Bathroom Remodeling Trends

The days of depending on a luxury resort or hotel for pampering are being replaced. Homeowners are trading this occasional extravagance for permanent innovations in their very own homes. Currently, creating sanctuaries are the new bathroom remodeling trends. Consumers can now enjoy opulence in the privacy of their own homes.

There is no question that kitchens and baths sell homes. Consumers place significant value on large open kitchens and bathrooms with modern conveniences and high-end fixtures. Currently, however, a new trend in bathrooms has been occurring which focuses on the latest and greatest technology in bathroom conveniences.

Previously marketed multiple-head showers have now evolved into elaborate multi-functioning appliances. One of the hottest trends is the steam shower which offers reclining seats, remote controlled massage, electronic temperature and steam generator, and surround sound. This trend is especially important in remodeling because it immediately updates an older bathroom, and additionally provides the homeowner with the convenience of a spa along with the privacy of home.

For added pizazz, there is another new innovation known as the tanning shower. This product allows the consumer to incorporate a tanning unit into an existing or new shower. The unit comes complete with lamps, reflectors, and a double UV filter for optimum tanning. Also included is a high-intensity infrared light marketed to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, aiding in skincare.

Bathroom Remodeling and Rock?

Bathroom remodeling provides an opportunity to go for an entirely new look. For some, bathroom remodeling is a time for an unusual look - something unique.

Bathroom remodeling with rock and other natural materials can give you that unique look. It can give you the feeling of being in a natural retreat, far from the busy city life.

Achieving the Look

Begin your bathroom remodeling project by designing, or finding a design of the finished product. How do you want the bathroom to look when you are done?

For example, suppose you want a relaxing, peaceful hideout. What elements will achieve that look? What tasks will your bathroom remodeling project include?

1. Walls: Picture grasscloth wallpaper in green and tan tones. Grasscloth wallpaper is made of natural grasses, and green shades are not bright. The woven wallpaper has a horizontal line, and will set the mood for your project of bathroom remodeling with rock and natural materials.

2. Floor: A floor of slate or marble, real or imitation will fit your theme and be easy to clean. Use natural hemp or grass mats.

3. Sink: Purchase a rock sink. These sinks are hewn from river rocks, and hollowed with a polished cavity. They have a standard drain hole. Deep or shallow: choose a rock sink to enhance your bathroom remodeling.

4. Vanity: Continue your bathroom remodeling with rock and natural materials by choosing a bamboo vanity on which to set your rock sink. These vanities come in various sizes, and will carry the outdoor theme well. Hang a bamboo mirror / cabinet above the vanity.

5. Faucets: Bamboo shaped faucets will complement your sink well. The type that have an open top at the faucets end will look as though they came right from an oriental garden into your bathroom remodeling project.

6. Bathtub: Yes, you can get a "boulder bathtub" for your natural bathroom. You could probably find a standard bathtub with a marble-like finish, but an actual boulder would be natural. This calls for a large bathroom, and will look cramped in a small space. Add bamboo faucets to match those at the sink. Caution: Please make sure your floor will hold the weight before you order a boulder bathtub.

7. Toilet: You may not be able to go this far with your project of bathroom remodeling with rock, but you can camouflage the toilet to make it fit your theme. A dark green or black toilet would blend well.

Great Designs for Bathroom Remodels

Some of the great designs named in remodeling bathrooms that will give you an improved and better space are: the tub is the star, the cantilevered double sink, the bathroom wardrobe, and antique and traditional looks.

Remodeling your bathroom brings out the best of your bathroom space. This will benefit not just the resale value of your home but also the experience of the people using the space daily. Remodeling according to how you want your bathroom to look, will give you extra credit. Make use of the following bathroom designs to help keep your bathroom remodeling project moving:

The tub is the star

The "tub is the star" design focuses more on the surroundings of the bathroom space. The bathroom is used as a utensil for sight seeing. This type of design makes use of the double-ended tub. It is a type of bath tub that enables you to lie on both sides. You can have a warm bath laying against or facing the window. It is mostly used in houses with a contemporary architectural design.

The cantilevered double sink

A "cantilevered double sink" design provides you the advantage of bigger bathroom space. It makes use of a deep-basin shaped sink. The double sink is placed on a cantilevered bathroom counter. Having two sinks in the bathroom will provide you and your partner the time to brush your teeth or wash your face together. This will also save you time. A cantilevered double sink is generally used in a modern home.

A bathroom wardrobe

The position of the tub in this design is placed in the center of the room with one end of it positioned on the wall. The bath tub will cover the pipe on the wall. However, the person will be facing the wall when he or she uses the bath tub. Place a mirror on the wall adjacent to the bath tub to fix this problem. Wardrobe storage is one of the main components in a bathroom wardrobe as well. This will save space in the other part of the house. It will also allow you to directly change or store clothes after taking a bath.

Green Bathroom Remodeling

The green bathroom remodeling advantage that is most talked about is that it saves energy and water resources. It also takes advantage of recycled or refinished materials. Bathroom remodeling makes property attractive to homeowners, hotels or motels, apartments or any other person that has bathrooms that need to be updated. This is especially important in a sluggish economy where prospective property buyers are looking for properties that have energy and water efficient fixtures already installed.

