the house. If your home is already a mix of styles, then you need not worry too much about this but try to match in the style of the adjacent rooms. Assign a large allocation of your time to the planning of the project, as this will save a lot of time further down the line.
Colour and Lighting
Once you have decided on a bathroom design, you then need to decide on a colour scheme that complements the design. Neutral colours work best with small tightly confined spaces, as this creates the illusion of space. If your bathroom is relatively large, you may want to opt for a more prominent colour. Painting the walls of your bathroom a different colour is a really inexpensive way of breathing new life into your bathroom and giving it a quick facelift.
In regards to lighting your bathroom, always find ways of harnessing natural light were possible. Windows and skylights are an obvious source of natural light but where this is not possible, light pipes can be a good alternative. Changing the light fixtures in your bathroom, can give the desired effect and again this is a relatively low-cost way to remodel your bathroom. It is always best to get advice from lighting specialists at your local hardware store, as choosing the correct lighting solution may prove fruitless otherwise.
Undertaking A Complete Remodel
When we talk about a complete remodelling of a bathroom, we mean that the bath, toilet and vanity units are replaced. If you are undertaking such a job, you will be able to create a bathroom in your own vision without having to worry about existing features. In a complete remodel, it is often good practise to remove any tired old fixtures and replace them with new fixtures that blend well with the new bathroom style. You may not need to replace all fixtures but replacing some of them will still give the desired effect. Speak to a design consultant from your local DIY store, if you are short on ideas or if you just want some advice on the latest features. With a complete remodel, you have a blank canvas with which to apply your design to, so make the most of it.
Bathroom Accessories
Once you have completed this stage of the bathroom design and installation process, it is time to accessorise your bathroom. Do not be tempted to be over elaborate with your choice of accessories, as you do not want anything that draws attention away from the underlying bathroom. In this context, less is definitely more as the last thing you want is an over cluttered bathroom. It is good practise to purchase a few expensive well thought-out accessories rather than splurging your money on dozens of trinkets.
Assess Your Work So Far
Once you have completed your work, it is always a good idea to stand back and take a look at the finished project. As there may be a few design flaws that you can still iron out. For example if you look into the bathroom and all you can see is the toilet, it might be a good idea to pay a plumber to relocate this. Alternatively, you could build a half-wall and tile it, thus disguising the area when you initially look into the room. When you stir directly into your bathroom, you will want to see a fresh uncluttered space. If you have achieved this, then you will know you have carried out a great job.
Something Different For Your Shower
Even though the act of having a bath can be relaxing and exhilarating, when it comes to day to day washing the shower is the only place to be. A shower needs to be practical and comfortable but it should also be a stunning feature of your bathroom. Your shower should be the centre piece of your bathroom and a significant amount of your budget should be directed towards this fixture. Gone are the days when a shower unit was hidden behind a tired looking curtain. Nowadays your shower is something to be proud of and it should be on display for the world to see. It is important that your shower is aesthetically pleasing in every way and in this article I will outline a number of ideas to help you achieve this.
With any bathroom fixture it is important to take safety precautions, not only when fitting but also for its eventual use. Many products available on the market today, have a temperature safety gauge that will stop the temperature exceeding a pre-set temperature. This is especially useful when you are fitting a thermostatic shower, as the temperature can reach high levels in a very short period of time. When choosing the shower unit less is definitely more and most people choose a minimalist design for this. The last thing you want is a monstrosity or eye soar that does not compliment the aesthetics of the room but actually hinders it. There are also practical elements to look at in terms of the people who are actually going to be using the shower. Elderly people may opt for a shower head with a sliding rail, as this will allow for better manoeuvrability in the shower enclosure.
If you are going for a modern look to your shower, then it may be a good idea to fit a shower unit with harsh square edges. A cloudburst or a square fixed head shower will give an elegant yet modern look to your shower. These items can be expensive but really do a lot for the final look of your room and in time you will find that it is money well spent. For a traditional shower you should use a thermostatic shower or a masked electrical shower, as there is nothing worse than a large plastic shower unit in a traditional styled bathroom. Why not freshen up the look of your bathroom with some spot lights or integrated lighting features. Coloured lights that are left on when the bathroom is not in
use can give a tranquil effect to the room. There are a lot of options available to you when fitting a bathroom, so it is important to take into account every element that will encompass your bathroom.
Interior Design Best Methods
Taking on any interior design project can be a daunting prospect and without proper planning the project may be disastrous. It has often been quoted that those who fail to plan are also planning to fail. I will outline here some of the scenarios to avoid if possible:
1. Before starting any DIY job, you must draw a scaled floor plan on graph paper, as this is the easiest way to gauge where the items are too be installed.
2. Next, create some scale card cut-outs of the cabinets, bathtub, toilet, wash basin etc.
3. Using your graph paper floor plan and your cardboard cut-outs, arrange them around the room so you can see where they will fit. This will show you without a doubt where the units will fit and where they won’t.
4. Once you have completed this, the next step is to decide on a colour scheme for the room. Go to your local DIY depot and obtain some colour charts or some tester samples if possible. Study these charts carefully and use as much of the sample paint as possible. You do not want to rush this phase, as the colour of a room as a huge impact on its overall appearance.
5. At this stage, you should then choose the type of flooring you want to install. This depends on the type of room you are fitting. Floor tiles and laminates are best suited to a room that will be subjected to a lot of moisture i.e. a bathroom. A carpeted bathroom would start to mould after a while, as carpet retains moisture much longer than other surfaces.
