Author: Kobla Fiagbedzi

Every now and then, you may find that your fantastic Manhattan abode could do with some sprucing up, and that the typically small bathroom that comes with it must follow suit.

When space is at a premium, you could always do with a few tips to get your creative juices flowing. To that end, we’ve compiled a short list of creative small bathroom ideas that all property owners in Maryland, DC or Virginia could take on board for their projects.
1. Open-base Washstand

Console washstands are not only charmingly reminiscent of days of yore, but they are also far more practical than the classic pedestal sink. They come in many shapes and sizes, but one that is extremely popular with all those looking for hard-wearing yet sumptuous toilets is the marble countertop washstand, with stainless steel tubing that doubles up as towel rail.

Designer Elyssa Albert managed to combine opulent marble with polished stainless steel for a truly dazzling effect. Whatever the size of the bathroom, there should be plenty of legroom thanks to this Gramercy washstand.
2. Oval Sink

The inventors of the ingrain wallpaper, Germans have a way with small spaces, and bathrooms are no exception. In nature, every inch of space is poised to deliver optimum utility, and that’s specifically what the designers at Burgbad, in Germany, hoped to achieve with their Pli sink.

This oval wash basin is not only a breath of fresh air in a room dominated by lines and geometric patterns, but also a space saving alternative to bulky conventional sinks and other conventional small bathroom ideas.
3. Open-base table

We all love a good read with a long bath. And what better way to store and showcase a book, a candle, a chilled glass of sherry, and a pair of reading glasses than an open-base table beside the tub?

That urge for bathroom design that keeps essentials close at hand in the smallest of spaces is precisely what the crew at RCG must have had in mind when they designed this open-base bathroom table. Tasteful yet functional, this sine qua non of small bathroom furniture can store your essentials on its stainless metal top, as well as underneath.
4. Eye-level Storage

Whatever the size of your bathroom, towel racks should be an essential feature. This Cotswold manor’s master bathroom seems infinitely larger than it really is thanks to the way Sims Hilditch designers configured its storage units.

Notice that there are no cabinets, the washstand is open-base, the bathrobes are stored in a wall recess, and the towels are neatly displayed on racks that double as radiators. There is ample space in the center to fit a bathtub, so that even bathrooms half this size would still be clutter-free. What’s more, of all the ways to bring ingenious bathroom design to life, this one would probably be the least expensive to apply.
5. Wall Tile

A bathroom is only as spacious as its walls make you believe it is, and bathroom design should focus on wall decorations. The illusion of space can easily be achieved with tiles in light, warm colors, and with horizontal stripes, wavy lines, mosaics, and even damask, checkered or harlequin patterns. Ceramic wall tiles in single colors can have a similar effect, and have a more fluid pattern.

While most Porcelanosa ceramic tile designs are only appropriate for public buildings and large commercial areas, this particular pattern, the Creta Caliza, would work very well with small bathroom design. Coupled with free-standing taps and ovoidal pedestal wash basins, the rich texture on the walls would make an otherwise small bathroom seem optically impressive in terms of size.
6. Free-standing Bathtub

Claw-foot tubs never run out of style, but they do go out of fashion. Italian designers Rexa blend the charming curves and lines of a claw-foot tub with the generous storage space of a library headboard, serving as base, to create the Egg Tub, which is part of their Unico collection. Not only is this a fantastic example of a small bathroom idea, but it also comes in whimsical colors to boot, akin to an Easter egg.
7. Large Mirror

There’s only so much a mirror can stretch over a tiny vanity, and that’s why tailored mirrors make exceptional small bathroom ideas. An art glass studio in France called Sans Soucie (‘No Worries’) makes saving every last inch of space its specialty, and the results reflect this dogma for bathroom design that produces optimum utility.
8. Geometric floor tiles

Featured in Ideal Homes, this harlequin floor tile pattern is part of the Odyssey Collection by Original Style, UK. The small, light and dark grey squares on a cream backdrop create the illusion of space and remind us of lively Venetian masquerades. There are various other fantastic patterns that have a similar effect, including checkered, paisley, floral and large mosaic designs, and small bathroom ideas should never disregard these options.

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Looking for More Creative Small Bathroom Ideas? 

One of the best bathroom remodeling on a budget ideas that you can employ would be engaging a competent and experienced contractor to do the work for you. With expert aid, you can avoid the possibility of re-doing the job in case you made some slip-ups while undertaking it. Another advantage that would significantly save you more cash in the long-run would be lesser dilemma and expenses in terms of maintenance.

