Archive for January, 2009

Making your bathroom safe

Saturday, January 31st, 2009

Many accidents happen in the bathroom due to the proximity of water and electricity. If you have elderly family members or children, then you need to ensure that your bathroom is as safe as possible. Using bathmats will prevent people from slipping when stepping out of the bath and grab-rails should be installed to assist disabled or elderly people.

If there are electric appliances in the bathroom, they should be kept well away from water. If you enjoy listening to music whilst taking a bath, be sure to place the radio as far away from the bath as possible, so that it does not come into contact with water. If you have a plug just outside the bathroom door, use that for your radio rather than one inside the bathroom, in order to avoid getting the plug wet.

If you are not experienced at installing lights or heaters, have the job done professionally, so that everything will be wired-up safely. It may also be a good idea to avoid having electric heaters in the bathroom at all. Use pull cords for lights as opposed to light switches, so if you have any light switches in the room, remove them and have a pull cord fitted instead.

Whilst glass objects, such as shelves or screens look good, they may not be safe, especially if you have small children running around. Medicine cabinets should also be locked or placed high up, to prevent easy access to bottles or tablets.

Water can get very hot, so it is important that adults should be in charge of running baths for children and should remain with them at all times.

Decorating your bathroom walls

Wednesday, January 28th, 2009

There are a number of options for decorating your bathroom wall. You can use wallpaper, tiles or paint or a combination of the three. Since the walls in the bathroom are exposed to more moisture than other walls around the house, tiles are usually the most favoured. Tiles will help you to achieve a neater look for your bathroom, but they can be very difficult to put up and are the most expensive option.

If you wish to use tiles, but do not have the time to put them up, then it may a good idea to decorate one part of your bathroom with tiles, and the other part with paint or wallpaper. If you decide to go with this option, then be sure to place the tiles in the areas that are the most exposed to water. It is a good idea to seek advice if you are inexperienced at tiling or to delegate the task to someone who is more experienced.

Perhaps the least ideal option for your bathroom wall is wallpaper. If you decide to choose wallpaper, then you will more than likely need to replace it regularly, as it will peel as a result of being exposed to moisture. Also, if you wish to achieve a stylish appearance, the wallpaper may not be the best option. Tiles or paint will give a more stylish look.

Paint is the quickest option for decorating the bathroom walls and can look great when combined with tiles. Try to choose paint that is most suited to the bathroom, as this type of paint will be resistant to mould and steam.

Bathrooms for disabled users

Saturday, January 24th, 2009

If you have a disabled family member, then it is important to make sure that your bathroom has the right equipment to make them feel at ease. There are many types of equipment available to make your bathroom suitable for disabled users, including walk-in baths and showers. There are also showers that offer a variety of facilities, such as special doors and trays, which are ideal for disabled users.

There are shower seats for wheelchair users, which come with a variety of colours and styles and offer many useful features. Some seats have padding, which provides extra comfort for the user and they also have arms and hinges for safety. It is important that these seats are installed properly, for safety reasons.

Grab rails are designed for disabled users and should be installed near all the areas that may be difficult to climb into or sit on, without assistance, such as the bath or the toilet. Grab rails come in a variety of colours and at around £10.00, are quite affordable. They also vary in size and shape, so it is a good idea to measure the area where you are planning to install them, so that you can choose the most suitable product.

There are motorised washbasin lifts for wheelchair users. These are available in a selection of styles and some come with a mirror. Wheelchair users can control the height of the washbasin and mirror to find a level that they are comfortable with, simply by pushing a button. Some motorised washbasins also come with spotlights.

Getting rid of mould in the bathroom

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009

Your bathroom could end up with mould growing in different areas if you do not have enough ventilation in your bathroom. Not only does mould look unpleasant, it is also very unhygienic and can lead to serious illnesses in some cases. Mould will develop in the areas that are the most exposed to water, such as the shower, bath and sink. Wallpaper and carpet can also become mouldy. Having a bathroom that is free of mould will be much safer and more comfortable for you, your family and your guests.

If you do find that there has been a build up of mould in your bathroom, then the best solution is to scrub it away with bleach and water. If bleach does not work, then HG Mould Spray may be the best solution. This spray removes black mould from tile grouts, plaster, toilets, showers and many other areas. It is available from a variety of stores and is usually priced at £4.95. It may be available at a cheaper price at online stores such as eBay or Amazon. HG also offers shower and basin spray and shower shield, which prevents build up of lime scale.

To prevent mould from building up, install an extractor fan or open your windows after a bath to let the steam out. Wipe all areas that have had water exposed to them after you have had a bath or a shower. Keep a bottle of mould spray or a selection of other cleaning products close by so that you can quickly get rid of any mould that has built up.

Renovating your bathroom

Monday, January 19th, 2009

If your bathroom is in desperate need of repair, then you may want to think about renovating it. You may need replace your plumbing or fix up any areas that have become damp or mouldy from exposure to water. You may be able to take care of some of these jobs yourself, but if you do not feel confident, then the best option is to hire someone who has experience of bathroom renovation.

Jobs such as installing baths, toilets, sinks or tiling can either be done by you or perhaps a family member, if they have the experience. Seeking out a professional will be more costly, but it is the best option for getting the job done properly if you have any doubts about your own DIY ability.

If you are looking to extend your bathroom, then you will need to do lots of planning to decide which areas need to be worked on. If you are on a low budget, then it may be better to buy more storage items rather than building an extension. Extensions can be quite costly, so it is essential that you make proper plans before commencing work.

