Cheap Ideas for Small Bathroom Makeovers

Read article : Cheap Ideas for Small Bathroom Makeovers

by Lane Cummings ; Updated July 27, 2017

The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your home. Nearly everyone spends time in the bathroom before leaving the house. Your bathroom should be a space that you enjoy being in, no matter how small. If you find your bathroom cramped or cluttered, you can make a few small changes that will quickly transform it without ruining your budget.

Add Color Creatively

A new coat of paint is one of the most basic and inexpensive ways you can change the appearance of your bathroom, no matter what the size. Painting your bathroom is something you can do even if you have no experience, and light colors give the impression of more space. However, don't stop there. Once your top coat of paint has dried, add decorative stencils to liven up the room. For example, add stencils of cheerful objects that you'll like seeing, such as sailboats, sunflowers, bows, seashells or country hearts.

Cabinet Hardware

If your bathroom cabinets are old and tired looking and you can't afford new ones, there's still a cheap and easy way to freshen them up. Purchase new cabinet handles and drawer pulls. Nowadays there is a wealth of strikingly decorative cabinet hardware that will take attention away from the outdated cupboards and drawers and act as a distinctive finishing touch for the entire bathroom. Consider selecting cabinet hardware that matches the color of the paint on your walls as it will help bring the room together.

Shower Curtain and Rug

The shower curtain and rug in your bathroom are two articles that can quickly take a beating from frequent use. The shower curtain can turn moldy and cloudy and the bath mat rug can lose its bright color and fluffiness. Purchasing a new, crisp shower curtain and a new, soft rug are easy ways to freshen up your bathroom immediately. Select curtain and mat colors that either match your walls or that contrast in a harmonious way.

'); }

References

About the Author

Lane Cummings is originally from New York City. She attended the High School of Performing Arts in dance before receiving her Bachelor of Arts in literature and her Master of Arts in Russian literature at the University of Chicago. She has lived in St. Petersburg, Russia, where she lectured and studied Russian. She began writing professionally in 2004 for the "St. Petersburg Times."

Photo Credits

Simple Tips for a Successful Bathroom Renovation

Read article : Simple Tips for a Successful Bathroom Renovation

From design inspiration to choosing the right materials and fixtures, we’ve got all the information you need to complete the perfect bathroom renovation project.

Regardless of whether you live in an apartment or a house, the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the home.

A practical and modern bathroom dramatically enhances the appeal of any home, so if you’re planning a bathroom renovation it’s important that you get the details right. So if you’re looking for a host of handy tips and tricks to help you turn your tired and impractical bathroom into a relaxing and luxurious retreat, you’ve come to the right place.

Getting started

Before you start thinking about design ideas, colours, and choosing shower heads and tiles, you need to sit down and work out exactly what you want to achieve with your bathroom renovation.

If you’re renovating an ensuite to create a peaceful space where you can unwind, warm tones and a modern free-standing bathtub might be high on your wish list. If you need a bathroom for your growing family, then durable materials and plenty of storage will be essential inclusions.

So take the time to develop a clear idea of what the bathroom will be used for and any features on your must-have list. Once that’s done you can start planning the finer details.

Design ideas for different projects

There are several features and factors you’ll need to consider when planning your bathroom renovation, including:

Layout

The right layout is essential to create a functional and comfortable space, so consider ambience, flow and practicality when deciding on your bathroom layout. Speak to an architect or a builder about the functionality and layout of the space. There’s a seemingly endless array of floorplan options available, though you may be constrained by the location of existing plumbing connections. Consider the features you want in your bathroom, for example maximising natural light or ensuring an easy flow from the bedroom through to your ensuite shower, when deciding on the right layout.

Shower

The shower is one of the features of your bathroom that will get the most use. From choosing a screen for privacy to deciding on a shower head to sourcing the right water flow, there’s plenty to think about when selecting your shower. You can choose a fixed or hand-held shower head, massage showers, waterfall showers and high- and low-pressure jets. In terms of shower screens, do you want a framed, frameless or semi-frameless screen, or perhaps no screen at all? Chat to an interior designer and shop around at bathroom specialist stores to learn more about the different options available on the market and how they fit into your plans.

Bath

A contemporary bathtub is a must — and there’s a seemingly limitless range of beautiful designs to choose from. There are freestanding tubs that are statement pieces in their own right, recessed baths that use minimal space, easy-access baths for the elderly or those with a disability, as well as full jacuzzi setups for a touch of luxury. However, if you live in a second-storey house, be mindful of having a bath on the second floor as the weight of a full bathtub may put pressure on the upper floor. The amount of space available is also going to have a big influence on the bath you select.

