Archive for the ‘Bath Room’ Category

Inspiration For A Small Bathroom

Friday, December 31st, 2010

Who are We: Big Bathroom Shop is an exciting, new online bathroom shop. Bigbathroomshop.co.uk have chosen the very best bathroom products from experts around the world and combined them with our own exclusive and exceptionally high quality bathroom products to offer you the best bathrooms online. If you’re looking for an inspirational new bathroom then we’ve got plenty to excite you. Choice: Bigbathroomshop.co.uk not only gives you the largest selection of bathroom products available online, we also supply an impressive range of exclusive products, which are produced to meet the high standards our customers deserve. Value for money: We understand that great design shouldn’t cost a fortune. For this reason we’ve chosen designs that have the correct balance of quality, style and price. Whatever your choice from Bigbathroomshop.co.uk – you can be assured that you will get great value for money. Service: Here at Big Bathroom Shop we’ve chosen one of the most specialised bathroom home delivery companies in the UK to deliver your new bathroom. This company already deliver thousands of bathroom suites each week, that’s why we’ve chosen them. They use two man delivery teams for delivering bathroom items and you can even track your delivery on-line.

D.I.Y Bathroom remodeling in older homes

Tuesday, December 28th, 2010

Why remodel a bathroom?

Remodeling a bathroom is very much like renovating a kitchen, as the bathroom is a key part of the home. Old homes have bathrooms rarely larger than 5 feet by 8 feet. Investing in older homes can be tricky if it is grade 2 listed or it has tricky or awkward spaces. Lower ceilings and beams may result in bespoke showering areas at reduced widths and a more compact bathroom suite. The reason people choose to remodel a bathroom is largely due to the fact it will increase the resale value of the property. If the location of the bathroom is the same this will help the process as pipework etc will already be in situ to work with. Any radical changes to the layout will have to be considered carefully if it involves any large structural changes.

The cost of a bathroom remodel

Remodeling a bathroom can be costly and one of the more expensive projects you will ever do. This largely depends on the amount of work you wish to carry out and the budget in which you work too. A complete bathroom remodel project will cost around the same as a small car, if not more depending on personal preferences. If money is an issue you can always update the bathroom with new faucets and accessories to update a traditional design. Hiring a contractor for larger design projects can increase the overall cost, so take this into consideration. The best steps when finding a reliable plumber/contractor is too listen to friends and family’s recommendations. Always ask for samples of there work so you can see their workmanship.

First Step – Clean and Unclutter

Before anything the best option is to have a good sort through the bathroom. Clean the bathroom and rid yourself of any clutter and tired elements of the bathroom design. This will give you a clear definition in your mind of what you want to achieve. Consider the best storage solutions in the bathroom especially if you have plenty of toiletries and a small space.

Energy Efficiency

Traditional homes which have not been modernised in any way are not as energy efficient as newer builds. A bathroom remodeling project enables you to add all those energy efficient measures like lighting, windows and ventilation fans. Larger bathroom projects may result in opening walls which will give the opportunity to add insulation and air sealing materials which will benefit the whole house. Bathroom suites that offer pop up wastes and water saving features will create a more eco-friendly bathroom design.

Research the options

If it is a large remodeling project consulting with professionals may help you to realise the bathrooms full potential and how you can maximize the available space. The internet is a valuable tool so use it to gain design ideas and prices.

Heating the Bathroom

Friday, December 24th, 2010

Bathroom radiators are the kind of comfort that is simply the norm these days and there is a great choice of bathroom heating items available online or in the high street.

The most obvious form of bathroom radiators are the heated towel rails which can be a classically designed bathroom heating radiator or the latest cool bathroom heating radiator. Towel radiators are a particularly popular form of bathroom heating as they heat the bathroom and also dry and warm the towels. There are innumerable designs of bathroom heating by way of towel radiators and some of them are truly artistic. Other forms of bathroom heating include fan assisted radiators which warm up a cold room very quickly and bench radiators which provide heat for the bathroom plus a nice warm place to sit while drying feet. Most of the bathroom heating radiators are heated by the hot water boiler but there are also electrical bathroom heating radiators too.

