Archives for February 2017

5 Easy Bathroom Storage Hacks that Make the Most of Your Space

bathroom storage hacksDoes your bathroom resemble a storage room, where your favorite things are squished and crammed into any available space? If so, fear not!

Help is at hand. In this article, we’re sharing some bathroom storage hacks that will turn your bathroom into the calm oasis it has always longed to be.

Eliminate that clutter, disorder, and chaos!

Bathroom Storage Hacks

The bathroom is one of those places in the home that often gets a raw deal. What little space there is tends to become overrun with all kinds of everything – from cosmetic products to nicknacks and everything in between.

But making the most of your bathroom space doesn’t have to be a gigantic task. It really doesn’t have to cost you considerable time, money, and sanity.

With some clever bathroom storage hacks, you can compliment your existing design, with some much-needed functionality. After all, a happy bathroom will lead to more time you can enjoy it.

So, are you ready to turn your bathroom into a calm oasis, where peace and tranquility reign supreme?

Let’s do this!

5 Easy Bathroom Storage Hacks to Make the Most of Your Space

1. Use Your Cabinet Doors for Storage

If we opened a cabinet door in your bathroom, would we find an organized expanse or a painful mess?

It’s Okay! Don’t feel bad!

Most of us give into clutter and have some sort of hidden shambles lurking behind our cabinet doors.

That’s why this is one of the bathroom storage hacks we all need in our lives.

Use your cabinet doors as well as the actual cabinet for storage.

This is as simple as attaching or hanging some storage bins or storage baskets to the door.

2. Attach Magnetic Strips Inside Your Cabinets

Bobby pins causing a mess in your bathroom? What about those tweezers that you stood on this morning? Nail clippers always on the loose?

Put a magnetic strip inside your cabinet and stick those messy objects on it every time you’re done with them.

3. Use Coat Hooks for Your Towels

One of the bulkiest items that can monopolize space in the bathroom is the towel. And, most of us have a range of towels, for face, bath, and body.

The solution? Hang up some classy coat hooks on the wall and let your towels hang elegantly and loose.

If towels are a real problem, consider putting your towel hooks and rails on the back of the bathroom door too.

4. Shelf Above the Door

You know those items you don’t use all the time, but you can’t quite manage to throw them away either?

Put a bookshelf up above the door and store your extra items up there in stylish baskets.

5. Go Up, Not Across

If you run out of space on the counter, or if you simply want to declutter the counter itself, go upwards with your storage options.

Opt for multi-layered, vertical storage in the form of racks, bins, frames, and holders.

It may not change your life, but it sure will keep your toothpaste nice and tidy.

Simple Bathroom Storage Hacks

Ready to give some of these hacks a try?

Your bathroom will thank you for it.

Looking for more interesting ideas? Get in touch.

We’re experts in remodeling bathrooms, and we’re here to help make your house a home.

What’s Missing From Your Bathroom Renovation Checklist?

bathroom renovation checklistSo you’re ready to renovate your bathroom.

Armed with your bathroom renovation checklist, you’ve envisioned the perfect space. You’re excited, you’re geared up and you’re ready to go.

Or are you?

Remodeling a bathroom is a big undertaking. Even for a small bathroom.

Be sure that your bathroom renovation checklist is comprehensive.

So let’s take a look at some things that should be on your checklist if they aren’t already there.

1. Upgrade the Wiring

If you’re in a pre-war house with 15-amp wiring, it’s time to kick it up.

It’s probably not going to be enough to swap in GFCI outlets. With blow dryers, hair irons, electric razors, toothbrushes, etc., you’ll need to replace the wiring with a dedicated 20-amp circuit and plenty of outlets.

2. Choose a Top-Tier Toilet

Look for a toilet with a MaP score of 500 or higher.

Maximum Performance testing (MaP) gauges a toilet’s ability to get the job done with a single push of the handle. Seek out high-efficiency models that use as little as half of the 1.6-gallon-per-flush legal limit.

3. Make Room in The Shower

When redoing the shower, forget about those plastic or metal over-the-showerhead organizers. Design in a recessed cubby instead to increase stall space.

Another way to get a surprising amount of space is by adding am inexpensive curved shower rod, way.

4. Get the Lighting Right

Flank the mirror with fixtures placed at eye level (around 66 inches) and spaced 36 to 40 inches apart. If there’s no space, install a long fixture on the wall above the mirror.

See the fixtures in action before you buy them to ensure the amount is right and the quality of light is sufficient. And above all else, don’t rely on a recessed ceiling fixture unless you want to look like a zombie.

5. Design for Accessibility

If you have friends or family with physical challenges, or you’re in your home for the long haul, this is a definite consideration.

Handheld showers and easy-to-grip lever faucets can be added at any time, but you may need to consider permanent features like grab bars, barrier-free showers, wider doorways, and a lower sink height.

6. A Bathroom Built for Two

If it’s a master bath you’re remodeling, keep these features should be on your bathroom renovation checklist:

  1. Separate room for toilet(s).
  2. Separate bath and shower stalls.
  3. Dual workstations with sinks 36 inches apart or more, measured drain to drain, and plenty of outlets and lighting, as well as mirror, countertop, and storage space.
  4. Pathways 36 to 42 inches wide.

Go Ahead and Splurge

Renovating can get expensive, so you’ll want to budget. But don’t forget to let yourself have a little fun.

Pick one or two features you love that will define the look and feel of your new bathroom – accent tiles, a special-order sink, a heated floor, whatever calls to you.

It’s an investment that will pay off in the future because inexpensive fixtures aren’t durable. And when they fail, they can be difficult to replace.

Do you have a bathroom renovation checklist? We’d love to hear what you have on yours!

