Many people think that a bathroom is a retreat to be with just one’s self but in many households it turns to be an unexciting place soon after. Turning your regular bathroom into a luxury bathroom is not a quick task and not a cheap one. But smart planning and spending can turn your regular bathroom into looking like a luxury bathroom. Some items you can expect to find in a luxury bathroom are electronic faucets, smart toilets, tanning showers, spa showers, towel warmers, heated floors, shower rain heads and body sprays with temperature control, bathroom wine coolers (just in case you wish to have a sip while taking a dip), bubbler tubs with fountains and even a television.
The whole idea of a luxury bathroom is not to have everything available in a single place but how and what meets the practicality of fitting within the dimensions of your bathroom, usage, cost and maintenance. Designing a luxury bathroom is also done professionally by interior designers who also can execute the plan with material for a charge. This takes the headache out of your mind to go places and select stuff yourself. Luxury bathrooms also increase the value of the property so they will always fetch you some money in return and are not bad from the point of investment as well. Your luxury bathroom can give you a higher self esteem and pleasurable moments all in one place.
Those who can afford luxury are demanding it to the hilt. Whether it means, having a Swarovski based bath tub or free standing bath, or platinum inlaid basins. Everything has to be over the top for these connoisseurs of luxury.
Homeowners need not stress over small bathroom designs. Although the space element may be limited, there are several creative ways to maximize what you have. Here are some top ideas for small bathrooms.
Pick Light Colors
The color of your bath is crucial to creating great first impressions. Small bathrooms should always avoid dark, heavy colors. These can make your bath seem both assuming and smaller than it is. Light, pastel colors on the other hand with small designs are perfect. These colors create the impression of spaciousness. These are also the colors that can make any room fell fresh, airy and relaxing. Mix and match pastel colors for your floor, walls, cabinets and fixtures.
Use Corner and Overhead Spaces
Make use of unused spaces. The key is to make the most out of these small unused areas. You could for example push your bath tub and toilet to the wall to ensure that no remaining unused space at the back remains. You can also use corners for a hanging sink and a corner shower booth. Overhead spaces can still accommodate cabinets, hamper hooks and racks. As much as possible, keep the floor space free except for your tub, shower stall and toilet.
Choose Smaller Bath Items
Pick out small items and bathroom accessories. Bath fixtures don’t come in single sizes. If you do not have a family of giants, then you can settle for a smaller toilet, bathtub and sink. Do make sure though that you have fixtures that you are comfortable using. Consult the biggest member of your family when picking the smallest possible fixture available.
Use Mirrors
All bathrooms need mirrors. Small bathrooms would look perfect with unadorned mirrors. Extremely small bathrooms might have to do with small round mirrors. Small baths though that aren’t exactly too cramped could use wide mirrors that stretch across walls. It may not be obvious to some but mirrors are design accents that are more than just functional. These reflective surfaces will help make your bathroom seem larger.
Get Lights and Windows
Aside from mirrors, lights also help extend the perception of space. As much as possible, natural light sources should be preferred over artificial ones. Windows over bathtubs or overhead openings bring in not just light but a breath of fresh air.
Use night lights wisely. Opt for generous light fixtures that aren’t just limited to the center of the room. Attach dimmers so you can adjust light options when you are in the mood for subdued lights.
Think Minimal
Limit your bathroom items and accessories. As much as possible, stick to only the essential items that a bathroom should have. Move magazine racks, extra cabinets, excess hampers and towel racks from the bathroom.
Small bathroom designs may require your creativity. With a little imagination, you can easily convert a small bathroom into the dream haven you have always wanted.
The bathroom has come along way in the past one hundred years. Once just a basic tub set in front of the living room fire and filled with buckets of water, the bathing experience is now a luxury in almost every western home. Back then, a “bathroom” was something only the wealthy and privileged could afford to have in their house. It was this trend which lead to the mass production of bathroom products.
The Edwardian and Victorian styles of the time are still a popular choice today. They look exquisite in a villa or cottage bathroom, and never loose their appeal in terms of design.
Today, thanks to advanced plumbing and modern technology, the bathroom may well have evolved as far as it can. With luxury steam rooms and hydrotherapy baths, it’s difficult to imagine how bathrooms could get any more sophisticated. That said, the bathroom, like any room in the house, is ever changing in terms of design trends.
