Bathroom Lighting & Light Fixtures

Bathroom Lighting & Light Fixtures

Bathroom lighting is an important part of bathroom decor and design. We need to remember that bathroom light fixtures are meant to help us to groom ourselves and look our best rather decorating the bathrooms. It should help us to see ourselves clearly and should not play 'special effects' on our face and cast unwanted shadows when we are applying makeup. Some bathrooms make us look green or pale and we are not able to see ourselves properly making it impossible for us to get ready properly. Thus good clear lighting is quite important in the bathrooms. Vanity lighting or mirror lighting in the bathroom is thus very important and we must use clear lens or shade in bathroom light fixtures, so that we can have more light in the bathroom and see ourselves clearly.

Placement of bathroom light fixtures should ideally light up our faces fully and minimize shadows under the chin and eyes. We need to see our foreheads and cheeks properly. While people who love to groom like Hollywood stars can place as many as half dozen lights on each side of the mirror, even we mortals need to use at least one bathroom light fixture on either side of the mirror. Bathroom light fixtures should ideally be placed at average forehead height to minimize shadows on all sides of the face and should be at least two and a half feet apart from each other. If you want to mount bathroom light fixtures directly on the mirror, choose them carefully because only a few look good in this setting. For larger and darker bathrooms, additional light fixtures can be fitted into the ceiling of the bathroom.

Fluorescent lights are the ones that make you look green or pale, so avoid them. Opt for incandescent light fixtures or bulbs that claim being closer to natural sunlight. Bathroom lights that make your look beautiful are the only right ones that should be installed in your bath. Make sure that lights in the bathroom are clear and bright and do not change colors. Fixtures should have good guarantee period and must be easy-to-maintain. You may prefer to see lights against daylight to see how they look before buying them. Proper lighting and right kind of light fixtures in bathroom is necessary to help you find things easily and not scare yourself by just looking at the mirror. Suitable lighting fixtures are not only aesthetically placed but also hold bulbs in the right position. Since the bathroom has lot of moisture, soapy deposits and grime, it is essential to choose good quality bathroom light fixtures in appropriate material.

Lights should be directed at the person rather than the mirror and two lighting fixtures can be positioned in opposite directions so light up the entire face or lighting fixtures can be places on the wall, two feet or more above the sink. Avoid any reflectors so that there are no shadows or glares cast at unwanted places. Bathroom lighting can be done inside the cabinets to enable you find things inside them easily and can be placed on the over bathtubs or bath enclosures. The right lighting fixture and desired lighting effect should be chosen carefully. The various kinds of bathroom lighting fixtures include bar lights that are tiny trochees mounted on metal bars of different shapes and designs fixed to walls or counters. They ca be used for up lighting or down lighting and can be used above double sinks in more than two shades for dramatic effect.

Long bar lights do not require separate light fixtures. You can use lampshades made of translucent or frosted glass and metal frames that have antique finish or are plated with chrome or polished brass. Vanity bulbs for bathroom lighting are also available as light bulbs inside rounded white glass enclosures that give strong diffused lighting effect to light up the smallest imperfections of the face and help us to groom easily. They are best places over narrow sinks. Wall sconces can be used to light closets or near commode as a bathroom lighting fixture but are normally not placed near sinks. Since they are recessed and inside ceilings, they are not prone to moisture deposits and soapy condensations deposited but they can be expensive to install.

Bathroom Floor Tiles

Bathroom Floor Tiles

Bathroom tiles are available in all types of quality, colors, sizes, patterns, textures, styles and shapes and the options are virtually infinite. Choosing your bathroom tiles forms an important part of bathroom design and decor. We are presenting you with bathroom tile ideas for bathroom floor tiles in this article that will help you to create your dream bathroom design. One of the best bathroom tile ideas is to use ceramic bathroom floor tile is more durable, easy to clean, has resistance to dampness and does not become too slippery when it gets wet, but you must take care to choose slip-resistant surface in ceramic tiles for bathroom safety. Unglazed tiles may be a little cheaper but they absorb stains easily and so need to be washed frequently and need more maintenance.

Bathroom floor tile shapes are generally rectangular, square, hexagonal and octagonal while accent tiles are generally narrower, diamond shaped and come in smaller sizes. You can create interesting bathroom floors by using solid color ceramic bathroom floor tile for the bathroom flooring and then add tile borders to your bath floor or alternate tiles of two different colors to create a border that becomes the visual treat for your bath. You can make your bath look a little larger by using same color and shade of ceramic tiles for bathroom floors and walls. To introduce visual variety, you can choose a different tile size for the walls or lay wall tiles diagonally. Varying grout colors can also give new look to your ceramic tile color.

