Category: bathroom

Feng Shui Bathroom Basic Rules

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Feng Shui Taboos for Bathrooms:

When buying a house or an apartment, make sure that the toilet is never facing or located next to the main door, facing the staircases or facing the dining room, or even in the dining room. Some websites recommend activating the energy in the bathroom by painting the walls in a green color, if the bathroom faces an Eastern or Southeastern direction. Do not activate energy in bathroom, what you can do – you can suppress bad chi.

If your bathroom located at:

If the bathroom is located in the Center, North East or South West of the home and flushing away your health, education, luck and relationships, you could place a full-length mirror on the outside of the bathroom door (not on the inside of the bathroom) to create an illusion that the bathroom is not there, and to deflect any energy that tries to escape through it. Make sure that mirror does not reflect the main door. The Center, North East and South West are earth energies. You can place a large crystal in each corner or to suppress bad chi by the metal energy, hang five-layered wind chimes or rod-metal wind chimes, or you can use a destructing Wood Element.

North:

A bathroom located in the North of the home flushes away your career luck. North is a water element. You can use an earth element to destruct bad chi, like a stone or you can use a Wood Element by placing a plant to suppress Water Energy.

East and Southeast: East and Southeast are Wood Elements. You can use a destructed Element Metal, a five-layered wind chime or a five rod-metal wind chime. To suppress the Wood Element, use a Fire Element, such as keeping the light on all the time.

South:

If a bathroom is located in the South, it belongs to Recognition and Fame lucks. You can use a destructive Water Element, or an Earth Element; i.e., a stone in order to suppress Fire Energy.

West and Northwest:

West and Northwest belong to Metal Energy and rules Descendants and Mentor lucks. To suppress Metal Energy, use a Water Element. To distract the Metal Energy, use a Fire Element.

If you have a bathroom on the second floor directly above the kitchen or front door: It could generate health and wealth problems, because bad energy poisons the entire kitchen. In order to remedy this issue, one must place Earth Elements in the corners of the kitchen to stabilize the energy, and then hang a crystal ball in the center of the room. You can also hang a small round mirror to the ceiling above the drain in the bathroom.

Note: Some Feng Shui practitioners recommend hanging round mirror to the ceiling above the drain to revert the downward effect. Recommended to use 3″ mirror.

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Luxury Bathroom Suites

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Remodeling on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing your dream of having a luxury bathroom. If you have a weekend and the know-how, changing the look of your bathroom without breaking the bank can be seamlessly achieved. The money saved in not having to hire a contractor will free up funds to spend on other bathroom additions such as replacing the bathroom suite. The rich confluence of newly painted walls, some updated bathroom accessories and a new bathroom suite can all be attained by anyone working with moderate finances.

The main ingredient in transforming the bathroom and bringing character into the space is the installation of a new bathroom suite. Homeowners choosing to upscale their bathrooms now have a broader selection of bathroom suites to choose from featuring contemporary and traditional designs. Modern bathroom suites have a minimalist look with clean chic lines, while traditional bathroom suites carry a European flavor with all the influence of Victorian times. With some imagination, a creative design, you can give your bathroom a crisp clean inviting look.

Shopping for a bathroom suite

Shopping around for a bathroom suite that accommodates your budget and taste is an essential element in creating a balanced look. Contemporary infused with traditional styles can bring back old-world charm; pedestal basins fashioned with decorative basin mixers taps provides a look of antiquity, while deep-set corner baths add panache for that modern look. One primary reason for the correlation of the two styles is to allow for bold hues and textures to be incorporated into the bathroom in the form of tiles, paint and wallpaper, but also the fusion of the two bathroom styles won’t date itself in a year’s time.

Finding a bathroom suite to suit your taste

Partnering historic classics with modern amenities such as a claw-foot roll top bath embellished with a Victorian hand-held bath and shower mixer, brings in all the characteristics of the bygone eras and evokes a vintage disposition within the bathroom. Modern frameless backlit bathroom mirrors and wall-mounted towel heaters, produce an elegant and airy atmosphere providing both practical functionality and lasting beauty. Creating a blissful retreat begins with choosing a bathroom suite that is practical and efficient. Most bathrooms are shared between family members, therefore the design of your bathroom must address the requirements without forsaking comfort. Bathroom suites are mainly comprised of the basin, cistern and bath.

In selecting your bathroom suite, the bath requires the most attention since space and usage are the primary factors. Superdeep acrylic baths provide ample bathing space for all family members and withstand time. Whether your design goal is for a simple and unencumbered look or the brilliant balance of contemporary and traditions styles, bathrooms should compliment your lifestyle, it is where you begin and end your day, so take the time to shop and compare to ensure all your expectations are met.

