Archive for September, 2009

Giving Your Bathroom a Makeover


According to contractors, the room that is undergoing the greatest amount of transformation in new construction and remodeling is the bathroom. In fact, since the 1930s, the average master bath has tripled in size and the huge bathrooms build in houses today have even an oversized closet inside. The change in bathroom space is attributed to the fact that people are now spending more time in their bathrooms when they wish to relax while taking a bath. Experts point out, that the weekend spa mentality has developed into a new lifestyle trend with which Americans feel comfortable and want to experience on a daily basis without leaving the comfort of their own home.

Since the bathroom space has increased, the new updated version calls for an addition of bathroom furniture, which can make any bathroom feel less sterilized and bring in the feeling of comfort that used to be associated with other rooms of the house, like the bedroom or living-room. Moreover, the additional furniture pieces provide extra storage space; something that is definitely needed nowadays by both women and men. To cover the demand, many bathroom cabinet manufacturers offer now sinks set in furniture pieces, which are designed specifically for bathroom use. Options now range from modern glass and steel pieces, to old renaissance dressers and armoires. Moreover, people tend to mix and match furniture and trim their uncovered surfaces in order to make them blend with the flooring, connecting the bathroom to the rest of the house.

But apart from the amount of space available and selecting the right type of furniture, today’s bathroom-users also want to create a bathroom in which they can relax and rejuvenate. These moments of relaxation can be enhanced with simple additions, like a bathroom stool near the tub or in the shower, or if the space permits it with an ottoman for some precious relaxing times. Furthermore, the right type of lighting can be installed quickly altering the feeling one has while taking a bath. Again candles, small regular lamps on the vanity or shelves can transform the bathroom and give it the feeling of tranquility.

Extremely important apart from the furniture selected is the bathroom’s flooring. Tile or wood can enhance the overall appearance of the bathroom and their designs can be matched to blend with the house’s other rooms. Also, the color of the walls or the wallpaper selected to be placed have to match the rest of the area, like the floor, the sink and the bathtub creating a unified outcome. If you decide to go with the wallpaper option, be extremely cautious as it has to be installed really well in order not to fall off the walls as you steam your bath.

Finally, keep your bathroom organized and clean. Numerous scattered items give a feeling of clutter and do not help you enjoy this room of your house. Furthermore, select towels and bathrobes that are soft and fluffy. It is better if their colors and design matches the rest of the bathroom, but most importantly they have to be replenished with new ones almost every year so you will continue feeling the same snugly sensation every time you exit the shower.

Jonathon Hardcastle
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/giving-your-bathroom-a-makeover-51995.html

Bathroom Interior Design Tips For Beautiful And Practical Bathrooms


The bathroom is one of the most neglected rooms in the house when it comes to looking its best. This room is often thought of as needing to be practical, rather than pretty. Fortunately, bathroom interior design can be simply and easily improved upon without sacrificing utility. Attractive custom storage can help to reduce clutter in your bathroom, keeping your important toiletries and cleaning supplies neatly out of sight.

Hotel inspired bathrooms can give the feeling of get-away luxury without ever leaving home. Good lighting, clean lines, and marble surfaces make the bathroom attractive and uncluttered. A large mirror can expand the appearance of space. Other bathroom interior design ideas for a hotel-styled bathroom include monogrammed towels, attractive wallpaper, and crisp design elements.

When the bathroom is used and who will be using it will inform your bathroom interior design choices. A public powder room will be able to be more whimsical or dramatic, whereas a family bath must be more practical. Guest baths should create a welcoming and inviting space for people away from home. A master bathroom should encourage relaxation.

Be careful to choose materials that will not be damaged by water and humidity for your bathroom interior design. Wallpaper can be used in some bathrooms, but in other, the high humidity can cause it to peel and fall off. Tile is a popular choice for a bathroom, but can be damaged if your bathroom is high traffic. A good substitute for traditional tiles is vinyl tile, which can look just like ceramic or marble, but is not as easily broken. Wood cabinets are popular as well, but again, you should be careful to make sure they will not be susceptible to water damage. Wood can swell, warp, and crack in humid environments.

The right shower or tub is important in bathroom interior design. You should choose one that fits your needs, is easily cleaned, and will not be damaged easily if your bathroom sees a lot of use. Acrylic is a good choice for these situations. Traditional fiberglass is light weight, but can be easily scratched. Cast iron and cultured marble provide timeless looks, but are heavy and can be expensive. They may also require extra support under the bathroom floor. Also, try to be sure that your tub or shower is proportioned for the people who are using it. Very tall people may be frustrated by a low shower head. It is important to adjust your bathroom interior design ideas for the people who will be using the room.

Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/bathroom-interior-design-tips-for-beautiful-and-practical-bathrooms-125093.html

Where To Begin Cleaning In The Garage


Probably, the most sufficient space for storage in your home is your garage. This is because it offers a huge amount of space, though that space is limited depending on the use of the garage. Your garage is the perfect candidate for improving the efficiency of your storage space. Luckily, you have a ton of options available to you for taking on this project.

One option that you have is to go out and buy what known as a modular storage unit. These have components that you can mix and match with one another as you see fit to give yourself more storage space compacted into a tighter area. This will solve much of your space difficulty.

Another thing that you could do is to build your own storage area. Sometimes the modular ones just aren’t sufficient enough for the amount of storage that you may need, due to the amount of stuff that you’ve accumulated over the years. Building your own unit may help you cut back on clutter and make it easier for cleaning the useful area that you do have. As well, seasonal items will be easier to get to year in and year out, plus making it safer as you age with your home.

Shelves, cabinets, plastic containers, and wall-mounted racks are the more popular kinds of garage storage and organization solutions. Cabinets work great for protecting what’s inside them from moisture as well as dust. Shelves will save you space more efficiently but the cheapest solution are wall-mounted racks. These combined with clear plastics containers will assist you in being able to see the contents of your storage along the racks.

Just imagine a beautiful spring day. Your certainly don’t want it to go to waste there for get yourself excited to go for a bike ride, maybe do some fishing with the kids, and even enjoy a little picnic. However, when you get to your garage you see nothing less than a huge mess, with all of the equipment that you were so excited to pull out buried behind clutter, shoved in corners broken and damaged. There goes that idea. Instead, it’s time to retake your garage.

The most important part when organizing your garage is knowing where to start. You’ll first want to buy some cabinets, along with some shelves and a hammer and nails.

The sorting and storing goes as follows. You’ll need to categorize every object and put it in a spot specially designed for it. For instance sporting gear needs to be put in a cabinet or up on a shelf. Any tools should be placed in drawers hung on peg boards in an orderly fashion such as by size and type.

Be merciless about throwing things away and don’t even think twice before you toss away anything that you haven’t used recently or those things that are broken. If you haven’t fixed it yet, chances are that you won’t. Seasonal gear should also be sorted; boots and things that are out-of-season such as coats should be organized in small closets.

Once you finish sorting, organizing, and throwing away Unwanted or unneeded items, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to recognize your long lost friend; the garage floor. Maybe you can even get your car into the garage again. Wouldn’t that be special?

Leroy K. Calstard
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/where-to-begin-cleaning-in-the-garage-106714.html