When people think about remodeling a room, bathroom remodeling is often last on the list. We use our bathrooms all the time, of course, and so this is a little strange that it often gets left out of the make-over plan. One reason for this may be that bathrooms tend to be smaller than other rooms, and so even though they get used and even abused more than other rooms, they often get left behind.

Even though bathrooms are smaller than other rooms, there are still countless things you can do with them. In fact, because there are so many different elements involved in even the smallest of bathrooms, they are often one of the most interesting (and most challenging) rooms you could choose to redecorate. If you have the challenge of a small bathroom, one of the first things you’re probably going to want to do is make it seem larger.

Because we do spend so much time in our bathrooms, the quality of this space can affect how we view the quality of our homes overall. A nice, clean, large bathroom can improve the quality of your life. The problem, of course, is that some of us don’t have nice, large bathrooms to play with. Not to worry. Below are some tips for making any bathroom seem larger.

As was mentioned earlier, even a tiny bathroom has loads of things to play with, redecorate, move around, or simply get rid of. There are bathroom vanities and tubs and showers and lighting and tile and mirrors and sinks and storage spaces and on and on and on. There are also a multitude of accessories that can be found in any bathroom, even accessories that you may not even consider as an accessory, things such as bathrobes hanging on the back of a door, towels hanging on towel racks, and even little washcloths. All of these things are “exposed,” if you will, and so whether you want them to or not, they go into making up the overall design of your bathroom. The good news is that once you start thinking of them in this way, they give you more elements to play with in your design.

Although older homes have lots of character and lots of advantages, one of the biggest curses of an older home is usually, of course, a small bathroom. If you don’t have the time or finances to rip out walls and simply make the place bigger, there’s still hope. Even a little bit of color can help change the perception of a bathroom’s size.

One general rule about color and size perception is to stay away from very bold colors and very dark colors. A very bold or dark color is going to make any room seem smaller that it is.

However, a few splashes of color in a room that is overall light and soft can go a long way in brightening it up. Therefore, in general, a good idea for a small bathroom is to use neutral colors for the walls, and then liven it up with carefully chosen bright accessories – a nice, flashy shower curtain, or a few bold, bright towels. A relatively light-colored floor is also usually a good idea if you’re looking to enlarge the feel of your room.

Another thing to always consider, especially for a small room, and even more so for a bathroom, is lighting. Because bathrooms are built for privacy, this often translates into rooms with few windows and little natural light. There are exceptions, of course, but it usually takes a lot of forethought to get the proper balance between natural light and privacy, and unless you’re living in a modern, extremely well-designed home, you’re probably going to find that your bathroom doesn’t live up to that idea. Fortunately, of course, you can simply add more lighting to your room by putting in extra fixture. Some could increase the lighting in their bathrooms dramatically by making sure they’re using the highest watt bulb possible. That seems like a no-brainer, but many simply don’t think about it.

Another element of your bathroom that can cause smaller spaces to seem even smaller is the size of your fixtures. Of course we want comfort, but if your toilet and your vanity are hulking pieces that dominate the room, then you’re going to feel cramped every time you go in there. Some changes, while they may seem major, are not that big of a deal once you commit to them. One idea is to change out a large, cabinet style vanity for a pedestal sink. A pedestal sink will immediately slim down the whole sink area, and as a result, open up the whole room.

Of course, if you switch to a pedestal sink, you will need to then find extra storage space somewhere else, but there’s a good solution to that too – metal racks. Metal racks make great storage areas, and they have the advantage of feeling open, airy, and light. In addition, because the materials stored on them are open to public viewing, you can use their colors and shapes to add character to the room.

The last tip for making a small bathroom seem smaller is an old one – mirrors. Mirror have been used in this way for as long as they’ve been around, and they will always be used in this way for one simple reason – they work. Use more mirrors in your bathroom. You don’t have to limit yourself the one, simple mirror above the sink. Get creative. Use them as decoration. Use them in places that you won’t even be able to see yourself in. Once you’ve added a few mirrors around the room, every other element will be able to reflect it’s uniqueness over and over again.