Vanity and basin

Every bathroom needs a sink, but if you and your partner are usually getting ready at the same time, could the space benefit from his and hers sinks? Ample storage space is a must for any vanity unit, while looks should never be neglected in order to ensure that the vanity you select matches the rest of the bathroom. The right vanity will combine good looks and handy storage options with plenty of usable bench space. From wall-mounted vanities to cabinet vanities and even minimalist vanities with a simple shelf system, there’s a huge range of choices available.

Fixtures and fittings

From taps and towel rails to frameless shower screens, the right fixtures and fittings are practical inclusions that complement the design of the rest of the bathroom. Taps come in an extensive selection of materials, including chrome, brass, gold and stainless steel, and there’s no limit to the styles available depending on the space available and the look you want to achieve. The sink, shower, bathtub and toilet should all serve a practical purpose but should also seamlessly integrate with their surrounds and complement one another perfectly.

Tiles

Tiles play a hugely important role in determining the look and ambience of your bathroom. From floor tiles to wall tiles and even special feature borders, choosing the right tiles is crucial to the success of your bathroom renovation. It can also be a daunting process, You’ll need to consider the ambience you want to create in your bathroom, your colour scheme, the size of tiles you want and how they will be laid out. For example, do you want to use contrasting tiles to add a feeling of space to a small bathroom, or do you want tiles with a textured surface to create a unique and interesting feature? Tiles come in ceramic, glass, natural stone, porcelain and clay, so research the looks and benefits of each option before making your choice.

Storage space

A bathroom with insufficient storage space is impractical and cluttered, so make sure you’ve got ample room for all the toiletries, towels and other odds and ends you need to store in your bathroom. Vanity cabinets, shelves and drawers are the obvious places to keep your items so they don’t clutter up the rest of your bathroom, but there’s plenty more you can do to maximise storage space. There’s a huge range of clever internal hardware options available to cleverly use the available space, while a recessed niche built into the shower cavity is great for storing shampoos, soaps and the like. Even installing a simple ledge-style shelf can help keep the vanity top free of mess.

Lighting

Last but certainly not least, don’t overlook the importance of lighting in creating a welcoming and refreshing space. The bathroom is one area of the house where it’s important to be able to see clearly, but where you can also relax in comfort if that’s what you feel like doing. Whether you’re looking for soft LED down lighting, a feature pendant that stands out or simply the warmth of natural illumination, include lighting considerations in your initial renovation plan. Light fixtures will obviously need to be moisture-proof and capable of standing up to life in your bathroom, while you may also want to consider heat lamps if you live in a cold area. One other thing to remember when choosing lighting is energy usage - the right choices can make a noticeable difference to your power bill.

Bathroom design ideas

Back to top

Renovating a small bathroom

When you’re renovating a bathroom, space is the final frontier. In a larger space, having more room to work with often means that you have more flexibility to add privacy and create different zones for each bathroom task.

When you’re renovating a bathroom, space is the final frontier. In a larger space, having more room to work with often means that you have more flexibility to add privacy and create different zones for each bathroom task.

Unfortunately, most bathroom renovators only have a limited area to work with, so they need to take advantage of clever ideas and design solutions that help them make the most of the available space. For example, a normal hinged door can eat up much more space than you have to spare, so a sliding door can offer a better solution. Other great space-saving and space-creating ideas include wall-mounted toilets, neutral colour palettes with occasional bursts of colour, and including handy built-in storage nooks and crannies wherever possible.

Renovating a small bathroom means you’ll also have to be more ruthless when deciding what belongs on your bathroom wish list. For example, while soaking in a hot bath might sound appealing, are you really willing to sacrifice such a large amount of floor space to include a tub?

Do it yourself or get in the experts?

If you’re keen to save as much money as possible on your bathroom renovation, you may want to consider a DIY project. While this lets you take control of your bathroom renovation, it’s always wise to think about your options before going the DIY route as bathroom renovations can become complicated very quickly.

Some jobs are fairly simple for the DIY renovator, such as stripping out your old bathroom and prepping the space for your new bathroom. Other jobs, for example waterproofing and tiling, you might also be able to do yourself if you have the right experience under your belt.

Plumbing and electrical work will need to be done by the professionals, however. A good plumber can help you through your renovation from start to finish, so find a plumber you trust before you start knocking down walls or stripping out tiles.

What can you DIY and what's best left to experts?

