Bathroom Design Archives

Bathroom Remodeling Books for Your Bathroom Renovation

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 at 3:09 am  
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Are you one of the many homeowners who has recently decided that you would like to tackle a home improvement project, such as remodeling your bathroom?  If so, do you have any previous home improvement or remodeling experience? If not then taking a class on bathroom remodeling is a defnite way to go. That’s not always possible with our busy lifestyles apart from the fact that these classes can be expensive for those on a limited budget.

A nice and relatively affordable alternate to classes are bathroom remodeling books and magazines. Despite the fact that they are full of valuable information, you may be wondering whether or not they are really worth the expense.

Bathroom remodeling books, which are also sometimes referred to as bathroom remodeling how-to guides, are printed resources that are designed to assist homeowners with their own do it yourself bathroom remodeling projects.  These guides not only give you remodeling ideas and tips, but they also provide detailed remodeling directions, such as step-by-steps on how to replace your bathroom flooring and so on.  

At this point you may be wondering exactly which ones you should buy. It really depends on a number of different factors.  Bathroom remodeling books or how-to guides come in a number of different formats.  There are some books that list information and directions on multiple bathroom projects, while others tend to only focus on one or two.  If you are looking to have the majority of your bathroom remodeled, it may be a good idea to purchase a book that covers a number of different projects and visa versa.

One important thing to consider before buying any bathroom book, guide or manual is that it comes with images for each step in the process. This may be drawings with measurements or actual photos. This will make your bathroom renovation that much easier.

How-to remodeling guides can be purchased online, from most home improvement stores, and most books stores including Amazon. Most specialty bathroom remodeling books start from around fifteen or twenty dollars.

Updating Your Bathroom Tiles

Thursday, May 27th, 2010 at 2:52 am  
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The bathroom tiles are amongst the most dynamic part of the bathroom in my opinion.  Tiles can be arranged in a plethora of patterns and the colors are too numerous to count.  Before replacing the flooring in your bathroom or the shower or tub area with tiles, give some thought as to what kind of tiles you want.  There are many types and each serve a different purpose and will look very different once installed.

Ceramic is the most practical, especially for the shower and tub area because it is the most water resistant of the tile types.  Some objections might be that ceramic is slippery when wet or that it is tough to maintain because of the necessity of grout to separate the tiles.  These common objections are easy to overcome with some creativity.  For example, ceramic with a textured surface is less slippery and grout can be sealed to make it easier to clean.  If you also choose ceramic for the tiles that will serve as floor covering, you can combine the material with limestone tiles or a wood inlay to create added safety from the slippery factor.

If ceramic is just not your cup of tea, other types of tiles include porcelain, glass, granite, marble and travertine are a little more expensive, and can also be arranged in an infinite number of patterns.  They can certainly add some spark to the look of the bathroom.   Any chips to the tile will be less obvious with porcelain and stone because the color goes all the way through.  The slippery factor can be even worse with granite, so you would want to consider the combination suggested for ceramic tile flooring.  In the shower or tub area, these tiles are more feasible because the largest surface is often the wall rather than the floor.

Once you have chosen your tile of choice, installing it is another task altogether.  If you are not experienced with tiling, it might be best to hire a professional to do that part for you.  Although there are some pretty handy DIY solutions you will find at the hardware store.  One option, the one that my husband and I have chosen for our shower tile, is to pick a ceramic tile that has a backing on it that will adhere easily and quickly to the wall.  This cuts down on your cutting and your placement, saving you tons of time and energy.

Rebuilding Our Shower – A Bathroom Renovation Project

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 at 2:51 am  
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We are, right now, in the middle of rebuilding our shower and my husband is talking about the project as though attempting to create a whole new bathroom design.

Of course, the fact that the toilet and the plumbing, among other things, already exists means that he’s really limited in any sort of design capacity.  We could take on a project bigger than ourselves and attempt redesign of the basic layout.  I, for one, am not up to that and I owe my thanks to some angel up in heaven who has made it so that my husband is really too busy with work to be able to do it either.   When you have a full time job that actually pays you rather than requires money to be spent by you, it’s hard to argue in favor of spending money versus making money.  Another thanks I give is that this particular bathroom is our second bathroom and not our common bathroom.  Especially since it has been over one year that we have been working on this renovation!

Don’t get me wrong, I do wish we had the money, time and other resources to completely alter the bathroom to fit our more modern (the house is thirty years old) needs and to provide a more spacious feel when you are “spending time” in there.  But then again my husband and I have two very different outlooks on what resources are.  In my fantasy world, one or our resources would be a team of experts who we hired right off the set of HGTV and we would go off to the beach with our dog for an afternoon of fun, frolic and sun, and later return to a brand new beautifully designed bathroom that we could use right away.   In my husband’s fantasy world, he is the expert and he has the ability to create a whole new bathroom design AND the physical ability to do the job of a team of bathroom experts.

Ah well, the shower will soon be finished, well at least in a month it should be completed.  Heck, these things take time.  By then, never mind the design, it’ll be just fantastic to be able to hop into a brand new sparkly shower and know that the shower I am standing in is as squeaky clean as I want to be when I step out of that new shower door and onto that brand new tile floor.

