Bathroom Mirrors

Looking Good Never Looked So Good With a New Bathroom Mirror

For nearly as long as there have been faces, there have been mirrors--of one type or another.

Our first ancestors saw their reflections in calm pools of water. Later, they hammered metal smooth enough to reflect their faces (the Bible even mentions mirrors of brass). The Romans and Greeks viewed themselves in discs of polished silver. But it wasn’t until the Renaissance that glass first got crafted into a mirror that could reflect clearly enough for people to really get a good look at themselves.

Made of nickel-plated brass, the three-way "Bistro" wall mirror above could be a bathroom’s main mirror or something that folds up and tucks out of the way for occasions when you need to see more than just your face--say the length of sideburns. (Photo Above Compliments Restoration Hardware)

The mirror-making process has changed a great deal since the days when a woman could blame her own poor complexion on the poor mirror quality of her mirror. Today, even inexpensive mirrors provide good, clear reflections. In other words, you can’t blame the mirror anymore.

Today, mirrors are everywhere in the home. They’re used as decorations, or to reflect great window views, or they’re strategically placed to make a small room appear larger than it really is. In bedrooms and dressing rooms, full-length mirrors allow us to see how we look from head to toe.

Like seeing your face framed in an art gallery, this elegantly curved bathroom cabinet possesses all the style and grace needed to be right at home in a penthouse bathroom or in a suburban ranch home. (Photo compliments Kallista/Kohler Co.)

But it’s in the bathroom that the mirror performs its most critical task. It gives us a clear, close-up look at ourselves. In the morning, when we walk in fresh out of bed, it shows us at our perceived worst. After showering, shaving, makeup, it shows us at our best. Without a good bathroom mirror, we’d all be a bit self conscious about showing ourselves to the world every morning.

What’s the Difference?

So what makes one bathroom mirror better than another? Is it the mirror itself, the size of the mirror, the cabinet it’s set into, or the lights that surround it? Well, it’s some of all those things.

To a large degree, the best bathroom mirror for you is the bathroom mirror you like. The style fits with the décor of your bathroom and it suits your taste--and your budget.

Solid and well-made, this Barbara Barry-designed medicine cabinet is both stylish, visually appealing and practical. With its 4-in. depth in a recessed cabinet that’s 23 3/8 in. wide by 38 5/8 in. tall, the mirrored medicine cabinet provides ample storage for toiletries and cosmetics. (Photo compliments Kallista/Kohler Co.)

Experts in Feng Shui (the ancient Chinese art of design and layout, pronounced fung schway) caution that you should install the biggest mirror that your bathroom can hold. A small mirror means a small future and vice versa, they say. But if you put aside the spiritual implications of mirror size and focus on the mirror’s purpose, you realize there’s a good, practical reason for a big mirror: It gives you a better view of you.

The Three Types of Bathroom Mirrors

Three basic types of mirrors are common in the bathroom. There’s the fixed mirror, which is often set into the door of a built-in medicine cabinet. There’s the hanging wall mirror which, as the name implies, simply hangs on the wall. And there’s the mirror that moves--whether it telescopes outward from a wall mount, swings in or out, or pivots up or down.

Fixed mirrors are usually part of an ordinary metal, built-in medicine cabinet, the kind most of us grew up with. The truth is, they’re basic, utilitarian mirrors that work just fine, though they’re far from stylish.

This handsome, recessed medicine cabinet has been installed between studs to allow the mirrored door to close flush with the wall. (Photo compliments Kallista/Kohler Co.)

New, modern fixed-mirror medicine cabinets are available now, though, that put these old clunkers to shame. They come with heavy mirrors and sturdy, stylish cabinets. The better cabinets are made of heavy-duty aluminum rather than non-rustproof steel, so they hold up better and look better.

Other new cabinets on the market are made of fine wood such as beech or mahogany. Of course, if you want something completely different, find an architectural salvage store and buy an old wooden medicine cabinet, which often will come with a heavy beveled mirror. Often you can buy them already refinished, but because these are relatively small projects, you should be able to refinish them yourself. Just remember to remove the mirror first so you don’t damage the coating on the mirror back.

But if your budget can stand the shock, check out the new generation of mirrored medicine cabinets. Styles are available that fit virtually any décor.

Hanging Mirrors

When it comes to hanging mirrors, the sky’s the limit. If you don’t need the storage space provided by a traditional mirrored-door medicine cabinet, nearly any mirror that strikes your fancy is fair game for hanging above the bathroom sink.

When it comes to hanging mirrors, the sky’s the limit, allowing you to match any décor. This elegant mirror is a perfect compliment to a clean, traditional look. (Photo compliments Herbeau Creations)

Just remember, however, that depending on the moisture level in your bath, the material should be able to stand up to all that expected humidity. My wife, for instance, bought a handmade Mexican mirror made of ceramic tiles and tin. After a few months in our bathroom, the tiles had held up just fine, but the tin looked like it had spent time under water. The point is, remember that materials used in the bathroom have to be made to hold up to wet, damp conditions.

Movable Mirrors

You often find movable mirrors in nicer hotels: They’re fixed to the wall and either swivel out, fold out or extend on a flexible metal arm of some type.

But movable mirrors aren’t just made for the luxury hotel market, lots of different models are available for the home, including some new types you might not have seen before.

