North Leeds Plumbing & Heating – Home Improvement and DIY Advice

Archive for the ‘Bathroom Design’ Category

Bathrooms are where we start and end our days and we want them to be warm and inviting. Stepping into a cold, dark room just gets your day off badly. There are simple things you can do today or this weekend to update your bathroom and make it a much more enjoyable place. 

Heat is a must in a bathroom. Stepping out of the shower onto a cold floor in a cold room is not only unpleasant, but it’s a good way to catch a draught. Adding a new bathroom radiator is a wonderful way to warm your space efficiently and gently. Today’s bathroom radiators are slim, sleek and stylish, not like your grandmother’s radiators at all. You can even purchase designer radiators that look like pieces of art hanging on your wall. No one will know they serve a dual purpose. Or choose a radiator that is also a towel rail for the ultimate in comfort when you step from the shower or tub, lovely warm towels.

Other updates, like improved lighting or an illuminated mirror, will brighten the space immediately. If you can’t see your teeth to brush them, consider new light fixtures. Installing fluorescent bulbs will also save you money over the incandescent variety. Mirrors will reflect that brighter light, illuminating even the darkest corners and making your bathroom much more enjoyable.

New towels, a rug or even a new tap can also make a difference, especially if those bathroom accessories are currently substandard. Make a few changes this weekend and you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel on Monday morning.

More and more people are using bathroom mirrors to make small rooms look larger and to also brighten up the space. If you can combine a mirror with a window or skylight, the effect can open up the bathroom and make it lighter and brighter than ever before, giving the illusion of space, even in a small bathroom. Mirrors also come in more shapes and designs than ever before, giving you a wide range of options to work with.

For small spaces that have been left white, try painting one wall an accent colour and hanging a bathroom mirror with a dramatic frame on the opposite wall. For example, a mirror with a dark cherry or black frame opposite a wall painted your favourite shade of blue or green will spread the colour as well as spread some light.

Another option is to use a series of small bathroom mirrors as a design element. This is a particularly good choice in bathrooms with odd angles, such as one added in an attic or basement. The bathroom mirrors can be arranged to fit the room’s outlines, making the wall interesting rather than odd.

Small, swing-out bathroom mirrors can be mounted on a side wall, allowing you to see your back easily and avoid those bad hair days. There are also fog-free bathroom mirrors, allowing men to shave without nicks.

Illuminated bathroom mirrors are functional, but these days they can do far more than just create a reflection. They can add style and the illusion of space to small bathrooms, brighten a room without using any electricity and help you start your day a little easier. What’s more, they’re one of the easiest ways to spruce up a room.

Radiators are a quiet efficient way to gently heat a space like a bathroom, especially if you have a newer model. Some of the older ones are not at all efficient and make odd noises and clangs when you least expect it. If you’re considering updating your bathroom with a new radiator, consider one of the designer models that not only work well, but also make a style statement at the same time. 

Many of today’s new bathroom radiators are sleek and stylish, barely protruding from the wall. They are smooth and can really update the living space, as well as brighten it, since they reflect so much light. Many of the radiators are available in satin and full polish finishes, whichever you prefer. For a really ultra-modern look, go for the full polish finish, while for a slightly softer, more contemporary look, the satin finish is the perfect choice.

Another option is to find a designer or design company that suits your tastes. MHS have an ultra-modern look, while The Radiator Company provides everything from classic-look bathroom radiators to bench radiators. After deciding on the model for you, check to see what radiator valves are available for it. You may find more than one alternative, which may provide the perfect finishing touch.

On the other hand, you may want a designer radiator in a particular shape or pattern. Surfboard shapes, circles, quadrangles and even spiral shapes make quite a fashion and design statement. For smaller bathrooms, look for designer radiators that lie flush with the wall and don’t use any floor space. No matter which you choose, though, a designer radiator will instantly update your bathroom space.