Here we look at the five most popular styles of bathroom designs. Traditional, Country, Shabby chic, Contemporary and Fantasy.
Traditional
The Traditional bathroom can mean either traditional in terms of Edwardian or Victorian style, or in respect to a standard white bathroom with basic sanitary ware and bath. Here, we’ll be looking at the style of bathroom design where it all started. The Edwardian bathroom.
Over the past decade, with the popularity of TV shows like Changing Rooms, the trend for old-fashioned bathrooms has seen a real upsurge. A rare gem of an old slipper bath or rusty traditional faucet may be found at a scrap yard or in a skip, but thankfully manufacturers are keeping up with demand with skillfully crafted traditional bathroom products.
Certain rooms only work in certain houses, so if you’re living in a modern high rise apartment the traditional bathroom isn’t going to work for you. If you have an old cottage or villa retreat this style of bathroom is one you should definitely consider.
Almost always, the bath is the centre piece attraction of the traditional bathroom. A free-standing roll-top or slipper bath sits proudly on a dark polished floor, and only if going for a traditional continental style bathroom will an inset or sunken tub hold appeal. Either a wall-mounted faucet or a free-standing one looks classy. Deep ridges and curved angles are what makes the traditional sanitary ware what it is – bold and masculine.
When decorating a traditional bathroom both soft tones and bold colours can work well. Strong tones of browns, maroons and greens give a nice warmth to the room, but be sure the bathroom is well lit, maybe with a lavish chandelier. With the right colours, antique gold can look better than chrome. Go for curtains, never blinds. If going for a vanity unit rather than a traditional basin and pedestal, choose an oak or cherry finish; or the white Cynk vanity unit is a good look with traditional baths and toilets.
One of the most appealing things about the traditional bathroom is clutter gives it more of a lived-in effect, thus enhancing the traditional look. Don’t be afraid to put plenty of pictures on the walls – black and white family portraits in gold frames are a good look. A chest of drawers or corner table with scented candles, aromatherapy oils or flowers will really bring the room to life. As a finishing touch an old style set of weighing scales, a large framed mirror or bulky traditional radiator will give the room that cozy old-fashioned feel.
Country
The country style bathroom is perhaps the easiest type of design to create, and like the traditional bathroom only really works well within the right house. The classic country look is best associated with floral wallpaper, high beams, basin frills and a bath canopy. Following the traditional design, cast iron baths and deep ridged sanitary ware are what gives the country bathroom its nostalgic look.
Check, floral or plaid curtains are preferred over roller blinds, and shutters, though rare in England, offer a great form of privacy as well as adding to the country effect. Wood plays a big part in this look, and almost all furniture works well in this setting, especially beech, maple, ash and oak vanity units and cabinets.
Either tiles or wooden floors can be used. Tiles should be a rustic colour, and can be used to create elaborate mosaics. Wooden floors should be varnished to match the furniture. Decorating may see a stenciled motif used as a border, and the technique of rubbing paint on the walls with a sponge gives the room that worn natural look.
Toilets with high level cisterns and pull chains are very rare these days, but a must have for the country bathroom, as are traditional taps for the bath and basin. Just about any kind of free-standing bath will suit the country bathroom. If wishing to have a shower a tiled walk-in shower is the advisable option with a curtain to conceal the area.
For the final touch add wicker baskets filled with pot pouri, wire basket shelves and stylish wall lamps.
Shabby Chic
“Shabby chic”, a relatively new phrase used to describe room designs, is an obscure blend of neglect and style. It is one of the most difficult bathroom designs to create, and it takes a bold decision to go for this bathroom style. It almost certainly achieves its full potential in a continental house, either a French chateau or old Spanish villa.
The absolute opposite of a fitted bathroom, the shabby chic look is a mismatch of styles and products. You can even do the unexpected, like put a put a refrigerator in the corner. Nothing is expected to match and pipework and plumbing are on show rather than concealed. This style is best suited to those who have inherited a bathroom and want to update it a little rather than fork out on a brand new bathroom suite.
The key to decoration is neutral tones with a few dark colors. For the walls choose a matte or flat wall paint. Pale golds and yellows work particularly well as does floral or check patterned wallpaper.
As with the country and traditional bathrooms, cast iron baths are a must. Either a roll-top or slipper bath will do, and although you don‘t want holes or rust, the more dilapidated it looks the better. Even consider running sandpaper over the paint work and claw feet. It’s always worth looking out for old fittings at antique shops and car boot sales.