A warm bathroom is crucial for getting the day off to a good start or for going to bed feeling warm and cozy and the only way to ensure a lovely warm room is through bathroom heating. If you are currently considering bathroom heating it is important to consider the location very carefully for your bathroom heating system. Some towel radiators can get especially hot so it is advisable not to position bathroom heating by way of a towel radiator where the bathroom heating radiator is likely to come into contact with bare flesh. It is important to have the bathroom heating hot enough to do the job of heating a bathroom, but it is also important to position the bathroom heating towel radiator in such a place so that when someone bends down to lean teeth they don’t inadvertently touch a very hot towel radiator. Sometimes people have a warming towel rail and also bathroom heating by way of a traditional radiator. This is a very good solution for bathroom heating if the bathroom is big enough for the two items of bathroom heating equipment. But for smaller spaces there is no doubt that bathroom heating via heated towel radiators is a superb way to warm up a bathroom. Bench radiators do provide very attractive forms of bathroom heating and there is not the same risk of getting scolded by a hot pipe as there is with a wall mounted towel radiator. Another key point to not regarding bathroom heating and that is that it is always a good idea to have thermostatic valves on the bathroom heating radiator so that the bathroom heating radiator can be set at a temperature that is independent of the rest of the house. Designer radiators can really add flair to the average bathroom heating system and are also made of materials that radiate the maximum amount of heat.

Modern, sophisticated bathroom radiators keep bathrooms warm like never before. Today, the retro look is very popular so there are highly efficient bathroom radiators that look old fashioned but when it comes to emitting heat are anything but old fashioned. Other type of bathroom radiators are the latest designer bathroom radiators that look mighty cool but are also mighty hot and really warm up bathrooms beautifully. Towel bathroom radiators are popular with people who have small bathrooms and have to choose between towel rails or bathroom radiators. Heated towel bathroom radiators dry towels and really do effectively warm bathrooms. There are many differing designs of towel bathroom radiators and some of the towel bathroom radiators really are works of design art. Other types of bathroom radiators include radiators that are fan assisted and are brilliant for quickly warming up a cold bathroom. Another of the popular bathroom radiators has to be the bench bathroom radiators which heat bathrooms and also provide a warm place to sit while drying feet with a towel. Most bathroom radiators are heated with hot water but there are bathroom radiators that are electrical and also do a very good job of heating up cold bathrooms.

A cozy bathroom gets the day off to a good start and the way to be sure of having a lovely warm bathroom is through modern bathroom radiators that emit maximum heat for minimum cost. The positioning of bathroom radiators is also very important as some towel bathroom radiators can get very hot. As towel bathroom radiators are usually affixed to the wall rather than the floor, towel bathroom radiators when touched by bare flesh can smart a little. So, when considering towel bathroom radiators it is important to give a little thought to the positioning of the towel bathroom radiators. Having said that, it is important for towel bathroom radiators to be nice and hot if towel bathroom radiators are going to effectively warm up bathrooms. If a bathroom is big enough to have a floor standing towel rail and traditional bathroom radiators then the heat emitted from those types of bathroom radiators is considerable. Bench bathroom radiators are equally popular as they emit loads of heat and are a lovely place to sit especially when drying or examining feet. Another important aspect of bathroom radiators is the thermostat that sets the temperature for bathroom radiators. Because people are usually undressed in bathrooms it is important for bathroom radiators to be hotter than radiators in other parts of the house. Alternatively, if a bathroom is not used very much then the thermostatic control of bathroom radiators can be set to low so that there is just a warm glow rather than the pumping out of heat from bathroom radiators.

Instantly Update Your Bathroom With A Milano Walk In Shower Enclosure

Monday, December 20th, 2010

If you are looking to update and modernise your bathroom, then a stunning Milano Walk In Shower Enclosure from the Big Bathroom Shop is the perfect choice.

Walk in shower enclosures are perfect for people who lead busy lifestyles and tend to shower more than bathe. So if you are looking to replace your existing bath a walk in shower would be the ideal option, the enclosure is the same size as a standard bath, which measures 1700mm in length. Or if you have a smaller space the walk in enclosures are also available in a length of 1400mm, which is ideal.