Handsomely styled in the Edwardian manner, this nickel-plated brass framed mirror has ceramic fittings and tilts up to 10 degrees away from the wall for a good clear look. (Photo compliments Restoration Hardware)

Many of these mirrors are on the expensive side, but the ones I’ve seen are well made and should give years of trouble-free service.

Movable bathroom mirrors have been around for awhile, but a couple of newcomers on the market take design, materials and style a step further. Made with high-quality, heavy mirrored glass, these new movable designs are beautiful enough for the most stylish, elegant bathroom, and sturdy enough for even men and kids to use on a daily basis. Heavy-duty hinges, pivot points, latches and hardware are made to last. Frames are created from rust-proof metals like nickel-plated brass or even silver.

Choosing Bathroom Toilet

It is a known fact that we make many trips to the bathroom each day. Therefore, it is important to many people to have their bathrooms safe, comfortable and attractive; which plays into the reason behind many bathroom remodels each year.


It is a known fact that we make many trips to the bathroom each day. Therefore, it is important to many people to have their bathrooms safe, comfortable and attractive; which plays into the reason behind many bathroom remodels each year.

When it comes to remodeling their bathrooms, many homeowners also consider replacing their toilet as part of the project. There are several factors to consider when shopping for a new toilet. The other remodeling that needs to be done in your bathroom is one of the factors when choosing your toilet. When remodeling your bathroom, be sure that you choose a toilet that will compliment the rest of the remodeled room s decor. One of the ways to create an attractive bathroom is to have everything matching; from the tiles to the toilet and walls.

The majority of bathrooms in homes usually consist of a standard aka traditional style toilet that is usually white in color and comes in two pieces. Standard bathroom toilets are also the most affordable style of toilet and can be found in most home improvement stores. However, if you are in the market for something different for your bathroom, you may want to do a little more research. Some toilet choices include a one or two piece toilet, a standard or comfort height, a gravity, power/pressure flush or flush valve, a round front and an elongated bowl.

One piece toilets are more expensive than their two piece counterparts and has a lower profile of 22 to 27 inches in height.

Two piece toilets are more affordable and are 27 to 30 inches in height.

Comfort height toilets, aka ADA compliant toilets, provide for easier sitting because it is the same height as a standard chair. Even though the tank is the same height as a standard height toilet, the bowl of a comfort height toilet is 1 1/2 to 2 inches taller than the standard height toilet.

A gravity flush system is a system that uses nothing more than water weight to generate flushing pressure. It is not only simple and quiet, it also requires less maintenance than more complex flushing systems.

A power/pressure flush system is a system that uses a pressurized air tank. This tank aids in the toilet’s flushing process. Power pressure flush systems are often noisy and more expensive than the gravity flush system toilet.

Flush valves are located at the center of the tank and is activated by the toilet’s flush handle. This releases the water that is held in the tank. The larger the flush valve is the more water flows through the toilet.

Round front bowls are suitable for smaller bathrooms and are more affordable than the elongated bowls.

Elongated bowls are toilet bowls that are 2 3 inches longer than the round front bowls. Elongated bowls are roomier, more comfortable and are suitable for bathrooms with additional space.

Even though you should be concerned with the appearance of your new toilet, you should also consider the cost of it as well. Bathroom toilets are very heavy and you may need assistance getting in inside your home. Some home improvement places offer free delivery while others charge a small fee. Be sure that you also keep in mind installation when installing the new toilet. You can have a professional install the toilet for a fee or you can install it yourself for less money.

There are many choices then it comes to your bathroom toilet. Not only do you have different styles than shapes, you even have your choice of colors as well. Even though many toilets do not come with a toilet seat, there are also many choices of seats available in every style and color. With a little time and research, you will have the perfect toilet for your bathroom that you can be happy with.

Here are a Few Steps You Can Take to Make Your Bathroom Accident Proof

The bathroom is the room in the house where most accidents occur. If you take the necessary steps to make your bathroom accident proof than you can make it less likely that accidents will occur



Most of the household accidents occur in the bathroom. You should take precautions and by upgrading your bathroom with a few things and make it much safer for everyone that uses it. Making your bathroom safe is easy to do and it may prevent a major accident from happening in it.

Here are a few steps you can take to make your bathroom accident proof.

∗ You can prevent slipping and falling in your bathroom with rugs that have rubber backing. You can also prevent these occurrences by using bathmats with adhesive decals. You should also attach grab handles to your bathroom walls, which can make it easier to get into and out of your bathtub. In case an accident were to occur in your bathroom you should always use glass that is shatterproof for your shower doors.

∗ The bathroom is an area that can have a lot of moisture and because of this you should avoid electrical hazards. Electronic appliances should be used with care in the bathroom. Never operate electrical appliances in the bathroom if your hands are wet and make sure you unplug the appliances right when you are finished using them. It is also a good idea avoid using radios and stereos while you are in the bathroom. These can be dangerous since they are electrical appliances but the moisture in your bathroom can also damage these items.

∗ If you do not already have them in your bathroom you should install grounded outlets. If you have children in your house make sure to have plastic safety plugs in the outlets when they are not in use.

∗ Many bathrooms are locked from the inside but you should have a way to get inside if an accident were to happen.

∗ Keep medication out of children's reach. Do not leave medication for adults in a bathroom that is accessible to children.