Home improvement adds value to any property. And that is why realtors who know the advantages of remodeling are educating those they are helping in selling their properties that potential home or property buyers are looking for energy efficient fixtures and appliances. Realtors who understand and embrace the this knowledge are using it to sell four times more houses than their competitors.

Bathroom remodeling in combination with refinishing involves the consideration of many factors before the home renovation starts. Whether your motivation is environmental responsibility, or saving money, bathroom remodeling would make you feel satisfied. Your bathroom, is your place of solitude, health, hygiene and relaxation.

Many building materials vendors' are selling bathroom remodeling materials that are made of recycled materials like tile; vanities and flooring for example. Recycled fixtures like refinished sinks, and countertops save money and conserve natural resources. Antique claw foot tubs are becoming popular again. Newer tubs are not as good as the originals, therefore, many home owners prefer the old fashion traditional claw foot tubs.

Environmentally sound bathroom remodeling starts with a good consideration of water resources. How is water used? That means that much consideration should be given to how much water is used while flushing the toilet and also how much water your shower heads use. For instance switching from an old standard toilet to a much smaller, dual-flush toilet, alone can reduce your water consumption by 22 percent.

Bathroom Remodeling Checklist

Careful planning is the key to a successful bathroom-remodeling project. Before you begin any work in the bathroom, create a budget, a floor plan, a list of supplies, a timetable, and important legal considerations. Let's break it down by subject.

First, create a budget. Determine how much money you can comfortably spend, and save about 20 percent for emergencies. Get estimates for the work that needs professionals, and always include electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, and drywall installation costs in your budget.

Second, design a floor plan. Ask yourself, will you be working with the existing space or will you be adding on or knocking down walls? Check to make sure you will not disturb the electrical wiring, plumbing, or zoning regulations. Next, measure the amount of space you have and draw a floor plan. In drawing the plan, first put in all the items that are fixed. For example, if the toilet must be in one place because of plumbing, it is a fixed item. Experiment with how you like your floor plan, using different arrangements, with different types of cabinetry, shelves, or even walls. You might try pocket doors to save space, and corner sinks, floating sinks, or pedestal sinks to save even more space. L-shaped vanities and alcoves also save space. In addition, corner showers conserve space, and clear glass in showers creates the illusion of even more space. You may want to add windows or mirrors to let in light.

Third, make a list of the supplies you'll need and make sure they are available when you need them. Some typical supplies include sinks, flooring, wall tile, countertops, lighting, medicine cabinets, showers, bath tubs, cabinets and cabinet handles, toilets, extra storage, faucets, toilet paper holders, paint or wallpaper, chairs, accessories (like storage containers and/or artwork), as well as tools you have or can buy.

Transform a Pation into an Outdoor Living Room

Patios these days are becoming so much more than just a place to barbeque on the weekend... They're becoming more like outdoor living rooms. Now is the perfect time to convert your tired old concrete slab patio into a place where you can truly appreciate outdoor living at its finest.

Start by putting some effort into decorating and furnishing your patio using the latest décor and furniture. Gone are the days of cookie-cutter patio furniture. Patio furniture really has morphed to fit the needs of the consumer.

Now days, you'll find plenty of styles beyond the basic table and chairs. Available in many stores are bars and bar stools, low chairs with cushions that are designed to be placed around an outdoor coffee table. Benches, luxurious loungers, and pillows made of special fabric that is made specifically to hold up to outdoor weather are popular additions to many patios.

Add to the atmosphere of your patio by applying some of the same decorating ideas you'd use inside your home. For example, you can purchase outdoor curtains made from weather friendly materials to provide privacy and create the perfect mood. Make your new outdoor living room even cozier by using a nice outdoor rug that'll allow you to kick off your shoes and relax.

Lighting makes a great impact on the overall feel of your patio. Companies are now making outdoor lamps that can be plugged in to an outdoor outlet making guests wonder if they are in your living room or on your patio. It's hard to beat the ambiance of candle light, but if you don't want to mess with the hassle of candles blowing or burning out, then these outdoor lamps might be perfect for you.

Designs for Outdoor Living Rooms

1) Be realistic.

There are many possible options: pool areas, Zen gardens, outdoor lounge areas, playground areas, outdoor hot tubs, etc. It depends not only on your space and investment, also on the needs of inhabitants of your home. For instance, if you have a dog will be difficult to maintain a Zen garden. If there are small kids, you probably will think in them providing safety areas to play

2) Choose proximity.

Locate your outdoor living room area in direct connection with your living room. In that way, it will be an extension of it, you will improve the views from indoors, and it will have an easier flow of traffic between spaces. The same if you are installing a barbecue or a picnic area, it should be close to the kitchen. Pool areas should have access to a bathroom without crossing the entire house.

3) Define the dimensions.

