Updating a bathroom can be quite a different experience in updating a living room or master bedroom. A bathroom is a space that needs to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Balancing a lot of practical elements, like layout plans and the placement of the toilet roll holder with the serene, retro, contemporary or bohemian style you’ve been dreaming of can be challenging. While you may find a designer or contractor than can figure this all out for you, most people want to save these costs by designing their own spaces. This is very possible, but it does mean that you will have to do a bit of research so that you know what options there are and you can spend your money on the things that will make the biggest difference to your new bathroom.
Making the most of the space
There are a few well-tested tricks that you can use to make even the smallest bathroom feel spacious and add that luxurious and opulent feeling to large bathrooms. The first is to create as much floor space as possible. Ada bathroom sinks and floating vanities will meet all your practical requirements but will free up floor space which will make space seem bigger. Corner showers and vanities also perform that nifty trick of reducing floor space and they often help create a better flow in the bathroom or consider walk-in showers – researching ‘frameless shower screens Brisbane’ will give you a host of examples and suppliers.
Be practical
It’s great to have a beautiful bathroom but you’ll soon get frustrated with space if it isn’t practical. When this happens, you’ll probably add the items in later and maybe even ruin your look. You’ll need storage for your daily items like toothbrushes and hair care products, but you’ll also want a space for extra soaps and hand towels. Is there a practical spot for the toilet paper holder? You won’t believe how many times it ends up as an awkward afterthought. Do you really want to get on your hands and knees to clean under that gorgeous free-standing bathtub? Don’t think of these practical things in terms of “we’ll figure it out when we get there” because often by then it’s too late or you’re so tired of making decisions that you make a rushed choice that you regret later.
Plan your lighting at the same time as your layout
Consider how you will use the space and the mood that you want to create. If you’ll be applying make-up in front of the vanity, then you need to consider some task lighting options such as installing lighting on either side of the mirror. And since you won’t be using this lighting all the time, you may want it to have an independent switch. If it’s soft lighting that you’re after, then wall sconces are an alternative or additional option to standard overhead lighting. Add chandeliers for drama and a luxury feel. Remember that light fixtures in a bathroom can be affected by the moisture levels in the air. Make sure that they are suited to the bathroom environment and installed by a qualified electrician.
Consider the Environment
Here’s one huge mistake many people commit while doing a home-improvement project: forgetting to consider the environment.
With all the environmental issues the world is facing now, it’s tremendously important for everyone to do what they can to help. Whether you’re remodeling, renovating, or building a bathroom, factor in energy efficiency and water efficiency in your plan.
Upgrade to LED lights, which use 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer, as compared to standard incandescent bulbs, according to the US Department of Energy. Switch to a high-efficiency toilet that uses less than 1.6 gallons of water per flush (the federal standard). Go for low-flow faucets and showerheads that have lower flow rates than standard fixtures do.
Going green on your bathroom design is not only better for the environment but also kinder to your bank account. Energy- and water-efficient fixtures and appliances use fewer resources, so you can expect some savings on your utility bills.