Counter top basins are highly recommended in this setting, and the look out for extremely unusual decorated designs. Place it on a washstand or run-down vanity unit. Add unique ornaments and antique framed mirrors.
Modern
Modern bathrooms are all about what you do with the space you have. Within many bathrooms there is little room to work with, so making the most of the space is essential. This is why fitted bathroom suites are now so popular. Having bathroom furniture made to measure is one of the most practical design solutions when remodeling the bathroom.
How many of us have had a bathroom with a cluttered airing cupboard? With the modern bathroom there’s no need to cram your toiletries, towels and cleaning fluids around the boiler. With fitted vanity units, storage units and cabinets you‘ll have all the space you need.
When examining modern bathroom design, wall-hung furniture has to get a mention. White gloss will never go out of fashion, but more recently furniture finishes such as wenge, beech and maple have made a real emergence in popularity.
As well as the furniture, wall-hung sanitary ware is a great space-saving solution while giving the bathroom a contemporary feel. Also, concealed cistern units are a more eye-pleasing look than the standard close-coupled toilet.
Showerbaths are a great practical way of optimizing the space, so that you have the comfort of both bathing and showering. Walk-in showers are also very popular in the modern bathroom, and if buying a shower enclosure for the modern bathroom choose one with a chrome structure over white.
Chrome and stainless steel are the ultimate choice in the modern bathroom, and taps and bath mixers are available in a number of contemporary designs, rather than the traditional style faucets. Also, choose chrome towel rails over standard white radiators, as well as matching chrome accessories..
Don’t be afraid to decorate with bold colours when tiling or painting, getting the contrast right with the chrome and the gloss. If using curtains be subtle with the designs and colours, but preferably go for stylish roller blinds.
Fantasy
Daring to be anything more than conventional, the fantasy bathroom design lets you be truly innovative with your fantasies and tastes. With the emphasis on futuristic, this style of bathroom is the antithesis of the traditionalist.
The fantasy design is ideally exclusive to only larger bathrooms, as with all futuristic interior design large open spaces are what brings the room together. Steam cabins and whirpool baths are the ideal choice for showering and bathing. Or combine the two will a well designed bath screen and a glass shower panel. Because of their minimal effect, Walk-in showers also work well with modern tiling, chrome shower fixtures and classy shower lighting.
For the sanitary ware go with wall-hung or standard close-coupled toilet and basin with pedestal with acute angles and a contemporary design. Abstract towel rails and wenge wall-hung furniture fit well in the fantasy bathroom, giving it that calm almost surreal look.
The ultimate luxury in a fantasy bathroom would have to be a waterproof TV. You could even think of doubling the bathroom up as gym, complete with exercise bike and rowing machine.
Ornaments should be unobtrusive, so choose things like small piles of pebbles and modern wall prints over candles and nick-nacks.
Looking for bathroom ideas? You may be researching bathroom design ideas for remodeling an existing bathroom or you may be looking for bathroom ideas for building a new one.
The bathroom design ideas that you use can have a dramatic impact on the appearance and functionality of your bathroom. The bathroom is a room that will be visited often every day and you want this space to be comfortable, usable, appealing and safe to be in while fitting into the overall style and decor of your home.
Here are bathroom ideas to consider as you are planning this important room:
1 – Add a Mirror – mirrors on the bathroom walls will give the appearance of windows being there, will reflect light and extend the room. Mirrors can create a sense of openness, making any bathroom appear larger than it really is. Add a medicine cabinet with mirror to your bathroom to store grooming supplies, medicine or toiletries. Traditionally, the medicine cabinet was located above the vanity or sink, however, you can place it elsewhere in the bathroom if you want.
2 – Create Ample Bathroom Storage – you cannot have too much storage space in a bathroom. Use wall space wisely with shelves or built-in cabinets, vanities or cabinets over the commode. Corner shelves are good bathroom ideas choices if you have limited space. Install corner shelves to display ceramics, shampoos, soaps, bath oils and candles. Display corner shelves can be found that are decorative and allow you to use otherwise wasted space.
3 – Use Wicker Baskets – fill wicker baskets with soaps, candles, sponges, bubble baths, and loofahs. You can roll some of your colorful towels and place them in inexpensive wicker baskets around the bathroom. Keep some of the large wicker storage baskets with towels near the tub and shower within easy reach.