While undertaking a bathroom remodeling, you ought to prioritize negligible repair works. To aid you in the improvement process, here are some bathroom remodeling on a budget ideas that you can employ to modify your bathroom’s appearance significantly:

The Tile

Old tiles, broken or cracked tiles, and misplaced grout will give your bathroom a clumsy look. At times changing the color of the tiles can entirely change the ambiance of your bathroom. The effort to do this can be well worth it, and tiles are usually quite inexpensive for any bathroom remodeling on budget renovator.

The Walls

The bathroom walls should be rather neutral and then accessorized with towels and other essentials. Neutral does not imply white, the primary color can be pale pink, blue or yellow, provided that things are consistent, and then it can be spruced up with other ornamental elements such as pictures, paintings on the walls and soap holders.

Lighting

Have the light fixtures that proffer brighter illumination replaced and concentrate more on the regions that might not have some little light. To capitalize on the outcome ensure that the mirrors tactically mounted on the ceiling or walls.

Updated Cabinetry

If the cabinets are still in an excellent state, you do not have to purchase new ones. A better and great method to improve their appearance is through having your old cabinet doors replaced with some new ones to complement with the rest of your new design.

Flooring

People normally look keenly at a bathroom floor as it screams hygiene or lack of it. Hence, it should look as presentable as possible.

Stone flooring comes in various styles to suit your financial plan. Waterproof, hard-wearing and elegant granite or limestone will give your bathroom a comfy finish.

If the bathroom has a wooden floor, ensure that proper sanding and refurbishing is done on it. After sanding, two or three thin coats of varnish can be applied to give it a brand new look.

Clear Air

Ventilation of your bathroom is necessary for eradicating excessive moisture that fogs mirrors, makes floors greasy, and contributes to the escalation of mildew and mold. Controlling mold and moisture is particularly essential for sustaining fresh indoor air quality. Excess humidity can damage painted finishes and cabinets.

Inexpensive Design, High Visual Impact

Bring into play soft schemes with neutral colors for the long-lasting fixtures and surfaces, and then add pizzazz to elements that can be easily changed, such as window treatments, shower curtains, throw rugs, towels, and wall colors. These bathroom remodeling on a budget ideas offer tons of personality and extra comfort to your bathroom.

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Love your home, but hate your bathroom? It’s time to give this often overlooked space a fresh design. If one of your goals for year ahead is a bathroom remodel, be sure to carefully consider the wide selection of bathroom vanities.

Hot Trends in Bathroom Vanities
A fresh new vanity design is a great place to start your bathroom makeover. Vanities are the central feature of the bathroom and a good way to quickly change the look of the space. Like any type of design, bathroom vanity trends run in and out of style. Below are some hot trends in bathroom vanities that we believe will continue growing in popularity for years to come.
1. Make a Statement with a Black Vanity
The easiest way to make a statement is to choose a black or dark vanity. It creates a eye-catching and unique contrast to a natural decor and can make all-white bathrooms feel less sterile and more modern.

Modern vanities are characterized as having sharp lines and simple drawer fixtures. A modern design tries to create something that is visually pleasing and equivalently functional. Smooth surfaces make it easy to keep your bathroom clean with a simple wipe down.

2. Opt for Floating Vanities
A very fashionable trend in vanities right now is the appearance of the vanity floating on air. You can create this look by installing a wall mounted vanity with gorgeous and simple lines. Keeping the sink off the floor makes the bathroom feels more roomy, which is great if you’re bathroom is low on square footage. Additionally if you need storage, you can opt for a vanity that still has traditional paneling but lacks legs.

3. Go Modern Rustic
Modern rustic vanities hit all the right notes with builders and homeowners who seek eclectic spaces with the warmth and charm of a vintage aesthetic. This vanity takes rustic to a whole new level and was evolved into a modern rustic design.

4. Vessel Sink Topped Vanity
Another popular trend is to replace sinks with vessel-style bowls. They’re striking and unusual and add edge to any style. Classic white bowl-sinks add a country cottage feel or simplicity to outdated bathrooms. Bow bowls become a staple in contemporary and bold rooms.

5. Pedestal Sinks Back in Style
Pedestal sinks are back in style and we couldn’t be happier. This vanities charming look stands alone in a modern bathroom. When you add a neutral background and metal accents, the result is a delightful edginess. If you want to update the pedestal sink from traditional to modern, opt for one with metal legs for a simple and retro look.

