ConstructionDeal.com Update

Most bathroom remodeling articles focus on the same things over and over again. A lot of it is common sense. I did manage to find an article on renovating the bathroom with some really unique tips that I wanted to share with you.

Here are ten tips from Style at Home.com, which is billed as Canada's decorating magazine:

1 Choose Elegant Fixtures.
A pedestal sink with graceful lines is more attractive than a blocky cabinet vanity. A classic claw-foot tub is like bathroom sculpture. Even enclosed in a deck, the simple lines of the lip have an inherent beauty that surpasses most acrylic versions.

2 Sit in a Bathtub before Buying it.
Bigger isn't always better. A 60-inch tub is fine for most people. It offers enough room to stretch out and provides a secure foothold, so you don't float into oblivion when the tub is full. Assess the angled back and lip for comfort and neck support -- a tub for two people slants at either end and has taps in the middle. If you only have enough space for a small tub, buy an extra-deep one.

3 Select Durable Flooring.
Ceramic, marble and stone tiles are all excellent durable and water-resistant choices for a bathroom. Subfloor heating coils will make these hard surfaces warm. Well-sealed hardwood floors offer natural warmth and act as a foil for the other hard, cold surfaces in a bathroom.

4 Hang a Stylish Mirror.
One beautifully framed mirror over a sink is more attractive than many surfaces covered with mirror. Supplement it with a wall-mounted adjustable makeup mirror, and consider installing a lighted, mirrored shaving niche in your shower stall.

5 Use Found Space.
Take advantage of space between wall studs by recessing a tall storage cabinet into the wall to maximize vertical storage while saving floor space. The cabinet should have an interior depth of at least three inches and a door flush with the wall.

6 Build a Shower Area.
Consider building an open-concept shower area that doesn't need a curtain or door and is less confining than a standard shower stall. In addition to well-designed drainage, a ceiling-mounted rain showerhead and/or a high wall-mounted showerhead that splashes less water will keep the area outside the shower drier.

7 Share Space for Added Function.
In homes with back-to-back bathrooms, a shared shower with access doors to each of the bathrooms maximizes limited space. Or turn a closet located next to a bathroom into a small ensuite with access to the neighboring bath.

8 Design Lighting that Works.
Good lighting is imperative. Combine halogen pot lights with wall sconces beside or over the mirror for lighting with no shadows. Always install dimmers.

9 Buy a Quality Toilet.
When buying a toilet, it's not necessary for you to spend big bucks, but you don't want to scrimp too much, either. You can get a good-quality one-piece toilet for about $400. Models with elongated bowls and seats are usually most comfortable.

10 Incorporate Luxury into Your Room.
If you're fortunate enough to have lots of space to work with, indulge yourself with an expanded spa-like bathroom that includes a dressing room -- a haven for privacy and relaxation. Outfit it with a television, fireplace, exercise equipment, makeup vanity and even a large comfortable occasional chair upholstered in thick white terry-cloth.

If you need to talk to a bathroom designer for ideas for your space, or you know what you'd like to do and want to find a bathroom remodeling service, consider using ConstructionDeal.com. We'll help you find local professionals who will call you, instead of spending time looking up companies only to call and leave messages or repeat yourself over and over.

Simply post your bathroom renovation project and you'll get multiple quotes from several companies. This saves you time and money. And... it's all free for you.

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In my last post on bathroom remodeling, Bathroom Remodeling Options, I started a discussion about how it's possible to have your bathroom renovated in stages. Instead of shelling out $10,000 to $20,000 all at once, you could hire contractors or companies to come in and only do a portion of the project. It's not quite as satisfying as a complete makeover, but it could allow you to get the products and materials you want and pay for them over time.

Stages of Bathroom Renovation (continued)

Remodel Your Countertop:
After you've determined whether or not you want to go with a bathroom designer and you've renovated your walls, you should next start on your bathroom countertop.

Even if you don't replace or refinish your cabinetry, you could replace the countertop surface and make a huge impact. After painting or covering your walls, the counter area is the next major component in the room.

Whether you've got pink tiles from the 50's or the cheap laminate countertop that came with the house, installing a new counter should be your next step. The surface should be durable and a good color/material match to your new walls. If you've gone with a dark wall, consider a lighter countertop surface and vice versa to balance out the room brightness. For durability, beauty, and home value -- consider a natural stone.

Stone countertops will always be in fashion and keep your bathroom looking great for years. If the price is too steep for natural stone, you might try a cultured marble, cultured granite or similar product. You can get a cultured stone counter for half the cost of a natural stone option. You could also go with a more expensive option, like a solid surface material (Silestone, Corian, Avonite) or you could try a fairly inexpensive material like ceramic tiles. Some modern laminates might be a possibility. Check around to see that your choices are endless.

