Archive for March, 2009

The advantages of having a bathroom bin

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

A bin is a simple accessory, but it can make a huge difference to your bathroom. Having somewhere to throw away used items such as face wipes, cotton buds, make-up removal pads and empty soap packets is always useful and will make your bathroom look tidier.

There are many different styles of bins available. Home Office Design provides waste bins that are available in colours such as blue, white, vanilla, black and much more, so it is easy to find a bin that will suit the colour scheme of your bathroom.

If you prefer a wastebasket, then there is a selection of styles available, including square wastebaskets, small wastebaskets, large wastebaskets and much more. You can also purchase a wastebasket set, which comes with a basket for storing towels or clothes. Wicker wastebaskets look attractive in the bathroom and are available in a variety of colours.

For extra comfort, it may be a good idea to purchase a sanitary bin for your bathroom. You can use an ordinary bathroom bin for sanitary products, but sanitary bins are more discreet, which not only gives you a little privacy but also makes your bathroom look much tidier.

For hygiene reasons, it is a good idea to make sure that you empty your bins regularly. Used face wipes and make-up pads can cause bacteria to spread and sanitary bins that are not emptied can also be unpleasant. It is also important to give your bathroom bins a wash regularly to get rid of germs.

Choosing the right taps or mixers for your bathroom

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

It is important that you choose the right taps for your bathroom. There are many styles to choose from so it is a good idea to have a look around to get an idea of what will suit your bathroom. If you need a matching set, then there are tap packs available for your bath and sink. UK Bathrooms, an online retailer, offers a wide range of bathroom mixers in various finishes, which are both stylish and easy to install.

It is important that you have taps that provide a water pressure that is suitable for you. Spa taps provide only high water pressure, so you should only purchase these taps if you are comfortable with that setting. If you like to be in control of the water pressure, then there are taps that have just one spout that provides hot and cold water, so that you can adjust the water to a temperature that you are comfortable with.

Victorian Plumbing, a UK bathroom company, offers a selection of taps to suit different styles of bathrooms, including designer bathrooms, traditional bathrooms, classical bathrooms and much more. Their styles are top quality and ideal for those who are aiming to make their bathroom look as good as possible.

Cleaning your bathroom

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

Since baths, showers, toilets and sinks are used regularly and often by more than one person in a household, it is important to keep them as clean as possible. Having a clean bathroom means it is hygienic and provides more comfort for everyone. It will also have a bigger impact on your guests, as they will prefer to use a clean bathroom rather than be greeted by a dirty one.

There are many stores that sell suitable cleaning products for particular areas of the bathroom, such as toilet cleaner and products for keeping your bath and shower clean. Bathmats also need to be washed regularly to prevent them from become damp and mouldy. If you have a shower curtain, then it will also need to be removed and cleaned regularly. Bath screens can become dirty from constant exposure to water and steam, so they will need to be scrubbed down on a regular basis.

If you have extractor fans or vents, then these will need to be cleaned regularly, as dust can build up and prevent them from working properly. Lights may also need a wipe down, but make sure that they are switched off before you attempt to clean them.

Any leaking bottles, such as shampoo or bubble bath should be replaced. If you have a medicine cabinet, then it may be a good idea to throw out any old bottles and replace them. Storage cabinets should be kept clean and old make-up or other unwanted items should be discarded.

Selecting the right toilet for your bathroom

Sunday, March 22nd, 2009

It is important that you choose a toilet that is right for you. There are many styles available, and you will need to find one that fits your bathroom perfectly. A toilet with a round front may be more ideal for smaller bathrooms. There are different types of toilets that are easier to clean, such as a one-piece toilet. Choosing a toilet that is harder to clean will be more time consuming and may lead to it not being cleaned properly.

There are toilets that have been designed to fight bacteria and stop mould from spreading. These toilets are built with a special glaze to help prevent condensation. Like the one-piece toilet, this type of toilet is easier to maintain and will help you to have a cleaner bathroom.

If you do not have much space, then opting for a space saving toilet is the best idea. These types of toilets often come with matching seats and covers, which helps your bathroom to keep its theme and look neater. Plumbworld offers space saving toilets, though their selection is currently only available in white.

If a toilet has a matching seat or cover that you do not like, then you can swap them for a different style. Toilet seats are not too expensive and come in a variety of styles. Plumbworld offer a wide selection of designer toilet seats in a variety of styles, including black mosaic seats, starfish seats for an aquatic theme and even a football style seat, which is suitable for children.

Inda Bathroom Accessories

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

Inda bathrooms are the height of sophistication in terms of bathroom design and it is no coincidence that they are based in Milan, Italy. This city is well known for being one of the fashion ‘hot spots’ of Europe and Inda bring fashion to the bathroom, in quite a serious way!

The Inda Bathrooms style concept is very swish, yet modern. This is not about a clinical white bathroom this is about colours, use of space and modern living in the 21st century. Their products have an air of the future about them, with very angular and sharp lines, nestling alongside rounded, curved wash hand basins. The result is a blend of the two styles, with one setting off the other. This concept makes their designs almost unique and certainly worthy of consideration.

For those with young children, some of the products may not be entirely suitable, due to the sharp edges on some of the basin counters/vanity units, but for everyone else, they are a real style statement.

These products are also quite cutting edge in terms of design, so if you like heritage pieces and a charming or quaint bathroom, then this is probably a range that you will not find too interesting. For anyone who likes a timeless style, expressing individuality and an endorsement of modern life, particularly in the urban setting, this really is a quality range, which will last a lifetime. Since you will probably love your new bathroom suite so much, you may well want to keep it for a lifetime.