Creating a stunning bathroom complete with all the luxuries from whirlpool baths, a double basin vanity to radiator towel warmers, finished off with glam bathroom fixtures and accessories for the ultimate dream bathroom is every homeowner’s desire. When starting to explore your options for creating your prestigious space you should start with a wish list of desired needs. The two points of interest at the top of your list will be budget and space, and then sub-dividing the list into two categories, “what can I live with” and “what needs to be replaced.”

Most often we tend to visualize everything brand new and over look the fact that by simply replacing small fixtures such as a new basin mixer tap can bring new life to an existing pedestal sink. When you look at the big picture, you not only save money especially if you are a do-it-yourself person, but you also save on having to purchase a new sink freeing up funds for other necessities such as a new bathroom mirror or new bathroom accessories.

If you are looking to give your shower a modern contemporary look, durable solid glass constructed doors is not only an affordable way to update the look of your bathroom, but allows you to do away with traditional plastic shower curtains and gives the bathroom a sense of spaciousness. Shower/Bath glass enclosures is also a fashionable way of dressing up your bathroom, they are easy to install and much easier to clean than cloth or plastic curtains. Finding solutions to meet both your needs and spending allowance for your bathroom remodeling projects, doesn’t mean compromising quality. Purchasing one good quality item, such as a whirlpool spa bath may mean looking at the “what you can live with” check list in finding items in your bathroom that can be refinished.

Refinish Bathroom Furniture and Save Money

New bathroom furniture does not necessarily mean the physical purchase of a new bathroom cabinet or wall mounted vanity, try refurbishing the cabinet or vanity instead. With a number of commercial products that can easily strip away old paint and wood finishes makes for an easy-to-do weekend bathroom project, with a little sanding and a fresh new coat of paint, varnish or wood lacquer, you will be surprised with the new look of your bathroom cabinet or bathroom vanity. Also determine who will be using the space, will it be a family bathroom or a tranquil place to relax and unwind. Setting clear goals will aid in deciding the bathroom design you are trying to achieve. If there are water works happening in your bathroom meaning children who splash around during bath time, then you most definitely want to think about using durable materials such as acrylics and ceramics. Baths that are filled with Stone Cast Resin with twinned skinned acrylic are far more durable than cast iron or steel where acrylic is less prone to cracks and scratches and pottery only bathroom suites are less susceptible to damage and stains compared to wood finished bathroom suites.

When it comes to space often rearranging the layout of your bathroom to either create the illusion of space or open the space for more functionality to accommodate the family is a workable solution. Today’s baths are available in a number of sizes and shapes, corner baths are an excellent choice for space conservation since they fit tightly into any corner of the bathroom creating a unique focal point and again are ideal for the price consciences consumer.

Turning a dull bathroom into an enchanting delight comes from inspiring ideas which can easily be seen on the internet or by taking a trip to a bathroom shop. Get advice from the experts and do some price comparison. If you are out and about shopping around for bathroom products remember to bring the necessary items to avoid several trips, paint swatches, tile samples, measurements including a floor plan, existing hardware if you plan to replace bath/shower or basin taps for exactness rather than guessing, and pictures of your existing bathroom, this will help with your selection and give you a visual sense of how the bathroom will look. Finally, while trying to get the maximum utility out of your bathroom, always balance out your needs with your bottom financial line and not to stray from your budget.

Written by Shelley Murphy on behalf of www.victoriaplumb.com an online retailer of bathroom furniture, steam showers, shower enclosures, whirlpool spa baths and bath related products serving the United Kingdom.

When we decide to spruce up our house, one of the first things that come to mind is a curtain. There are many types of curtains on the market. Lots of fabrics, colors, designs and styles to chose from. But sometimes, regardless of the vast variety available, we simply can’t find what we’re looking for, and often times when we do, we can’t afford it.
The truth is, you don’t need anyone to do it for you; you are as capable as it takes, to do it yourself! Let’s see how we can become designers of our own space using basic tailoring techniques.