The walk in enclosures are available in two main styles, these include the curved design walk in, which features contemporary curves for a sleek look, and the straight design walk in, which will be a great addition to any modern bathroom. Both styles can be fitted with either a side panel, which is available in three sizes – 700, 800 and 900mm or the enclosure can be fitted within a recess.

To complete the modern look in your bathroom both styles of the Milano Walk In Shower Enclosures feature a polished silver effect, a frameless design for a minimalist look, 8mm thick glass that will give peace of mind when showering, and a slimline reinforced acrylic tray. In some cases you may need the plumbing above the floor, an optional tray panel and leg set are available if required, this will hide any unsightly pipe work.

Inspiration For A Big Bathroom

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

If you are lucky enough to have a spacious bathroom you still have to plan carefully where plumbing fixtures will be positioned and at the same time maintain a large enough space around each of your fittings. There are many things to keep in mind such as having a storage space close to the bath, this will save you walking across the bathroom when you get out of the bath. It is a good idea to group fixtures together, this can create extra space for relaxation areas, or to install fitted cabinets and other storage.

The use of bathroom furniture is ideal for a large bathroom, don’t feel constrained by fitted furniture cabinets, instead you could use more unusual ideas such as freestanding cupboards for towels, or you could opt for a large cabinet to store any toiletries. Having extra space in your bathroom means there is more scope to experiment with different ideas, it is a chance to personalise your space.

Having a spacious bathroom means that you can create a stunning focal point in the room, this could be centred on a stunning freestanding bath or a large hydrotherapy whirlpool bath that will create a feeling of luxury in the bathroom. Think about where the bath will be positioned, for example opposite the door so it would be the first thing people see when they walk in the bathroom.

Lighting must still be considered carefully in a large bathroom, make sure that any light can reach all areas in the room, planning this around the natural light from any windows is a good idea. Using mood lighting can create a very personal feel to the bathroom and variable lighting can highlight areas that you want to stand out. The use of colour is again important, darker colours and tones will make the room seem cosier and inviting in a large space.

Bathroom Vanities

Friday, November 5th, 2010

Prolonged gazing into one’s bathroom mirror used to be considered quite a vice. For vanity, it is said, is the step-sister of pride. With nothing more to the bathrooms of yesteryear than a sink, toilet, and mirror, we were offered little choice about where our focus should fall once through the bathroom door. And while Narcissus brought his own demise through excessive “self-reflection,” we can probably be forgiven for rendering the bathroom mirror as our observation point of choice.

The Afterthought

After all, the bathroom used to be the afterthought of home building and design. Bathroom design kept to the basics: A toilet, sink-cabinet combo, and perhaps some tile. Add some color matching, a couple of wall hangings, and of course, the mirror, and voila: your task was complete!

In hindsight, designing yesterday’s bathroom was really a simple and efficient process. In hindsight, creating such a bathroom was magnificently uninspiring, unimaginative, and dull.

With limited choices, and prohibitive pricing, vanities of distinction rarely entered the equation for a homeowner without a numeral at the end of their name. Even for those with limitless means, such a task usually involved finding the right piece of furniture in the appropriate size before hiring a carpenter (to cut a hole into the top) and a plumber (to retrofit a sink and plumbing). It required resourcefulness, planning, lots of time, and even more cash.

The Fine Furniture Revolution

The rethinking of bathroom designs came with the increasing availability of reasonably-priced middle and high-end vanity sink chests. With foreign imports driving down the cost and increasing the availability of fine furniture for every room in the home, builders and consumers began to consider investing more design dollars in the room guests very often visit — the powder room. By choosing vanity styles to coincide with their home’s overall design genre, consumers have driven expansion in the vanity/sink chest market that produced a bevy of elegant and affordable products. Ball and Claw traditional vanities, French Provincial style sink chests, and hand-painted and hand-carved furniture sinks — the vanity market has truly embraced the realm of fine furniture. Never before have vanity choices been so plentiful or bathroom sink design concepts so broad. It’s not the usual sink and cabinet combo anymore; it’s a whole new ball game.