Contrast the grout color to the ceramic tile color. You may choose blue, red or yellow grout with white tiles. However, you will need to preserve the grout color by applying sealers to grout lines, especially in areas that has great traffic and heavy wear. If you want to incorporate your favorite color in the bathroom design but are cautious not to overdo it, you may add few decorative tiles of that color on the walls or you can use tiles of that color placed diagonally to make rows on the wall alternating with rows of tile colors in complementing colors. You may also use tiles of different shapes, textures and borders to add a bit of your favorite colors without overdoing it. Tiles of all colors normally go well with white as their contrasting color. Use plain backgrounds and add bright and bold colored tiles with interesting shapes and graphics to give a contemporary look and style to your bath space while you can add modernistic accessories and fixtures to give it a high-tech look.

Decorating bathroom in romantic or Victorian styles becomes so easy when you have floral tiles on walls in soft pink, light green or light blue colors. You may also use wooden floor tiles treated to resist moisture or bathroom floor tiles with faux wood look to achieve romantic look in your bath space. Use hand painted ceramic sinks for added effect. Hand painted tiles or Mexican tiles on floor interspersed with terracotta tiles give Mediterranean look to your bathroom. You can also use hand painted tiles with plain color tiles on countertops in your Mediterranean baths. Bathroom tile colors are important to help you relax or fill your with vigor and energy at the start of the day. Cozy bathrooms and bathrooms with country look and fun looks can use warm color tiles such as peach and yellow.

To make the bathroom look larger and evergreen, use neutral color tiles in beige and white as they reflect light a lot. Serene bathrooms or spa like bathrooms should use tiles in cool colors such as blue, green and violet. Large bathrooms have the luxury to use tiles in bright colors such as red or black that look dramatic and absorb light. They also make the room look smaller. Ambient lighting in bathrooms that have large windows and receive lot of natural light can be achieved by installing tiles in darker colors. If you want to use dark, bright or bold colors in smaller or darker bathrooms, use them only as accent tiles or add accessories in those colors. So, embark on bathroom floor tiling project to give that fun, cozy, creative or any unique and special look to your bath space you had always dreamt about.

Bathroom Flooring

Bathroom Flooring

Bathroom flooring should be chosen keeping bathroom safety in mind. Vinyl linoleum flooring can last several decades and easy to clean and maintain while marble flooring is easy to maintain but is much more durable and can last for generations. Good quality tiles may also last for generations and are easy to clean and maintain. Bathroom laminate flooring can last almost a decade but needs a little more maintenance. Hardwood flooring may last a lifetime but needs to be well maintained, especially around the base of the commode. It adds warmth and elegance to your master bath and normally uses oak and pine wood. Bathroom carpet adds warmth and softness to the floor but is very difficult to maintain and water can cause odor and mildew in the carpet, so it is better to use throw rugs instead of carpets for comfort and style.

Bathroom flooring ideas eliminated warm and soft carpet as wet carpet flooring becomes damp and dirty and does not look so cozy but if your heart is set on the bathroom carpet flooring, make sure to have a vinyl border around the bath, toilet and basin to take care of accidental splashes and a few bathmats on it to soak in water and moisture and soapy condensations from your feet. Laminate bathroom flooring may or may not be used for wet floor areas though high quality laminate bathroom flooring system with high gloss finish and smooth surface adapts well to wet floorings. They are quick and easy to install too. Stone finishes in bathroom laminate flooring such as granite and marble designs look beautiful and can last for years.

The most popular options available to your while choosing bathroom flooring are bathroom carpets, bathroom carpet tiles, ceramic floor tiles, laminate flooring, bamboo flooring and vinyl flooring. Uncovered floorboards in a period style bathroom are quite cheap and look authentic. They add warmth to your bathroom. They need to be sanded well before sealing coated with varnish. However, floorboards can be slippery once they get wet and let the draught of air in the bath space. The space between the floorboards can let the water seep in to the ceiling below. Thus, it requires much maintenance. Bathroom carpet is warm and inviting and has a non-slippery surface. The most commonly used carpet in the bathroom is the one with foam backing.

They can be inexpensive and come in thousands of colors but bathroom carpets can be much difficult to clean and must be of correct type. Carpet tiles have evolved from tough and coarse tiles to the texture that mirrors standard bathroom carpet. They are easier to replace, as instead of tearing down the whole carpet, one has to just replace individual tiles. It reduces the wastage and makes it easier to fit them in the bath space. However, they offer limited choices and can still get dirty easily. Ceramic bathroom floor tiles are available in reasonable prices and offer wide range of styles, materials, sizes and colors. They need to be installed carefully on wooden floorboards using special adhesives or they may come loose and grout may crack. The non-slip finishes in these tiles are best for bathroom floors and should have bath mats for additional bathroom safety.

Wet rooms that look like giant shower cubicle ideally have solid floors and can use ceramic tiles for flooring or vinyl flooring to ensure totally waterproof finish. Ceramic tiles are relatively cheap and proper laying o the tiles can make them waterproof too. They are quite durable, come in vast range of options and are easy to clean. Bathroom laminate flooring should be installed using the 'floating floor' principle but since bathroom fixtures such as toilets, bidets, pedestals and freestanding baths need to be anchored to the floor, it can be a problem. A flat and level sub floor can guarantee quick installation of the laminate flooring, especially with latest 'click' systems. They are easy to lay and clean but water spills can damage the boards and laminate flooring may get slippery when it is wet. One of the few options for hardwood floors that can be used in bathrooms is bamboo flooring that does not require much maintenance and is quite resistant to damage and scuffing.

