North Leeds Plumbing & Heating – Home Improvement and DIY Advice

Archive for the ‘Bathroom Design’ Category

Once upon a time, accessories for the shower were practically nonexistent, with the term generally meaning – if it was ever used at all – nothing fancier than the absolute essentials such as the tap and the showerhead, and perhaps a particular kind of shower door.  Nowadays, however, the term shower accessories is associated with a much greater range of products, with shower enclosures now having maximum comfort as well as overall convenience as important design factors.

Today, the term shower accessories means much more than the bare necessities.  Shower accessories also encompass a range of items including everything from hanging bars (which can be attached to either the shower curtain rod or even shower doors), to shower caddies and shower mirrors.  Shower caddies are tiny shelves, usually fitted near the showerhead, which are both easy to fit and ideal for keeping items which are often used by people while they are taking a shower, such as shampoo and conditioners, soap and possibly even a razor and blades for shaving.  Most people would have trouble shaving without a bathroom mirror, and the shower mirror has become one of the newest innovations in shower accessories.  These mirrors can be easily attached to the inside of the electric shower enclosure with suction cups and, very importantly, do not steam up around hot water.

In addition to shower mirrors, the latest “must have” item for the more ecologically minded is the shower meter, which actually lets people keep a check of how much water they are using when they shower.

What do you picture when you think of radiators?  Most people think of functional metal fitments designed to be as inconspicuous as possible.

However, the tide of radiator design is turning, especially when it come to radiators for bathrooms. Designer radiators are becoming a more and more popular choice for those hoping to stamp their own personality on their bathroom space.

Whereas in the past the best a homeowner could hope from their radiator was to choose an unremarkable design in a colour that would blend well with their selected palette, these days the interior design enthusiast can opt for one of a wide range of eye catching designer radiators that have been created with an emphasis on the aesthetic.

Designer radiators can be bought in ready-made off the shelf styles, or those who are seeking a truly unique style statement can engage the services of a personal designer to help them create a bespoke piece for their room.

Homeowners can choose from a range of styles – horizontal and vertical designer radiators intended for wall mounting are available from a number of retailers, while those with a little more spacious bathroom may wish to opt for a freestanding piece that creates a sculpture-style focal point in their space.

For those who like to combine style and functionality, it is possible to find a number of designer radiator styles which incorporate useful features such as towel hanging spaces – great for warming towels before use and drying them after.

The shower cubicle is one of the wonders of modern bathroom design, allowing for refreshing ablutions in even the smallest of spaces.

Whether you are looking for a shower to be fitted in a dedicated shower room, en suite or family bathroom, a little careful research will help you to find which shower cubicle will best fit your needs.

There are a number of things to consider when choosing shower cubicles.  The first of these is the size and shape.  For large bathrooms there will be a number of exciting designs available, while smaller homes can benefit from one of the many space saving options on offer.

The most popular style of shower cubicle is the quadrant – a square shower that can be easily placed into the corner of a room.  Quadrant shower cubicles come in a range of finishes, from clear and smoked fixed glass designs to hardwearing plasticised finishes.

Homeowners can choose from a selection of door styles for their shower cubicles – from sliders which work well in smaller spaces to traditional outward opening styles.

For those seeking to deviate from the ordinary a little in their shower cubicle selection, it is possible to create a sleeker shower area using a curved design.  And even the popular modern wet rooms can benefit from partial cubicles to control the spray area.

Shower cubicles can house anything from the simplest of shower units to more extravagant power showers and even saunas.

Bathrooms are one area of your home that it is impossible to hide from your guests.  At some point or another most callers will need to pay a visit to this area of your home, so it is important that the design in this space accurately reflects your household’s design as well as your personality.

In order to create the perfect style statement in your bathroom you will need to build it up, beginning with the basics.  While additions and accessories may enhance the overall feel, it is important to have the best foundation in place in order to achieve the desired effect.