4 – Carefully Select the Floor Material – besides the appearance, the bathroom floor should be safe to walk on and water resistant. Rubber flooring, ceramic tile, vinyl and linoleum floors are good choices since these floor materials can be easy to clean, water resistant and safe to walk on.
If you will use natural stone or terra-cotta ceramic tile on your floor, use the kind that has a non-slip finish. Be careful using rugs that can slide on a tiled floor or natural stone floor. Use rugs that have a rubber backing or add rubber backing strips to the rugs.
5 – Plan the Lighting Carefully – bathroom ideas and general lighting can be ceiling lights, wall fixtures or track lighting. Having adequate general lighting means there is enough light for someone to walk safely through the bathroom. This overall light will distribute itself throughout the entire space, however, general lighting is not sufficient for grooming functions.
Task lighting provides light to a specific area where shaving, putting on makeup or other types of grooming take place. Task lighting should be adjustable by using dimmers or controls, and it is best to aim this type of lighting at an angle to avoid hot spots or shadows.
The use of natural light can be included in your bathroom ideas by having a window, a wall skylight or a roof skylight to bring in natural light. Having a skylight that can be opened is great because it reduces moisture buildup. Remember that using a combination of different types of bathroom light fixtures carefully placed may give your bathroom the best results.
6 – Plan for Moisture Control – bathroom ideas should plan for humidity and odors in the room. Use a power ventilator large enough to do the job. Lingering moisture could become a problem if you do not have a properly-sized ventilating fan to get rid of moisture and odors. Ventilating fans are sized by the cubic feet of air they move in one minute (cfm).
A good ventilation system that can move the air from the bathroom to the outdoors about eight times per hour means that the bathroom will have the moist air removed in 7 or 8 minutes. If you take the length, width and ceiling height of your bathroom and multiply these three numbers, you will have the cubic feet of space for your bathroom.
For example, a bathroom that is 5 feet by 8 feet with an 8 foot high ceiling will have 320 cubic feet of space (5 times 8 times 8 equals 320). A 40 cfm (cubic feet per minute) fan will move the air from inside this bathroom to the outdoors in about 8 minutes (320 divided by 40).
Enjoy gathering bathroom ideas and the planning process, learn as much as you can and use your imagination as you collect and implement your bathroom ideas. Having a comfortable, attractive and functional bathroom that reflects your personal style means you will have a special place to enjoy for many years to come.
Bathroom tile ideas for bathroom floor tile can help you know what options to consider for your bathroom. Bathroom tile comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, patterns and textures and they are the basis for any bathroom design. Bathroom tile ideas can help you have the very best bathroom possible.
Ceramic bathroom floor tile is often used because of its durability, resistance to dampness, its safety to walk on when wet and its ease of cleaning. If you select ceramic tiles for your bathroom, consider using a tile that has a slip-resistant surface for bathroom safety, which is one of the best bathroom tile ideas.
If you buy and install unglazed tiles, they will need to be washed frequently because they absorb stains quite easily. Bathroom floor tile shapes can be squares, rectangles, hexagons and octagons while accent tiles can be narrow and small diamond-shaped pieces.
Here are bathroom tile ideas for bathroom floor tile:
1 – If you use solid color ceramic bathroom floor tile in your bathroom, you can add tile borders of a different color to the tile floor, or you can create a border by alternating different colors. This kind of visual treatment can create a more interesting bathroom floor.
2 – When using the same color ceramic tile for the floors and walls, choose a different tile size for the walls or lay the wall tiles diagonally to create a more interesting visual effect.
3 – Another of the bathroom tile ideas is to choose a grout color that contrasts with the ceramic tile color. For example, if you are using white tiles, you could use blue, red or yellow grout for contrast. Be sure and apply sealers to grout lines in areas of heavy wear since sealers will protect and preserve grout colors.
4 – If your favorite color for a bathroom is pink, for example, add a few pink decorative tiles for the walls or use shapes, textures and borders to give it some visual interest. Select some rows of the walls where you can also use some of the pink tiles placed diagonally.
5 – To give your bathroom a contemporary style and look, consider using bright and bold colors with shapes or graphics against plain backgrounds. Contemporary style accessories and fixtures will further provide a modern-looking bathroom appearance.
