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Bathroom Designs – How to Make Your Dream Bathroom Come to Life

November 24, 2021 Comments Off

Bathroom designs are as varied as the people who create them. With modern technology and brilliant minds available at the seat of your computer, any idea you can think of is possible. From bold looks that speak of intelligence and sophistication, to soft designs that create a warm and welcoming feel, whatever your vision may be you can make it happen.
If you’re one of the many people who are about to embark on a bathroom renovation, here are some great hints to transition your ideas into reality.
The first thing to consider is the amount of space you have to work with. The amenities of your bathroom should be proportional to the amount of room available. A big bathtub for example would not look right in a small space just as a small bathtub would not look good in a big space. It’s important therefore to divide up your spacial elements in a logical way. This will assist the flow of the bathroom and allow for integrity throughout its design.
The second thing to consider is color. Color defines the entire atmosphere of your bathroom. It can make a small room huge and a big room cozy and soothing. The color should also speak of your personality and adhere to the design themes of the rest of your home.
Generally speaking, it’s not advisable to use more than two colors for your bathroom. It’s also not a good idea to use colors that are more than a few spaces removed from one another on the color scale. Big variations in color often make the bathroom seem loud and uninviting, while subtle color changes make a bathroom warm and comfortable.
A great way to bring color into your bathroom is with tiles. Tiles are ideal because they can be included on the walls and they are one of the only ways to create mosaics in the bathroom while maintaining a sophisticated feel. Soft colors will give the bathroom an open atmosphere, and dark colors will make the bathroom feel smaller and inviting. Vertically placed tiles in an alternating color scheme will make the room appear larger, as will bright lights, large mirrors, and small amenities like a recessed shower or a small vanity.
The materials you choose for your bathroom can also help to define the design theme. For example, a bathroom designed in marble gives a sophisticated, modern feel, while a bathroom with wallpaper and ceramic flooring gives a homely feel.
Installing sound board behind the drywall can do wonders for the sound elements of the bathroom as well. No one likes to feel like they’re being heard while in the bathroom, so this extra muffling of sound will add comfort and ease to all who use it.
Lastly, you should be very mindful about how your amenities flow into one another. Do you have a small shower and a large toilet? Do you want a vanity that is made out of wood while your shower is made out of stone? All the elements of the bathroom should flow together seamlessly, and one fixture should complement the next. Unless you have a design specialist that can guide you through your design ideas, big variations in style should be reserved for things like nick nacks and throw rugs, not for larger items like toilets and vanities.…

Small Bathroom Remodel

October 10, 2021 Comments Off

If you have a cramped bathroom in your home, a small bathroom remodel can help you to have more space. Choosing the correct fixtures can give you the feeling of more space and also create a little more space without changing the walls.
If your bathroom includes a tub and you only use the shower, consider removing the tub and replacing it with a shower. A small shower stall can give room for a large closet in the bathroom to store linens and towels so that you can create more space in other ways. If you have other larger bathrooms located in the home that provide bathing or showering facilities and this bathroom is just for guest use, consider removing the tub and making the bath a powder room with just a toilet and sink. You can gain an additional fifteen square feet in a small bathroom.
Once you have removed the tub and installed the closet, take a look at the bathroom sink. If you have a large vanity that is taking up a lot of space, consider replacing it with a pedestal sink. The sink will be just as functional as the vanity and the storage you lose has been easily replaced with your new closet.
Over the toilet storage is a great way to reclaim some lost space in the bathroom. You will find many different over the toilet storage methods that can help to increase the space in the bathroom.
Add lots of mirrors. While mirrors do not actually add space, they can create an illusion of more space in the bathroom. You are going to need a mirror in the room anyway, so why not let it make you feel like more room.

Time For A Little Bathroom Remodeling?