Written by Shelley Murphy on behalf of http://www.victoriaplumb.com an online retailer of bathroom furniture, steam showers, shower enclosures, whirlpool spa baths and …

Inexpensive Bathroom Remodel Tips

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If you ever consider selling your home, having an updated, modern bathroom will help to increase the selling price. Unfortunately, it can be expensive to do a bathroom remodel. If you want to do some remodeling on your bathroom but have a tight budget, here are some ideas and tips to help you accomplish your goal. You can decorate your walls with decorations, paint the room with new bright fresh colors, add candles, plants, and more can make your older bathroom look new.

Creating surfaces that are unique

When doing a bathroom remodel the first thing that you should consider is repainting the bathroom walls along with giving the floor and ceiling a new finish. When you create a new surface in the bathroom, most of residential renovations are done. These surfaces include your walls, floors, and ceilings. To begin these steps of remodeling first think about a color combination for those three surfaces that will work together. Pick neutral colors like gray, green, ivory, yellow, peach, violet, etc. These colors will give your bathroom a relaxing feel. Make sure that when choosing a color for the wall that you pick a color that is complementary to the ceiling and flooring. To match the walls you could pick inexpensive laminated flooring or smooth tiled floors and plain drywall ceilings.

Inexpensive bathroom accessories

Once you have the colors chosen for the walls it is time for the residential renovations of the interior of your bathroom. These can include a bathtub or shower enclosure, vanity area, storage area, and toilet, that entire essential for your new bathroom. When starting these remodeling jobs start with the bathtub. If it not cracked, build a deck around it instead of installing a new one. For the deck, you can use a stone or laminated surface where you can place toiletries and candles on the flat surface. If you do have to install a new one, pick a unique shape like circular, rectangular, etc if it would in the room and you can afford one like this.

Next on the list is the vanity area, which includes a mirror, closed or open granite, / wooden chest beneath the sink, and the sink. Today there are many different colors and shapes of sinks to choose from. You can also build the sink into the chest that will be under the sink. When paired with the chest and sink one great inexpensive backsplash would be just a simple mirror. If you are adding or redoing a shower enclosure, use inexpensive tempered glass.

Simple attractive decorations

The most important thing to remember is not to overdo the decorations. You could add a colorful backsplash behind the sink, a small painting on the wall, a small basket of decorative soap or candle on the vanity and more.

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Bathroom Appearance Made Classic With Modern Bathroom Vanities

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In today’s world, the modern bathroom vanities are important to match the modern house atmosphere. It is an element that makes a typical house look classic and modern by how it impacts the appearance of the bathroom. Just like any household vanity, it is made up of styles and designs that suit the theme of the space.

Modern bathroom vanities come in various materials. The materials include wood, steel, ceramic, granite, aluminium, fibre glass and plain glass. Aside from materials, there are also the kinds of furniture for the bathroom vanities such as the basin sink bathroom cabinets, mirrors, stand-alone shelves, mounted wall shelves, and vanity cupboards. These wide selections make the bathroom vanity fit any type of lifestyle and preferences of modern living.

To give you idea of what to look for in bathroom vanities, below are the lists of bathroom vanities to consider:

o Glass and lighting vanities – There are two choices of glass vanities: Venetian mirrors or designer glass. The Venetian mirrors can be mounted independently on the wall of the bathroom or can be attached in vanity basin sinks. It can also be attached behind cabinet doors, within the shelf or behind the bathroom door. For the designer glass, it could be incorporated as cabinet door, vanity basin sinks and shelves. Glass and lighting vanities create an overall classic and grandeur appearance of the bathroom.

o Cabinet and shelves vanity – The wood bathroom vanities are almost always referred to the cabinets and shelves of the bathroom. It comes either with attached mirror or in plain wooden materials. Some vanity bathroom cabinets, though comes in steel which is actually cheaper. Whether steel or wood, the vanity cabinets and vanity shelves are used if there’s more space in the bathroom. If there is limited space, vanity wall cabinets can be suitable as it is merely mounted on the wall and does not require floor space.

o Basin sink and bath tubs vanity – These two items are essential items in modern bathroom vanities. The materials that provide high durability for basin sinks and tubs are stone bathroom vanities. It can be in granite or marble which is enduring in bathroom heat and chemical actions. There would also be no problem if you choose wood bathroom vanities for the basin sink since it is usually quoted with some chemicals so it won’t easily be scratched. The chemical coating also endures the various temperatures in the bathroom surroundings. As for the bathroom tubs, the usual materials used are ceramic, granite and marble. All these materials are durable and it’s up to you to choose among the various styles and colours that suit the theme of your bathroom.