Bathroom Furniture

Bathroom Furniture

Modern bathrooms have separate shower, bath rub, above-counter sink as a piece of art and bathroom furniture. In vanities, vintage furniture pieces may be used for decorative purposes. The furniture pieces in the bath may include sitting chairs and settees, towel rack and vanity cabinets with mirrors. Medicine chests are kept in bathrooms too. Basic bathroom suite consists of a toilet, a washbasin and a bath with matching taps and handles with perhaps bidet and mirrors. Other bathroom paraphernalia includes bathroom storage furniture such as cabinets to keep toiletries and fresh towels. These days, bathroom cabinets are quite flexible and present a combo of mirrors, lights and shaver sockets along with storage space.

Bathroom furniture includes bathroom vanities placed on either side of pedestal sinks, low-hung cabinets and dressers for undergarments that can be made from wood or metal. Tower cabinets can be used to keep hair dryers, electric shavers and appliances, ironing boards and built-in hamper hampers in closets along with other small items that may cause clutter in bath. Latest trend is to keep a side cabinet that comes to our hip-level in the bath that has a washbasin and shelves to store daily toiletries and drawers to store towels and other linens. You can choose from antique bathroom furniture pieces to contemporary ones.

Contemporary furniture designs come in space saver varieties; functional ones making us of all the available such as vanity sink cabinet, bathroom caddie with shelves, bathroom organizers with a basket for storage and shelves for display and may be towel racks too. Wicker bathroom furniture and rattan furniture are strong, durable, light, airy and have delicate looks. Wickerwork is made up of weaving and interlacing the vine or grass called wicker around a frame in exquisite patterns. Wicker furniture is available as tables, chairs and sofas and can be made from willow, rattan, bamboo, reed or synthetic materials. They have feminine looks and suitable for kids' furniture as it is lightweight, affordable and easy to move around.

Wicker can also be used to make lampshades, chests, hampers, planters, porch swings, baby bassinets and carriages. You can store your bathroom linens in stylish wicker chest of drawers or coordinate console table with wicker baskets with your rustic bathroom decor. Wicker seat with basket can be used to sit and provide a storage solution is small bathrooms. Then, there is wall mounted bathroom furniture that is both practical and functional, especially for small bathrooms. Bathroom furniture come in all scales and beautifully crafted wall mounted bathroom furniture makes your small both look more organized, clutter-free and hence more spacious. You can use a wall mounted washstand and column cabinets to free floor space.

Bathroom furniture needs to be coordinated with bathroom design and their finish and styles afford a lot of flexibility to bathroom designers. Try to achieve a uniform and clean look when choosing your bathroom vanity furniture and conform the design of the furniture to your architectural scheme and decor theme. It is best to use White and light colored wood finishes for smaller bathrooms while deep wooden tones can add richness and warmth to larger bathrooms. Steel bathroom furniture and other metal finishes can help you to unify your bathroom decor with the contemporary design that you choose. It is best to choose large bathroom furniture pieces in shades similar to your backdrop bathroom color for serenity while smaller furniture pieces can be in complimentary colors to provide accents to your bath.

Bathroom Faucets

Bathroom Faucets

Faucet literally means a device to regulate the flow of liquid from a reservoir where it is kept. However, tub and shower faucets that we use in the bathroom today are much more technologically advanced. Bath faucets are not only meant to regulate the flow of water but optimize the use of bathroom sink too such as a higher spout of the faucet helps in washing hands and filling tumblers. Faucets that come with water purification system ensure that you always get clean water to rinse your mouth while you are brushing your teeth or washing your face. There are some bathroom faucets that provide only cold water while some other faucets can warm up water to a comfortable temperature for bathing. You can get rid of leaky tub and shower faucet forever by using washer free bathroom faucets or cartridge faucets.

Cartridge style faucets have single piece constructions and thus are very easy to install and use. They do not leak so easily and you won't have to face the challenge of changing the worn out washer frequently. It is not advisable to buy cheap bathroom faucets as they are to be used daily and leaky faucets can be quite a headache. Use quality bathroom faucets ranging from middle to high end tap sets from major brands that are proven for their excellence and performance. Follow the standards set for plumbing and find out the size and type of faucets and their parts you can use in your home. While you need to make sure that your great looking designer faucet is actually functional and efficient, they should match the complete look of your bathroom decor.