Where to buy bathroom renovation supplies

From tiles to toilets, there are several options when you need to stock up on the right supplies for your bathroom renovation. A good place to start your search is a large hardware store like Bunnings, Masters Home Improvement or Home Timber and Hardware. This will give you a good idea of some of the fixtures and fittings available to include in your bathroom.

It’s also a good idea to browse specialist renovation and bathroom supply stores — research online to find one near you, and where you find one bathroom store you’ll often find a few more. There’s a huge range of products to choose from for every aspect of your renovation, from the smallest of tiles to the largest of freestanding baths, so take the time to consider all the options available before making your decisions.

Back to top

Top tips to help you save money on your bathroom renovation

• Do your research. Jump online and visit local bathroom renovation specialists to see what kind of materials and fixtures are on offer. Speak to architects, building experts and bathroom renovation specialists to ensure that your renovation plan and budget is feasible. Source several quotes from different suppliers before deciding which company to go with.
• Plan ahead. Don’t start your renovation unless you know exactly what you want to achieve. Getting halfway through your project and then deciding that you don’t like the layout, you want different tiles or you’d like to make room for a bigger bath can be an expensive and stressful mistake. Work out exactly what you want before you reach for a hammer.
• Make a budget and stick to it. Bathroom renovations have something of a reputation for unforeseen costs and budget blow-outs. Around $15,000 to $20,000 is a realistic estimate for many bathroom projects, see our guide on the costs of bathroom renovations, but sit down and work out the material and labour costs for your project. Once you’re fully aware of how much your project should cost and how much you can afford, it’s time to start work.
• Know what you can do — and what you can’t. While DIY renovations are great for saving money, it’s important that you don’t get ahead of yourself when choosing what jobs to take on and what to leave to the professionals. If you’re at all unsure about your ability to complete a particular task, you’re much better off getting the experts in to avoid problems occurring later down the track.
• Take your time. While it can be frustrating having your bathroom out of action for a couple of weeks or more, when you’re doing it yourself it’s important not to rush things. Measure everything twice and be certain you’re doing the right thing before you cut, lay or install anything.
• Plumbing costs. You might want to completely rearrange the features and layout of your bathroom, but take note that plumbing costs can sometimes make this prohibitively expensive. Moving plumbing pipes and outlets for sinks, toilets, showers and baths can cost thousands of dollars, so you may be better off leaving some fixtures where they are to lower your costs.

Back to top

EXTRA CREDIT: Bathroom Makeover with Delta & Shower Door Giveaway

Read article : EXTRA CREDIT: Bathroom Makeover with Delta & Shower Door Giveaway

Friends, I’m so excited to show you my partial bathroom makeover. You know I’m not a home décor blogger and I know my bathroom isn’t going to win any awards but I am SO thrilled with the progress.

For years, we only had one bathroom in our house. So it was nearly impossible to do any type of improvement work or we’d be without the bathroom. I lived with the gold shower door frame and pretty much ignored the fact that the bathroom didn’t look great. Once we put in second bathroom, I vowed to pretty up the main bathroom but never found the time.

When Delta contacted me to see if I wanted to take a quiz on which shower door would best fit my needs I decided the time had come. I was going to work on the bathroom and make it pretty.

My new shower door arrived all fresh and clean and with the nickel finish, the glass and hardware that I had chosen. Hip, hip, hooray!

After the door was installed, I decided to keep the same light blue and white color scheme but added some pretty new towels. Fresh, new towels make a world of difference.

We used to have a towel bar on this wall but my son hung on it when he was little and we never replaced it. After these pictures, I rehung the towel bar and it looks great. It gives us extra room for hand towels.

And of course, the fun part, adding the lotions, potions and knick knacks. I’m hoping this orchid like this spot because it makes me happy to see it everyday!

I cleared the sink countertop of all the extra lotions and hair products that should be put away. I’m sometimes lazy like that and just keep things out – but not anymore. I’m inspired to keep things nice.

Everything got a good cleaning and things I liked I kept – like this pretty blue & white cup.

And this tiny trinket holder that is starting to patina.

I’m only halfway done with this makeover. Next up, I’m either going to add a border around the builder-grade mirror. I found this great tutorial at Somewhat Simple and Steph has a great solution for those pesky plastic mirror clips. Or, if the hubs agrees, I may just get a medicine cabinet with a mirror. I don’t love the cupboard over the toilet and it would make more sense to each have our own storage over the sink like the one below.

Also, my dream is to install hex tiles and then repaint the walls in a whiter white. I’m also going to replace the handles with some new knobs. Something clean and simple like these.
I am so thrilled with my new Delta shower door. It was the inspiration I needed to get me moving on my bathroom. Not to mention, the shower door is the main focal point and makes a huge difference on how the bathroom looks. Delta has over 140 design possibilities at any budget level.