Arguable the most important feature of the room will be the bathroom suite.  Consider colour, style and size, and ensure that all are in keeping with your desired design.

When choosing shower cubicles make sure that these work well with whatever fittings are already in place.  For example – ultra modern shower cubicles can look out of place next to a traditional suite, and vice versa.

Once the initial building blocks are in place it is time to consider the fittings.  Think carefully about elements such as shower heads, taps and door handles as these are likely to be in place for a long time.

While wall colours and accessories may be changed at a later date, fixtures and fittings will be more costly and time consuming to replace.

When tackling small bathrooms, it’s important not to be intimidated.  Remembering a few important factors can make all of the difference in your home improvement odyssey.

•    Choose your colours carefully.  Natural lighting is bound to be limited in a small space, if not non-existent, so choosing lighter tones and colours will help warm up the space.
•    Choose blinds instead of curtains on any existing windows.  This will help enhance the natural light in the space.
•    Choose lighting fixtures carefully, opting for lighting that fits your overall style.  Down lights can be positioned to create a nice personal touch to a space.  Spotlights will help illuminate the room to make it appear well-lit, and they help to make up for the lack of natural light.
•    Try adding bathroom mirrors to the space.  They will make the room appear larger by reflecting natural light.
•    Choose simple patterns and fixtures so the room doesn’t take on a cluttered appearance.  Some designs that are better left in showrooms will overpower small spaces.
•    Make sure your suite allows for the piping to remain hidden from sight, which will give it a cleaner, sleeker design overall.
•    Check into corner-fitting pieces such as toilets, shower enclosures and bathroom radiators.
•    Measure precisely, paying careful attention to whether everything will have the necessary space once it’s installed.  Check that all doors can be opened fully.
•    Choose a bathroom suite that suits your needs and tastes, paying attention to every last detail such as bathroom trays, bathroom fittings and bathroom accessories.

We all dream about them. The luxury items in a bathroom that help create a relaxing and rejuvenating experience closer to that of a spa than a simple bathroom.  If you have a large enough space and are fortunate enough to have the means to design it just the way you want it, then you have the opportunity to own a part of that dream.

In large bathrooms it’s important to create a focal point for the room.  Basing your design off of this focal point will create a more cohesive design overall, and by using the bath as the focal point you can create a sense of luxury.  Large rooms can accommodate the more extravagant fixtures and bathroom furniture that smaller rooms are not able to handle.

Free-standing baths can create a simple and yet stylish focal point to any bathroom.  Placing a bath next to a window with a beautiful view can create a natural sense of relaxation.  Claw-footed baths can give a room a retro or an elegant feel, especially if the rest of the room is in sync with that design.  Those looking for their own personal spa can opt for a hydrotherapy or whirlpool bath, which are large and luxurious.

Dual bathroom basins for the bathroom cabinet or sink are also to be considered.  These are especially convenient for couples who need to get ready in the morning at the same time.  Two sinks and two bathroom mirrors can create an intimate, spacious and convenient bathroom environment for couples.

The most prevalent obstacle for anyone redesigning their bathroom space is often how to do so while being mindful of space limitations.  Not everyone has a bathroom the size of a small flat like a footballer might own!  Bathrooms were often the most overlooked part of the architecture of a home, especially older homes, and as a result the space is often limited.  There are things that a crafty and intelligent DIY homeowner can do to help with this problem, and it just takes some prior planning and smart decisions.

Clean, crisp and modern lines in a bathroom are important and help create the feel of a larger space.  Don’t buy gaudy, ornate fixtures and fittings, and try to stay away from anything that will attract a lot of dust.  Small fixtures, sleek lines and light colours will help add the illusion of space in an otherwise small bathroom, while creating a look that is clean and warm.