August 11, 2021 Comments Off

A bathroom is supposed to be a room of comfort, for some a sanctuary. Just like all of us, after years of use, we start to look and feel a little worn and out dated. Think of a bathroom remodel as an eye lift for your home. How should you go about it?
The first thing you’ll want to determine is budget. Unfortunately, most of us have to be concerned with this factor, as it will dictate the extent and limitations of your improvements. Next, you will want to formulate a plan of attack for the renovations you would like to see done in your bathroom remodeling. Then you should locate a good contractor that will do the job for you.
The size of your bathroom is one of the most critical elements in deciding what to do, because it will determine the types and sizes of sinks, shelves, and fixtures that will be placed inside. Believe me, you don’t want to feel too cramped in your bathroom. If you have a small space to begin with there are opportunities to create the illusion of a larger space with a more open and uncluttered feel. The proper choice of fixtures should do the trick to create an illusion of openness. Choices like using a pocket door to save more space. If you have linen closets installed, you can replace them with wall cabinets.
You can actually purchase complete bathroom suites if you don’t want to purchase bathroom items separately. You can check your local showrooms or view them online. If you are working with a contractor, often times they have access to these types of assets for you to review as well. Try to find out which one will suit your taste and budget. Choosing a whole suite, if it works with your budget, can make a bathroom remodel project a little quicker and easier.
If your personal style requires you to get the items separately, you my want to analyze what current items could potentially work with your new vision. For instance; if you have a great bathtub already and a toilet that works, you could maximize your dollars by updating the floor, counter tops, mirror and lighting at a significantly lower price. You can often shop locally or online for great deals on these items yourself.
You can choose between different types of toilet seats and hinges and cisterns that are hidden or mounted on the toilet itself. Cisterns may also be operated by a push button or a lever.
Sinks come in different sizes and shapes and materials. Some are over-the-counter, some are under-the-counter, some are wall-mounted, and some are on a pedestal. You would be surprised at how much your bathroom space would change with a new sink and counter space.
Bathtubs are usually rectangular or circular and if space allows, you may have a shower room in the bathroom. You can pick your choice on the different kinds of standard and handheld shower heads.
The color of the wall and floor and material for the tile should be carefully chosen. Let it give an ambiance of cleanliness in the room, while not dating the look within a couple years.
A home remodel of a bathroom is not as daunting as it may seem if you proceed with proper planning. You may just feel comfort inside that you may not have felt before for a long time.…

Versatility: From Dance Floor to Athletic Flooring

July 21, 2021 Comments Off

If you operate a dance studio and are looking for addition revenue streams, you might consider opening your space for other purposes, such as aerobics, pilates, yoga and more. The latter two in particular are done on the floor, which requires some “give;” fitness flooring may be just the answer.
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It is true that many such exercises are done with the use of soft mats; however, sprung flooring such as specialty athletic flooring can add that extra bit of safety and comfort.
Like better dance flooring, athletic flooring has at least two hard layers with a soft, cushioning layer in between. This is known as a “sprung” floor; the middle layer offers a little “give” that is much easier on the joints when it comes to repetitive movements that involve stepping and jumping.
On the other hand, such specialty fitness flooring differs from dance floors in how slippery it is. While a ballroom dance floor should be slippery to a degree so as to allow dancers to “glide,” this is something that is not so desirable when it comes to athletic flooring. This characteristic is known as “speed;” a high-speed wooden dance floor has a type of urethane finish that allows a fair amount of slip. For sports however, such as an aerobic floor or yoga flooring, it’s better to have a low-speed finish that allows for more grip.
Durability
Yoga floors as well aerobic flooring also require durability in order to stand up to frequent use. Better athletic flooring is made from hardwood, such as ash, birch or especially maple. Such natural hardwood fitness flooring offers an aesthetic value as well; the attractive grain and warm tones provide visual appeal in rooms where they are used.
Another popular choice is the “marly” topping. This is a type of vinyl surface that is economical and extremely durable, able to stand up well to all kinds of dance and most types of athletic activities for many years.
Versatile
Sprung wood athletic flooring does not need to be permanently installed in one large mass. In fact, one can purchase yoga floor and other types of fitness flooring in various sized panels that can be configured to fit almost any room – and unlike permanent dance, athletic and yoga flooring, can be removed and stored when not in use, adding greater flexibility for a dance or aerobics studio.
Such portable dance and sport-activity floors are an excellent investment that can pay for itself in only a few years by offering more to clients.…

The Importance of Bathroom Design

June 5, 2021 Comments Off

Families are spending more and more time in their bathrooms than ever before, thus, they desire their bathrooms to be functional as well as inviting. If you are ready for a new bathroom look, take some time to consider ideas for the bathroom design and investigate remodeling your bathroom to suit your needs and style.
Several questions need to be asked prior to the start of any design process. It is critical before you decide to renovate to make sure that there are no underlying problems with the core of your home. Sound plumbing, heating and electrical service should be inspected before demolition begins. When talking to a designer, consider a few things: Do you need more storage? Are the fixtures out-dated? Do the vanity and faucets need replaced? Are you able to work around the existing fixtures such as the tub and/or sink? Do you want a separate tub and shower compartments? It is an important factor also to determined the style of bathrooms choices, you can choose from modern, traditional, contemporary or transitional type of bathrooms.
Once these questions are answered, sit down and work within a realistic budget. Determine how much you are able to afford. The focus on your bathroom improvements will also depend on the type of bathroom. If your remodel is for a guest bathroom, it should be useful, inviting, and even impressive for your guests. A children’s bathroom should be bright, colorful and even fun. A master bedroom bathroom can have a resort style, relaxing, or perhaps a sexy feel.
Making the correct lighting choices, such as decorative or accent lighting add elegance to a bathroom, or adding softer dimmable lighting can give you more of a cozy feeling. Another focal point in any bathroom is the vanity mirror, giving the area a bigger feel and a chance to show off your individual style with a decorative frame or a uniquely-shaped mirror. Incorporate your family’s own taste and fashion with accessories to complete you bathroom remodel. Tile designs, the color of the walls, and open shelves for display items add character to every bathroom as well.
Bathroom design should be attractive and just as comfortable as any other room in your home. Remodeling is also an ideal time to make your house healthier for you, the community, and the environment through the use of environmentally-friendly products and recycling or reusing existing materials.…