6. Furniture Style Vanities with Storage
Need lots of storage? You can accomplish this by bringing a furniture-like feel to your vanity. Look for bathroom vanities with legs that boost it from the floor and allow for open shelving where you can put baskets, fluffy towels or your makeup and supplies. Choose a vanity with a lot of draw space to keep all your toiletries discrete. The best part of this statement piece is that its classic look will serve as a good foundation even as your style changes.

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We hope you found this bit of information helpful, inspiring, and motivating toward making plans to renovate your kitchen and bathroom.

A walk-in shower is a waterproofed area to shower, usually with hinged doors, allowing you to be able to walk right in. If you would love to have space to fit a shower enclosure into your bathroom’s footprint or you want to get rid of your bathtub all together, then walk-in shower is the perfect choice for you.

You can choose from different options such as,

having your walk-in shower where the floor is tiled throughout the entire space, or
having a frameless glass door to help shield the water from spraying the rest of the room.

Depending on the size of your bathroom, you can also choose to have your walk-in completely open. Below you will read the three most popular reasons why clients choose this style instead of a standard tub.

Reason #1: Space & Maintenance
Whether you need more space in your bathroom or if you want to create the illusion of more space, a walk-in shower is a perfect design. In bathrooms that are narrow or have low ceilings, simply removing your bulky bathtub will allow you space to create something beautiful. Also, if your design is for a frameless glass door, your room will appear larger and brighter because there will be no visual interruption. This is perfect for bathrooms that don’t have any natural light or are small.

Reason #2: Advantages
Walk-in showers will stand up to wear and tear over the years because their design involves fewer fittings. A walk-in shower will keep it’s attractiveness for a long time. As well, an advantage of a walk-in shower is that walk-ins are much easier to use. Thanks to the step-free and door-less design, they are perfect for people with less agility such as children and adults who struggle to get their leg over a bath.

Reason #3: Stylish Design
This stylish design is also very easy to maintain which equals minimal cleaning. Because there is minimal hardware, you will have to scrub and clean less, allowing you more time to just relax. Most of the glass doors available are easy to clean using just a simple spray down. As well, the tiled floor in the shower can be cleaned like the as the rest of your flooring.

In terms of aesthetic, the smooth lines of a walk-in shower give your bathroom design a high-end luxury look that will boost your home’s overall style. Most buyers consider the kitchen and bathroom of a home to be deal breakers. Installing a walk-in shower is guaranteed to create a gorgeous and sellable feature for your home.

A walk-in shower can add space and style to your bathroom. Consider these reasons to choose a walk-in for your bathroom renovations. 
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We hope you found this bit of information helpful, inspiring, and motivating toward renovating your bathroom.

Get The Right Lighting for Your Bathroom Remodel
Getting ready for work can be particularly tough if you have the wrong lighting or inadequate lighting in your bathroom. A good bathroom design should include multiple light sources. When you’re choosing lighting for your bathroom remodel, you’ll have several options depending on size, layout and style.  Two bathroom light sources to consider are sconces and mounted fixtures. With both source there are various options, below we will discuss the various options for each category.
Mounted Fixtures:
Sconces can illuminate an entire bathroom if the bathroom is small enough.  However, if your bathroom is larger you still might need additional light sources.  Such as mounted fixtures, recessed lights, track lighting, and ceiling fixtures.
About Sconces:
The light from your sconce should softly illuminate the room, but still be bright enough for grooming and applying makeup. The shade of your sconce is very important because the transparency and hue affect how light is emitted into your space.

The primary location to install sconce is on either side of your vanity mirror. This design provides the perfect lighting for your sink area. The general rule is for your sconces to be mounted anywhere between 65 and 70 inches away from the floor to be at eye level; allowing for light to illuminate without casting shadows.

If you have a small space to work with but love the style of sconces, take into consideration how far away from the shower/bath will the sconces be located.  If they are located so close that a risk of having contact with water is highly likely, then you should consider finding sconces that have a “damp” rating to be sure that it’s secure to get wet.

If the space is narrow then you should mount fixtures on either side of the wall.  This style of illumination can still be effective but will still allow your design to maximize the size of your mirror.  While mounted fixtures on either side of your mirror are considered to be the best choice for casting light evenly across the face, although mounting fixtures above the mirror is still a one of the most popular design choices.

Reliant on the size and position of your vanity and mirror it might be impractical to do otherwise.  If you have no choice but to mount your lighting above the mirror please note that it should have a higher wattage bulb and be at least 75 to 80 inches to be in the best position for the light to fall evenly over the sink.

Another example of mounted fixtures is the three lights over a larger vanity.  This is an illustration of a fixture with multiple shades.  This style fixture is available in multiple sizes, allowing for your designer to size the fixture in relation with the width of the mirror.  It’s challenging to have excessive light in a bathroom, so don’t cut corners on larger fixtures if your space can accommodate them.