A Statement Piece – A Statement Place

Forget about Narcissus, and make your vanity a virtue. Let your vanity make a statement about you. Keep the New Yorker and Reader’s Digest, for sure, but let your bathrooms tell more about you than just your literary preferences. Make a gorgeous vanity the focal point of your bath, and with a painted canvas work of art, some carefully contemplated accessories, and perhaps even a beautiful chandelier, allow the bathroom to complement your taste and your commitment to design throughout your home.

Choosing a Towel Warmer for your Bathroom

Monday, October 11th, 2010

Heated towel rails are the modern equivalent of creating a focal point in a bathroom. They are both practical and stylish, offering a place to store and warm your towels, as well as creating a design feature for your bathroom. Designs derive from sleek polished chrome with sweeping curves, sharp geometric lines or three dimensional models and blend together creativity with exceptional design.
Towel warmers, or radiators, are available in a variety of styles to suit your bathroom styling. Gone are the days where a towel warmer is a standard, boring necessity in your bathroom, and here are a range of modish radiators which will add an element of class to your bathroom. Due to the increased surface area a heated towel rail creates over a conventional radiator, they are also more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Hudson Reed are the leading manufacturer of brassware and have a huge range of high quality items, ensuring that your bathroom products are a real investment for the future and built to last. Plus, there is no reason why if you move house you cannot take your beautiful towel warmers with you, to form a chic addition to your new bathroom. Their broad selection of contemporary heated towel rails unites style and striking modern designs to complement your individual flare and make a unique statement about your bathroom d?r.

The selection of designer towel warmers from Hudson Reed are the epitome of modern elegance. They have innovative styling that creates a statement in its own right, whilst retaining efficiency and functionality. Their designer towel rails come in a variety of sizes and shapes to suit every taste and preference, and will turn your bathroom in to a luxuriously warm environment. Models include tube on tube, circular, grid and flat construction. To fit your designer Hudson Reed towel rail, their minimalist radiator valves offer a discreet solution and are supplied in pairs.

At the other end of the scale, Hudson Reed Traditional Towel Warmers are full of the ambience of yesteryear. Their fabrication will highlight and be sympathetic to other traditional features in your bathroom, creating a habitual haven with undertones of contemporary features. Most towel warmers in their range are available in either chrome or gold, allowing you to match them to other brassware in your bathroom. To fit your traditionally-styled radiator, Hudson Reed have traditional radiator valves, supplied in pairs to tie in with the design elements of the heated rail.

Bathroom radiators’ power is measured in BTU. BTU is the standard means of measuring output powers in a heated towel rail, and stands for British Thermal Units. Radiators are also shown in watts, the conversion of one to another equates to 1 BTU measuring 3.412 watts. For more information on the best BTU for your bathroom, consider the size of the room to heat, a smaller room will require a smaller BTU, or consult your plumber for advice.

When updating the heated towel rail in your bathroom, it is important to replace the valves also, and ensure that they match the design, colour and fitting of your new radiator. Valves, like taps, are available with different designs of handles, which can be chosen to mimic the design of your taps and shower handles. They are also available in either a straight or angled fitting, which will dependant on the style of radiator that you choose. Also, radiator valves are available in wither a traditional on/off mechanism, or a thermostatic one, which allows you to choose the level of heat emitting from them, and can be altered in accordance with your central heating system and seasonal changes.

Heated towel rails can also create a means of securing other radiators in your house from thermostatic inefficiencies and costly surges. If you choose a radiator without a thermostatic valve, if the heating system malfunctions, this can create a means of venting any excess heat created by your boiler, thus preventing other radiators in your house from malfunctioning and generating expensive bills.

A towel warmer or radiator should always be ideally fitted on the coldest wall of your bathroom, often the one with the window on. This will depend on other existing fixtures in your bathroom, but a window or external wall is optimum. By fitting to the coldest wall you will increase the efficiency of the radiator, as heat will emanate equally throughout the room.

When you have chosen your beautiful addition to your bathroom with a new towel warmer, you will desire for it to retain its original appearance. To care for the outer surface of your new radiator, never use any corrosive or hazardous products, such as aerosols on the surface or in close proximity of the radiator. The radiator should only be cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft, non-abrasive cloth. This will ensure the longevity of your bathroom radiator.