6 – If you are trying to have a romantic or Victorian look in your bathroom, use floral tiles in soft colors like pink, light green or light blue plus handpainted ceramic sinks and perhaps a wooden floor. For a Mediterranean bathroom look, mix terra-cotta tiles with Mexican or other hand-painted tiles for the floors. For the countertop, perhaps mix the hand-painted tiles with another plain color tile.
7 – Bathroom tile ideas and tile color are important since color can greatly affect your mood, making you feel calm or energizing you. Warm colors like peach and yellow are fun, they make the bathroom feel cozier and they go well with a more country looking bathroom decor. If you use neutral colors like beiges and whites, they will make the room look larger, they will reflect light and they are always in style.
Colors like blue, green and violet are viewed as serene or cool colors. Brighter colors like black or red add drama to the decor, absorb light and will make the room appear smaller. In rooms with plenty of windows and natural lighting, consider using darker tiles to offset the ambient lighting. You can also work in colors you want through the use of accent tiles and accessories.
Have fun as you select the styles, colors, patterns and sizes of bathroom floor tile and related accessories for your bathroom. You’ll want your bathroom to be a fun, cozy room to spend time in and the bathroom floor tile used can help create that kind of atmosphere. Use bathroom tile ideas to help you have that special bathroom that you can enjoy every day.
Choosing a bathroom suite will in the end come down to the shape and size of your bathroom. It doesh’t have to be a large area, even those with the simplest and smallest of bathrooms can add a few unique features and generate something to delight and take pride in. A bathroom is a room to take pride in; with a little personal touch the right bathroom suite for you will mean life becoming more relaxing and convenient.
If you are out of ideas have a good look around and don’t make a hasty decision. Interior design magazines often have a section on bathroom suites or home and living type magazines will supply you with different types of suites. A visit to the local DIY or bathroom showroom will give you some inspiration too and there is always the Internet for stores worldwide with plenty of ideas.
A bathroom suite has to fit your lifestyle. a suite; don’t just choose one because you like it! It has to fit around the requirements of everyone else living in the house too. If you have children or older parents living with you they will have wildly differing needs to a young couple. Also take under consideration the style and period of the rest of the house and select something that will fit in with its surroundings. If your house is Victorian then an ultra modern look won’t suit, visa versa, a new apartment with a Victorian bathroom might look out of place.
Before you go searching the stores for a bathroom, measure the room first and draw up a plan as the type of suites you look at will be dictated by the size and shape of your bathroom. The type of suite you like might not fit well into the space you have, so this is important to check.
Taking everyone’s needs into consideration is vital, even when it comes down to the flooring and wall coverings. Tiles on the floor will be easy to wash down but could be slippery for children and a bath might prove complicated for an older couple with mobility problems, a shower would be far more convenient.
Pick out the features you like about your current bathroom and those you want to remove. Would you prefer a bath or a shower, or is the bathroom large enough to house both? It is important you take under consideration the number of people who will be using the bathroom, their ages and particular needs.
You are not stuck with the current layout of the bathroom. There might in most cases be a better option or a space that isn’t used effectively that could be improved. Just don’t forget to make a careful research before making any big decisions as changes to the plumbing and plastering work can be costly.
A new bathroom will update and give your bathroom a whole new modern look. Depending on the look you want to achieve, bathroom suites can be found in contemporary, modern or traditional styles. If your house style is Victorian a traditional bathroom will probably be a good choice, choose a decorative basin and pedestal sink for an antique look. If you live in a modern apartment, you might want to go with a contemporary style with simple clean lines.
Money will in most cases have the final say when it comes to house renovations. You can find many modern bathroom suites that look good and in the same time low in price these days. And if you want to go with the traditional look, try scouring the antique warehouses for second hand original pieces.
Bathroom taps can be durable and last for many years to come if you pick the right one. A fashionable, popular look this year can quickly look outdated next year. Classic designs and simple lines will last you for a lot longer. Of course if you have unlimited money and you like to keep up with the latest trends and fashions then you can always redecorate again in a few years time.
Your choice of bathroom will be individual to you as everyone has different tastes and ideas. Make a research by looking through design magazines, bathroom showrooms and online and you’ll soon find inspiration and be ready to go. Choose a bathroom suite to fit your needs and requirements, add a touch of luxury and you will have the perfect bathroom suite.
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