Bathroom Design

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A bathroom designs idea - can I really design my own bathroom? Why not! Today, the bathroom is much more than just a room for grooming and a place to read. Bathrooms can be a good place for home exercise equipment and a good music system or TV, for example. What better way to unwind from the day than a soothing shower or warm soak in the tub with candles and relaxing music. So start a notebook. When you get a bathroom design idea, write it down. Soon you will have defined the bathroom that is just right for you.

Design my own bathroom? You bet you can! When designing your own bathroom, some of the questions you should ask (and answer) include:

1. How big will the bathroom be? Bathroom sizes include:

• Master bathroom or luxury bathroom - includes toilet, bidet, two sinks, separate tub and shower, whirlpool or spa and perhaps more, depending on your budget. Some master bathrooms are large enough to have exercise equipment, and they are subdivided into smaller compartments for privacy depending on what is needed.

• Full bathroom - includes toilet, sink, and combination tub/shower plumbed along one wall. Typical dimensions are 5x7 or 5x8 feet.

• Half bathroom - includes sink and toilet only. It can be placed on the main floor of your home to reduce the morning rush, and the family doesn't have to go upstairs to use the toilet. Common dimensions are between 3x6 and 4x5 feet, about the size of a smaller closet.

• Small bathroom - includes corner shower stall, toilet and sink and typical dimensions are 6x6 feet.

• Children's bathroom - can be a three-quarter bathroom or full bathroom depending on the size of your home and how many children you have. Children's bathrooms should have plenty of storage and cubbies that are safe and colorful. If several kids will use the same bathroom, a wall or half wall between the toilet and the rest of the bathroom may be a good idea.

• Guest bathroom - can be a three-quarter bathroom or a full bathroom.

2. Are you planning to have convenient storage in the bathroom? A design my own bathroom person will always include bathroom storage. You can find a combination sink/vanity for extra storage. A great bathroom designs idea is you can never have too much bathroom storage!

Use the wall space wisely with shelves or cabinets over the commode or almost anywhere in the bathroom. Consider using corner shelves, and hang towel bars above one another. Add a medicine cabinet with mirror to your bathroom to store grooming supplies, medicine or toiletries. Traditionally, the medicine cabinet was always located above the vanity or sink, but nowadays you can place it elsewhere in the bathroom. Add a shower caddy to your corner shower for extra storage.

3. Do you have enough lighting planned for your bathroom? Natural light is an important element in bathrooms. A window, a wall or roof skylight will bring in natural light, a view or a dramatic skyscape. Having a skylight that opens is great because moisture build-up is reduced.

Artificial lighting is also vital and often overlooked in a bathroom. Without good lighting, the decor and the personality of your bathroom can not be developed properly. Lighting for your bathroom can be natural and manufactured. Lighting should be used to brighten and define the space since both can affect your mood and how you feel inside your home.

4. Another bathroom designs idea - what about ventilation? If you live in climates prone to mold and mildew, you should install an exhaust fan in your bathroom. Ventilating fans are sized by the number of cubic feet of air they move each minute (cfm). A design my own bathroom person will have a good ventilation system that can move the air from the bathroom to the outdoors about eight times per hour or once every 7 or 8 minutes. Bathrooms generate humidity and moisture that can penetrate ceilings, floors and countertops. Remove odors and humidity from a bathroom by installing a power ventilator large enough to do the job. You do not want your walls to break into a sweat every time someone showers.

Design my own bathroom? Go for it! A design my own bathroom person will read as much as possible, thinking through what is wanted and needed in this important room. A bathroom designs idea will range from materials used to the bathroom layout to the finished colors. Having a successful bathroom project is about making informed decisions while planning and while building. Continue the process of learning as much as you can before building begins. How much can you spend, what style will the bathroom be, what size ventilation should you have and so on. Your answer to each bathroom designs idea question is what will guide you so you'll have the best bathroom ever.

About the author:
David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of yourdreamloghome.com where you can learn more about bathroom layout, lighting, storage, bathroom vanities, small bathrooms, children's bathrooms and much more.

Information about Bathroom Design.

Labels: Bathroom Design

Posted by Bedroom Designs at 4:58 AM | Comments

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Of all the rooms in a house, family members most often find themselves trekking to the bathroom to begin and end their busy days. In today’s bathrooms, we find only the most standard of conveniences in an environment that demands solitude, efficient use of space and the desire to maintain a level of comfort. According to a study by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), people are looking for larger, more luxurious bathrooms creating an aura of calm and peace.

With the cooler months looming around the corner, there are some savvy products and design solutions for any size bathroom that offer a simple approach to improving your bathroom’s needs, while giving your family a sense of comfort in a room not-less traveled. Many of these ideas were featured by top designers in the 2003 NKBA National Design Competition.

