Archive for 'bathroom renovation'

Bathroom Photos of Our Bathroom Remodeling Project

Saturday, June 19th, 2010 at 11:29 am  
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Our Bathroom Renovation

Once you begin a bathroom remodel project it is very important to take bathroom photos at the beginning of the project, throughout, and at the end of the project.  These will serve as your proud before and after shots to share with guests and you never know, just might be featured on a popular website or TV show someday.  Below is the BEFORE photo of our shower remodel, but unfortunately, the AFTER photo is not ready yet…maybe in another month or so….my husband says these things take time!

As you can imagine, keeping these photos will increase our sense of pride, well mostly my husband’s sense of pride when we get to see the finished project every day.  Our memories of how bad it once was may fade, but this photo will always remind us of how far we came.  Again, don’t forget to take bathroom photos during the entire process of your remodel, but especially at the very beginning because you can’t go back in time after you have completed any part of the project.

Here we are a week later and, as you can see, not done yet.  Ah well, patience is a virtue they say.  I would post more photos, but I really would not want to bore you with yet more “during” shots rather than the “after” shots.  I would much rather wait until the end of the project and show you the After shots and share with you all the funny stories of how we were able to finally take a shower in a bathroom long forgotten as our Master Bathroom.  There must be a reason why they call it a Master Bathroom, maybe because you are supposed to use it more than once a year!

Bathroom Renovation

There is no point in ranting; my husband will surely get the shower fixed in time for us to sell the house.  I am saying that facetiously since we have no short-term plans to sell our house.  In fact, we intend to rent it out if we ever have to move away for some reason.  Could you imagine trying to sell or rent a house with a bathroom shower renovation that looks like this?!!?  What kind of rent would you have the gall to ask for, maybe $200 a month seeing as how the tenant can only use one of the two bathrooms that are in the house.

Bathroom Flooring Choices for Your Bathroom Renovation

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 at 9:35 am  
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If you are about to embark on a bathroom flooring project, it is important to avoid being tempted into a decision based on the look of it rather than choosing the flooring that can stand up to the demands made of it.  The right flooring will look great, be durable and feel fabulous underfoot.   I think the bathroom is the easiest place to decide on flooring and it will usually be the least expensive flooring project in the house because it is often one of the smallest rooms in the house.  Here’s a summary of the different kinds of material used for bathroom flooring featured on the HGTV website.

TILE

Ceramic is used most in bathrooms and the reason why is because it is the most water resistant of the flooring materials.  It’s usually the least expensive too.  There are some complaints about it, such as ‘slippery when wet’ or ‘cold to the bare feet’ or even ‘difficult to maintain.’  These objections are easily overcome with solutions like radiant heat, and textured tile to take away the slippery effect, also grout can be sealed for easy cleaning.  Other tiles like travertine, porcelain, glass and granite are more expensive than ceramic, but can make the bathroom more dynamic looking.

WOOD

Hardwood flooring can be a wonderful option, providing visual warmth and a comfortable feeling underfoot.  It must be cared for properly, and with a water-based poly finish, the occasional splash or drip will do no harm.  However, water must not sit on the floor for any length of time, or serious damage will be caused.  Pick up those wet towels.

GREEN

Bamboo and cork flooring are “green” alternatives to a wood floor.  Like wood, they must be cared for and they will endure. If you select bamboo for its eco-friendly qualities, be sure the factory finish is formaldehyde free.  Cork provides wonderful sound control; something to consider if the goal is to create a quiet retreat.

LAMINATE

Laminate treated with water repellent is a great way to create the look of a wood floor, and maintain the floor over the years at the same time.  Laminate can look amazingly like real wood, but it will not be as soft and the sound will be louder as a result.

VINYL

For a low-budget bathroom flooring project, vinyl is a safe bet.  Just be aware that vinyl can curl at the edges over time.  Also, the peel-and-stick vinyl tiles are not recommended for baths because water can seep between the tiles and damage the sub floor.

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.

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.

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Top Ten Bathroom Renovation Ideas

Sunday, April 4th, 2010 at 1:23 am  
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If you’d like a new look for your bathroom, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.  If you’ve just bought a new home and the bathroom is a disaster, don’t despair.  It’s possible to buy an inexpensive bathroom suite and have it installed in place of the old one.  Bathroom renovations become pricey when you decide to change the whole layout of the room, which means moving the plumbing around and then installing new flooring and tiles to accommodate the new plumbing.

Let’s look at some quick, easy and inexpensive ways to give your bathroom a brand new look.

1.  Decide what look you are going for.

If you’re going to change your bathroom, give it all some serious thought before you start.  Look at some pictures in home magazines or online and see what appeals to you.  Do you like the minimalist style of chrome, glass and black?  Is a country bathroom the place where you would like to relax?  They are very different and at each step of your renovation process, you need to have your theme in mind.

