Designing Your Dream Bathroom
Do you lay in bed designing your dream bathroom? for your needs? Well, you are not alone. Research shows that re-doing the bathroom is one of the most popular renovation projects these days due to the many reasons to have a reno. Designing the bathroom of your dreams can be fraught with challenges so here are some tips to help you create the exactly what you want and need.
Part of the challenge in bathroom design is to create a room that looks great but is also practical and meets the needs of all members of the household. Bathroom components are long-lasting so it is important to get it right; replacing those new floor tiles is usually not an option if you decide you don’t like them! This is why the design process is so important; you really need to get all aspects right before any work starts. Consulting a bathroom renovation specialist will go a long way in making this process easier.
The key points in creating an excellent bathroom design include floor and wall tiles, colour pallet, electricity and water supply and components, ventilation, fittings and fixtures. Decide whether there needs to be any structural changes such as repositioning the shower recess, replacing an out-dated window or knocking out a wall to create more space.
Research modern bathrooms in showrooms, magazines and online to familiarise yourself with what is available. It’s possibly a long time since you built a new bathroom and styles and designs have changed a lot over the past few years. Beware of following new trends too slavishly though, as they can often become quickly out-dated.
One of the first decisions to make is the style of the décor in your new bathroom. Generally speaking, it should co-ordinate with the style of the rest of the house to create a smooth transition from room to room. Next, look at some ideas on the colour pallet, remembering that it’s best to keep major items like tiles, bath and basins fairly neutral because they are expensive to alter if you want to change the colour scheme later on. Plan to use accessories and linen to bring in splashes of colour.
Tiles form the backdrop to a renovated bathroom design and are probably going to be the biggest single component of the renovation. There is a huge range of different types, styles, colours and textures on the market today so take the time to look around before making a decision. Again, get expert advice about what is suited to your application.
Check out the current water supply and decide what changes you need to make. Is the water pressure adequate? Are the connection points in the right locations? Are there any leaks that need attention? Is your current hot water service adequate for the requirements of the new bathroom? Now is the time to consider what water-saving options you can use to your advantage and to help preserve this precious resource.
Lighting and ventilation are essential elements in a workable bathroom, so take the time to assess what the needs of the family are; it is important to get these right. Bright halogen lights over the vanity are important for tasks such as makeup and shaving. Dimmers allow for mood lighting for a relaxing soak in the tub. Effective ventilation is vital so that mould and damp problems don’t develop, so check out the latest systems for steam and moisture extraction.
Possibly the area that impacts most on the design of a bathroom is that of fixtures and fittings and there are loads of beautiful bathroom fittings available. Choose fittings to match your décor but keep in mind the practicality of each piece, keeping in mind the people who will be using the room. Designer taps may look fabulous but are they practical for little hands, if you have kids, or for aging hands in later years?
You can design the bathroom of your dreams and be delighted with the finished result. Take these key points of bathroom design into account when you start the planning process and you will continue to love your new bathroom for many years to come.