∗ Do not keep cleaning supplies in the bathroom. Small children can get into cleaning supplies, which can be dangerous. Keep the cleaning supplies in other areas of the home, such as your garage or the kitchen.

∗ Avoid people getting scalded in the shower by installing a mixing valve that has a both a temperature and pressure regulator. This type of valve will keep scalding hot water from getting on you when a toilet is flushed in your home or there is water being used somewhere else in your house.

∗ If the mirrors in your bathroom have sharp edges you should look into covering them with rubber strips.

TIP: When there are children that will be using the bathroom, whether they are yours or not, you have to be even more careful since bathrooms can be very dangerous for children. Take the necessary precautions to accident proof your bathroom so you can lessen the chance of something bad happening.

Bathroom Designs: Remodel Small Bathroom

Looking to remodel small bathroom? Still using the towels you got ten years ago for your wedding? Is the paint cracking above your shower? Well, then its probably time to update your bathroom designs. And with an average 100% return on investment with bathroom redesigns, you really have nothing to lose.



10 ways to improve your bathroom designs:

Update the fixtures: Today’s bathroom vanities, bathroom faucets and tubs are streamlined to allow for maximum space-saving. They are decorative and functional, and add lasting beauty to your bathroom designs.

Add a skylight: There’s nothing quite like natural, soft light coming from a skylight in the ceiling. Consider adding one above your shower, or directly in the middle of the room.

Install a jacuzzi: For a romantic evening with your loved one, or a long soak to take away the stress of the day, consider a jacuzzi. There are many models available today that will fit any budget.

Add a second bathroom sink: Whether you have a large family, or its just the two of you, there always seems to be a battle over the sink. Add a second bathroom basin, and alleviate the trouble.

Make use of corners: There never seems to be enough space in the shower for all those shampoos and conditioners. Install corner shelving from floor to ceiling for optimal storage.

Add a towel warmer: Just think of how wonderful a warm fluffy towel would feel after a shower on a cold winter morning. Well, install a towel warmer and feel that luxury.

Update the mirror: For small bathrooms, a large mirror can make the room feel much larger. Consider new a bathroom mirror that will add beauty and depth to your bathroom.

Get new towels: A new set of towels and bathmats is an easy, quick way to spruce up any bathroom.

Install a bidet: True, many people don’t even know what a bidet is for, but they will add lasting value to your bathroom designs.

Accessorize: Little additions like a wall-mounted soap dispenser can add a bit of flair to your bathroom designs cheaply and quickly.

7 Bathroom Designs Ideas

Sprucing up a bathroom used to mean picking up the wet towels and wiping the scum out of the soap dish. Nowadays, bathrooms are little slices of a family’s character. They can be both fun and functional. Here are a few bathroom designs ideas for families of any income:


Grandma’s House - Hang crafts and country-themed photographs on the wall. Use baskets for storing toilet paper and towels. Finish it off with a few decorative soaps in a small glass dish. Remember what Grandma said, though, they’re for decoration not washing.


Toon Town - Choose one of your favorite cartoon characters, like Mickey Mouse, and paint the bathroom in that color, such as black, red and white. Print out a few pictures of Mickey for the wall. Set small figurines on the shelf. And be sure to color coordinate the shower curtain, rugs and towels.


Zen - Make the bathroom a peaceful retreat, by painting the room in earth-tones, such as brown, green and tan. Consider bamboo fixtures, and stone for the wash basin. Rattan mats can be used outside of the tub, and rocks can be used for decoration. One of several perfect bathroom vanities would help complete the “Zen” look. Consider adding a Jacuzzi Tub for aquatherapy treatment. Just follow the basic rule of “Keep it Simple.”


Ocean - One of the most popular bathroom decorating ideas is the ocean theme. Visit any local department store to find ocean-themed toothbrush holders, shower curtains, towels, and more. If you’ve visited the ocean, consider putting a glass jar filled with sea-shells on a shelf.


Patriotic - For those in the USA, you can never go wrong with a traditional Red, White and Blue theme. Since most fixtures are white, simply buy some red and blue towels and mats. Hang a nice flag on the wall. Then consider color-coordinated soaps and tissue boxes.


Minimalist Color - Make your white bathroom fixtures stand out by painting the room in a dark, bold color such as navy blue. Accent the room with a slightly lighter shade of the same color. Finally, purchase towels and mats that are again, one shade lighter. You may want to start with deciding on the color of the towels and mats, and then work your way up.


Museum - Make your bathroom an art museum. Simply print out several of your favorite paintings, and frame them. Cluster the frames on one wall, so they are nearly touching. Choose one of several decorative bathroom vanities out there to meet your theme. For the shower curtain, visit your local fabric store and purchase an artistic swatch, then sew it to a plastic liner.

Flowers in bathroom

Today bathroom interior is not less important part of design projects, than all other premises.
Small architectural forms and various compositions from immortelles or indoor plants make bathroom a place for relaxation and rest. But for some reason indoor plants in bathrooms are quite rare in spite of the fact that these premises require that rigidity of walls has been smoothed by gentle greens of plants. Actually, by means of greens bathroom can be made really magnificent.
Presence of the big window in bathing - is an ideal variant for gardening. In a warm bathroom it is better to contain the plants, which have come to us from the countries with a tropical climate. Small window limits a choice of arrangement a little, but more hardy plants here will approach. If there is no window in bathing, do not despair. And in this case there are ways of plants maintenance.
In the big bathroom with a good window it is possible to create a certain similarity of jungle or, as a last resort, small garden. Magnificent ferns and huge leaves of philodendrons will transform your bathroom into magnificent garden. Sprawling betel palms will help to soften coldish shine of tile.
Bermuda arrowroots will perfectly approach for warm and damp atmosphere of bathroom.
Place some large single plants in large bathroom. It can be various palm trees.

Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling

Kitchens and bathrooms are distinctive rooms that see a lot of routine. Functionally, they serve the same purpose everywhere. It is our personal touches that make them unique, so that their routine does not have to include their decor. If you are tired of the scenery in your kitchen and/or bathroom, maybe it is time for a makeover. Here are a few creative, cost effective ways to make a new style statement.

First, give those walls a new look. Flat walls are too often plain walls. One way to transform a wall is to add depth. This is easily accomplished with a paneled wall treatment. This treatment gives the wall an interesting dimension, with vertical boards two-thirds of the way up the wall. They visually lift the ceiling, which is aesthetically pleasing.

Creative painting can also leave a great impression on a wall. Instead of one or two primary colors, try painting on a decorating theme. For example, paint a colorful tent room which features vertical stripes that climb up the side walls and meet at an angle on the ceiling, cabana style.

However, don’t stop at the ceiling. No more is creative painting just for the wall and the ceiling, but it is making quite a splash on area rugs. Painted-on area rugs are a nice way to change the look in a room. Start this project with a design written out on graph paper, adjusting the dimensions. Before transferring the design, clean the rug and paint it with a base color. The design should be finished with several coats of polyurethane.

The window shade is also a good candidate for creative painting, but if you want to brighten up the window, try a touch of tile. Simply frame your window with a border of 4×4 inch ceramic tile, alternating colors work best. This eye-catching alteration does not take a lot of time or money. Furthermore, it does not have to be a permanent change. Tile adhesive can be used if you want a permanent look, if not, you can Velcro the tiles in place.

Tile still works wonders in the bathroom, regardless of the size of the bath. A simple design can create great impact. To avoid a flat, sterile look, select tiles that vary in color, texture and even size. Tile showrooms are a good place to get a variety of styles and sizes of tiles which are leftover from their inventory and often discounted.

Finally, always remember the little things that say a lot. Look for decorative pieces that can dress up an old area, like a new sink, a glass shelf, a vase made from a Cobalt blue glass bottle, and/or bathroom containers that look like pharmacy canisters.

Interior Design: Kitchen & Bathrooms Tips

● If your kitchen is small (or any room for that matter) use light colors: off white, beige etc. but you can accent the room with bright colors if you like to brighten up your kitchen. Dark colors will make a room look smaller than it's actual size.

● The kitchen sink, cooking stove and the refrigerator should form a work triangle where the total distance of the three stations is no more than 26 feet. The three stations should be close enough for convenience when preparing food.

● Avoid dark colored tiles on shower areas of bathrooms and kitchen counters. Although black or royal blue may look stunning, soap residue can easily be seen and is difficult to clean when hardened. Unless you have a helper to clean the bathroom right after you shower, it is better to use light colored tiles on the shower area.

● Like any other room, if your bathroom is too small use a large mirror on top of the sink or one whole wall - it will make the bathroom look bigger.

● You can also place a mirror in the kitchen. A good place is opposite the window, it will not only make the room larger but it will reflect the light and brighten the room.

● Put small indoor plants on small pots in your kitchen and bathroom. Plants gives a fresh feeling to the interior design of the kitchen and bathroom.

● Don't be limited to stainless steel sinks, drawer handles, frames and pans, use copper, chrome, wrought iron, tin, brass and platinum. They will make your kitchen or bathroom more interesting.

● If you have shelves to spare, put cookbooks, small indoor plants and other accessories to make your kitchen more appealing.

● During holidays change the look of your kitchen by putting themed table cloth and chair slipcovers to cheer up the room.

● Always make sure that there is adequate lighting on bathrooms and kitchen. Inadequate lighting makes the kitchen & bathroom feel cramped and gloomy. Aside from the general lighting fixture at the center of the room. Put task lights under the kitchen hanging cabinets. In the bathroom, put wall lights on either sides of the vanity mirror. The classic style of placing small wall lamps on both sides of the mirror gives your bathroom a charming and elegant look.

● Bathroom interior design can be fun. If your bathroom is big enough, you can decorate it with some framed pictures or artwork. Just make sure that it is not affected by moisture. Pictures or artwork makes the bathroom more interesting. Also put some scented candles, soaps and flowers. They are always a welcome add on -specially to your visitors.

Furniture for bathing

Bathroom is very important room in the house. So, it is not necessary to restrain or deprive it. Today we have decided not only to start talking, but also to tell in detail about, how it is necessary to arrange bathroom so that it did not look poor or boring.
The washstand runs out…
It is clear, that the first question, which will be set to us by the reader, is where to place furniture for bathing. But in fact it happens different and it is good, if in your bathroom the small armchair can be located, but usually you can easily place washing machine.
However, manufacturers of sets have provided such “a trifle” as small-sized bathrooms and can offer furniture for a bathroom.
So, let’s talk about bathing furniture. Usually it is the complete set from lockers of the various sizes and designs from the most unpretentious, floor, up to original design of cases.
The most minimal complete set includes so-called “washstand” and one hinged case or a mirror with shelve. Well, depending on the sizes of a premise it is possible to choose various quantities of subjects.