Even if you are on a budget, make sure that you choose your tub and shower faucet carefully. Do pay attention to the details of your bathroom design - whether it is modern or traditional, the material used in your bathroom sink, bathtub and bathroom vanity countertop, paint color and texture of the walls, the paintings in the bathroom, faucet style that suits and can serve all the tasks you have in mind such as soft bubble effect or power flow that massage your body in the tub and the warranty of the bathroom faucet. Shower faucets are available in various styles and types too. A wall mounted faucet above the shower drain is perhaps the most popular of all bathroom shower faucets. People who love high-end bathrooms ma prefer to use ceiling mounted faucets that seem to recreate rainfall inside the bath or handheld shower faucets with long arms stemming from the wall.

You have myriad choices from different types of faucet finishes but you must pay attention to the maintenance that a faucet finish requires and whether it fits well into your bathroom design theme. Some of the most popular bathroom faucet finishes are platinum, stainless steel, nickel plating, chrome plating, silver, gold, brass, white enamel, porcelain and colored epoxy (that is often marketed as fancy faucets line). Brass and chrome faucets are some of the best chosen shower and bathroom faucets as they are durable and easy to maintain. However, make sure that you apply the special protective coating on faucets with brass finish before installing them as they can get tarnished very quickly. Colored epoxy finish is easy to clean and maintain and are quite durable too, especially when they use PVD or 'physical vapor deposition'.

Epoxy finishes also come in some of the best finish colors and you can virtually get all colors or have them custom colored to fit into your bathroom decor. While discount and cheap faucets may look same expensive premium faucets but they are not as durable and their integral parts are made of plastic. Higher end or quality shower and tub facets will either have no washers or have enclosed cartridges with valves or have ceramic washers, to regulate the water flow. You must know that bathroom faucets may have different valves. If your bathroom plumbing already has built in rough-in calves, it may limit the choice of bathroom and shower faucets that you can choose or your may have to replace the valve first and then install the faucet. It is best to get advice from your plumber to know what types of faucets are compatible with your bathroom plumbing and pipes before making your choices and buying the faucets you love.

Bathroom Fan

Bathroom Fan

Bathroom exhaust fan is a must to vent out the hot moist air after a shower to save your bathroom from moisture and mold. A bathroom fan should have a timer instead of a switch to control it. The air should exhaust continuously for about 20 minutes after you have used the bathroom and a timer will save you from the cumbersome exercise of keeping an eye on the watch and remember to switch off the fan in the bathroom afterwards. These days bathroom fans are quieter and do not make so much noise and it is easy to forget to turn them off after the required run time. Choosing good bathroom fan means to determine that it is capable of achieving 8 air changes per hour and is size appropriate for your bathroom.

Determine the right size of fan for your bathroom by calculating the CFM (cubic feet per minute) of the bathroom, which means minimum airflow needed to achieve 8 air exchanges per hour. The formula to calculate CFM is:

CFM = Volume/7.5, where Volume = Length x Width x Height (of the bathroom)

Thus a bathroom that is 10 feet long, 10 feet wide and 10 feet high has:
Volume = 10 x 10 x 10 = 1000
And, CFM = 1000/7.5 = 133.33.
Thus, any fan with CFM listed as 134 or higher is good enough for this bathroom.

The noise level of the bathroom fan also plays a major role in its price and our budget. Though, everybody would love to have the quietest fan for their baths, the budget limit their choices to whatever is available within their budgets. The noise level of bathroom fans is measured in SONES. 4.0 Sones is the normal voice of a television, 3.0 Sines is office noise, 1.0 Sone is noise of a refrigerator and 0.5 Sone is the sound of rustling leaves. 3.0 and 4.0 Sones is quite loud for a fan but any fan at 1.0 Sone should do well enough in your bathroom. Install the bathroom fan correctly to keep its noise level down and use screws in its installation and not nails. Bigger venting with gentle turns means gradual venting and quieter fans. Sharp bends may cause more air noise while it is venting.

Looks of a bathroom fan should match with your bathroom decor. Fan may range from white and brown to several colors and they can have additions such as a light or a heating element. Premium bath fans look great while they protect your bath from moisture, steam and odors and provide proper ventilation in the bathroom and make it airy. Bathroom exhaust fans today are quite flexible in their designs and on fan can either be used to ventilate two bats or one remote fan motor can operate several exhaust grilles for effective spot ventilation in a single bath. For spot ventilation, ceiling grilles are mounted in the shower, over the toilet or over the whirlpool tub so that the moist air in the area can be dissipated quickly and efficiently.

Some of the high-end quality fans come with protective shell made up of UV-protected thermoplastic resin that can be mounted easily in wet locations. Smaller baths and powder rooms can use small-scale ceiling mount grilles with fan motor installed in a remote location, perhaps away from the bathroom. Fans with 'friendly flex duct' are easy and quick to install. One must always use insulated flexible duct to reduce the noise level of the fan and ideally, there should be at least 8 feet of flex duct between ceiling grilles and fan. Multiple ceiling grilles or ceiling grilles with lights make your bathroom airier and brighter. For luxury bathrooms and oversized baths, bathroom vanity fan with spot ventilation is best that keeps the bath free of mold and moisture.