If you are looking to remodel your bathroom completely, then you will also need to upgrade any old plumbing. Having a modern bathroom with new plumbing will enhance the value of your home. Replacing mouldy carpets or wallpaper will provide you with extra comfort and also make your bathroom look cleaner. Any damp areas, such as around the bath or shower will need to be treated.

Low cost plumbing for your bathroom

Friday, January 16th, 2009

There are many places where you can find low cost plumbing supplies for your bathroom. The internet is the best place to look, as items are usually cheaper online than in the store. Low Cost Plumbing Supplies, a national distributor, offers a wide range of affordable plumbing supplies for bathrooms, including plumbing kits for £5.50.

Looking at websites that allow you to compare prices is a good idea. This will help you to find affordable plumbing supplies, and you can also read reviews from other customers to get an idea of how good the product is and whether or not they recommend it. Sites such as eBay and Amazon offer new and used items, and they are ideal for those looking for affordable products.

If you already have all your plumbing fitted but there is a problem with it, then you may want to look around for companies that offer affordable plumbing services. Websites such as yell.com will help you to search for affordable plumbing services in your area. If you have an experienced plumber in your family, then perhaps they will offer their services at a discounted price.

QS Supplies are another company that offer plumbing supplies such as shower pumps and plumbing tools at affordable prices. They also offer brass plumbing products, which would be ideal for those who have a themed bathroom. The company offers a selection of top brand names, including HIB and Bristan, which is ideal for those looking for top quality products for their bathroom.

Bathroom Colour Schemes

Tuesday, January 13th, 2009

It is important that you choose a colour scheme that you really like for your bathroom. If you want a simple colour scheme, then you may wish to stick to white. White is also a good colour for giving your bathroom a clean and formal look, especially when used alongside colours such as black.

If you wish to achieve a cosier look, then it may be a good idea to use warm colours such as red or orange. For a relaxed look, cool colours such as blues and greens are the best to use. Blue is also a good colour to use if you are trying to stick to an aquatic theme for your bathroom.

Red is a good colour to use if you wish to achieve a luxurious designer look for your bathroom. For a sophisticated look, try using a mixture of cream, brown, black and white. These colours will also give your bathroom a French flair.

The best way to decide on a suitable colour scheme for your bathroom is to perhaps take a look at existing bathrooms to see which colours work best. If you are struggling to get an idea of the look you wish to achieve, then it is a good idea to pay a visit to some bathroom showrooms, where you will be able to see which colours compliment different types of bathrooms.

Another idea is to research different colour schemes. Try looking around on the internet. There may be websites that allow you to test out different colours on an example bathroom or sites that provide advice on which colours compliment each other the best.

Adding walk-in items to your bathroom

Friday, January 9th, 2009

There are many advantages of adding walk-in showers or baths to your bathroom. Not only are they a better option for elderly or disabled people, they also make a bathroom look stylish and are available in a wide variety of designs.

Walk-in showers are ideal for those who wish to have a quick shower. For people who have a showerhead attached above their bath, a walk-in shower may be a better option, so that they do not have to climb into the bath. They are also easier to maintain.

Walk-in baths are a good option if you wish to achieve a spa theme for your bathroom. There are a wide variety of walk-in baths that offer a spa system. Many walk-in baths come with a locking system and comfortable cushions to make your bath more relaxing. They are also safer than ordinary baths and come with a slip-resistant floor. 

Since there are so many styles of walk-in showers and baths available, it is a good idea to have a look around to see what suits your bathroom. Browse the internet and see what items you can find that are in your price range. There are many sites that allow you to compare prices of products from different stores, so that you can see which stores have special offers.

Visiting sites that offer online decorators is a good idea, so that you can see what colour schemes you like. This will give you an idea of what style of walk-in bath or shower that best suits your needs.

Choosing the right flooring for your bathroom

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

It is important to choose the right flooring for your bathroom, as certain types can be slippery. Try to choose a non-slip floor or if you already have a slippery floor but cannot afford to replace it, use bathmats. There is a selection of stylish bathmats available if you wish to achieve a designer look for your bathroom.

Carpet is ideal for adding warmth to the bathroom and is available in a variety of colours, but will need to be replaced every so often, as constant exposure to water can cause it to become mouldy and create a damp smell. Carpet may be luxurious, but it is probably more practical to opt for tiles and use floor heating to create the same cosy effect that you have with carpet. Carpet is also more difficult to clean than tiles, though it provides more safety, as it is not as slippery.

To make carpet easier to replace, carpet tiles may be the best option. With carpet tiles, you will only need to replace single tiles instead of the whole carpet, which is quicker and cheaper. They are also easier to install than ceramic tiles, which need to be installed with care.

Another option is pine or oak flooring, which is ideal if you wish to have a wood theme for your bathroom. This type of flooring can last a long time if it is correctly installed and maintained. Laminate flooring is one of the best choices for stylish bathrooms, especially products with marble designs.

Villeroy & Boch Basins

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

Villeroy & Boch is a large German based company that is one of the leading manufacturers of bathroom ceramics.
Villeroy & Boch manufacture a very nice range of bathroom sinks from your usual standard looking basin to the ultra modern in the Liaison range that are made from glass and ceramics.
The Pure Stone range that Villeroy & Boch do is absolutely stunning and doesn’t look out of place in any modern bathroom.
Many of the Villeroy & Boch ranges are a modern contemporary style and you will find that many styles of taps will easily transform the Villeroy & Boch basin entirely.
Villeroy & Boch basins are fairly priced within the market and you might be surprised by the costing of the products.