This article was provided by Melissa, a guest author who is going through the trials and tribulations of a bathroom renovation.

http://www.mybathroomguide.com/wp-admin/post-new.php

Tips and Hints for Choosing Bathroom Tiles

Friday, April 17th, 2009 at 10:48 am  
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bathroom-tilesWhether you have a new home or are just redoing the bathroom in your existing home, you may be thinking about  the what bathroom tiles you should use.

Updating the tiles will really give your bathroom a lift and totally modernize it if it is tired looking and outdated.  But before you start shopping for tiles, there are some things you need to consider to ensure you get the right tiles for you.

Material

Vinyl Tiles –If you are looking for purely economical tile options, you may want to look at vinyl as it is much more affordable than other tile types.

Ceramic Bathroom Tiles – The most common tile you are going to find in the bathroom is ceramic. With a glazed finish this can come in a number of colors and styles and will last  for years to come.

Glass Bathroom Tiles – In the designer arena are glass tiles that are usually used as decorative accent pieces to your bathroom as they can be very pricey.

Mirror Tiles – These can be used to give the appearance of space in a small bathroom.

Style

Simple – If you want to let your bathroom décor do the talking and not the tile, you may decide to choose a simple tile design that is just a solid color. Then no matter what accents you add to the bathroom they will be coordinate with the tile base.

Edge Design – Add  flair to a simple bathroom tile base by using solid color tile with an edge design. This literally means the edge pieces of the tile work will have a decorative accent.

Overall Design – If you know just what you want in your bathroom tile, you may want to go with an overall design. This is tile that is usually hand painted or that the pieces will go together to create a mosaic or decorative design that is just as much a part of the bathroom décor as it is a wall covering.

Random Pattern Tiles – Use an occasional patterned tile every so often to break up a solid tile base. These pattern tiles can be placed randomly or at standard intervals.

Once you choose the type of  bathroom tile that suits your decor and budget, you you can even jazz it up a little more by adding colored grout to complete the look.

Bathroom Renovation Ideas To Spruce Up Your Bathroom

Saturday, March 21st, 2009 at 3:34 am  
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Homeowners can really spruce up their home by renovating their bathrooms. Whether your bathroom renovation is on a large scale or very simple, it will make you feel good about your home as well as increase its value. Many bathroom renovations don’t have to be expensive to make a difference, and they can take just a few days if you are a do-it-yourselfer.

Replacing your bathtub or shower
One of the big things that you may want to consider in a bathroom renovation is replacing your bathtub or shower.

The tub or shower is usually the centerpiece of a bathroom, and when you replace your existing one it can change the feel of the whole room. You can replace the existing tub or shower with something really simple, it will upgrade the look of the room. You’ll find a wide range of showers and bathtubs at your local home center or from our online merchants, where you can choose from modern styles to old-fashioned claw foot tubs.

A nice Jacuzzi bathtub will definitely increase the value of your home and not only that, they are fun to use!

Add a new sink or vanity
Another uplifting addition to your bathroom renovation is a new bathroom sink and vanity. In many bathrooms the vanity appears outdated, and this really takes away from the overall look and feel of the room. Investing in a new vanity and sink will make your whole bathroom look new! You can also just order new hardware for the sink if you do not want to replace the whole unit. If your vanity is made of wood, why not stain or paint it another color to give it a lift.

New flooring can breath new life
Consider new flooring when you are considering a bathroom renovation. Bathroom floors really take a lot of wear. Replacing the flooring can breathe new life into your bathroom, as well as tie together an updated tub and vanity. Flooring for the bathroom area is generally inexpensive, since they are typically not big rooms. Keep the flooring light to give the bathroom a bright, clean feeling.

Simple changes can make the difference
In addition to these things, paint, colorful rugs, thick patterned towels, candles, and some simple prints can enhance the look of your bathroom. As insignificant as most people believe their bathrooms are, it sure does feel good when they have been renovated.

Bathroom Design Rules & Regulations

Saturday, March 21st, 2009 at 3:00 am  
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Redesigning your bathroom is an exciting project, with both financial and psychological advantages, since you’ll be value to your home and creating a stylish retreat for yourself. However, before you undertake the project of redesigning your bathroom, check that you are following all of your local rules and regulations.

The specific bathroom design rules and regulations that apply to you will vary depending on factors like your municipality, the scope of the project, and the age of your house. For example, if you live in a condo, your association might have regulations about what kinds of remodeling changes are allowed. If you live in a historic house, your bathroom design possibilities might be limited.

Nearly all municipalities will require that you obtain a building permit before starting work on your new bathroom design. A building permit will allow your local or state government to determine that your bathroom design follows all relevant regulations, and does not put yourself or your family at risk.

Usually a building permit is required if you are doing work like replacing drywall or moving the position of your water line or electrical outlets. Major structural work like changing the position of your walls requires an additional permit, whereas minor work like replacing your faucets or floor tile requires no permit at all.

If you are not certain whether your bathroom renovation calls for a building permit, call your local government office for the exact rules and regulations that apply to you. Failure to take this step could be extremely costly.

There are also some rules and regulations to follow when it comes to details like the height of your bathroom sink, or the distance between your toilet and the wall. These guidelines help ensure that your bathroom is safe and accessible, so be sure to educate yourself about them before you start with your bathroom design.

By following the bathroom design rules and regulations, you can avoid hefty fines while protecting the safety of everyone who uses your bathroom.

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