5 Bathroom Vanity Ideas for a Seriously Chic Upgrade

bathroom vanity ideasIt’s that time of day again. You’re getting ready to go out and brave the world for 8 hours or so, or maybe you’re just headed out for coffee.

Either way, you need to spruce up a bit, and your bathroom vanity is always there for you.

While your vanity always serves it purpose, there comes a time at which it begins to look lackluster.

Check out these 5 bathroom vanity ideas that will revitalize your vanity.

Add a Sitting Area For Your Convenience

Some people are already in the habit of making themselves comfortable while they complete their daily beauty routine. Perhaps they have a stool or chair which they lug in front of the mirror before they groom themselves.

Of course, there is also a segment of the population that is content to stand for 10 minutes or so.

Regardless of which category you fall into, you should consider adding a sitting area to your bathroom vanity.

This area will be especially useful during long beauty sessions.

Invest in Some Shelves

Some of you are probably thinking, “What’s so chic about shelves?”

Well, everything, primarily because shelves help keep your beauty products organized and cut down on clutter.

And we all know that a cluttered vanity is not chic.

Not only do shelves help cut down on clutter, but they also perform their decorative duty. That said, if you should purchase any shelves, carefully think about the design and placement of them.

Will they be made of cedar wood? Are you aligning them vertically?

The choice is yours. Just make sure that whatever you choose works for your vanity.

Install 2 of Everything (Sinks, Mirrors, etc.) To Give Your Vanity Some Symmetry

To be fair, a combination of one sink and mirror is perfectly symmetrical.

You do have to admit, however, that the combo certainly isn’t as fancy or convenient as it could be, and your counter space might just increase twofold as a result of your efforts.

The extra counter space and mirror will allow you to store more beauty products out in the open and apply your products at the same time as your roomie.

They’re definitely a real time saver in larger households.

Put a Mirror in Your Wet Room

For most people, the wet room is worlds away from the vanity, which is why few would file this one under “bathroom vanity ideas.”

Vanity, however, doesn’t necessarily start at your vanity’s countertop.

Many people prep their skin for their beauty routines during the cleansing process, and mirrors do wonders for these people.

Furthermore, why make a mess of your vanity by applying your mud masks and exfoliating creams at it when you could do the same in your wet room and wash the residue down the drain as soon as you’re done?

One of the More Classic Bathroom Vanity Ideas: Try a Wooden Vanity

Wooden vanities have been around for years. Even so, they still have a look and feel that can enhance many bathroom designs.

While most people probably go for store-bought wooden vanities, there are several DIY projects online for those who prefer a more hands-on approach.

If you happen to be someone who is interested in eco-friendly products, a wooden vanity can still work for you. Just choose woods such as “eucalyptus, cork, and bamboo.” Since these woods grow more quickly than others, they are considered to be more sustainable choices.

Got any other vanity ideas to share? We’d love to hear them!

How to Choose the Perfect Materials for Your Modern Bathroom

modern BathroomA stylish modern bathroom is a great way to express your own creativity and give your home a fresh look at the same time.

If you’ve never updated your bathroom – or its just been a while – now is a great time to look at your space and consider all your options.

One bonus for updating your bathroom is your home’s resale value. Bathroom remodels pay off big.

Homeowners are often able to recoup at least what they spent on the remodel plus some extra dough.

So what exactly should you update?

From the counters to the toilet, the options are endless. Let’s take a closer look at how to choose the perfect updates for your modern bathroom.

Pick the right vanity

Odds are, the vanity will be the first thing you and your guests notice when stepping into your bathroom.

A bathroom vanity has a lot of components to consider. Before you start dreaming of the perfect counters or cabinets, keep these considerations in mind:

1. Size and placement

How much space do you have?

If you have an older home with a smaller bathroom, a double sink is probably not the best choice. You don’t want to make moving around in the room difficult or clutter your design with something that’s too big.

2. Storage

Take stock of what you use and need to store in the bathroom as you look at new vanities. Choosing an option that’s too small for your stuff is not going to keep you happy.

And remember, if space is limited, there are a variety of hanging cabinets or behind the mirror storage options.

Counters matter

Though the counters are actually a part of the vanity, they are a big part of your bathroom’s overall look.

It’s a good idea to choose your countertops first. The rest of the bathroom needs to match the countertops and it is often easier to find a wider selection of flooring options than counters.

Granite is still one of the most popular choices. With a wide variety of colors and styles available, you’re sure to find an option that fits your modern bathroom’s style.

Other popular choices include:

  • Quartz
  • Marble
  • Laminate
  • Solid surface counters
  • Tile

For a truly modern, industrial look, you could also opt for concrete counters.

Get the fixtures right

Don’t forget about the parts of your bathroom you’ll actually use – the fixtures.

Here are a few fixtures you’ll want to consider updating:

The sink

While a vessel-style sink helps give your bathroom a modern look, some feel that they are less functional than a more traditional sink with a nice arching faucet.

The shower

There are lots of options for modern showers, whether you need to incorporate yours into a tub or have room for a standalone unit.

Wall mount shower heads are the most basic option and can still be incorporated into a modern design. Other shower head options to consider are hand-held units for maximum versatility, rain-style showers, and body sprays.

The toilet

This fixture may not be quite as exciting to shop for but you’ve got to have one.

There are a variety of colors and designs available. You’re sure to find one that matches your design and budget.

To get a better idea of what these options actually feel and look like, come check out our showroom.

Say hello to your modern bathroom

Well designed modern bathrooms are not going out of style anytime soon. With its focus on basic yet elegant elements, modern design is here to stay.

If you can keep your bathroom’s design clean and simple, you’ll have a space that you’ll love for years to come.

Do you have plans for your bathroom? Check out our blog for more fresh ideas and inspiration.