Bathroom Design Ideas

Water underfloor heating systems work in a similar way to conventional systems by circulating warm water in pipes, but in a more efficient way, heating the large surface area of a floor, rather than the small surface area of a radiator.

A gas boiler usually creates the heat, although you can also get water underfloor heating kits to use with solar panels or geothermal pumps. The temperature of the water is lower than that required by traditional central heating, typically 50 degrees rather than 60 or more, and usually a separate pump is required to enable controlled circulation.  Each area of the house is divided into zones which are individually managed, by thermostats. Hot water circulates through continuous pipes made from high quality polyethylene, via a series of valves. A manifold automatically controls valves which combine hot and cold water to achieve the correct temperature for a particular zone, as determined by its thermostat. The system works automatically and allows complete flexibility.

The maze of pipes can be either embedded in a layer of cement, or simply attached with a dry fixing to the underneath of your floor covering. They are spaced out evenly so that the floor is uniformly heated. The method of installation will be dictated by the type of flooring, and a layer of insulation is usually needed beneath the pipes. There are no joints in the pipes beneath the floor, and floor coverings are laid directly on top.

Shower curtain liners come in a range of materials and prices. Naturally, the first thing to consider is the type and colour of the shower curtain you will be lining. Depending on this, you should make a decision about whether to opt for a clear lining or one in a complementary colour.

You should also think about how often you use your shower. If the answer is frequently, you would be advised to select a lining in vinyl. It is durable, easy to clean and especially good for larger families. However, make sure you buy a vinyl lining with a manufacturers guarantee that it is free of toxic materials. Look out for those in Ethyl Vinyl Acetate or Polyethylene Vinyl Acetate.

Your budget, of course, will also determine your selection, but be warned, the cheaper the lining, the more likely it is to fade and you could well end up paying out more buying replacements than investing in a more expensive one that will last longer.

Organic hemp shower curtain liners are becoming easier to find and represent good value for money, as well as being a ‘green’ option. They come in a wide range of colours and patterns and are easily waterproofed.

Cotton, too, is also proving a steady seller, but remember that repeated washings may result in fading. If you buy one with a ‘designer’ label, take care that the lining will be constantly in stock. However, one of cotton’s great advantages is that it is easy to match up with other soft fabrics in your bathroom, particularly curtains and mats.

Nowadays, bathrooms come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and a well designed bathroom with elegant features can go a long way to improving the image of your home. With a whole host of bathroom accessories and bathroom furniture ranging from decorative basin and bath taps, a single shower cubicle, power showers and even designer radiators, bathroom suites everywhere are blessed with an abundance of products to suit all tastes and styles.

For those of you with small bathrooms with a bathtub that is taking up a lot of space, but is only ever used for taking showers, then this presents the best space saving opportunity when it comes to improving the functionality of your bathroom. Consider removing the bathtub and replacing it with a shower cubicle, complete with a shower tray and a shower enclosure.

If you have a bathroom radiator taking up useful space in your bathroom you have the option of installing designer radiators. Although some can be costly, they can be smaller and more efficient than old style radiators. They are tailored to complement your bathroom accessories and bathroom furniture.

If you have a free standing bathroom mirror consider replacing it will a wall mirror that not only takes up less space, but when positioned properly can actually make bathrooms look larger than they really are; the bathroom mirror can also become a feature focal point.

To complete your bathroom, consider elegant touches to your wash basin, such as decorative basin taps, and make use of the thousands of exquisite bathroom accessories that are available in most home improvement stores.

Installing shower enclosures within a bathroom can have many advantages. Aside from the benefit of preventing water from splashing out onto the bathroom floor, they also offer a fantastic home improvement opportunity. One of the many variables when it comes to choosing bathroom suites is maximising space. Even if the bathroom in your home isn’t the biggest, the installation of a shower enclosure can add a touch of class to your bathroom and create the image of a larger space with a shower separate to the bath.

If you are considering a complete bathroom renovation, the installation of a shower cubicle will certainly provide many new attributes to your bathroom. One of the major benefits surrounding showers are their functionality and ease of use. Not only are they simple to operate, they are economical when it comes to saving time and water!

Shower enclosures can be easily installed into all bathrooms and most showers and shower cubicles can be bought and installed by homeowners, so for the more daring DIY and home improvement specialists among you, this is your time to shine.

Accessibility is also another key feature when it comes to showers. For the more senior person, there are endless arrays of walk in showers that prevent the need to climb in and out of the bath thus preventing accidents. There are also a number of shower enclosures that are able to accommodate shower seats to make the shower experience even more accessible and comforting.

In terms of a home improvement venture, the option of installing a walk in shower can also significantly increase the resale value of your home as well as improving the look of a family bathroom.

Heating wire systems are useful for rooms where heating mats cannot fit.  If you have any irregular shaped rooms in your home, then you may want to opt for a heating wire system.  Like heating mats, wire systems are also easy to install.  They are suitable for small or large rooms.

Wire systems come as part of a kit, which usually includes tape, primer and an installation guide.  An underfloor heating thermostat is also included and varies in size depending on the size of the room.  For the wiring, you will need the help of an electrician, but the rest of the installation is easy.

Wire systems are suited to floors such as stone, ceramic, tile, hardwood, laminate and carpet.  Different types of systems may be suited to a certain type of floor, so you may need to check which type is the most suitable for the room where you wish to install it.

As with a heated mat, wire systems offer lots of space, allowing you to keep your rooms tidy and clean.  The only thing that will be visible is the thermostat, but these are offered in a variety of styles.  Further, they do not take up as much space as a radiator.

