Archive for December, 2008

Having a Victorian theme for your bathroom

Tuesday, December 30th, 2008

If you are aiming to have a Victorian theme for your bathroom, then there are a variety of accessories available that will help you achieve the look that you want. Victorian bathrooms usually have dark colours and wood. Antique stores are a good place to visit if you are looking for Victorian bathroom furniture and usually have a wide variety of top quality products to make your bathroom look good.

Victorian Plumbing, a UK company, offer a selection of Victorian products to suit your theme, including Victorian basin taps, which can be purchased with a matching bath mixer if you wish. If you are looking for a bath to fit your Victorian theme, then Plumbworld offer a Clearwater Victorian Bath, which is available in Green and White, with stone cast resin reinforcement and is priced at around £530.00.

Having a Victorian theme may be more suitable if you have a lot of money to spare, as some products can be quite expensive. But if you look around on sites such as eBay, you may be able to find a few bargains. There are some stores that offer discounts for products purchased on their website, or you could have a look around to see which stores have items on sale.

Finding a website with an online decorator will help you to see which colours are suitable for your Victorian theme. Visiting showrooms is also a good idea, as this will give you an idea of different layouts, colours and products for your Victorian theme.

 

Decorating a small bathroom

Saturday, December 27th, 2008

If you feel your bathroom is cramped, but you cannot afford to build any extra space, then there are many ways in which you can make it appear bigger, without having to spend too much. There are colours, such as white or cream, which you can use to create the illusion that your bathroom is bigger than it actually is.

If you have items that take up a lot of space in your bathroom, then swap them for smaller items. This will make the room look much bigger. Choose furniture that suits a small room. Some stores offer sinks that have a vanity cabinet attached to them. This provides more floor space and can help your bathroom look larger. ‘Shades’, a bathroom company, offer a selection of space saver products, including small, wall-mounted basins, which are ideal for saving space.

If you have a bit of money to spare and really wish to improve the look of your bathroom and make it look more spacious, then Heritage Bathrooms offer a selection of space saving suites. There are many different styles available, as well as a variety of wall-hung products that create more space. The company also offers washstands, which combine a sink, drawer and shelf at the bottom of the stand. These are ideal for small bathrooms as they offer lots of storage and increase floor space.

Getting rid of items that you keep on the floor will also allow you to have a bathroom that looks bigger. Instead of keeping your bathroom bin on the floor, try opting for a cabinet that has a built-in bin or swap it for a smaller one.

Ventilating your bathroom

Wednesday, December 24th, 2008

Bathrooms are usually exposed to moisture more than other rooms, so it is a good idea to install proper ventilation. Condensation can lead to damp walls, which can cause mould to build up. By fitting an extractor fan in your bathroom, you can reduce condensation and mould and also stop bacteria from spreading.

Extractor fans are also useful for preventing fumes from spreading. Any cleaning products that you use in your bathroom may contain harmful chemicals, so an extractor fan will help to properly ventilate your bathroom and prevent fumes from lingering in the air. It will also keep your bathroom free of unpleasant odours.

Having a good air conditioning system provides your bathroom with a comfortable atmosphere. It can become extremely stuffy in the bathroom when you run a bath or a shower, so keeping the room cool and fresh will allow you to feel more relaxed. There are bath fans, which you can use as both a light and an extractor fan. If you wish to disguise your extractor fan, then there are lights available that have an extractor fan built into them.

If you don’t feel comfortable with installing an extractor fan, then you could always opt for a portable air conditioning system. These come with different settings, so you can experiment and see which setting you are most comfortable with. Other features of portable air conditioning systems include built in dehumidifiers and extraction hoses.

If you wish to stick with an extractor fan, then there are companies that will provide advice on how to properly install them or even offer to install them for you.

Giving your bathroom a traditional theme

Sunday, December 21st, 2008

Having a traditional theme for your bathroom can make it much more comfortable and add elegance to the room. Furniture made from brass or porcelain is ideal for a traditional bathroom. Visit antique stores and see what furniture would look best for your traditional theme. Going for an Art Deco look is a good idea if you wish to achieve a traditional look for your bathroom.