All furniture for bathing is conditionally divided into three categories - floor, wall and combined team. The first group includes washstands, which are established directly on a floor; instead of fasten on a wall.
If you have decided to do without a locker under a bowl, table-top may be wonderful alternative to it. It is necessary to approach to its choice with mind and to remember, that no matter, how beautiful it was, the practicality in this case is more important. In case of table-top, it should be very wear proof. Usually table-tops are made of natural tree (oak or a pine), MDF or plastic. Besides, table-tops can be monolithic, for example, they may be made of strong glass or artificial stone. They are very expensive and require special care.
Surface of table-top (tree or MDF) is usually processed by several layers of first coat and enamel, which is not afraid of scratches and water. By the way the guarantee on furniture for bathing makes at least 10 years and serves much longer. But, despite of such safety measures and water resistance, especially to hot water, it is necessary to be very accurate with table-tops.
As a rule, metal hand-rail-hangers for towels are located of edges table-top, and the bottom is equipped by several cases for different trifles.

Top Trends In Bathroom Design

Top Trends to Turn Your Bathroom into an In-home Retreat

(ARA) - Americans find themselves cocooning in their homes and dreaming of a nice, warm, relaxing retreat.
One way to "get away," and at the same time enhance a home's value is to turn the bathroom into an in-home retreat. In fact, making the bathroom a place of retreat is one of today's most popular home remodeling projects, according to Homestore.com, as homeowners look for relief from hectic lifestyles and choose to spend more time at home.

As the country faces tough times, homeowners are focusing their spending on the home to make it a secure, comfortable environment according to a Unity Marketing study.

According to the American Standard Bathroom Habits Survey, Americans revealed that they would spend between $2,500 and $7,500 to remodel and decorate their bathrooms. Thirty percent would be willing to spend more than $10,000 to make their bathroom the ultimate dream bathroom.

"Homeowners want a beautiful, relaxing space they can call their own," says Gary Uhl, director of industrial design for American Standard, the world's leading plumbing products manufacturer and distributor. "To make the bathroom a personal retreat, homeowners are expanding the size of bathrooms and adding whirlpools and more decorative fixtures."

"The bathroom is becoming more of a centerpiece in the home with design trends ranging from the bold and colorful to the simple and elegant," says Jim Krengel, one of the first certified bathroom designers.

Krengel and Uhl suggest homeowners consider the following five trends when turning their bathrooms into a personal, relaxing retreat.


1. Bathroom Size

The number one bathroom design trend among homeowners is making the room larger. Homeowners are knocking out walls to make the current bath more functional and comfortable.

"Today the bath needs to be big enough to accommodate everything homeowners want to include," says Krengel. "Bathroom furniture and a separate shower and bathtub are emerging as hot items in today's bath."


2. Fixtures Add More than Function

Today's homeowner is looking to make the bath more comfortable, stylish and personal by using fixtures with more than one function. One popular trend is the separate shower and bath. A separate bath provides more flexibility in choosing a tub -- whether a free-standing bath or a relaxing whirlpool.

According to the American Standard Bathroom Habits Survey, a majority of Americans choose a whirlpool as the number one item they want in their bath. American Standard's whirlpools have ergonomically correct head and arm rests for maximum comfort and strategically positioned jets to create ultimate relaxation. Their whirlpools come in a variety of sizes including corner pools, such as the Savona Corner Whirlpool, that will fit discretely into the corner of a smaller bathroom.

"Another hot trend in fixtures is above-counter sinks that serve as a sink as well as displayed art," Uhl says.

The Striata and Carnivale above-counter basins by Porcher are great examples. The Striata is a fused-glass basin in jewel tones that turns the bathroom into a showcase. The Carnivale, crafted of brilliant artisan-made glass, blends striking designs with bold colors creating the ultimate fixture.


3. A Recliner in the Bath

Today's bathrooms are equipped with more than just the traditional bath and sink. As homeowners increase the size of their bathrooms, they are experimenting with armoires for storage, music or television and chaise lounges for reading and relaxing.

Vintage furniture is also making a splash in the bathroom. Homeowners are using vintage pieces as vanities or for more decorative purposes such as a towel rack or sitting chairs.

Many manufacturers are creating fixtures that look and feel like furniture. For example, the American Standard Enfield Suite showcases a freestanding tub large enough for two encased in a wood frame.


4. Rocks, Wood, Glass -- What Else?

Combining different materials is another hot design trend. Everything from glass, chrome and china can be found in baths across the country.

"Glass and chrome are popular materials emerging in today's bathroom fixtures," says Uhl. "For instance, decorative glass above-counter basins in bold colors bring art into the bath."

American Standard's Dune Console Lavatory combines a number of materials, including marble, wenge finish wood drawers, chrome frames and a glass shelf to provide artistic flair.

Glass tile is emerging as a favorite material for the bath. Homeowners are designing showers with glass tile in ocean colors to create a warm, relaxing atmosphere. Many homeowners are opting to combine glass and porcelain tiles to create accents or borders that are more affordable.