Choosing the right bath for your bathroom

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009

The bath is one of the most important items in the bathroom. If you are looking to buy a new bath, then you need to choose one that will not only fit your bathroom properly, but will also be the right size for you. You will need to decide whether you would like a twin bathtub, or a normal sized bathtub. Larger bathtubs will use up more hot water, so it may a good idea to stick to just a single bathtub so it is not as expensive.

There are many different styles of baths to choose from. If your bathroom has a designer look, then you may wish to buy a more stylish bathtub, such as a corner bathtub or an oval shaped bathtub. There are also many other different shapes of bathtub to choose from. If you want your bathtub to match other accessories, then you may wish to buy one that is a similar shape to other items in your bathroom, such as an oval shaped bath to match an oval shaped soap dish. If you want a romantic theme for your bathroom, then you can even buy a heart shaped bathtub.

If you have a disabled or elderly family member, then it is a good idea to buy a bathtub that has all the right facilities. Walk-in bathtubs are the best option for elderly people, as it saves them having to climb over the bath edge. Some bathtubs also have a slip resistant floor, which is useful for elderly or disabled people. There is also a seat and a handheld shower for convenience and safety bars available for wheelchair users.

Having an aquatic theme for your bathroom

Friday, March 13th, 2009

The most obvious theme perhaps for a bathroom is an aquatic theme. Bathrooms are all about water and relaxation, so it makes sense to adopt a theme that represents the ocean and sea life. An aquatic theme is also perhaps the most interesting and is likely to go down well with children. There are many types of water themes that you can have.

If you love the beach, then choose colours such as blue and green for your bathroom. Use seashell shaped soap dishes or place star shaped ornaments in your bathroom to add to a beach theme. Also stick to blue or green towels to match your walls or carpet. Add pictures or art prints of fish or other types of sea life to your walls to add to an ocean theme.

For a more fun theme, you could have a pirate theme for your bathroom or a surfer theme. For a surfer theme, add wallpaper that has different designs of surfboards or palm trees. Palm tree designs will give your bathroom an exotic theme and offer a relaxing atmosphere. Use boat designs and pictures of ships for a pirate theme.

If you have a shower, then choose a shower curtain that has pictures of sea creatures or other ocean designs. Having this type of shower curtain will really add character to your bathroom and make it a fun place for children. Add to the theme even further by using shell shaped soap and toothbrushes with sea designs on them for children.

Catalano Bathrooms

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

Catalano bathrooms are an Italian designer brand which has become very popular in the UK over the last few years.  Primarily, this is due to their style which is very angular, yet rounded, always bold and making a statement.

Suites are also available in a variety of colours, from white to black, with some earthy, natural colours in between.  This use of natural colours reflects the colour of natural stone and looks at home in any modern and well lit bathroom, where the whole ambience is created by natural hues and light.  It is, however, worth bearing in mind, if you go for a colour other than white that you need to consider carefully how the suite will look in a few years time.  Will it retain its chic identity or simply look out-dated?  What happens if the surface/finish is scratched?  If so, can it be repaired and can you live with it, if not?

But if classic style with a contemporary feel is to your taste, then a Catalano style bathroom will undoubtedly suit you perfectly.  The costs of these bathroom suites are more than standard suites, but then this is style which you simply will not find in every store up and down the country.  Given that the range on offer is amazingly versatile, it will be excellent value for money and you will find that the flexibility on offer with where you fit the taps or whether the wash hand basin sits on a pedestal or is free standing, means that it is akin to having your own personally designed suite, for a fraction of the cost!

Sharing a bathroom

Monday, March 9th, 2009

Sharing a bathroom with family members or housemates can be difficult. If you have a large bathroom, then installing more than one sink is a good idea; so that people do not have to wait to use the sink for quick and simple tasks such as washing their hands or brushing their teeth.

If you need to decorate the bathroom there can be disagreements about colour schemes and furniture if you are sharing with someone else. The best solution is to settle on colours that suit everyone and if new bathroom furniture needs to be added, make sure that everyone contributes towards the cost so that you do not have to spend as much yourself.

Sharing a bathroom can also be frustrating if you have people using products that you have purchased for yourself. The best option is to buy double bathroom cabinets and give a section to each person or buy one cabinet each. If you do not feel comfortable with having your products stored in the bathroom, then there are a variety of wash bags and cosmetics bags to choose from. These are available from a variety of stores for around £5.00 and are ideal for keeping your bathroom products private.

It is also important to keep your bathroom hygienic. Since there is more than one person using the bath, shower, sink and toilet, you will need to make sure that you clean each one after you have used it. It is always a good idea to share cleaning tasks so that one person does not end up having to do all the work. 

Being creative with your bathroom

Friday, March 6th, 2009

As well as choosing different colours for the walls and floor of your bathroom, there are many other ways in which you can be creative. You can use artwork to make your bathroom more interesting. For example, if you have opted for an aquatic theme for your bathroom, then adding some pictures of fish, seashells or mermaids will make your bathroom look more adventurous. It may also be a good idea to use themed accessories, such as soap dishes in the shape of a seashell or soap in the shape of a fish. To match the theme, buy items such as soap that are the same colour as your paint, wallpaper, tiles and carpet.

If you have children and wish to create a fun theme for your bathroom, then choose bright shower curtains and add a few toys for the bath area. If you have two bathrooms in your house, then focus on decorating one especially for your children and use bathroom accessories, such as a shower curtain with pictures or a shell shaped sink. You could also buy bright coloured tiles with pictures on them to make the bathroom more fun for children. Educational pictures, such as pictures of different types of fish may also be a good idea for children.

If you wish to be creative but also keep a relaxing and luxurious theme for your bathroom, use candles and fluffy towels. Colourful scented candles will make your bathroom more relaxing and luxurious and also give it a creative flair. Adding plants to your bathroom will also provide a creative edge and will also make the room more romantic and relaxing.