Remodeling Those Floors:
After dealing with walls and counters, your next big change should be your bathroom flooring. Depending on your choice of countertop material, you could use a matching material for your flooring, too. You could do marble, granite, or even travertine tiles on the floors (and those tiles may even be able to move up and go on your walls and shower, as well!) but that can be expensive.

Consider ceramic tiles or even a laminate flooring -- laminates could give you the look and feel of a wood floor without the maintenance hassles or even the look of ceramic tiles at a fraction of the cost.

By doing the bathroom in stages, it might give you the option to go for a more expensive material so that when you're done, your bathroom will be perfect for you...

Cabinet Time!
If you've replaced your countertop and sinks to accommodate twin sinks or a vessel bowl, you may have already had to buy a cabinet. If not, you can find a stock, semi-custom, or even have a custom cabinet made for your bathroom remodel. Your cabinetry could be your only source of storage if you have limited space, so consider that when buying a replacement.

There are numerous choices - from very inexpensive, where you simply paint existing cabinets and replace the hardware, to the the expensive, where you get a custom made cabinet in a luxurious solid wood.

Don't fall for the flashy trends when it comes to your bathroom cabinetry. It can also be a good idea to contrast light wood with a dark counter or a dark wood with a light counter.

Finally, Your Bathroom Fixtures and Appliances!
Now, we get down to the final stages of your bathroom remodeling project. These items are essential to every bathroom: your tubs, your shower, your toilet, your sink(s), and the fixtures that accompany them. I've saved this stage for last because it can be the most expensive part of your renovation project.

First, unless you want to up your budget big-time, try not to move any plumbing fixtures. Relocating a tub, shower, toilet or sink can really add to the costs. It may also be possible to simply refinish some of the appliances to avoid the cost of replacement.

It can also be cost-effective to replace the faucet and handles on a sink while leaving the existing one in place or having it refinished. Chrome, silver, and gold fixtures have fallen out of fashion and have been replaced by brushed nickel, brushed brass, and other matte finishes are popular.

If you have the money, you could consider converting your regular bathtub to a whirlpool tub. Many are opting to convert their bathtub & shower set for a walk-in shower. Multiple and rain shower heads are big right now, too.

Other Remodeling Options
You can upgrade your vanity mirror, towel racks, add a high quality exhaust fan, and so much more. Don't skimp on the lighting in your new bathroom. You can add recessed lighting or sconce wall lights. No money left in the budget? Consider adding a dimmer switch just to give you the ability to adjust the ambiance in your new at-home spa!

If you need to find a local bathroom remodeling company or a bathroom designer, post your request with ConstructionDeal.com and we'll match you up for free. It is easy to use. And you are under no obligation to hire any of our network of professionals!

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Improving a kitchen or bath in your home is still a great way to improve home value. But many want to improve their master bathroom because it is a sanctuary, a refuge from the daily grind.

You may be thinking about remodeling your bathroom but are worried about sticker shock. It can cost anywhere from ten to fifteen thousand dollars to completely re-do your bathroom... and that's a lot for what is probably the smallest room in your house.

If you're not ready to commit to hiring a bathroom remodeling company and doing the entire project all at once, you should consider doing it in stages.

Stages of Bathroom Renovation

To Design or Not to Design:
You have some options when it comes to a bathroom makeover. The first is taking care of your design or remodeling plans. If you already have all the colors and materials in mind, you should probably make a file with all your pictures, ideas, notes, and design plans. This way, if you renovate in stages, you won't go off the plan and your bathroom will come together when you're done.

If you're not sure what type of flooring or countertops you want, what colors you'll go with, or what materials and colors compliment each other -- you might consider bringing in a professional. You could hire a bathroom designer to review your room and draw up plans for you. The additional cost at the beginning could help make sure you don't make any expensive major mistakes in the room.

Start with the Walls:
Once you have your design in mind, start with the walls. It's the easiest change to make in your bathroom. You can paint the walls, add or remove wallpaper, add borders, crown molding, or add wainscoting.

To save money, you can paint the walls or add wallpaper yourself or you can hire a professional painting company. It's important to prime the walls first and use a durable paint that will stand up to the excessive moisture. A semi-gloss paint is best.

Remember that lighter colors will keep a smaller room more open and have it appear larger. Avoid a completely white ceiling if possible because that can also shrink the appearance of the room. White or gray walls may make your room look and feel cold and industrial. Soft pastels and light earth-tone colors are best in the room. Avoid reds in the room. Dark colors are only advisable when you have plenty of windows or light as well as lighter accents in the bathroom to contrast against.