Believe it or not, stainless steel also is making its way into the bath. Designers are incorporating stainless steel in everything from the sink to the medicine chest to the bathtub to shower walls. The look of stainless steel is fairly cold, so to help soften the look, a natural stone element in the room can add warmth and a contrasting texture.


5. Adding a Little Color to Your Bathroom

Although white is still the most popular fixture color according to Uhl, homeowners are looking for other colors that will remain timeless.

"Adding a little color to a bathroom is as easy as a hand-painted sink or a new paint color to the walls," says Krengel. "Homeowners need to choose a color that suits their personality but also fits the type of environment they are looking for."

The latest color trends are running the gamut. Natural colors are the most versatile, but designers are incorporating some bolder colors such as red and blue as well as deep forest and emerald green and terra cotta and rust. These colors are used in everything from the paint to the sink to decorative tiles.

For homeowners who aren't confident in their design capabilities, Krengel suggests calling on a professional designer. "It's better to get the expert advice ahead of time, instead of after a project has gone horribly wrong."

How to Transform a Simple Corner Shower Enclosure Into a Mini-spa

Just when you thought that your corner shower enclosure is just another essential fixture in your bathroom, think again. You can actually transform it into a mini-spa. All you need to do is to equip it with different accessories. This way, you do not need to spend thousands of dollars every month for few hours of relaxation. You can do it at your own home, in your own bathroom, right inside the corner shower enclosure.

Make Sure You Can Have These

Try to prep up your corner shower enclosure with the following bathroom accessories:

1. Monochrome Towel Ring. You basically do not need to move closer to the door just to get your towel. You can simply buy a towel ring and place it near the corner shower enclosure, perhaps mounting it on the wall. A lot of them are extremely easy to install since they can either have tile rubber or have screws to go along with them. Chrome or stainless steel is also ideal, because of its constant exposure to water. You do not want it to corrode very quickly.

2. Ultimate Bathroom Set. If you want to minimize the costs of your bathroom accessory expenses, you can go for those sets that are being sold in home depots and in the World Wide Web. One of the best ones is the Ultimate Bath set, which can be composed of a bath caddy and reading rack. You can place the bath caddy inside the corner shower enclosure, while the reading rack can be put a little outside the enclosure.

3. Shower Chair. If you are thinking of spending countess hours inside the bathroom, you might as well have a seat, where you can really sit straight on your back and allow running water to massage your entire body. You can also use a shower chair when you want to convert your corner enclosure into a sauna. It normally prevents water vapor from escaping, so the steam will be more than enough to keep those toxins out your body. In the meantime, grab a magazine or a book from the rack.

4. Shower Radio. There are times when you want to share a shower with someone. However, it is not all the time that there is someone who can be there with you. At times when you needed your partner and she is not there, you can just turn on your shower radio. A number of them can contain both AM and FM signals. It can be directly mounted into the wall of your corner shower enclosure. Good music can also help you relax especially when you are treating yourself to a home spa.

5. Clog Protector. Whether you like it or not, you will have falling hair when you are going to be taking a bath, which can cause some clogging into the floors of your corner shower enclosure. A clog protector will be a good addition to your fixture then. It is commonly made of stainless steel, so it does not rust right away.

Bathroom Renovation Tips

So you have decided to renovate your old bathroom? There are a lot of pitfalls that you can fall into if you are not careful. As a result, you will find that there are a few bathroom renovation tips that will definitely help you get the best bathroom out there for you.

Face it, if you are going through all the trouble that comes with renovating your bathroom right now, you will not want to have to deal with it again for years. While not all bathroom renovation tips will apply to you, it is important for you to get an idea of what you are going to do before you start.

Measure everything

When it comes to bathroom renovation tips, the most important one is to measure, measure, measure. Make sure that you know exactly how much room you have for each fixture, and measure several times. You will need to know the different dimensions for each fixture, and that includes height, width and depth in order to make sure you have enough room.

After you have measured the amount of room that you have, you should keep in mind that you are almost always better off leaving more space empty than filling it. The exception here is for your bathtub, unless you are going to be putting in a claw foot tub.

Keep Everything Dry

The next in our set of bathroom renovation tips is just to make sure that everything stays as dry as is possible. If you are renovating an old bathroom, you should probably rip out as much of the old fixtures as you can, unless you know that they have not leaked or gotten wet. If you do not start new and dry underneath the new fixtures you are putting in today, you might end up just pulling them all out again tomorrow.

You should also follow the bathroom renovation tips that involve what types of walls and flooring to put in. Tiled floors are a great idea, especially if you are looking for something that is going to last for a long time. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that you will need to make sure that the floors are perfectly sealed, and keep them that way. Once the sealant wears off, you will end up with a lot more work to fix it.

Choose Fixtures that Work Well Together

For bathroom renovation tips specific to the fixtures you are putting in, make sure that you choose fixtures that will go well together. This does not always mean that you are looking for fixtures that are from the same collection, but you should make sure that nothing in your bathroom is going to clash. You can do this by taking pictures of everything you want in your bathroom and trying to imagine them all in their right places.

When it comes to bathroom renovation tips, one that you should always consider is that if you cannot see it, do not do it. If you are not sure what it will look like to put that vanity and that bathtub in the same bathroom, then do not do it. While it is sometimes a good idea to take a risk, that time is not when you are planning the renovation of a room this important.