All in all it is best to get bathroom vanities that compliment the overall appearance of your bathroom. Aside from the appearance, other factors such as the costs, durability and low maintenance requirement should also be considered. You can usually get tips and ideas from friends and relatives with their experience …

What Factors Should You Consider When Buying Bathroom Sinks?

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Many of us have been in that situation when you are moving into a new home, or perhaps renovating an existing home, and you need to buy a new bathroom sink. You might not be sure about the types of bathroom sinks available, or what is important to consider when buying bathroom sinks. In this article, we will consider some of the factors you should take into consideration, as well as briefly discussing some of the other factors you should think about before buying a sink.

One of the most important factors to consider is space – what are your special restrictions when buying and fitting a new sink. There is no point choosing your dream bathroom sink, only to find that it does not fit in, or alternatively that it looks too small within your bathroom. Think about the design of the room – will the bathroom sink go in the corner of the room, or do you want it to be the centrepiece of the room.

You should also consider the style of the bathroom, and the style of the sink which you would like to put in. Many people are fans of a glass sink, which can look extremely classy in the right bathroom, but look out of place in a differently styled bathroom. Do you wish to go for a contemporary look, versus a functional look? Perhaps you are less concerned about style, and more about the cheapest, viable option. All of these factors are important, and you should pick the right choice for your bathroom.

Nowadays, there are lots of different types of materials for bathroom sinks to be made out of. We briefly mentioned glass sinks above, but you can also buy your sink in a number of other different materials. Other different types of materials include marble or metal sinks, although by far the most popular material for sinks is vitreous china. The main reason for this is that these bathroom sinks tend to be the most durable, as well as being much easier to clean. When you consider how many times a day that a bathroom sink is used, this is one of the primary reasons for the popularity of vitreous china.

In terms of the different types or styles, of bathroom sinks that you can purchase, there are a wide variety of sinks. These include pedestal, countertop, wall mounted, corner, inset, semi-recessed, space saving / en-suite or undercounter basins. Always remember that your choice is a personal decision, based on your tastes and the space in which you have to work with.

Before you make the decision which sink to buy, you should also consider other factors such as installation. Whether you will be able to install your own sink will depend on your own DIY skills. Some bathroom sink companies will include installation in their prices, whereas others will not. In this case, if you are not experienced at DIY, you may be best advised to hire a plumber to …

Increase Value of Your House by Upgrading Your Bathroom and Kitchen

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Is it time to sell your home? Whether flipping a house or trying to get a good price before a move, there are a few ways to gain value through a kitchen or bathroom refurbishment. Outdated kitchen and the bathroom styles are the quickest way to make a house feel older and more rundown. Here are a few ideas to get you started on your renovations.

Custom design

A made to order design makes the most sense when trying to get the most money for your home. Bespoke bathrooms are noticeable and make a difference in price. A real estate agent or home buyer will be able to tell if tiling and fixtures were simply placed in the space or made for the space. Avoid outrageous designs that might make classic homebuyers feel uncomfortable. You never want a space to only appeal to a particular type of style. Exquisite stonework with classics such as natural stone, granite, slate, and travertine are always a good idea.

Flooring

Flooring is important in a bathroom and linoleum is out. Linoleum in the bathroom or kitchen can make an entire house seem outdated, ugly and dirty. Hard wood can take a real beating in these spaces and look old and worn quickly, even after refurbishing it. The best idea is to put down ceramic or porcelain tiles or natural stone flooring instead. These will sustain heavy amounts of foot traffic, clean well, and always look nice. They appeal to a modern home design and can go with almost anything a home buyer may want to decorate with.

Bathtub

Bathrooms can be purely conventional, or they can be home spas and relaxation areas. One way to create a more elegant and expensive feel is to create a separate bathtub and wetroom. A spa tub can be a place to relax and separate from the conventional use of a shower. Travertine or marble make great custom tiling jobs for a bespoke bathroom bathtub. Mosaic tiles work well to add a decorative flair to the wetroom wall. IF the home buyer finds your space relaxing, they will feel excited about buying it. Make the bathroom, especially the master bathroom, somewhere they want to be.

Kitchen Counter Tops

Just like with the floors, linoleum is out. A granite kitchen worktop is your best bet. It looks nice and is extremely practical. Choose a neutral color that can go with any style your home buyer may have. Make sure it matches the cabinets, hardware, and floor. Replace old cupboard hardware to match your new counters. The kitchen is the most-used room in the house. Make as modern, comfortable, and conventional as possible.