2.  Change the walls.

Don’t panic – we don’t mean a weekend of dry walling.  Paint is the least expensive and easiest way to change the way your bathroom looks and feels.  Also check how they fit with your theme.  Do you want paint with a sheen to look modern or a chalky, distemper look for a country or vintage bathroom?  Just imagine your bathroom in the following colors and how they would make you feel.

  • Blue – fresh, clean and summery
  • Yellow – bright, cheerful
  • Green – calming, nurturing
  • Pink – feminine and pretty
  • Coffee shades – cool and sophisticated
  • Red – hot and daring

Before you paint, check the wall for any imperfections and fill and then sand them.  Check thoroughly for any signs of mold and if you find them, look for the source.  It’s common to find mold spots on a ceiling above a shower due to the frequent damp but anywhere else may need tracking to its’ source and dealing with.

Wash the mold off with a proprietary mold killer and when it’s dry, prime the area with a ‘stain stopping’ spray or paint.  If you don’t do this, any remaining stain from the now deceased mold will ‘bleed through’ your nice new paint job.

When you’re choosing your paint, look for one that is specifically for bathrooms.  These paints are designed to deal with higher than average humidity and won’t flake or peel as quickly as regular paint.

Don’t forget the general rule that dark colors make a room smaller and lighter colors have the reverse effect.  If you’re painting your bathroom ready to sell your home, be conservative and stick with neutral colors.  You may love scarlet red but 99% of your viewers may not! And a bathroom that appears as large as possible is a bonus to potential buyers.

Now, paint and then enjoy!

3.  To paper or not?

If you prefer wallpaper, consider your budget.  You also need to be aware that paper may lift away from the wall in areas of high humidity.  Don’t forget that large patterns are overwhelming in  a small space.  If you have fallen in love with some wallpaper that is out of your budget, just paper one wall and then paint the remaining walls in a shade mixed to match one color in the paper.  Be sure to use wallpaper paste that contains an anti-fungal agent to deter mold growth.

4.  Color Accents

If you’ve used a neutral color, you can go for bold colors with your bathroom accessories.  It’s possible to pick up reasonably priced bathroom ‘bales’ of bath sheets, hand towels and face cloths in matching shades.  If you’re using a bath mat, get a matching one too.

5.  Flooring

If your floor has seen better days, it is possible to renew it without spending a lot.  Cork tiles are inexpensive and easy to lay.  Make sure that you seal them with a proprietary sealer or several coats of heavy duty clear varnish.

Laminate floor has become a lot less expensive.  Look for it in sales or discount stores.

With both of these, or any other type of flooring that you consider, remember the color rule.  Dark makes the room smaller and light makes it bigger.

6.  Replacing your suite.

Again, shop around for the best deal.  It’s a good idea to go for a white suite as any other décor will go with it.  This is especially important if you are improving your bathroom to sell your property.

Don’t forget theme here.  There are many styles of suite and whichever one you choose will dictate how the rest of your bathroom should look.  If you get a ‘Victoriana’ suite you need to decorate the rest of your bathroom in the same style for the best results.

Make sure that you consider size.  If your old suite is housed in a vanity unit that is passed its’ best, you could replace it with a pedestal sink with a slim base.  This will reclaim valuable space and make your bathroom feel much bigger.  If you need the storage, make sure any new vanity unit matches your chosen theme.

7.  Lighting

Good lighting is necessary in a bathroom.  You need to be able to see and it also makes the bathroom look brighter, cleaner and larger.

Stick to your theme here too.  If you’re going for modern, look for chrome and sleek.  A country style might look good with carriage lights or a fisherman’s light.

8.  Mirror, mirror on the wall…

Mirrors are essential bathroom items but they are also useful for making a space look larger and for reflecting light, so consider your placement carefully.  You will probably need a mirror over your sink but don’t forget that you can put another one anywhere you like.

Make sure the style of mirror that you choose enhances the look that you wish to achieve.  Mirrors don’t have to cost a fortune.  Look at Yard Sales and think how you could use paint to change a frame or stick things onto it with a hot glue gun.  Be creative and save yourself money!

9. Do you need to de-clutter?

You will have emptied out your bathroom to decorate it so when it comes to putting it back – stop!  Do you really need all of that stuff?  And if you do, is there a way that you can store it out of sight in an attractive unit?  Or could you store it elsewhere in your home?  Theme matters here too.  A modern, chic bathroom will have no clutter – where a country style will thrive on it. But regardless of how you decide to declutter, just do it, you will feel so much better for it.

10.  Additional items

This is where you can have fun finishing off the look of your new bathroom.  Think about your theme when you’re choosing shelves, laundry hampers, towel rails, toothbrush holders, soap dishes, tissue holders and even a vase for flowers or grasses for the window sill.  Would you like to add a picture to the wall?  Or some vintage tin signs?  Or a corner shelf for a trailing ivy?  How about candles?  These finishing touches will really make your bathroom look special so enjoy hunting down the perfect pieces, and there are so many practical and beautiful bathroom accessories available.

Now that all the hard work is done, you can relax in your tub and really love your bathroom!

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.