Bathroom Design Tips

     When you are remodeling your bathroom, there are a few things you should consider before you get started.  First, make sure that you consider the relationship between your master bedroom and your master bath.  That means that the relationship should be compatible.  There should be a natural transition from the bathroom to the bedroom and from the bedroom to the bathroom. 

    When considering a sink or sinks, the most common design of today is a long vanity with two sinks or two vanities with a sink and a mirror.  Basins above the counter and vessels are popular today for adding elegance to your bathroom.  This works well in many bathroom styles, including contemporary, Asian, traditional, or eclectic styles. 

    As far as toilets are concerned, low flow toilets are wonderful for conserving water, but make sure they are powerful enough.  If you want great performance, find a toilet that has a glazed trapway.  This should be 2 ¼ inches or even larger.   A quality toilet may add more money to your budget, but it will be worth it in the long run.  Partial walls are popular today to afford some privacy.  Additionally, most people like the long elongated toilets if you have enough space. 

     Today’s showers often include seating and rails.  The seating can be tile that is mounted on the wall or you can make a small shelf in a corner to hold supplies or as a place to rest your leg while you are shaving.  Many people like customized sprays in their showers, especially if there are multiple people using the shower.  Some of the luxury shower systems have control push button options for selecting the water temperature desired and also allow you to choose your body sprays and pulsation intervals.  If you need something more affordable, having a handheld shower and a slide bar can make taking a shower comfortable for anyone, regardless of height.  A lot of people are choosing luxury showers rather than whirlpool tubs because the showers provide water massage and take up less space than some of these giant tubs.

     An oversized soaking tub has become more popular than a Jacuzzi tub recently.  These tubs are often large enough for two people.  They can be the focal point of your master bathroom.  Keep in mind that with the large size, you may have issues with getting hot water and keeping the water in the tub warm for an extended period. 

     Bathroom faucets may sound boring, but they actually do make a difference in the overall look of your bathroom.  Factoring into your purchase should be the quality of the valve, the warranty length, and the finish quality.  Although solid brass fixtures may be the most expensive, they will last the longest.  Zinc material is durable and less expensive than brass, but they may end up corroding if the plating wears off.  The least durable and cheapest is the plastic bodied faucet.  Faucets that are wall-mounted are very popular at this time.  They look great with above-counter basins and to free space on your counter for other products and personal items.      

      Some options for bathroom flooring include stone tile, vinyl flooring, laminate surfaces, and ceramic tile.  All of these tiles are easy to clean, resistant to water, and very safe to walk on.  Wouldn’t it be nice for your feet to stay warm on the floor instead of being cold when you leave the shower or bath or go to brush your teeth in the morning?  Did you know that you can get a radiant floor heating system?  You can also have a timer so that your heater warms up your floor before you get there in the morning.

      Lighting is also a concern in the bathroom.  Many people are favoring a very bright lighted bathroom today.  If you have natural light, that is wonderful, but if not, you will need to add some lighting.  When choosing lighting, it is good to have strong overhead lighting.  Allowing that lighting to be adjusted to brighter or duller is a good idea too.  Remember that when you are getting ready in the morning you will need even lighting for applying makeup, or if you are a man, for shaving.  One way to achieve even lighting without shadows is to use lights on each side of your mirror rather than above. 

      Color is very important in your bathroom because it sets the mood.  If you choose light colors, it tends to make the room look larger, but using deeper tones make the room feel cozy.  Latex paints are usually the paint of choice for the bathroom since they are quick-drying and easy to apply.  Some people prefer oil paints, though, due to the fact that they resist stains and adhere to the wall well.