“It’s the details that make the difference” is as true in home decorating as it is anywhere else. In rooms as small as a typical bathroom, accessorising takes on even more significance. The correct accessories can make your bathroom appear larger, more comfortable and more organised. Remember, the wrong accessories make it look cluttered and busy.

Bathroom accessories don’t have to be expensive; sleek modern ones can be extremely affordable. The simple addition of a matching set, soap dispenser or dish, towel holder, toothbrush holder and wastebasket, will add character and style to your bathroom. Accessories can include much more than just the vanity-top items, though. Curved shower curtain rods, the shower curtains themselves, accent tables, rugs and even plants and plant stands will all change the look and feel of your bathroom.

Rugs, in particular, are necessary if you have a hard floor surface, like tile or slate. These materials are also cold to the touch, so a colourful rug not only protects your feet, but also adds some life to a small room. Framed art or a framed mirror are not only accents, but can draw the eye away from other areas of the room. Mirrors make any space look larger and are essential for your morning toilette.

Lamps and lighting are essential accessories that are often overlooked when people want to update the look of their bathroom. A simple change of light shades will let more light spread through the room and update the feel of the bathroom. 

If time and money are considerations in your decorating scheme, consider bathroom accessories as one way to give yourself a fresh, new look, without a huge investment of either your funds or your spare-time.

Not all showers are created as equals. In fact some of them are far superior to others and the best are walk-in shower cubicles. If you have never seen one of these shower cubicles before, prepare to be impressed when you first get a look at one. The tray forms a rough P shape, with one end giving access to the shower, leaving the rest of the cubicle free to shower in.

Some of these shower cubicles are more ornate than others and they often have a sweeping design to the entrance, which makes the whole thing look like a teardrop.

One thing you need to think about with these shower cubicles is whether you want a left or a right handed one. Decide which would fit in better given the space you have in your bathroom? Think about where the cubicle will be and then consider which end the door should be to give you the best and the easiest access. Be sure you measure up properly before you commit to buying anything, as you don’t want to find that the unit will not fit in the space available.

Normally, when you buy a shower cubicle, you will be supplied with a complete package, which will include your choice of tray as well as the shower itself. This simplifies the entire process, as you don’t have to remember to add any optional extras.

Most people tend to choose a rectangular or square shower tray, thus overlooking a strong new contender in the market. The quadrant shower tray and its close relative, the offset quadrant shower tray, are designed as two squares connected by a curve. The difference between the quadrant and the offset quadrant is that the offset shape is different, being longer than the quadrant tray, with one long curve in the front.

Shower trays form the base of a shower and are an ideal solution for a shower enclosure with odd angles or design. Quadrant and offset trays are widely available and fit in nicely with the minimalist or modern shower design. Another quality that makes them attractive is that they take up less floor space in comparison to regular shower trays, yet compare favourably in cost and quality.

There are other factors to consider with all shower trays. Make sure you choose one with a non-slippery surface. Take careful measurements of the bathroom floor and the height of the bathroom, so that you choose the right size. Quadrant and offset quadrant trays do require a higher drainage system, and if you have opted for a high pressure shower, you must consider the depth of the shower tray before making your purchase.

The quadrant and offset quadrant shower trays will certainly add a distinct and attractive flair to the look of your design. Bathroom suppliers like UK Bathrooms can help you choose the right shower tray for your bathroom.

A lot of individuals are now opting for a walk in shower when they remodel their existing bathrooms. There are many good reasons for doing so with each depending on personal circumstances. Smaller spaces are ideal as wet rooms due to the fact there is no defined shower cubicle. This makes a small room look more spacious.

People with mobility problems usually choose the wet room design, as there is more space for manoeuvring items such as a wheelchair around the room. The shower area has no raised shower tray so the occupant can wheel themselves in and out with ease. The floor area of the bathroom is normally covered in bathroom tiles, again making moving around the room simple.