Let’s start by the most prominent, the material. The fabric. Choose a fabric that you like. Avoid quilted fabrics as they can stretch or shrink over time. Fibers like cotton and linen and especially those with polyester and micro fibers, hold up better than others. Also avoid silk or silk blends, because they tend to rot and fade very quickly. Make sure you buy enough fabric; you don’t want your curtains to look poor. Double height of the window and three times width, should be fine.
In this article, we will examine the three simplest sewing and hanging techniques for curtains.

For curtains with rings, you need to stitch an approximately 3-inch hem at the edge of the curtain panels that are going to be hung. Now, sew each ring to each curtain panel leaving small distances between the rings so that the curtain is pulled easily. You can also use clip-on rings that don’t need to be stitched and are easier to apply.

For tied tab curtains you will need to create the hangers. Simply stitch horizontal buttonholes at the top of the curtain panel. Now you can make the hangers using the same fabric as the curtains, or another but suitable fabric for a little diversity. Make threads and place through the buttonholes.

No Sew Curtains are also a smart and easy way to make curtains and decorate a window. In this case the fabric should be 3 inches more than double the height of the window and 2 inches more than the width of the window. Pull the fabric through the rod and fold evenly. Now stitch the two ends of the fabric at the bottom and at the sides together. When the curtain is ready, place a single fabric band in the center of the curtain or use two purchased tiebacks evenly spaced along the width of your window. Then adjust folds of fabric panel as desired.

Gather your supplies, fabric, scissors, screws, rings or ribbon, and use your imagination. In less than an hour you will manage to decorate that empty window effectively and inexpensively. But the most important thing is that you will have your own personal work to show off in your house.

Whether it’s a New Year’s Resolution or spring cleaning, no cleaning spree would be complete without cleaning the closets. This time, don’t just rearrange the junk—find a permanent solution. Closet organizers provide a way to organize your possessions. When every item has a “home,” it is much easier to keep the closet clean.

You have a few choices when it is time to buy closet organizers. First, determine your budget and go from there.

Under $100: If you are working on a small budget, it would probably be best to buy closet organizers at the local home improvement store or department store. These closet organizer kits contain all shelving, components, and hardware needed for your closet. You will need to measure your closet to determine the right sized kit. Some assembly is generally required, but it is usually simple. In addition to the basic closet, you can buy any accessories you need: shoe racks or cubbies, shelves, drawers, tie racks, etc.

Low $100s – $1000s: If you are working on a mid-level budget, you might want to consider closet organizer systems. These modular units are pre-assembled and simply need to be installed. Some can be placed on the closet floor; some need to be wall-mounted. You also have many choices of accessories with this option.

Unlimited: If price is no object for you, custom closet organizers are also available. These can be ordered online, using a “design wizard,” or a local company can send a consultant to your home. While this option is the most expensive, it also offers the greatest level of creativity.

There are many brands available. One of the best known, Rubbermaid, offers a unique “custom-closet-in-a-box” system. This is a combination closet organizer kit/custom closet organizer. This Configurations kit contains shelving, hand rails, brackets, hanging rods, and all necessary hardware. There is no cutting involved as all rods and shelves are adjustable. The hanging rods range from 2 ft. to 8 ft., depending on how they are assembled. Accessories and extensions are also available to further customize the closet. Customers report that this product is easy to install. It can even be easily reconfigured if you change your mind. Customers were also impressed that there is no cutting involved. Configurations by Rubbermaid are available at some Wal-Mart and Home Depot stores and at the Rubbermaid website.

Another popular brand for closet organizers is Stanley. Though these closet organizers are a bit hard to locate, they are very popular with consumers. Many customers have said the Stanley organizers are better quality than what is available at local home improvement stores.

Within each type and brand of closet organizers, you will have choices in color, material, and style. You can design your closet to match your home, your taste, and your lifestyle. With a little bit of time and money, your closets can be permanently organized.

Making a home look beautiful doesn’t have to end in tragedy. Around the world, people are enjoying the benefits of DIY projects. With increasingly low costs and even easier installation processes, DIY is indeed ruling the airwaves as well as comfy homes.

Keeping the house bright

There are four main ways to make a house look brighter. First, you can repaint your house. Second, you may install bright new colors with good quality wallpaper. Third, you can open up sources of natural light such as windows and keep them open. And third, and perhaps the approach that works for all homes is to install new lighting.