If you are looking for an environmentally friendly option, then a wire system is a good choice.  The wire system provides comfort while operating at a low temperature, using less energy and allowing you to save money.  Wire systems are also maintenance free, so you will not have to worry about replacing your underfloor heating system.

One of the most startling improvements you can make to your bathroom is also one of the least well known. While everybody recognises the huge difference a new bath or shower can make, lighting is still regarded as an unnecessary and largely irrelevant modification. However, with a little guidance, it will become clear that choosing your lighting carefully will greatly increase the beauty of your bathroom.

For the majority of bathrooms, a mixture of different lighting methods is crucial. Fluorescent lighting is all well and good, but it fails to provide much of an ambience, while soft illumination makes practical tasks, such as shaving or putting on make-up, difficult.

So called ‘task lighting’ placed over a bathroom mirror makes shaving quick and easy and need not be unattractive. Light bars provide an ideal combination of looks and functionality and do not cost the earth.

Similarly, a centrally positioned light can offer superb ambient effects, vital when enjoying a long, relaxing soak in the bath. Chandeliers are an innovative way to provide such an atmosphere and are cheaper than you might expect. However, it is worthwhile giving some thought to exactly how often you bathe. Too much exposure to steam may damage the fixture after even a short period of time. 

A dimmer switch may offer the perfect solution for those on a limited budget, providing strong light when performing more functional tasks and a softer, intimate illumination for those quieter moments. The trick is to shop around and choose carefully.

The simple answer to why travertine is that it is a time has proved product that this is a material that has been used for centuries on buildings notably in Europe, the Colesseum in Rome and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Paris are but two examples of the use of travertine throughout the world. Travertine is a natural product that has been formed through the reaction between heated water to mix with calcium carbonate particles resulting from shifts in the earth’s crust; travertine was created in large deposits and is now quarried for use in buildings in the form of blocks and tiles.

Like many natural products used in building and landscaping, travertine has to be shaped and dressed to give it a shape but at all times the natural look of travertine is not altered. The colours of travertine are completely natural too, so there is no possibility of the colourful look of the patio, wall cladding or bathroom going to fade or be washed away. In its purest form travertine is white but with contamination from other natural deposits, the colour can vary from white through yellow and brown.

Before buying travertine tiles you should seek the advice of your travertine supplier who will tell you which of the many travertine products is best for the room or area you are intending to use this in. For example, honed travertine is best for use in high traffic areas and rooms exposed to moisture such as kitchens and bathrooms. Natural travertine is best suited for living rooms as this is soft and delicate to look at and the classic aged look of travertine tumbled stone will warm your home.

Looking at your tired, lifeless bathroom can be a dispiriting experience, second only to looking at your bank balance and realising that a complete refurbishment is simply out of the question.

But try not to despair, because with a little imagination and flair even the dullest bathroom can be transformed into a place brimming with zest.

How about taking inspiration from a far-flung tropical island? Paint the walls in deep blues and greens. Throw in some ferns and cactuses. Take a hint from the Mediterranean and splash around yellow coupled with a white vinyl emulsion.

When choosing your colours, try to match them to your existing bathroom accessories. Do you really want to pay out for more towels and bathmats?
 
A good way to begin accessorising is to look at your shower curtain. Fabric looks great and can be inexpensively lined with vinyl or plastic. Choose a pattern that will still look good after a couple of months. One covered in pictures of film stars may look great at the time, but may begin to pall after the initial thrill and it will be extremely difficult to theme an entire bathroom around.

Towels always cheer up a bathroom. Make sure they match the bathroom suite or shower curtain and bathmat. Solid contrasting colours add as much spice as different coloured tiles and at a fraction of the cost.

Similarly, giving the medicine cabinet a vibrant new look is an inexpensive way to bring some cheer into your lifeless bathroom.

One of the reasons that underfloor heating is increasing in popularity is the fact that the maintenance is very low, especially when compared to a more traditional radiator based system. Normal electric central heating systems need annual maintenance, while gas fired systems not only need annual maintenance, but also have potentially deadly consequences if they go wrong or are not maintained properly.

Even though the water underfloor heating system has water running through it, unlike radiators it does not need to be bled in anyway and is therefore much easier to live with. There really is little that can go wrong with these systems and they are therefore a dream to run. The electrical underfloor systems will not rust or corrode, which means there are really no maintenance issues here either. The fact is, they can run at much lower temperatures than conventional radiator systems, which is a bonus, but it also means that they system is less prone to needing maintenance, as it is just left ticking over at lower temperatures.

The main area that may require maintenance will be the electrical system of the house, which you would still need to carry out with normal radiators and the boiler of a water underfloor heating system. However, these power systems do more in the house than just support the underfloor heating, so it is little wonder that you will need them maintained annually. The fact cannot be ignored; underfloor heating systems need only minimal maintenance.

Travertine is a natural stone material from the limestone family and is formed with calcium carbonate and is usually found in the form of deposits near warm or hot springs. Used as a building material in ancient times notably for the Colesseum in Rome and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Paris.

There are many forms of finish to be seen in Travertine stone which is soft and delicate to look at and the classic aged look of Travertine tumbled stone will warm your home. Where you use Travertine stone will to a large extent decide on the finish and colour that you finally settle on. Travertine in its purest form is white, but impurities can cause the colour of travertine to vary and to be yellow and brown. Travertine is normally available in standard or natural and honed where the where the indentations have been filled and honed.

Given that travertine is a natural stone tile, it is essential that you pick the right type of tile for your need. Usually honed travertine tiles are best for use in high traffic areas and rooms exposed to moisture such as kitchens and bathrooms. The natural travertine is more suited to typical domestic use in living rooms and common areas. Travertine is a cheaper option that marble or granite; it’s a solid middle-market buy that combines affordability with style.