If you are lucky enough to have the piping in the right places or have the means to re-fit the bathroom with new piping, then it is worth your while to look for corner-fitting pottery, such as sinks, shower enclosures and shower cubicles, and toilets. Limited space can be easily overcome with these space-saving options. Combine the bath with the shower, or choose one or the other to create a luxurious but practical space.  Add a beautiful, contemporary bathroom mirror to the wall. This will make the space seem more open and larger than it really is.

With a few clever space-saving choices for your design, you will be surprised at the difference!

The bathroom is one of the busiest rooms in the home and should function not only at its peak; it should also be at its peak when it comes to style.  Using a bathroom that is randomly put together and sparsely furnished is not exactly comforting or clean for its users.

Making the effort to add some colour and warmth to your bathroom environment is an ideal way to show guests that you have style.  It is also a great reason to go shopping for bathroom furniture.  Often there is only one bathroom per household and this can cause problems if the bathroom is not set up for many people.

When there are multiple users for one bathroom, this is a great opportunity to add pieces such as bathroom furniture.  Pieces of furniture such as an under-the-sink style bathroom cabinet can offer ample storage space while hiding all the morning treasures needed by the family.  Bathroom cabinets that are wall-mounted are also another great option if your bathroom has an unused wall.

Instead of purchasing several smaller pieces and having them randomly mounted throughout the room, there are also options such as built-in cabinetry.  These are generally much larger in size and can be created to extend from floor to ceiling.  These pieces of bathroom furniture are the best bet for large families as they will offer the most storage options such as drawers and can be made specifically for your room.

White is a colour that is often related to purity and cleanliness, so creating a solid white bathroom suite will offer the same visual experience to its users.  It is easy enough to create a white bathroom and then to think of it as a blank canvas on which to splash some colour.

White is a very modern colour that results in a contemporary look.  It creates a sense of airiness, and calmness.  If you want a completely new experience for your bathroom, consider one of the many shades of white to create your version. 

If you currently have an all white bathroom suite, you’re well on your way to creating your white haven.  If not, purchasing a new bathroom suit in an all white version should be the first step.  While you are at it, you may want to consider changing the floors.  Adding white bathroom tiles to the floors accompanied by a coat of fresh white paint on the walls will give your room the appearance of purity.

Experimenting with both colour and texture is a way to ensure the all white room does not become boring.  Once you have everything white, you can begin to introduce coloured bathroom accessories and bathroom furniture.  White will make anything visually pop out, so start small.  Adding large framed mirrors; small ceramic lamps, a seating area and throw pillows, if you have the space, will pull the room together.

One of the greatest things about an all white bathroom is when you grow tired of the current colour scheme, it takes very little effort to replace the current colour with a different one by changing throw pillows and candles to create a whole new bathroom.

Bathroom mirrors are one of the most common fixtures in today’s bathrooms.  With an enormous selection of shapes, sizes and designs, they do much more then reflect a single purpose.  Today’s modern bathroom mirrors have a lot more going for them.

Consumers can spend a lot of time choosing the right bathroom mirror.  Many mirrors offer sleek, clean lines and a thin width, requiring minimal installation space and saving on additional weight.  More lightweight materials are being used for mirrors such as aluminium.  These new aluminium mirror products offer consumers a more durable choice when it comes to frequent humidity.

When mirror shopping, be prepared to run into a few models including LED light mirrors that offer a much more soft lighting experience.  These bulbs provide years of illumination, eliminating the need for constant bulb changing.  They also ‘magically’ turn themselves on and off with the motion of a hand via infrared detection.

Stainless steel bathroom mirrors are a beautiful addition to any room.  They can be had in several different shapes and sizes and will be certain to accentuate.  If you want your mirror to be more for statement than function, such an exquisite accessory will surely become the default focal piece.

Hand picking a decorative framed bathroom mirror is another option when it comes to enlightening your living space.  If you are choosing to go with a framed wood, be sure to look for pieces that have specifically modified for the humidity found in bathrooms.  There are many companies that make wood framed bathroom mirrors that are waterproof and made specifically for such places.