Bathroom Color Scheme

Bathroom Color Scheme

It may look silly to you to pay so much attention to bathroom color but it can really make or mar your bathroom decor and experience. Red walls being reflected in the bathroom vanity, where you apply makeup, can fool your eye into applying too much red on your face and make you look redder than you want to. Bathroom color choices are a part of color therapy that influences your overall experience in the bath. Bathrooms serve as our refuge from our busy lives, where we can devote sometime only to ourselves, away from all the hassles of our lives and help us to relax and even do our creative thinking while lying luxuriously in the hot water tub.

Choose bathroom paint color according to the taste of the individual, his or her emotional state and the feel you would like in your bathroom such as feeling relaxed or revitalized, energized, formal and royal, cozy, casual, creative or artistic. While deciding the color, it is best to keep a color wheel to consult choosing colors for your bath. There are some color basics that help you in choosing the right bath color scheme. Warm colors energize and are invigorating. Cool colors have a calming and soothing effect. Analogous colors or colors that are next to each other on the color wheel will make bath space look serene and relaxing. Complementary colors or colors that are across each other will give creative, artistic and jazzy look to your bathroom.

Colors schemes with high contrasts such as black and white or white and royal blue make the bath look formal and spotless. Low contrast color combination such as beige and shutter green and mint green and forest green lend a casual look to your bath. Latest trendy bathrooms can change their color according to your mood or the time of day, energizing and invigorating you in the morning and soothing you and helping you to relax before going to bed at night. The fashion in bathroom colors is to create harmonious color palettes, using the principles of color and light therapy, to help you heal and live life at best. There are showers with fiber-optic lights in different colors that can be lit selectively according to the feel you want at the moment, mood lighting in the bathroom and light fixtures that can dim down at night or for relaxing mood but can be very bright when you want them to be can help you have the best bath experience.

Give our bathroom a professional finish by painting it in unique color themes. You may get the inspiration from Nature, art pieces, dresses for a color palette. Even eggshell and pebbles can inspire you for a soft bathroom color palette. If you are choosing a monochromatic color scheme, you can add a visual balance and variety using the accessories in contrasting colors. Choose towels and decorative pieces in a shade lighter or darker than your walls. Do remember that when you are doing makeup in the bathroom vanity area, the colors reflecting in the mirror can fool you eye, whether they are bold or muted. So, you may need to compensate them with other colors for a balanced and natural look.

Colors cast shadows on each other or highlight the contrasting colors. White with beige may look dirtier than white with black. Lilac with blue looks bluer than lilac with white. To balance rectangular or square tiles and countertops, add plants and greenery to your bath to lend asymmetrical and natural beauty and add refreshing accent color to your bath. Tiles on walls and for flooring can also add beautiful colors to your bath. Blue glass tiles recreate the feel of water and sky while earthy green tiles look great for Nature lovers. Use red and other dramatic colors sparingly and with other colors to balance them out for greater effect. They are best used as accessories and towels. However, if you still want to use red in your bathroom vanity area or powder room, choose shades of red wisely such as rose and coral.

Bathroom Colors

Bathroom Colors

Popular bathroom color themes include the colors of wall, tiles, faucets, accessories, towels and napkins and accents such as potted plants. The traditional bathroom colors are neutral that can easily be given different tones according to your taste, just by changing the accent colors, shower curtains, bathroom rugs, towels and accessories. However, fresh linen white seems a good bathroom color idea to many people as it makes the bath look fresh, clean and simple and works well almost all the colors and shades. Crispy white bathrooms with light tranquil blue accents are quite relaxing and have spa-like feel. They can carry clear glass accessories and sterling silver fixtures and hardware finish well.

People who would like elite décor in their baths can choose gold or taupe paint and tile colors with black accents. It can be kept light and airy, if done properly. Bathtub with black exteriors and bisque interiors and edges, polished brass faucets, ginger-glazed medium color maple wood vanities with black granite and bisque sinks, beige color floor tiles and shower walls and accent tiles and chair rail tile all in the same color perfectly compliment the royal color bathroom theme. Creamy white bathroom walls and aqua blues and greens as accent colors remain the popular favorite theme with many people.

White walls and cabinetry, pale aqua floor tiles, accessories in darker aqua shades, towels in complimentary colors and shower curtains having a bit of all the colors as the unifying factor make a beautiful bathroom. If you are decorating a big bath space with high ceiling, you may even add a beautiful sparkling chandelier to the ceiling. Bathroom wall and tile colors of course set the backdrop of your bathroom and are important but if you are on a strict budget, you can do renovation of your bathroom by just adding a colorful bath rug to it! Some quick, easy and inexpensive ways to add or change colors to your bathroom include wall decoupage with vivid and bright color, luminous and freckled tissue paper and coating it with water-based polyurethane.