6. The last phase is to decide on the furniture fittings for the room. Using the scale cardboard cut-outs, purchase items that fall into the confines of this scale. All furniture items do not have to match but they should all be a consistent style.
Interior Wall Design
Deciding on an interior wall design can be an arduous task, as there are so many types to choose from and a mistake here could ruin the look of the finished room. Plasterboard or sheetrock are the most popular choice due to them being relatively inexpensive and easy to fit. This is an excellent choice if you are working on a tight budget but there are other options available. Choosing a wall lining depends almost entirely on what the room is to be used for. For a bathroom, the best choice would be to use a ceramic tile or marble finish. This provides a water-tight covering that will not be penetrated and is especially useful when installed in wet rooms. Whatever option you go for be sure, to get the wall covering that suits you. If you are not at all constrained by a tight budget, an interior stone wall is a stunning option. This can add real depth and character to a room but can be difficult to install. Hand-built stonewalls, require a significant amount of time and patience but provides a finish that cannot be matched by any other style of wall. It is always best to hire a professional when undertaking this task. Do not be afraid to sub-contract out various elements of the job, as this will help you save time and may even be a cheaper option.
Avoid Murals
As a throwback to the 80s many people have started to use mural art in their homes to brighten up a room or add some character depth. I would avoid doing this unless you are prepared to pay a professional artist to carry this work out. Wall-paper murals and other stencilled murals can look tacky and can really have a detrimental effect on the over-all aesthetics of a room. If you want some art work in your room, then purchase a painting by a local artist and hang that on the wall. This will brighten up the room, as well as act as an excellent conversation piece. Alternatively, you can add an artistic touch to a room by using contact paper. This product comes in many beautiful designs and can be put-up in a similar way to wallpaper. Contact paper has a self-adhesive side, so there is no need to use wall paper paste. This leaves the fitting of such products very straightforward and almost anyone can fit it, regardless of your skillset.
For more information on bathroom design you can visit this link.
1. Before starting any DIY job, you must draw a scaled floor plan on graph paper, as this is the easiest way to gauge where the items are too be installed.
2. Next, create some scale card cut-outs of the cabinets, bathtub, toilet, wash basin etc.
3. Using your graph paper floor plan and your cardboard cut-outs, arrange them around the room so you can see where they will fit. This will show you without a doubt where the units will fit and where they won’t.
4. Once you have completed this, the next step is to decide on a colour scheme for the room. Go to your local DIY depot and obtain some colour charts or some tester samples if possible. Study these charts carefully and use as much of the sample paint as possible. You do not want to rush this phase, as the colour of a room as a huge impact on its overall appearance.
5. At this stage, you should then choose the type of flooring you want to install. This depends on the type of room you are fitting. Floor tiles and laminates are best suited to a room that will be subjected to a lot of moisture i.e. a bathroom. A carpeted bathroom would start to mould after a while, as carpet retains moisture much longer than other surfaces.
6. The last phase is to decide on the furniture fittings for the room. Using the scale cardboard cut-outs, purchase items that fall into the confines of this scale. All furniture items do not have to match but they should all be a consistent style.
Interior Wall Design
Deciding on an interior wall design can be an arduous task, as there are so many types to choose from and a mistake here could ruin the look of the finished room. Plasterboard or sheetrock are the most popular choice due to them being relatively inexpensive and easy to fit. This is an excellent choice if you are working on a tight budget but there are other options available. Choosing a wall lining depends almost entirely on what the room is to be used for. For a bathroom, the best choice would be to use a ceramic tile or marble finish. This provides a water-tight covering that will not be penetrated and is especially useful when installed in wet rooms. Whatever option you go for be sure, to get the wall covering that suits you. If you are not at all constrained by a tight budget, an interior stone wall is a stunning option. This can add real depth and character to a room but can be difficult to install. Hand-built stonewalls, require a significant amount of time and patience but provides a finish that cannot be matched by any other style of wall. It is always best to hire a professional when undertaking this task. Do not be afraid to sub-contract out various elements of the job, as this will help you save time and may even be a cheaper option.
Avoid Murals
As a throwback to the 80s many people have started to use mural art in their homes to brighten up a room or add some character depth. I would avoid doing this unless you are prepared to pay a professional artist to carry this work out. Wall-paper murals and other stencilled murals can look tacky and can really have a detrimental effect on the over-all aesthetics of a room. If you want some art work in your room, then purchase a painting by a local artist and hang that on the wall. This will brighten up the room, as well as act as an excellent conversation piece. Alternatively, you can add an artistic touch to a room by using contact paper. This product comes in many beautiful designs and can be put-up in a similar way to wallpaper. Contact paper has a self-adhesive side, so there is no need to use wall paper paste. This leaves the fitting of such products very straightforward and almost anyone can fit it, regardless of your skillset.
For more information on bathroom design you can visit this link.
More Information
It is difficult to think about bathroom suppliers without first considering how they have changed the industry. If we are honest with each other, we would admit that the price of bathroom supplies is just too high and something really needs to be done about this. This is something that I have struggled with for a long time now and I am hoping this comes to an end quite soon. I do not care for the way these men are treated but I do care about bathrooms and how they make me feel. The suppliers have decided enough is enough and they are going to drop their prices so they can make more money from bathroom supplies. This seems like a pretty straight forward tactic to me and it is one that I will quite happily endorse. A good bathroom supplier is hard to find these days.