Wet rooms are commonly fitted from floor to ceiling with ceramic bathroom tiles. This makes cleaning the area extremely easy. Some people opt to have a shower cubicle in their wet room although this is uncommon. Those that wish to define their shower area may find that using a shower curtain is easier. This is also a better option for those who are less mobile as curtains are easier to slide back and forth than many of the solid shower doors available on the market these days.

Bathroom accessories such as bathroom cabinets should ideally be raised off the floor or at least have waterproof bases. Wall mounted bathroom cabinets are ideal in a wet room, especially for those who have no wish to use any form of shower enclosure or curtain. There is inevitably a lot of splashing or spraying of water and so bathroom accessories that will rot if continually wet, such as wooden items, are not ideal.

Electric underfloor heating is considered one of the most popular forms of heating for homes around the world in the 21st century, due to its economical nature, ease of use, lack of maintenance and the even distribution of heat throughout the entire home. Whilst water underfloor heating systems were considered par for the course in the 20th century, technological advances have allowed electric underfloor heating to take priority in modern times, with the majority of underfloor heating kits now being heating mats. The average electric underfloor heating mat will raise the floor no more than 20mm, which is negligible when considering the thickness of the average flooring material.

The average electric heat mat works via power leads and an underfloor heating thermostat, which are both attached to the mat via cables. The mat itself can be stuck down beneath any type of flooring surface with the leads running out to an electrical outlet where the power source will be wired in. The thermostat will allow the homeowner to regulate the temperature of the floor at any time, day or night.

Traditional heating systems simply emit hot air that rises to the ceiling and then remains there until it drifts down, creating a draught in the airflow. Electric underfloor heating works by distributing the heat evenly across the entire floor, leaving the rest to the laws of physics.  This is far more efficient than using the traditional radiators or electric heaters that many people have used in the past.

Marking Out

Measure the height of your wall and calculate where the last full tile will be fixed on the bottom. Here you fix a wooden batten and make sure it is level. Repeat the process for the vertical until you find the position of the last full tile and attach a batten going upwards.

When planning the layout take into account the position of windows, work surfaces and taps or pipes.

Laying Tiles

Once you have established your base line spread an area of about one metre square with adhesive and score it with a notched trowel. This will allow you to level off the tiles once they are placed.

Place the first tile in the corner of the two battens and push down firmly, then place the second tile along the base allowing space for the grouting. Some tiles come with their own spacers built in; otherwise you can use a matchstick or easily available plastic spacers. Continue fixing the tiles making sure they are flat and level with the previous ones and proceed with the next level once you have completed the first row.

Leave the batten in place until the adhesive is set. When fixing tiles above windows or sinks, attach a temporary batten to support the last row of full tiles as this will make cutting the others easier.

After you have fixed all the tiles you should leave the adhesive to set before applying the grout. The grout is applied with a squeegee and should be worked in small areas to avoid drying before you have finished. Work the paste into the joints and smooth off, cleaning all tiles before the grout sets.

Large bathrooms can be ideal places for additional storage room. Items such as laundry baskets fit perfectly into a large bathroom as there is plenty of floor space to utilize. Free standing bathroom cabinets can also be placed in a large bathroom without making the room look too cluttered. These are perfect places to keep towels, flannels and spare toiletries so that they are easily accessible when needed.

Designer radiators and old hospital style cast iron radiators can be used in a larger bathroom without fear of taking up too much floor space; they make a lovely feature in the home.  Salvage yards are an ideal place to buy such items that look great in an older style house.

If it is a modern look that you are trying to achieve, then ceramic bathroom tiles from floor to ceiling help to give a clean finish to the room. The larger the bathroom tiles the smaller the room will look, so taking tile samples of various colour and size home to test is a good idea.

Having a larger bathroom also means that the owner of the home can be much more creative with decorative pieces. Large vases with flower sprays or lush green plants help to give a bathroom a roomier feel as it brings the outside feel into the room.

Additionally, light fittings can be more ostentatious especially if the room has high ceilings. For older homes, chandelier style light fittings work well, but for a more modern look spotlights are a good solution to most lighting needs.