Bathroom Remodeling – Choosing the Right Sink for Your Space

Remodeling the bathroom is one of the most effective ways to give your home a whole new look and feel. The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your home, and changing the way it looks can give your entire home a new lease on life. Incorporating your overall design scheme into your bathroom remodeling project is a great way to make your home even more beautiful.

No matter what kind of bathroom remodeling project you are working on, one of the most important things is to choose the right fixtures. The fixtures you choose will form the basis of everything that follows, so it is important to choose your sink, your bathtub and your other fixtures with great care. There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a sink, so it is important to consider each of those factors before you get started.

Floor Space vs. Storage Space

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a new bathroom sink is whether to choose a freestanding sink, which gives you more floor space, or an integrated design that gives you more storage space. It is important to consider your own lifestyle and your tastes. Some homeowners will want to choose an open design for its attractiveness and sleek looks. Others will prefer to integrate their storage cabinets with the bathroom sink to provide additional storage and security.

If you have children in the home you may want to choose a bathroom sink with locking drawers built into the design. This will provide a safe place for storage and allow the homeowner to make the most efficient use of the space available.

Plumbing Considerations

One of the most important considerations when choosing a bathroom sink is the plumbing you have in your home. Working with the plumbing you already have in place will reduce the cost of a bathroom makeover, so you may want to strongly consider choosing a new bathroom sink that will integrate well with your existing pipes.

If your existing pipes come up through the floor, you may want to avoid a wall mounted sink design that could require expensive retrofitting and choose a sink design that is similar to the one you already have. Of course you can choose a sink that better matches your taste and style, but it is important to consider your existing plumbing and the associated costs as well.

Choosing a Great Color

One of the best things about remodeling the bathroom is that it gives you a chance to express your own taste, individuality and style. You can create a warm and welcoming bathroom by choosing a great color scheme, and the fixtures you choose can be a big part of that overall color scheme. From basic white and beige to stunning reds and browns, there are bathroom sinks available in nearly every color of the rainbow.

When choosing a great new bathroom sink, it is important to consider the overall look and feel of your bathroom, including not only the fixtures by the accessories as well. You may want to choose a bathroom sink, tub and toilet that compliment the colors of your shower curtain, window treatments and other accessories. This will create a unified theme and make your bathroom look its best.

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Bathroom Rennovation

Create an Ambient Look and Feel with Bathroom Rennovation

Whether you want to gut your entire bathroom and start from scratch or merely replace a few items, bathroom renovation can help create the look and feel you've always wanted. Bath decor should create a relaxing mood. You should be able to shower and groom in the mornings with a sense of peacefulness as you get ready for a busy work day ahead. Or for evenings, you should be able to settle in to a hot, soothing bath and let your cares and stress float away!

Bathroom Decor and Colors

The first step to remodeling your bathroom is to choose which colors will work for you. Colors for walls, floors and decor items should all blend to create the look and feel you want. Consider pastel paint, wallpaper or wall board with a darker colored floor. Colors such as light beige, light mauve, cinnamon, baby blue and lavender accented by soft lighting will add ambience to your bathroom. These colors are designed to soothe and relax. Keep in mind that most fixtures will go with any colors, so it's a good idea to focus on color first and then fixtures later.

Vanity Centerpiece

No matter which colors you choose, your vanity or sink will be the bathroom centerpiece. It's the central station for hair and make-up, shaving, brushing teeth, plucking eyebrows, washing hands, etc. The vanity is usually what your guests will see first, so choose it carefully. If you're remodeling a master bathroom or one that will be used for getting ready each morning, be sure to choose a vanity with shelves, drawers or cabinets if possible along with plenty of countertop space. If not, you'll need to add a shelf or cabinet nearby to store all your necessary items. You might consider a double sink vanity if two people will be using it each morning. Be sure to install adequate lighting near the mirror or just above the vanity so you'll have plenty of light while getting ready.

For simple bathroom designs that will only be used by guests, consider a pedestal sink, which is basically a single sink with a narrow stand for support. These come in many styles and are very decorative, but take up very little space for small guest bathrooms. You can still install a small cabinet if needed to store items.