You may also hang a poster board on the wall and change its colors whenever you want. Repainting the walls and/or ceilings of the bathroom can make it look in just one day. Pretty colorful fabric window treatments and shower curtains can make a drastic impact on your color scheme, so coordinate them well with the walls. You can even customize the empty bare wall with bright batik bedspread in a jiffy. Fun accessories in bright and bold colors such as flower cases or art pieces that are waterproof give a classic touch to your bathroom. Do not put expensive items in heavy-traffic bathrooms such as guest bathrooms as they may get damaged. An inexpensive way to add more color to your bathroom is to put up bright posters with large prints in cheap poster frames. You can find some good and funny bathroom art items in estate, yard and garage sales for bathroom art.

If you are living in rented apartments and cannot change the color of our tiles, use accessories to add accent colors, highlight the colors you like and downplay the ones you don't like. Pastels of old times can be revved up with popular chocolate-brown accessories such as towel racks and curtains. Color of mirror frames can be one such accent color. Do not use dark colors in bathrooms that don't get enough natural light or use ample of artificial light to compensate for it. Dim light in dark bathrooms make them too dark to shave or apply makeup. Too odd a color in the bath can actually look frightening in the mornings, so steer clear of lime green, peach and certain shades of yellow.

Bathroom Countertops

Bathroom Countertops

Counter tops provide additional workspace in the bathroom. Wood is not recommended for bathrooms as it can be damaged by the moisture, so use synthetic material resistant to water, moisture and dampness for bathroom countertops. Bathroom countertops are generally custom made and can be tailored to your bathroom design in terms of color, pattern, size and shape. Thus, they usually take a back seat in bathroom decorating and are made only to provide a workspace near a major fixture such as shower, whirlpool, bath tub or vanity sink. Plastic laminates that are water resistant and are quite decorative are quite popular for bathroom countertops and come in many different finishes and looks ranging from low luster to metallic to high gloss.

Plastic laminated bathroom vanity countertops are generally available with recessed sinks with self rims and under-mounted bowls. However, plastic countertops can get damaged by excessive heat and can sustain scratches from sharp objects or damages from ceramic or abrasive things dragged across them and are not suitable for bathrooms that are accessible by kids. They are easy to clean using soft, non-abrasive cloth and a mild household cleaner but scouring pads, abrasive powders, steel wool and sandpaper can scratch their surface. They can be easily stained too and that too permanently by dyes and other staining products and one needs to apply self cleaning wax periodically to avoid such stains.

They are economical and may prove long lasting, if used very carefully but water seeping in the seams and under sink edges can cause the laminate to separate by damaging the substrate. Thus, they may prove cumbersome to maintain. Bathroom marble countertops look elegant, are functional and have wide range of colors and styles. Cultured marble and cultured onyx is quite popular for bathroom countertops. It has a rugged, hard, waterproof and stain-resistant surface. They can be easily repaired and a little sanding and polishing the countertop can make it glisten like new. The common problem with bathroom marble countertops was crazing or formation of hairline cracks, which has been solved by cultured marble option.

It is easy to clean and polish and a protective coat of wax provides the perfect finish to marble countertops. Avoid using abrasives and scouring powders on these countertops as they can dull its shine. Corian is one of the expensive options for countertops and is made up of an advanced blend of natural materials and pure acrylic polymer. It has a smooth surface, comes in variety of colors, is nonporous, is resistant to mold, mildew or bacteria and resistant to moisture and stains. Corian bathroom countertops are easy to clean and maintain, hypoallergenic, nontoxic and chemically non-reactive. It offers three countertop finishes - matte, semi gloss and gloss. However, heat-generating appliances or hot pans should always be kept on a hot pad or trivet or it can damage its surface.

Corian countertops are easy to restore to its pristine condition using an ordinary abrasive cleanser and a cleansing pad. Granite is quite popular for a high-end and elegant bathroom vanity countertop. Coarse grained pegmatite is stronger than sandstone, limestone and marble and is more difficult to quarry. Granite is very much durable and impervious to water but as it is a natural rock, it can be chipped and broken and is very difficult to repair. Any liquid detergent and warm water can clean granite countertops easily but abrasive cleaners may scratch its surface and dull the finish that can be restored by polishing and waxing the countertop. White marble bathroom countertops are more porous than granite and are easily stainable.

Vessel bowls installed on a glass counter look beautiful and elite but they are difficult to maintain, easily breakable and can often get blemished with fingerprints. They can be cleaned using any standard glass cleaner. Tiled countertops are of course custom made and ceramic tiles are installed on site. Their surface looks attractive and is best for countertops. They are durable, easy to clean, resistant to stains, heat and moisture and very easy to maintain. However, the grout between the tiles may crack and collect bacteria that can prove unhealthy but if tiled counters are properly maintained and sealed well, they can offer good service for a number of years. Counter vessels kept on beautiful countertops can steal the show in a designer bathroom.

Bathroom Cabinets

Bathroom cabinet designs are available in wide range of styles that off optimum functionality and are quite versatile. These cabinets can be customized and tailor-made to your bathroom design and make the best use of the bath space. Base units are functional and look simple but elegant. They can adapt well from modern and contemporary bathrooms with clean lines to classic and traditional bathrooms. They are versatile and flexible and the designer versions of these base cabinet units look quite sophisticated too. The space saver bathroom cabinets look stylish too and are perfect for minimalist bathrooms. Bathroom vanity cabinet or mirrored bathroom cabinets are best suited to small bathrooms that need to optimize space.