The Heritage Bathrooms outlet offers furniture that is suitable for traditional bathrooms, such as cast iron baths and a pedestal basin. They also offer a selection of Art Deco products that are suitable for family bathrooms that have a traditional theme.

Searching sites such as eBay will help you to find low cost traditional items for your bathroom. If you are struggling to make a decision on what kind of layout you would like for your traditional bathroom, then visit a few showrooms or have a look on a few websites to see if you can practice with a few layouts and colour schemes. Flicking through a few magazines may also give you an idea of what type of furniture will suit a traditional theme.

You can even find taps that have a traditional look. Tap Choice offers Bristan Colonial traditional bathroom taps, which are priced at around £36.93 with a chrome finish and £52.37 for a gold finish. They also offer traditional bidet mixers and bath fillers, which are also available in chrome or gold. Simple items such as these will give your bathroom the traditional look that you are hoping for.

Transforming your bathroom into a spa

Wednesday, December 17th, 2008

If you want to create a relaxing atmosphere for your bathroom then it may be a good idea to transform it into a spa area. If you are looking for real luxury and have a lot of money to spare, then you may wish to buy a whirlpool bath. These come with a variety of features to help you relax, including headrests, Jacuzzi systems, handheld showers, water heaters and much more. These types of baths look great and are ideal for stylish bathrooms.

If you wish to transform your bathroom into a spa but are on a tight budget, then there are a variety of products you can by to create a spa effect. Scented candles, fluffy towels and aromatherapy products are great way of pampering yourself without having to go too overboard on the spending.

Also great for creating a spa effect are heated towel racks. These will provide comfort for you when you step out into the cold after your bath. Placing your heaters on a timer will also allow you to have a warm, comfortable room before you have bath, which is ideal for cold mornings and when you arrive home from work and just want to relax.

You may wish to buy a spa set. These can be expensive, but are much more affordable then going to great lengths to transform your bathroom. These sets include a variety of luxury products for your body, such as milk and honey products, body butter and much more. If you have sensitive skin, then stick to unscented products. These can be just as effective.

Decorating a large bathroom

Sunday, December 14th, 2008

If you have a big bathroom and wish to redecorate, you could opt for an extravagantly large and luxurious bath. There is a selection of double-ended baths available, some of which are priced under £200 Larger baths are ideal for those who are looking to make their bathroom look extravagant and they also offer extra comfort. Since there is lots of space to play with, an extra shower area may also be worth consideration. .

If you want your bathroom to stand out, then placing your bath in the middle of the room may be a good idea. This prevents the room from looking too bare and adds a creative feel. Jacuzzi baths are also ideal for larger bathrooms and would look great in the middle of the room, to give it a spa theme.

Having a large bathroom also means that you can add more than one basin, which allows more than one person to use the room at the same time. You might also consider a larger vanity area, with more than one vanity cabinet and a couple of mirrors, instead of just one. Installing large glass vanity cabinets can make your bathroom look much more extravagant.

You can also experiment with different types of storage. Since the bathroom is large, you are not so limited to how many storage items you can use. You also have the space to install a counter with two built in sinks, which will make your bathroom look even more stylish.

Selecting the right lighting for your bathroom

Friday, December 12th, 2008

The lighting is perhaps one of the most important parts of a new bathroom. There are many different types of lighting that you can choose from and it is a good idea to choose a light that compliments your bathroom. If you are more concerned with making your bathroom look good using natural light, then you may wish to just buy a simple ceiling light for the evening. There are many simple ceiling lights that look attractive, such as the ones provided by the company HIB, who produce lights that contain circular frosted glass.

Using small lights for particular accessories, such as mirrors, will make your bathroom look more luxurious and also provide you with a softer light when using the mirror. HIB do a selection of lights that are ideal for both mirrors and bathroom cabinets and can be operated by a push button or a pull cord. Their Razorlite mirror light, which is priced at £76.00, is particularly ideal as it comes with a shaver socket.