Home Renovation During a Recession Can Make Lots of Cents

May 26, 2021 Comments Off

Buy a home, then renovate it – it’s a natural progression for many American homeowners. The recession may have put the brakes on many remodeling plans, but there are signs that the situation is beginning to turn around.
The peak of remodeling activity in the U.S. came in 2007, when $146 billion was spent on home improvement projects. According to a new report from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, just over $118 billion was spent in the year ending the first quarter of 2009. But the center predicts that the spending decline will moderate through the remainder of this year.
“Remodeling spending by homeowners shows early signs of stabilization,” says Nicolas P. Retsinas, director of the center. “While the housing recovery has been erratic, a strengthening economy could produce spending increases on home improvement projects by the second quarter of next year.”
Consumer Reports” latest poll on home remodeling supports that prediction. More than half of the homeowners surveyed are planning a remodeling project in the next 12 months.
Choosing to remodel now means a homeowner can take advantage of a down market. A recent story in The Wall Street Journal reported that consumers are paying up to 20 percent less for their home remodeling projects than they would have during the building boom. Contractors who have seen projects evaporate are willing to bid less for a job just to keep busy, and some building materials, including lumber and insulation, are cheaper due to lower demand.
Herb and Eileen Longware, an upstate New York couple who just completed a long-anticipated, 1,300-square-foot addition to their home on Lake Champlain, capitalized on special retail offers and sales tax incentives to save on their project.
“We went across the lake when Vermont was having its Tax Independence Day and bought thousands of dollars worth of hardwood flooring and a wood stove, so we saved six percent right there,” Herb says, adding that he bought all his insulation on sale locally during a promotion at a home improvement center and received a $100 gift card for opening an account.
There are other pluses that work to the advantage of renovation-minded homeowners, including favorable financing for those with access to credit. The Longwares say that the four-percent interest rate on their home equity line of credit ( HELOC ) made financing their addition much cheaper than it would have been when they started planning it six years ago. They expect to pay off the loan at an accelerated rate to avoid future increases in their variable rate, saving themselves even more money.
The couple will also take advantage of federal tax credits for some of the energy-efficient products they purchased, including windows and doors, insulation, asphalt roofing and a water heater. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, qualifying products must be placed in service in a primary residence between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2010.
Now that the workmen are putting the finishing touches on the new addition, Longware is happy with the outcome.
“Every year that you delay, the price of labor and building materials go up. But I think we built at a good time,” he says. “We got a good builder, we got pretty good pricing on building materials, and our HELOC rate is very attractive. All in all, we’re very comfortable with our decision to tackle this project at this time.”…

How To Get The Best Deal From A Polished Concrete Contractor?

April 13, 2021 Comments Off

Polished concrete is one of the cheapest flooring options you can have and it’s one of the most long lasting flooring options out there. The trend of polished concrete was down for a while but today, it has been a strong comeback and a lot of contractors are moving into polishing works. Since there is a lot of competition in the industry, it’s important to understand how to find the best deal. You can follow these simple tips to make sure that you’re getting one of the cheapest yet best deals:
• Experience – This is extremely important, especially when there are cut-throat competitions among merchants. A lot of people only look for the cheapest quote but forget about enquiring about the experience of the seller. Workers who do not have proper experience in doing polishing work will not be able to produce the desired results, which will lead to utter disappointment.
• Referrals – There is no better way to understand the quality of service from a service provider than asking for referrals. This is the best way to understand whether the service provider will listen to your suggestions, show up on time and finish the job on or before deadline.
• Some contractors focus only on undertaking commercial flooring works while others focus on residential works. If you’re looking for someone who can do the polishing of your home, it’s a good idea to hire someone who is experienced in managing household works.
The best thing about polished concrete is their extensive lifespan. They need very little maintenance and the maintenance costs are incredibly low. Modern-day polishing tools are very sophisticated and can bring exceptional results based on the diamond they use for polishing. You can achieve different types of finishes according to the room and personal preferences. Moreover, polished concrete is tremendously energy efficient and it’s possible for you to produce solar energy your concrete flooring.
A lot of people use polished concrete for effectively heating and cooling their floors with the help of solar energy. If you are interested in doing energy conservation works, you can go for specialized energy conservation tools that can be easily installed on concrete slabs. By polishing your floor, you can also control the dust exerted by the inside pressure of concrete slabs. The polish fluid repellent will ensure longer life for your concrete slabs by bringing down hydrostatic pressure. Since there are multiple advantages and the pricing is so low, concrete polishing is a very good flooring option.…

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