Mirrors add the illusion of space to compact bathrooms while providing the storage solution to the bath space. Mirrored bathroom vanity cabinet with simple, sleek and streamlined looks is perfect at home in modern bathrooms. Add a personal touch to your bathroom cabinet by choosing high quality bathroom cabinet options in contemporary styles made up of toughened frosted glass and aluminum and stainless steel frames that look beautiful and are a perfect storage space for the modern bathrooms. Bathroom cabinets provide storage solution to organize your bathroom, keep items of daily use in the bath space such as fresh towels, cleaning accessories and cosmetics and are functional and space saver at the same time.

You can use a space saving bathroom wall cabinet or hand a stylish medicine cabinet above the sink or the toilet. If you do not have much wall space left, you can try bathroom corner cabinets or low floor cabinets that can fir into tiny spaces. Yet another beautiful option is to install designer sink cabinet with impeccable bathroom sink faucets that not only provides extra storage space but hides plumbing too. You can even find a place to keep the bathroom wastepaper bin under the pipes. Illuminated bathroom cabinets with glass front doors are good for displaying your accessories and do ambient and mood lighting by adding soft lights that diffuse through the doors and help you to relax. However, you may install bright lights such as halogen bulbs inside the cabinets to help you find things more easily.

Replace old and bulky bathroom storage cabinets with stylish and sleek hanging cabinets to give your bathroom an instant makeover and free up some floor space for batter use. Hanging cabinets are easy to install in the bathroom too. You may choose from various styles such as country, rustic, Victorian or shabby chic looks. Bathroom medicine cabinets are being increasingly expanding in their function such as more shelves to keep personal accessories, door racks, hidden compartments that provide extra storage space for toiletries and toilet cleaning supplies that are not accessible by or even visible to children, drawers that are easily organized and space to hold larger items such as towels and grooming appliances.

Independent floor cabinets or wall mounted hanging cabinets in the bathroom can determine the space available to you for other uses. Besides the traditional mirrored bathroom cabinet above the sink, cabinets can be installed throughout the bathroom as a practical storage solution and to keep it clutter free. Bathroom vanity cabinets can be topped up with bathroom storage cabinets to help you organize your bath space better. Use your wall space for extra cabinetry. Bathroom wall cabinet can be custom made to meet your requirements such as the size, shelving and partitions. Bathroom wall cabinet designs range from antique to modern and contemporary and the doors of the cabinet can have different finishes to go with your bathroom decor theme. Mirror on the bathroom wall cabinet door or glass door can optimize the functional storage solution and add a touch of elegance to your bathroom.

Bath Accessories

Classy and elegant fixtures and bath accessories can turn your bathroom into a personal retreat while adding a creative and fun touch to your bathroom and may increase your comfort level in the bath too. It is necessary that the bathroom always remains neat and clean and is germ-free. Master bathrooms in modern homes built on larger scale are a popular tend these days and they may be as large and luxurious as the bedrooms in the house so you should pay special attention to the basic bathroom accessories that define the look of the bathroom such as bathroom mirrors, towel holders, shower curtains, holders to keep tissue, shampoo and holders, toothbrushes and paste; soap dishes and lotion dispensers.

While pondering on how to choose bathroom and bathtub accessory, make sure that you do not buy too much or less and that you may keep as many bathroom accessories in luxurious bathrooms as you want, as long as you have enough space for them and bathroom does not look too cluttered or crowded. Do not overdo your bathroom accessories or you may have to compromise on the organized look of your bathroom. Bathroom accessories make bathroom environment more appealing and can be bought based on a theme that goes with your bathroom design and style theme. Right accessories can give a unique, creative and different look to your bath space. A simple bathtub accessory such as a rack that fits on one end of the bath can make the soap and bathing lotions easily accessible to you while bathing and is a good idea.

Replace bathroom furniture set that sits unutilized in the bathroom with functional bath accessories that help you to relax and add warmth and coziness to your bath. Fresh towels kept neatly on a nearby towel rack ready to use after the shower or hanging on a towel holder in the bathroom wall cabinet are just priceless. Bathroom accessories also include aroma extracts and essential oils that soothe you with their fragrances as you massage them onto your body can occupy a place on your bathroom counters. You can recreate the spat at home or add romance to the day and pamper yourself by having a bubble bath in the tub strewn with dried or fresh flower petals or colored soap beads that serve as bathtub accents.

Color coordinate bathroom accessories and towels and you may even use a family of colors such as blended reds, oranges or pinks, with green highlights and summer bathrooms bedecked with youthful yellows. You can find soap dispensers, soap dishes, toothbrush holders and tissue boxes along with other bathroom accessories that can be grouped together as a theme. Find the matching ones and use them to make your bathroom look more attractive. You can change the look of your bathroom every moth or change of season by just changing the bathroom accessory sets and coordinate the colors of bath curtains, towels, hand towels and items around the washbasin items such as candles and magazine racks to go with them.