Remodeling your bathroom means you’ll have several lighting options. We hope this information about mounted fixtures and scones will help you make the right choice.

For those of you who are accustomed to having a bathtub in your home, I don’t have to go through the list of reasons why you might find life extremely difficult if you suddenly lost this particular luxury. For those of you that are used to using a standing shower to wash away the dirt of your days, let me take this opportunity to advocate that you consider renovating your bath to include a bathtub that can make all your troubles melt away like lemon drops!

We have compiled here a quick and easy guide to the latest bathtub trends 2016. So sit back, relax and as you read through the options available, imagine yourself already sunk deep within your future bathtub as the warm water soothes, massages and melts away the tension of your life in the big city.
TYPICAL BATHTUB TYPES
1.  Freestanding – This is the bathtub you saw in movies as a kid, standing on little claw-foot legs in the bathroom of your favorite TV characters.  This type of tub occupies a space all its own, often as a centerpiece of the bathroom. Clawfoot tubs or tubs with bases fit into this category, as do several other stylized options such as copper soaking tubs.

photo courtesy of www.booie.net
2.  Drop-in – Supported on all sides by its rim, this tub might be inserted into a raised platform or installed below floor level. Often times these bathtubs are installed into or incorporated into an existing bathroom architecture, and often in elaborate or large baths.

3.  Corner – Corner bathtubs are designed to fit into the corner of the bathroom and usually aren’t very spacious because of their triangular shape. The only real advantage of a corner tub is its ability to save space in a small bathroom.

4.  Walk-In Bathtubs – Walk-in bathtubs are the best option for those folks who might have mobility issues, or who might be concerned with slip and fall accidents when entering and exiting the tub.  Walk-in tubs are usually installed as stand-alone, no-frills tubs, or they can be equipped with features designed to allow for a semi-therapeutic home experience. Many walk-in tubs have built-in seats, nonslip floors, and handrails for added safety. Although today’s bathroom trends are drifting away from show-tub combinations, walk-in tubs are often equipped with hand-held shower heads.

5.  Whirlpool Bathtubs – Whirlpool or Jacuzzi tubs can be stand-alone fixtures or situated on the side of wall (alcove). This variety of tub is perfect for those folks who might be experiencing regular joint and muscle pain. Similar to freestanding tubs, whirlpools come in all different shapes and sizes.  If you can make this bathtub a reality in your home, this is by far the most luxurious option.

6.  Alcove – The alcove bathtub is probably the most common tub style found in the United States and has only one finished side. It’s made to fit into a typical three-sided alcove that’s about 5 feet wide and 30-36 inches from front to back. Often, it’s part of a tub-shower combination. The alcove type of tub can also incorporate many of the features of the above mentioned tubs, but the cost will significantly increase with each added feature.

BATHTUB CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
1.  Probably about 90% of tubs sold in the United States are made of a molded acrylic. Acrylic is resistant to chipping and cracking, and the non-staining, non-porous surface is one of the easiest to clean. Also, with acrylic tubs, the color options available are many allowing for a very easy transition into an already existing bathroom color scheme.

2.  A very popular, but expensive option for a bathtub is copper.  Copper tubs can be ideal if you’re looking for something to match Victorian or rustic décor.  Copper tubs, along with wooden tubs, were one of the first know materials used to make bathing tubs.  Something to consider with copper tubs is that copper scratches easily and the metal achieves a patina with age.

3.  A very unique option for your bathtub is a wood or stone tub.  These tubs make a very bold statement, but at the same time are extremely expensive, difficult to clean and maintain, and tend to appear worn and ragged over some amount of time.  Also, a wood tub is generally prone to rotting and warping.

4.  Porcelain-coated, cast-iron tubs are extremely durable and do a great job at retaining the heat of the water you ad.  Cast-irons tubs are somewhat more expensive than acrylic options, but typically have an overall better look and feel as there is no bend or give in the walls as you enter and exit the tub.  Cast-iron tubs are also extremely heavy, which can make installation slightly more costly and difficult.Porcelain enamel coatings offer the widest variety of color options among bathtubs, but chipped finishes are difficult to repair.

5.  Enameled steel is generally made as a cheaper alternative to cast iron, allowing the look without the cost, these tubs chip more easily.

6.  Often acrylic tubs are reinforced with fiberglass, but gel-coated fiberglass is not as common as it was 15 years ago. It’s inexpensive, but it scratches easily and is impossible to repair if chipped.