Bathtub Options for Renovation

There are many choices to consider when shopping for a bathtub. Consider the amount of space you will have and the type of tub you'll need. Is there room for a large garden tub? If so, you might need to install a separate walk-in shower, which will take up even more space. Do you have room for a tub/shower combo? These are convenient in that they take up little space and are built as one unit so you won't have to worry about caulking between the tub edges and wall. Mildew build-up is almost zilch with these types of tub units!

For master baths, you might consider adding a whirlpool tub. These are usually large garden-style tubs with built-in jets so you can get a comforting water massage every time you take a bath! If you want something more antique style, consider buying a claw-foot, stand-alone bathtub. These look like tubs from yesteryear with all the modern conveniences of running water, of course. Other tubs to consider are soft tubs, copper tubs, and acrylic baths.

Toilets Galore

If you've been out of the market for bathroom renovation any length of time, you'll probably be amazed at the new, innovative, water-saving toilet options available today. Toilets have come a long way in the past few years, and are more durable and resourceful than ever. Some popular choices include gravity flush toilets, in which the water weight is used to generate pressure and save electricity, pressure-assisted, vacuum-assisted, dual flush toilets (two buttons for liquid or solid waste), wall-mounted toilets, and single unit toilets (tank/bowl as one unit). Toilet bowls may be round or elongated. Elongated toilets tend to be more comfortable, but you should consider how much space is available for the toilet area.

Each has its own advantages, but the main issue is whether the toilet will work for you and fit your budget. Consider the height and width of the toilet, and make sure it will be comfortable for every member of your household. If you or a family member is disabled, make sure the toilet is designed especially for this purpose. Handicap toilets are available though they tend to cost more than regular toilets.

Consider speaking with a renovation company that can handle your remodeling and plumbing needs. Otherwise, you might have to coordinate two different companies for the job. Once you find the right person to do your bath remodeling, plan the layout of your bathroom and ask for suggestions. Those who specialize in home renovations can often suggest ways to maximize the use of your space while still installing all the bathroom products you desire.

Bathroom renovation takes time and patience, but it's well worth the effort!

Create an Ambient Look and Feel with Bathroom Renovation

Whether you want to gut your entire bathroom and start from scratch or merely replace a few items, bathroom renovation can help create the look and feel you've always wanted. Bath decor should create a relaxing mood. You should be able to shower and groom in the mornings with a sense of peacefulness as you get ready for a busy work day ahead. Or for evenings, you should be able to settle in to a hot, soothing bath and let your cares and stress float away!

Bathroom Decor and Colors

The first step to remodeling your bathroom is to choose which colors will work for you. Colors for walls, floors and decor items should all blend to create the look and feel you want. Consider pastel paint, wallpaper or wall board with a darker colored floor. Colors such as light beige, light mauve, cinnamon, baby blue and lavender accented by soft lighting will add ambience to your bathroom. These colors are designed to soothe and relax. Keep in mind that most fixtures will go with any colors, so it's a good idea to focus on color first and then fixtures later.

Vanity Centerpiece

No matter which colors you choose, your vanity or sink will be the bathroom centerpiece. It's the central station for hair and make-up, shaving, brushing teeth, plucking eyebrows, washing hands, etc. The vanity is usually what your guests will see first, so choose it carefully. If you're remodeling a master bathroom or one that will be used for getting ready each morning, be sure to choose a vanity with shelves, drawers or cabinets if possible along with plenty of countertop space. If not, you'll need to add a shelf or cabinet nearby to store all your necessary items. You might consider a double sink vanity if two people will be using it each morning. Be sure to install adequate lighting near the mirror or just above the vanity so you'll have plenty of light while getting ready.

For simple bathroom designs that will only be used by guests, consider a pedestal sink, which is basically a single sink with a narrow stand for support. These come in many styles and are very decorative, but take up very little space for small guest bathrooms. You can still install a small cabinet if needed to store items.

Bathtub Options for Renovation

There are many choices to consider when shopping for a bathtub. Consider the amount of space you will have and the type of tub you'll need. Is there room for a large garden tub? If so, you might need to install a separate walk-in shower, which will take up even more space. Do you have room for a tub/shower combo? These are convenient in that they take up little space and are built as one unit so you won't have to worry about caulking between the tub edges and wall. Mildew build-up is almost zilch with these types of tub units!