Lighting can Make or Break a Bathroom Design

Finally, the last in this collection of bathroom renovation tips is just to make sure that you like the lights. If you do not have enough lighting in your room, then it is likely that you will end up with a room that is hard to work in, and that you do not enjoy using. No matter how well you plan out your new bathroom, bad lighting will make it look terrible, so take the lighting into account while you are planning.

Renovation & Design Tips

If you're thinking of remodeling your bathroom, consider adding elements of comfort and elegance . Transform your bathroom into your own personal sanctuary . While many home interiors are becoming more simple, bathrooms are getting the royal treatment. Elegance, softness, and sophistication are the keywords for bathroom decor..



In general, bathrooms are getting larger . In many renovations, homeowners are tearing down walls, eliminating small bedrooms, and creating giant bathrooms. combined with dressing areas and walk in robes. Add to that, oversized bathtubs, and double showers, telephones and televisions, a bathroom is becoming the retreat.


Cabinets
Custom cabinetry is designed to provide maximum storage, eye-appeal, and convenience. Tall cabinets on either side of the sink area, offers eye-level storage for bathroom necessities. Electric plugs installed inside the cabinets help hide ugly appliance cords. Extra-deep drawers offer out-of-site storage for tall bottles. Even a small bathroom will look larger with mirrored walls or cabinet doors. To add floor space to a narrow room, consider having cabinets cut shallower, and recess the sink area. A bathroom will look more interesting without a long, straight line of cabinets. If your space has room, consider having the countertop installed at two heights. The lowered area can serve as a dressing table. You might even have a whole wall of cabinets built in to store towels, and bathroom necessities.

Tiles
While many bathrooms have laminate or solid surface countertops, tiles of all shapes and styles are the choice of the day. For any variety of looks and durability, choose glass, ceramic, stone, or metal tiles. Even in ceramic tiles, there are many painted or embossed styles to choose from. These are especially useful to create a border around an area, or to frame a mirror or cabinet. You can also scatter hand-painted or embossed tiles at intervals on a wall to create texture and color.
A word of warning if you're decorating on a budget:, decorative tiles are sold by the piece. Before you go shopping, measure the space you're going to tile so that you know how many tiles you'll need. If you're doing a shower enclosure or countertop, the number adds up. And then multiply the number of tiles by the price per piece, and the number gets big quickly. Remember to add in edging pieces, corners, and borders . An extra dollar per tile could mean a lot of dollars extra for the whole room! Additional labour is required to lay porcelain, marble, granite and unsheeted mosaics, and therefore extra costs incurred.

Basin/Vanity
For extra floor space, you might select two elegant pedestal basins in either traditional or contemporary designs. If using pedestal sinks, you must provide extra storage space. For busy bathrooms , you'll definitely need two sinks. You can place them next to each other on a long countertop set on top of a beautiful customised cabinet. Each person will be able to use their sink without rubbing elbows. Another look in bathroom basins shows a large bowl mounted on the top of a bathroom counter, or installing the sink in front of a window to take advantage of the natural light. Install a drop-in basin into a marble or solid-surface countertop is a classic look. To theme your bathroom, you can choose traditional knobs of glass, brass, pewter, or crystal.

Lighting is very important in your bathroom. Both artificial light and natural light should be considered when redesigning your bathroom. There should be plenty of light directed at work areas. Soft lighting is great above a soaking bath & can be achieved with the connection of a wall dimmer. Be sure to confirm your plans for lighting with an electrician or lighting designer before the ceiling and walls are closed up after remodeling. You'll want to have the wiring all installed behind the walls so no cords or wires show.


Mirrors come in various styles including polished edge, framed or beveled edge. Mirror shaving cabinets are best for hiding storage ideas, besides giving the room a bigger feel.

Taps Depending on the style of your bathroom, decorative taps are available in brass, chrome, pewter, or satin chrome. There are many types of taps available, please consider their make, place of manufacture and warranties when you make your choice. Taps come in sets or mixers. Tap sets include 2 handles whereas Mixers have one handle. Mixer taps are more streamlined and light on the hand. Should you be considering putting mixers in your bathroom, expect higher installation & component costs.

Accessories selected especially for a bathroom can help to take away the cold, hard look often found in bathrooms. You might want to select elegant window coverings, artwork, or flowers to add warmth to your space. In place of a simple towel rail , consider a heated towel rack that will have your towels nice and warm. Towel ladders can also be used to fill up a large wall and allow many towels to be hung at once.

The Perfect Bathroom Design

Imagine ... You enter an airy, spacious bathroom. Elegant colored marble surrounds you, and assorted greenery adds to the sense of freshness and well-being. Start the spa bath, and put on your favorite CD. Now lay back and relax in the fragrant bubbles. You feel peaceful and alive.




After bathing, you step out onto a welcoming warm tile floor and maintain that comfortable, relaxed "hot tub" feeling as you stroll over the luxurious surface to grab the cozy, heated towel that's waiting for you. The days when you shivered every time you got out of your bath seem like a dim & distant memory.

Now you stand in front of your fog-free mirror — no need to wipe the mist and condensation off two or three times before getting a blurry reflection of yourself. In this luxurious and temperate oasis, a "renewed you" serenely smiles back.

Do you like what you see? With all the innovative products, designs, and new materials becoming available through the industry, your bathroom can now be so much more than a sink, a tub, and a toilet in standard white.