Jenny Richards, a DIY enthusiast for over five years shares her secrets: “Make sure wallpaper patterns match or it will bug you for years. Always use good quality paint, like a one-coat product – two coats are better than four! I’ve got four children so I always go for a wipe-able paint such as stain emulsion, and kitchen and bathroom paint is marvelous for rooms that get steamed up.” She continues with: “Line roller trays in clingfilm so you don’t have to spend ages washing it afterwards. Clingfilm laid on to a paint tray also stops it getting a skin if you need to come back and finish a job the following day. Wrap the roller separately.”

Uneven surfaces

Whether you’re armed with an adhesive or a paintbrush, uneven surfaces is your main enemy. Marcia Morgan, 35, is an interior designer who has developed her skills over the years, and this is what she has to say about uneven surfaces and the obstacle these pose to a DIY project: “Fill holes and cracks to get as smooth a surface as possible. Any imperfections will show up and spoil the finished result. When painting, start with the ceiling so splashes can be covered when you get to the walls and paint an inch or so down the wall. Do the careful cutting in when wall color goes on.” She continues with: “Paint all the internal corners as you go, then tackle the cutting in and the skirting before filling in the middle of the wall. If you’re redecorating a small room like a bathroom or galley kitchen, stick to lighter colors on walls and floors. It will open up the space and create a calmer feel.”

Wall to floor relationship

As light hits the surface of the walls, much of it rebounds unto the floor. The process of highlighting goes both ways- the wall is emphasized by the floor and the floor is highlighted by the walls. That’s why you have to give a bit of effort to make sure that if the walls are daintily painted, the floors are admirable as well. The use of carpeting can accent certain parts of the room and can bring a geometrical balance to a large, irregularly shaped room. Lines do the trick- the eyes follow lines, any kind of line. Carpeting emphasizes one section of the room. Some green is always good- potted plants (even cactuses) can be a great addition to any room. Just make sure that the plants are placed near the window, away from spaces of constant activity.

Home Additions come in all sizes and shapes. Garages, wine cellars, bathrooms, guest rooms, laundries and many other additions are popular home improvements. You can go up (a second floor), down (in the basement), or out (adding more foundation). But what if your addition is just to increase the size of a room or two without adding additional rooms? Is that cost justified? Will it add market value to your home?

Adding Foundation & Roof

A home addition generally requires adding to the foundation and roof. When you do this, you’re making a major and often costly change. It’s different than a basic house remodel or minor home improvement that stays within the boundaries of your existing home. For this reason alone, you should give it significant thought.

How Does a Remodel or Home Addition Add Market Value?

A home’s value is relative. The thing to remember is that it basically has very little or nothing to do with the cost of building it. That also means it has almost nothing to do with the cost to remodel. It’s kind of crazy, but true.

In my experience over many years in the home business and working with real estate and appraisers, I’ve learned that a home’s market value is determined by what others are willing to pay to own it. Period. This can seem cruel or unfair but “market value” is determined by others and doesn’t necessarily correspond to costs or your desires.

Size (and Square Footage) Matters in Home Additions!

So, should you add to the main living areas of your home? Well, that depends. Most of the time it’s a good thing to add square footage to your home even if it does not add rooms. And, if it will add to your own enjoyment of the home for years to come, then it’s probably a good idea.

Just remember a few important details before you commit.

· Your home improvement shouldn’t cause your home to exceed the size of the other homes in the neighborhood.
· Adding foundation and roof structure will cost more than expanding within the home’s existing structure.
· An architect or designer may be required so that the addition flows nicely with the rest of the home.
· Get an appraisal before you begin to get a sense of how much market value your addition will create.

It’s Your Home, Isn’t It?

Ultimately, we’re talking about your home and your enjoyment. Expanding your main living areas can add significantly to your lifestyle. The bottom line here is to try to achieve a balance between what you really want, the cost to achieve it, and the market value you create while doing so.

Take your time before plunging in. These ideas will give a lot to think about and, I hope, kick-start your own research. Good luck!