Want to win your own bathroom makeover? Delta is have a Sweepstakes with (2) prizes for $1,000 to Home Depot and (5) prizes of a new shower door. Woot!

Here are the details:

Delta Shower Door Sweepstakes

HOW TO ENTER

• Visit the Delta® Shower Doors webpage at www.deltashowerdoors.com
• Click on the “Shower Door Sweepstakes” icon, which will direct you to the entry page
• Read the official rules and take a quick survey to submit your registration form

ELIGIBILITY
Legal residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming are eligible to win. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older.

PRIZING

• Two winners will each receive one $1,000 gift card to The Home Depot® stores to be used toward the purchase of a Delta shower door
• Five additional winners will each receive a Delta Shower Door of their choice, each with a maximum cost of $368. The five winners will visit www.deltashowerdoors.com to configure their individual choice of shower or tub door (by selecting door type, glass, finish, and hardware). Each winner will be prompted to click “See Your Design,” and can then print, add to cart, or email.

The sweepstakes begins on October 3, 2014 and will last until November 3, 2014. The winner names will be posted online approximately 30 days after the drawing at http://www.deltashowerdoors.com.

A huge thank you to Delta for my new shower door and for inspiring me to make my bathroom pretty again.

This is a sponsored post and Delta provided me with a complimentary shower door for the purposes of this review. No further compensation was received and all opinions are mine. Really!

Thank you so much for stopping by.

 

Did you know that I have another blog calledDETAILS? It’s a gallery style blog where I feature great content that inspires me. Feel free to submit your projects toDETAILS.  Click over  and use the handy super-easy submission form under the submission tab.

Making a bathroom safer - SFGate

Read article : Making a bathroom safer - SFGate

• 
• 

• 
• 

Photo: HANDOUT

Image 1of/2

Caption

Close

Image1 of2

(HANDOUT PHOTO)

(HANDOUT PHOTO)

Photo: HANDOUT

Image2 of2

Kohler's Precedence tub has a hinged door that allows a bather to enter without having to climb in.

Kohler's Precedence tub has a hinged door that allows a bather to enter without having to climb in.

Making a bathroom safer

Back to Gallery

Designer Ana Powers learned about bathroom safety the hard way. She fell down three years ago while taking a shower. Ever since, she has been advising clients at her business, the Plumbing Studio in Palo Alto, to include grab bars -- and more -- whenever she is hired to help in a bathroom design.

Powers, who considers herself "a moderately fit person," is often amused by people who resist the idea of a safe bathroom by saying "we're not there yet." She was 36 when she had her accident. "I was lucky," she says, "only sore bones and bruises."

Statistics show that most people, especially the elderly, who fall in their bathrooms and end up as patients in emergency rooms have suffered a fracture, a concussion or worse. Considering that there is a growing population of at- risk seniors as well as aging baby boomers, it is no wonder that bathroom safety is taken seriously.

It is easier to plan the "perfect" safe and functional bath for elders when building a new home or undertaking a "to the studs" remodel. A construction plan might begin with preparations for such elements as grab bars, a curbless shower and the like by strengthening the walls and sloping the floor before applying the finishing materials.

Even if you don't want to install certain safety features today, the room would be ready for a later time. It would be best to start with making the doorway into the bathroom at least 32 inches wide. Plan for enough interior floor space for a wheelchair or walker.

The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) in Hackettstown, N.J., an organization of builders, designers and manufacturers, promotes 41 guidelines for bathroom planning. One of the NKBA's space-planning recommendations is to try to create an open circular space about 60 inches in diameter. If that's not possible -- by San Francisco standards that much space is a real luxury -- the NKBA gives dimensions for clearances in and around the fixtures that are typically more generous than most building codes.

Often, inches can be added to a new bathroom, or better yet -- feet -- by borrowing space from an adjacent bedroom, closet, hallway -- or, in the case of a more extensive remodel, by punching out an exterior wall.

Also in doing your space, you will have to decide if you have room for a separate shower and a tub -- or do you even want both. If there are two or more bathrooms in your house, it might make better sense to furnish one with a shower only. Make it generous in size, with a bench, a hand shower and either a steam unit or body sprays that direct jets of water to neck, shoulders, hips,

knees, perfect for soothing arthritic joints.