You have a great range of options, and there are lots of fun decisions to be made on the way to creating your perfect bathroom!

What you will find in the perfect bathroom:

1.Large Bathtub

Large bathtubs or bubble baths are a must in luxurious bathrooms, but they are expensive and require a lot of space.

2.Ceramic Tile Floor

The perfect bathroom needs a ceramic tile floor. Ceramic tiles are the most artistic and beautiful improvement over any other type of bathroom floor.

3.Entertainment

Hi-fi or television is not only for the living room! You often spend a lot of time in the bathroom. It's the perfect moment to listen to that song you like so much.

4.Fog Free Mirrors

After a long, hot shower, why should you wait until the steam clears before you can see yourself in a mirror? These systems will slightly warm your mirror so they remain crystal clear throughout your shower or bath.

5.Warmth and Comfort

After your bath, what's more comforting than a warm towel? You can also warm your bathroom floor

How to design a great bathroom

Your bathroom is one of the most important and most used rooms in your home. It has to be functional for everyone in the house, or you will have chaos. You must keep everyone’s needs in mind when it comes to designing your bathroom. This goes for the small child who is not yet potty trained, to the adult who wants to spend some time in the tub soaking and for the fast paced teen on the go, needing a shower fast and without interrupting anyone else.

Along with keeping it organized and ready for whoever is intended, you should also think about the style that you want to use. What types of styles do you have to choose from? Functional is one style, simple, not cluttered areas is what a functional bathroom is.

A pampering bathroom is all about the adult, male or female. This is for those who want to be able to leave make up or shaving kits where you want them to be. Perhaps there is a radio, a place to set your coffee when you are dressing in the morning and even a hot rod, where you can place your towel to get warm for extra comfort when getting out of the shower.

Yet, another type of bathroom will be based on the needs of one who comes home very dirty and grimy after a long hard day at play or at work. In this bathroom, you will find a special rack for dark towels that won’t get stained, another rack for towels for after the shower if you would like. In this type of bathroom, you will find a hamper for the grimy clothes and one for the clothes you don’t want the grime piled up on top of. This is still a functioning bathroom, but one that fill a special need of the users.

If you are starting everything from scratch, then you need to think about where you are going to put the shower or tub, toilet and sink. You should map out the room first before you start. Having your floor plan ready before you start purchasing these important items, you will have a better idea of what you need and how much space you will have to work with. Think about the amount of space that you have available and what will be the best way to use it. This layout will also include planning for your plumbing.

Next, you should think about what colors you want to use and if you want a theme to be incorporated in your bathroom. Decide on themes that best suit the style the bathroom is going to be most occupied by. This is the fun part and one of the hardest. Making sure that all the items and accessories in the bathroom match can be a difficult task if you do not stick to your theme or color pattern.

When deciding what types of products to use in your bathroom, think about what your preferences are and what materials you like best. You should make sure that the tile and countertops that you choose are able to stand up to your daily abuse. Think about the type of flooring that you want and consider the fact that some materials such as shiny materials may not be slip resistant when wet. You may also want to consider what is going to be easier to clean and what is more practical for you and your family.

Choosing the right light fixtures for your bathroom may be a challenge also. Consider what kind of lighting you want to use in your bathroom and where you are going to need it. Keep in mind where your outlets are and where you will need the most light for your everyday needs.

The last step in designing the perfect bathroom for you is to add a few of your personal touches. Hang some pictures or place some fresh flowers or plants in the bathroom to add a warm and cozy feeling. This will make your bathroom complete and give it the final touches that it needs.

Bathroom Design Ideas The Average Mom Would Like To See In Their Own Bathrooms

Attention to all you bathroom design specialists. If you really want to please all the moms when it comes to their bathrooms then get busy designing and marketing these wonderful ideas. As mom's we don't ask for a lot but a few of these suggestions could go a long way in keeping our happy families happy.

Okay when it comes to mirrors I don't see why they can't make them tooth paste repellent. It seems like every morning and night when I go look in the bathroom mirror I see little specks of toothpaste. I am sure it would be much easier to design mirrors like this rather than to teach my family to brush their teeth with their mouth closed, or heaven forbid wipe off the toothpaste when they are done.

How about a water rail you can flip up on the tub when a toddler or younger child is playing in the tub. Lots of children like to play in the bath tub and some fill up containers of water to set on the edge (that sometimes get knocked over onto the floor). If you had a waterproof rail you could flip up it could keep all the toys, water, and waves in the tub and make things much simpler.

Now this one will be tougher to design, and maybe it is something that needs to be taught in school, I know I have had more success teaching new math, world history, and physics than I have in teaching my family how to consistently change the toilet paper roll when it is empty. But if a design could be invented to help make this happen in homes with children that would be an amazing invention. Maybe a buzzer should go off when it is empty and the doors automatically lock. The only way the buzzer stops or the door unlocks is when the old roll has been replaced with a new one. I don't know, this is one for the experts.

The last bathroom design ideas is the biggee. If inventors can invent vehicles that sense when something is getting to close when you are backing up and they can invent moisture sensing windshield wipers I see no reason why those two technologies cannot be combined into making a smart toilet. Can't all you mothers imagine how much more pleasant cleaning the bathroom would be if your toilet was equipped with those two technologies? If this ever becomes a mainstay in bathroom plumbing you can bet it will be a mom that invents it!