Being in an outdoor living room doesn't mean it have to take the entire space of your backyard or terrace. As in any other space, define "walls" and "floors", and even "ceilings". The floor should be easy to clean and low maintenance, a good choice is colored concrete or stone tiles. A teak deck outstands for its elegance, durability and low maintenance.

For the "walls", consider lower vertical elements that may be more attractive/functional, as raised beds, container gardens, or hedges. If you don't want to wait for hedges to get tall enough to afford privacy, install lattice screens, instead. To satisfy your requirement for plants and provide further privacy, train vine plants to grow up the lattice.

The "ceiling" is very important to provide shade and shelter from rain. A vine-covered arbor may be more inspiring to gaze up at than a lawn umbrella, but the latter will keep you, and the books you may be reading, dry. If you'd like something more solid than an umbrella, consider installing a pergola and covering it with fiberglass.

Modern Outdoor Rooms

Have you ever seen pictures of outdoor living rooms in magazines? They have utilized outdoor space for additional recreation, eating, and living opportunities and added a beautiful amenity to the garden. The move outside can be used to its fullest in mild to moderate climates, but taken advantage of several seasons during the year everywhere else.  Paving materials should complement the house and existing landscaping styles. Bluestone or travertine pavers are an attractive choice for outdoor living spaces, as are concrete pavers.

An outdoor fireplace or fire pit offers function and a place around which family and friends can gather as the weather turns cooler. Fireplaces can be stand alone or be built in to the kitchen island. Fire pits are often a focal point within the living space. These can be wood-burning or run on gas. There are even some that incorporate a water feature into the fire pit!

Do you want your outdoor living room to be open-air or covered? That will depend on your region and climate, but options for either are nearly limitless. Pergolas offer a more open roof. Solid roof coverings can also be created.  Depending on the layout and size of your yard, an outdoor living room may contain water features such as fountains or ponds. Think about creating shade. If it is hot and uncomfortable, there is less likeliness that you will use the space.  Outdoor living spaces can can utilize kitchen islands, outdoor gas grills, and even such things as outdoor rugs. Weather resistant outdoor furniture should be used, but there are many comfortable choices available.

Why be satisfied with that cracked patio when you can create a truly unique and enjoyable outdoor living space in the same area?

Creating Your Outdoor Living Room

Once you have decided on where to site your new outdoor living room, and those with those tiny yards may not have a choice, you can work on how to create the "walls", "floor", and even a "ceiling". Your project has now become landscape design! You may need the advice of a garden designer at this point, or some great books on the subject to understand the materials that are used in building landscapes and how to use them to create enclosure, privacy and beauty.

Once you have supplied the "floor;" normally a wooden deck or a stone, brick or even concrete patio or terrace, and some "walls;" typically a formal hedge, loose hedgerow, wall, or fence, and maybe a "ceiling"; a sloping roof or retractable awning or parasol attached to the house, you can go crazy furnishing your new outdoor living room. Consider some sort of heating element such as a wood burning or gas fireplace, fire pit, chimney, or portable patio heater to enable to use your new "room" all year round.

Furnishings like benches and tabletops can be made out of say, cast concrete for a real permanent feel, or obtained from a myriad of sources. Manufacturers are offering many new choices for furniture and lighting designed specifically for the outdoors as well as much better selections than ever for tough but nice fabrics for outdoor furniture, cushions, pillows, rugs and shades. Almost anything you can dream up as a way of making your outdoor living room more comfortable is now available for purchase online and off.

Outdoor Licing Rooms Explained

Considering a garden as an outdoor room is nothing new to garden designers. The concept is just now making its way into the public consciousness. But just what are outdoor living rooms? Are they places where you try to recreate your indoor living room outdoors? No, not exactly. Are they places like your deck, patio or terrace where you just plop down a set of furniture and hope that you'll feel like spending time out there? No, that won't do either. An outdoor living room is a space outside of your house, built with materials suitable to the outdoors, where you will actually want to spend time! It's also a state of mind, the idea of living life outdoors.

Now for your frame of mind: stop separating the outside of your house from the inside of your house, try to think of your property as all one place. Look at your outdoor space, look at your yard and take inventory of what you have naturally in that space. What has mother nature already provided for you? Hopefully you have some kind of natural elements that can be the focal point of your new outdoor living room such as a large tree, a hedgerow, a nice slope, or a beautiful view. In urban locations, your yard could be a barren rectangle, with nothing in it but some dirt and weeds, but there may be other qualities you could start with, such as a lovely angle of morning sun, maybe a nice brick wall on one side creating a microclimate, or even an interesting urban view of some kind.

Spend some time out there and identify just what are feels the best to you. Bring a chair outside and just sit in it in different spots until you get a feeling of being in the right spot. Then you must ask yourself, can this spot be turned into an outdoor living room? How will you connect it to visually to your house? Are there interior elements of your home that you can repeat outside? How will you connect your new outdoor living room physically to your house? How will get there from inside your house? There must be an easy way to go from inside to outside and back inside.  Smooth transition between inside and out is how you start feeling like your outdoor living room is really just another room of your house; an extension of your home.