A dream shower, for sure, but it would be costly. For a more practical approach, at least include a hand shower. This device allows you to conveniently take a shower while seated or to direct warm water to certain parts of an aching body. Grohe and Hansgrohe make good ones that either can be detached from an adjustable shower bar or can be installed as an accessory to a fixed showerhead.

Another wise approach to shower design is to locate the control valve on the opposite wall of the shower head for better regulation of water flow and temperature. On that subject, hot water is another health hazard, particularly for seniors. For scald protection, install a thermostatic value that presets water temperature to a maximum level.

If there is a tub in your plan, consider a deck-mounted installation where the tub unit has a constructed platform. A well-thought-out design has enough room for the bather to rest comfortably before rotating the legs over and into the tub. Be sure the deck is wide enough and the tub does not have a high lip.

Optional tub features are headrests, integral grab bars and interior lighting If you should decide to include a Jacuzzi or some other therapy system. You can specify the exact location of the jets to ensure the fullest benefit.

Another popular hydrotherapy system is the Ultra Thermo-masseur. Developed by Canadian Roger Carrier, all Ultra styles come equipped with numerous air jets that create a gentle, bubbly motion in the water, claimed by the inventor,

to enhance circulation, relax joints and reduce stress.

Kohler, a giant in the bath industry, offers a tub equipped with a hinged door for easy access. The Precedence is 60 inches long, 32 inches wide and 24 inches high. It comes with a folding seat, a whirlpool and a guarantee not to leak. All this for around $6,000. A higher tub has been proved easier to use, so is a higher toilet.

Any toilet labeled ADA compliant is going to have a few more inches of seat height than a typical residential toilet. An elongated model may be sleeker looking and more comfortable, but if this style takes up needed floor space, opt for the smaller, rounded version. There are also now a number of toilets on the market with integral bidets -- an ideal solution if a daily bath in a tub or shower is difficult. Toto and Nais are two popular companies that sell such a toilet-bidet combination, some models with heated seats.

Lavatories too are being installed higher for ease of use. If you go with a pedestal type, you probably will be in a range of 33 to 34 inches high. However, a lav within a custom-built cabinet could be at any height -- that would be the same for a wall-hung lav, provided that blocking was built in to support the extra weight.

Often, people tend to use the bathroom countertop or lavatory for support. If a lavatory basin is higher, people of average height, particularly men, have an easier time brushing teeth and washing hands. If, however, you do your ablutions in a wheelchair, the lav would probably be installed lower.

Consider offsetting the faucet and handles to the side of the basin rather than centered behind the rim. Also check out the many choices in lever handles -- either widespread or single control. Aim for lever handles on everything including door hardware. These are the best because you don't need to firmly grasp in order to complete a task. Before selecting hardware for bathroom cabinetry, go to a showroom and fit your hand into the pull or try the knob. Most people find the wire pull style the easiest to use.

Since arthritis in the hands (and knees) is the common complaint among the 40-something set, making the bathroom user friendly may come down to such a small detail as the light switch. A rocker type helps a lot.

As for surface materials, you want to have flooring and walls that help, not hinder. A level threshold is important. Larger field tiles on the floor, 16 by 16 inches, make for fewer grout lines for stumble prevention. While small mosaic tiles, 2 by 2 inches, in the shower make for more grout lines for stumble prevention. Oftentimes, the same rule does not work.

Lighting plays a big part in designing for seniors, since aging eyes see colors differently and glare is more of a problem. Avoid dark, high-gloss colors on walls and countertops. Stay in the muted palette overall, with a minimum of mirrors and shiny countertops that tend to reflect and "bounce" light, sometimes, confusing an older person. The best lighting at the lav/sink area is either a recessed downlight in the ceiling or a fixture mounted on the wall above the mirror. In both applications there should also be side lighting on the left and right. According to code, the first switch in a bathroom must operate a fluorescent fixture. It's possible to meet this requirement with a sealed fluorescent approved for shower use.

It's a good idea to include a light in the shower. Many fluorescent fixtures now on the market have been upgraded in style and in color rendering, eliminating the "cool" blues--not pleasant or comfortable for anyone.

When considering color, you don't have to restrict yourself to basic beige. There is a trend among designers to outline the perimeter of bathrooms with a line of tile or stone in a contrasting color. This helps locate fixtures easily, especially at night. A bright or dark accent around a doorway or shower is another aid for anyone with declining vision.

The looks of a bathroom concerns Julie Grant who specializes in the design of health care facilities at Warner Design Associates in San Carlos. Over the years, she has taken it upon herself to keep on the watch for new products, both commercial and residential, that are aesthetically pleasing, affordable and adaptable for an aging population.