Don't be afraid of wallpaper. Or a textured paint. Don't go for something trendy (that you'll have to remove in a few years) but instead look for a classic paper that will stand the test of time.

Coming up Next on the ConstructionDeal.com Update! Tips on:

• Countertops
• Bathroom Flooring
• Cabinets
• Bathroom Fixtures
• Tubs & Sinks

If you need to find a local bathroom remodeling company or a bathroom designer, submit your request with ConstructionDeal.com and we'll match you up for free. Get 4 quotes, sometimes in minutes. It's fast and easy to use. And you're under no obligation to hire any of our network of professionals!

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Updating Bathroom Fixtures

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One of the best ways to breathe new life into your bathroom is to update your fixtures.

It's not a terribly complicated or expensive bathroom improvement. And if you're planning a complete bathroom renovation down the road, bringing in new fixtures is a great jumping off point for your redesign. Cabinets, vanities, lighting, and furniture in the bath area can be brought in accompany your new fixtures.

My first suggestion is not to skimp on the cost of new bathroom faucets and shower fixtures. These items can and should last a long time and are exposed to repeated use. Go with a decent brand and you'll be happier in the long run.

Consider going beyond just chrome. Chrome is still the most popular for the aesthetics and the durability. It can be cleaned easily, but remember that chrome always shows stains and fingerprints.

A new metal could be more unique, more stylish, and require less cleaning maintenance. A brushed nickel, stainless steel, or brushed bronze opens up new possibilities for your room. You can get matching metals and designs in your shower fixtures, towel racks, paper holders, and even your tank levers. Don't forget that it's a great idea to bring your cabinets into the design -- match your cabinet hardware to your new room fixtures.

I'm a big fan of both the Moen and Kohler fixtures. And there are so many styles to choose from - traditional, contemporary, and transitional. The type of faucet you want is important. Do you want a sink-mounted style? A wall-mounted version? Single or double handle?

As far as trend go, the classic/antique look is very big. New modern fixtures in the old styles from the 30's through the 50's are hot again. The Bamboo/Roman fixtures to give the Asian relaxation spa look and feel are big as well. Wall-mounted faucets with raised, bowl sinks are also very popular.

If you're looking for a bathroom designer, post your project with ConstructionDeal.com - at no cost - and you can receive 4 quotes from local designers to help you make the right choices for your lifestyle and to make the right match for your bathroom.

If you need a bathroom renovation contractors - we can help, too. Simply submit your project request and we'll connect you with bathroom renovators. All for free and with no obligation.

Labels: Bathroom Designer, Bathroom Remodeling

Where do you go, on average, eight times a day (2920 times a year!) and spend about 4 years of your life?

Your bathroom.

It's your place to unwind, to get ready for a night on the town, and just to brush your teeth. And, it's probably time for you to update your master bath. Make sure your bathroom remodel takes into account your needs and how you use the room.

Do you want modern, chic elegance or the practicality and roominess of two sinks so you can spread out? These days, the bathroom has become as important as the master bedroom or the kitchen. Everyone wants a bigger bathroom, so many are knocking out walls or adding on a whole new addition to the house. Personally, I'd love to have a bigger bathroom in my house, but it would mean knocking out a wall and losing a lot of closet space in the bedroom -- and that's not going to happen...

Whatever you decide to do to your bathroom, here are some fun new bathroom products available now:

Toto's new EcoPower Sensor Faucet has a max flow rate of a half gallon per minute (making it environmentally-friendly!) It employs an aeration system for efficient washing with an anti-scalding feature. To ensure that no water is wasted, EcoPower's sensor angles down into the lavatory bowl, and water will not be discharged until hands are placed directly in the sensor's path.

The Windward Bath Whirlpool from Kohler comes in 60" x 42" and 72" x 42" models. The features include: integral tile flange; ability to position the pump in multiple locations; individually controlled whirlpool jets; jets rotate 360 degrees and are 60 degree directionally adjustable; quiet pump/motor; with drop-in and integral apron configurations -- which means you can put it where your old bathtub is now!

Moving Color offers some really cool glass shower tiles that are waterproof and come in a variety of styles. They change color, moving through a color spectrum, when temperature is applied. They come in "Northern Lights," "Tye Dye", and "Watercolors" versions.

If you need to find a bathroom remodeling pro or maybe even a bathroom interior designer, consider ConstructionDeal.com.

We're your resource for a nationwide network of service professionals... and it's free to submit a project with us. Saves you time and money (no more searching through the phone book and picking someone at random! More bids means you'll be able to choose the lowest bid!)

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Labels: Bath Renovation, Bathroom Designer, Bathroom Remodeling