Magazine racks are for people who love to read while soaking in the bath. Make sure that accessories you are using are easy to clean and maintain and can resist moisture and dampness. A shower massager can help you ease the tension and relax before going to bed and a fog free shower mirror will help you to shave better. Expensive designer baths are creatively planned and indulgent and can use crystal bowl washbasins. A stylish, contemporary but small bathroom can use top cabinets; space saving radiators that can be used as towel rails too and may be a built-in seat for a luxurious touch or comfort place for the elderly. A light, simple bathroom carpet in a neutral shade suits contemporary bath decor much more than a heavy and plush rug. Other types of bathroom accessory ideas include pillar taps, bath panels, floor coverings, bathroom cabinets, shelving, window treatments such as blinds and curtains, towel rails, bins and mirrors.

Bathroom Decor

Bathroom is not considered just a utility these days. They are seen as the room or space that sets the mood of the rest of your day in the morning, where you can spend some time with just yourself and pamper yourself, free from the worries of the world. The master bathroom or luxury bathrooms today include at least a toilet, bidet, two sinks, separate tub and shower, whirlpool or spa and perhaps more. There are half bathrooms that only have a sink and toilet while full bathrooms have bathtub and shower combo along with it. Smaller bathrooms may just have shower area or corner shower stall instead of both tub and shower. Children's bathroom may omit a thing or two but is more colorful and has energetic feel.

Some people love to take a long shower or soak in the tub to relax perhaps with aroma candles and relaxing music to have a spa-like feel in your bath. Luxury items that can be incorporated in master baths are exercise equipments, see-through fireplaces, mini-refrigerators, saunas and even flat panel televisions that can be mounted on walls or ceiling to really pamper you. Master baths are expanding into personal retreats and spas at home are becoming more and more popular. Whirlpools, Jacuzzi, decorative fixtures and real furniture pieces are becoming a part of luxuries that are incorporated in bathroom design these days. Stainless steel sink, medicine chest, bathtub, shower walls, faucets and spigots are popular in contemporary bathroom decor though they are available in wide variety of shapes and materials.

Fixtures in white, biscuit or bone colors are popular while chrome faucets with soft brass accents are the latest trend. Artistic and aesthetic sinks, vanity areas, vessel sinks and sinks made up of hand-blown glass are the fashion of the times. Corner shelves, corner shower with shower caddy, hanging towel bars and medicine cabinets with mirrors are all part of the contemporary bathroom fittings including washbasins in regular round, square or rectangular shapes or unique, creative and artistic shapes. They can be made from stainless steel, glass or ceramic. Steel baths look traditional and are strong and durable while acrylic baths are much more versatile and lightweight. Modern acrylic baths do not feel cold and metallic and are easy-to-maintain. Bathroom accessories make you bath stylish and elegant or fun and relaxing and can be customized according to your taste.

Bathroom light fixtures range from simple to funky and are available in all colors, shapes and styles and you may add dim soft lights for mood lighting purposes in addition to bright light that you use while applying makeup. Bathroom faucets and other accessories help you to define the overall style of the bathroom. Traditional fixtures are more ornate and suit classic, antique, period, shabby chic, colonial, rustic and country bathroom decors while modern fixtures are slim, sleek, angular and ultra-streamlined and look better with high-tech, elite, modern, contemporary and minimalist bathroom styles. Most of the traditional bathroom accessories have fluting or floral designs while modern pieces have geometric or swirl designs.

Sunken marble, Roman style, claw-foot tubs or bathtubs with elongated pedestal base look classic and formal while a rectangular tub with square tiles or curvy whirlpools suit contemporary bathroom decorations. Modern and high-tech bathrooms have streamlined pedestal sinks with plumbing on display, vessel sinks or sinks above countertops while traditional bathrooms have marble sinks, vanity-sink combinations or sinks with embellished pedestals. Plain glass, frosted or beaded shower doors look modernistic while stained glass shower doors look artsy, Victorian or period style. Oak seats and tanks including antique and tall ones mounted high on the wall make bathroom look traditional while modern bathroom interiors call for low-profile commodes mounted on the wall.

People with eclectic tastes or frequently changing taste should choose neutral colors and plain styles that can easily be given a different look by switching a few things here and there. Basic porcelain over cast iron bathtub, porcelain toilet and sink and faucets and showerhead in porcelain glass combinations are traditional. Basic faucets such as chrome brass combinations work best with neutral bathroom schemes. White bathrooms can look both traditional and modern depending on other factors and is a safe choice for every kind of decor. Modern faucets such as gooseneck and waterfall faucets ones are trendy. Remodeling and designing bathrooms for people with physical disabilities require them to be fully functional. High traffic bathrooms should use decorations that are more durable and do not damage easily.