For master baths, you might consider adding a whirlpool tub. These are usually large garden-style tubs with built-in jets so you can get a comforting water massage every time you take a bath! If you want something more antique style, consider buying a claw-foot, stand-alone bathtub. These look like tubs from yesteryear with all the modern conveniences of running water, of course. Other tubs to consider are soft tubs, copper tubs, and acrylic baths.

Toilets Galore

If you've been out of the market for bathroom renovation any length of time, you'll probably be amazed at the new, innovative, water-saving toilet options available today. Toilets have come a long way in the past few years, and are more durable and resourceful than ever. Some popular choices include gravity flush toilets, in which the water weight is used to generate pressure and save electricity, pressure-assisted, vacuum-assisted, dual flush toilets (two buttons for liquid or solid waste), wall-mounted toilets, and single unit toilets (tank/bowl as one unit). Toilet bowls may be round or elongated. Elongated toilets tend to be more comfortable, but you should consider how much space is available for the toilet area.

Each has its own advantages, but the main issue is whether the toilet will work for you and fit your budget. Consider the height and width of the toilet, and make sure it will be comfortable for every member of your household. If you or a family member is disabled, make sure the toilet is designed especially for this purpose. Handicap toilets are available though they tend to cost more than regular toilets.

Consider speaking with a renovation company that can handle your remodeling and plumbing needs. Otherwise, you might have to coordinate two different companies for the job. Once you find the right person to do your bath remodeling, plan the layout of your bathroom and ask for suggestions. Those who specialize in home renovations can often suggest ways to maximize the use of your space while still installing all the bathroom products you desire.

Bathroom renovation takes time and patience, but it's well worth the effort!

Do-It-Yourself Faucet Replacement Guide

Faucets are used very frequently, which is why they are prone to getting damaged every once in a while and need to be replaced. When this happens, most people automatically call a professional repair service. However, replacing a faucet is quite simple and you can save a lot of money by doing the replacement yourself.

Choosing a New Faucet

It is always a good idea to have everything you need on hand before you even attempt to remove your old faucet. First, head to the store and choose a faucet you want to install. Choosing a new faucet may actually take longer than you think, mainly because of the number of designs available. There are many different sizes and styles to consider, and your choice will usually depend on where you are going to use the faucet. For instance, there are certain types of faucets designed for kitchen sinks while there are faucets meant for bathtubs. Obviously, you want to choose the appropriate faucet.

Choosing the Right Faucet Size

Obviously, not all faucets you find in stores will fit perfectly in your kitchen sink or your bathroom vanity. To ensure you choose a faucet that is the right size, take out your measuring tape and take note of certain measurements. If you have a single-handled faucet, measure the length from where you are going to put the faucet to the hook-up lines below. If you are replacing a double-handled faucet, measure the length from the middle of the handles to the center. Make sure all your measurements are accurate so you can save yourself the trouble of going back and forth to the store.

Preparing the Necessary Tools

Needless to say, you will need to use some tools in order to install your new faucet properly. Most of these tools you probably already have, unless you are a first-time do-it-yourself homeowner, in which case you might have to purchase the tools as well. All you really need are a few wrenches and pliers. You need adjustable wrenches for holding the valve and disconnecting the main water supply line, and you need the pliers for loosening nuts that hold the faucet in place.

Replacing the Faucet

The first and possibly the most important step in replacing a faucet is to turn off the main water supply that leads to the faucet. If you forget this, you may very well end up with a small flood in your kitchen or bathroom. Next, disconnect the tubes that connect the faucet to the supply line. Finally, unfasten the nuts that hold the faucet in its place and carefully dislodge it from its position. Remove any dirt and debris that may be left in the area and get ready to install your new faucet. It is recommended that you get an assistant to hold the faucet in place as you refasten the nuts under the sink.

Once the faucet is centered and mounted securely, take the supply lines and connect them to the main water supply. Turn on the water supply and check for malfunctions. If there are leaks or other malfunctions, uninstall the faucet and do it all over again, taking care to fasten all nuts tightly and securely. You can also apply plumber's putty onto the joints and gaps between the sink and the faucet. Thread tape is also very handy for stopping leaks in the connection between the supply lines.

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