If you wish to achieve a designer look, then you may wish to use mini chandeliers, which look great placed above the bathtub. You can also use dimmers, which enable you to choose the right kind of lighting for your bathroom, such as a relaxing low light when bathing and a brighter light for bathroom activities such as applying makeup. Spotlights can also give your bathroom a luxurious designer feel.

For lights that use more than one bulb, such as chandeliers or spotlights, you may wish to purchase low energy lights. There are a variety of stores that provide low energy spotlights and chandeliers.

Making your bathroom private

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

One of the most important items that you will need for your bathroom is a lock for the door, particularly if you live in a busy household. There are many different types of locks available, so have a look around and see what type of lock suits your bathroom. There are plenty of locks available that would suit a designer bathroom. Many locks come with matching screw heads for fixing, which is ideal for those who like to have matching items.

It is important that you find a lock that is easy to operate. Locks that are stiff or awkward to operate will be difficult to use. Designer Handle, an online shopping company, offers a selection of locks in different styles, including brass. They also offer traditional door bolts, which are rust proof. These are available in polished chrome and brass. Prices vary depending on what style you choose, but these traditional locks are usually priced under £20.00.

There are locks available that have a thumb turn and release system, which allows emergency release on the other side. This type of lock looks neater and is suitable for a designer bathroom. They are designed to fit bathroom doors that have a doorknob or a lever. Some thumb turn locks are designed to match particular levers, so this is the best option if you wish to have matching items.

Another type of lock is the indicator bolt, which is usually available in brass and chrome. This type of lock displays whether or not the bathroom is vacant or engaged and is built with an emergency release feature.

Dealing with bathroom clutter

Friday, December 5th, 2008

The bathroom is where we use many different products, such as bath oils, body lotion, hair products, make-up, shaving products, medicine and many more. Having a wide selection of bottles and soaps can make the room look cluttered, especially if you do not have much storage space. Cabinets are the best solution, but there still might not be enough space for you to store everything.

There are numerous shelves for you to choose from and they are available in many styles, so finding one to match the rest of your bathroom should be easy. Glass corner shelves are the best option for stylish bathrooms and are ideal for storing hair products and make-up, particularly top brand products, as these tend to look good on show. For the less interesting items, such as toothpaste, a simple cabinet is the best option.

Accessories such as toilet-roll holders and towel-rails, which are also available in a variety of different styles, are useful and can make your bathroom look much neater. For shower and bath products, there are baskets on the market, which make your bathroom look neat and stylish. Steel corner baskets are particularly useful for storing body lotion or shower gel.

If you have gone for a spa theme for your bathroom and need somewhere to store your aromatherapy oils, then there is a selection of stylish storage options for you to choose from. Wooden aromatherapy boxes look attractive or you could opt for an aromatherapy basket instead, which has enough space for all your oils as well as bath products, shower products and soap.

Heating your bathroom

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

As well as properly ventilating your bathroom, you also need a good heating system. A good option is electric floor heating, which provides a comfortable warm floor when stepping out of the shower. It may be expensive to install, but is more energy efficient than some heating systems. Floor heating can be operated with a thermostat that allows you to place the heating on a timer, so that the system will turn itself off after a certain amount of time, which saves energy.

There are many different types of heaters that you can choose from to suit the style of your bathroom. If you wish to opt for a designer look for your bathroom, then there is a wide selection of designer heaters for you to choose from. You can even purchase mirrored radiators, which are useful if you have a small bathroom and not much room for a normal mirror.

Electric wall heaters are a good option if you do not wish to spend lots of money on a proper heating system. If you wish to buy a wall heater that matches the rest of your bathroom, then there are heaters that have panels that can be painted to match the colour of other items or your wallpaper in the bathroom.

If you hate the thought of having to use cold towels when you step out of the bath or shower, then there are a selection of towel drying radiators that you can choose from. These come in many styles, so it should be easy to find a towel radiator that suits the rest of your bathroom.