Towel Warmers

Whether it is a small, medium or even a large master-suite bathroom, towel warmers add a versatile approach to displaying your fabrics, while offering an added benefit to keep your towels warm and dry. Most major manufactures of bath products offer towel warmers in their product lines and they can easily be purchased at many local retailers and dealers.

Heated Tile System

If you prefer the look of tiled flooring in your bathroom but can’t get past the idea of stepping on that cool floor during the coldest of days, installing a heated tile system provides a desired level of comfort not to be overlooked. These systems can be easily installed by an NKBA professional when performing even the most basic bathroom renovation.

Insulating Windows

Windows in the bathroom often add to the appeal of inviting natural light into your sanctuary, but they also add to an unseen problem that is often overlooked. Probably the best location for losing heat from your bathroom, windows can conduct precious heat from inside right out into the cool air. This is especially a problem for those in older buildings with single pane windows. The easiest way to stop this free flow of your heat to the outside is to install a window insulating kit. These kits can be purchased from a number of local retailers and dealers and can be installed by an NKBA professional.

Temperature Control

To improve the safety of your shower area, installing pressure balances and control valves can minimize the scalding effect on children and adults of all ages. Pressure balance and control valves will prevent your faucet from spitting out water of extremely high temperatures in the event that cold-water pressure fails. This can happen if a sink or washing machine is being operated throughout the house while you are taking a shower.

Spa/Steam System

One of the more trendy developments in bathroom design is a spa/steam system. According to a study conducted by the National Kitchen & Bath Association, more than two-thirds of the respondents (66 percent) stated these style systems to be a hot bathroom idea. A system such as this can create a luxurious spa-like environment without leaving the confines of your home. An NKBA Certified Bath Designer will be able to design a retreat that matches your desires and budget.

For more information on bathroom remodeling, contact the National Kitchen & Bath Association at (877) NKBA-PRO or visit their Web site at nkba.org. Let an NKBA professional add value to your investment by applying their experience and expertise to the job.

Information about Bathroom Design.

Labels: Bathroom Design

Posted by Bedroom Designs at 4:57 AM | Comments

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There are a number of design features and fittings that can improve bathroom energy efficiency and reduce energy bills and greenhouse pollution. Remodeling your bathroom to make it more energy efficient will improve your home because doing it right will reap the benefits of health, safety, comfort and will save you money and energy.

1. Energy Efficient Hot Water System
Select an energy efficient hot water system and place it as close to the bathroom and laundry as possible to reduce pipe length and reduce heat loss.

2. Energy Efficient Labeled Ventilation Fans
Bathroom moisture is often controlled by the use of an exhaust fan. The fan sucks out the moisture-laden air, which is then replaced by drier outside air.

Install properly sized energy efficient labeled ventilation fans to control moisture in the air while you shower or bathe. By removing moist air and drying out your bathroom, a ventilation fan will help prevent mold and mildew. Fans help remove moisture, which can increase the level of humidity in your house. High humidity can damage building materials. Worse, high humidity can cause mold growth and mold may affect your family's health. Install self closing exhaust fans to avoid heat loss or gain when not in use

3. Energy Efficient Labeled Lighting
Another easy way to make your bathroom more energy efficient is to install energy efficient labeled lighting (e.g., Light Fixtures: suspended lights, ceiling-mounted lights, cabinet lights, recessed lights, or compact fluorescent bulbs). Attractive, energy-efficient lighting adds value to your home and reduces home energy bills.

4. Insulation - Insulate Walls and Ceilings
The walls behind tubs or showers are often poorly insulated and air-sealed. Opening these walls as part of the remodeling project provides an opportunity to ensure comfort by sealing air leaks with caulk or expanding foam and installing insulation. Also make sure to air seal around plumbing and electrical penetrations.

5. Energy Efficient Windows and Doors
If you are replacing windows, doors, and skylights, consider those with the energy efficient label. New technologies in the glass and frame systems help make your home more comfortable, and lower heating and cooling costs too.

6. Energy Efficient Showerheads
The shower is the largest user of household hot water. Install an AAA showerhead to reduce the amount of hot water consumed. AAA showerheads are available at many bathroom supply stores and hardware stores. A flow rate of approximately 7L per minute is considered as AAA for showerheads.

7. Water Pipes and Water Saving Devices
Insulate hot water pipes to reduce heat loss and save energy. Install water saving devices like water saving aerators and flow regulators in your taps. Select water saving taps that have a similar water saving rating.

About the author:
Chileshe Mwape writes for the Designer Bathrooms website at: designer-bathrooms.org.uk which features bathroom remodeling tips, ideas and supplies.

Information about Bathroom Design.

Labels: Bathroom Design

Posted by Bedroom Designs at 4:56 AM | Comments