Selling your home can be an overwhelming process. Start with these tips in the bathroom and kitchen to increase the value of your home. You can always add some of your own personal flair and ideas. With the right plans, rocks, and fixtures, you can easily gain the most for your dollar.

Source Article …

FSBO – How to Prepare Your House to Sell

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Did you hear that? Prices of houses in Phoenix have been jumping 5% each month for 2005 according to market experts! Some even predict that the price of housing could jump an additional 10% for the upcoming year. The shortage of houses for sales and the still relatively low interest prices are causing the price of homes not just here in Phoenix but nationwide to escalate. What does this mean? If you are thinking about selling your home, there is no better time than the present. Jump on the bandwagon!

Okay, great, you say. I'll buy a for-sale-by-owner sign, set it out in the front yard, host an open-house this weekend. I should have my house sold by the end of next week! Well, two months later, that for-sale-by-owner sign is still in the front and you don't have a buyer. Do not think that just because there is a shortage of houses for sale, selling a house is a piece of cake. It may not as easy as you think. Instead of using a Realtor, you are determined to sell the house yourself. That's fine and it's possible. People do it all the time; However, what are some tips to help you prepare your house to sell. I have done the research and found four minimal-cost tips in preparing your sell:

1. Clean-up. The first impression is always the lasting one. You want potential buyers to be impressed the moment that they spot your house from the street. Everything from the yard, to the windows, to every room inside should be squeaky clean. And if you have a collection of, well, several collections of … stuff, it's distracting to the buyer and really takes away the beauty of your home. If you can't part with those items, pack them away in boxes. A potential buyer won't be offended by a few packed boxes in the house. They most likely are expecting you to be preparing to move anyway.

2. Deodorize. This goes hand-in-hand with cleaning your house and removing the clutter. If your house smells, it won't sell. If the house has been vacant for a while, there is nothing more offensive to a potential buyer than the smell of mildew. Please take care of the mildew before showing the house. And you petowners, understand that your precious little pets that you keep indoors are not odor-less. You just have become accustomed to the smell. A potential buyer will pick up the pet order immediately. The same is true for cigarettes.

3. Re-paint the house. Okay, you may have enjoyed a blue kitchen, an orange living room, and a red bathroom. But your potential buyer may not be as cutting-edge. Experts agree that neutral colors are best in showcasing your house. Also take a second look at the decorations on the wall. Remove anything that could be offensive to your potential buyer.

4. Embrace the sun. I don't particularly care for the Phoenix heat, but I love the sun. …

Interior Post Construction Cleanup Tips

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There is nothing worse than bringing contractors in to do a construction project only to find that once they have finished the job, they have left their mess behind. Construction site cleanup is part of the construction industry and it can be a messy job, but someone has to do it. You can make your life easier by cleaning as you go for starters, and that should help reduce the burden of the final cleanup to a degree. While it's impossible to cover every aspect of a proper construction cleaning project, a good place to start would be to remove trash and debris on a daily basis, particularly wood and paint particles which can pose as dangerous fire hazards.

There are plenty of construction companies that might make use of a separate contractor to do the cleanup for them since it can save a lot of time and money by bringing in specialists (dependent on the size of the job). It is always wise to do a walk-through prior to the start of cleanup for the supervisor to find out exactly what the construction manager's expectations are with regard to cleanup. This will also help to prevent a poor final product (when the project is completed).

So, what does construction site cleanup really entail? In general, any scuffs, hand and finger smudges, dust and dirt need to be wiped down off the walls and the same goes for trim, baseboards, windows, door frames and handrails. The ceilings will also need a good dust and the removal of any cobwebs that have sprung up. Doors need to be cleaned down- which may include the front, back, sides and the top, and don't forget about the hinges. Any masonry will need to be vacuumed and cleaned as instructed. All of the carpeting throughout the project will need to be vacuumed as well. Wood, tile or marble should be buffed, waxed and sealed. You will need to clean the tracks, frames and glass on windows. Be sure to clean any of the light fixtures and ceiling fans dust tends to accumulate. Wall & ceiling vents, and floor vents will also be need to vacuumed, and in the case of floor vents they will need to be removed so that you can vacuum as deep as the attachments will allow. Electrical outlets and switches need cleaned since may they gather dust and hand smudges. That is just the basic cleaning inside, it does not encompass the specific cleaning required in a bathroom, kitchen or the entry way. Not to mention any mirrors and cabinets throughout the house, as well as removing any of the manufacturer's stickers that are not required.

On the topic of manufacturers, you should not forget the importance of which cleaning chemicals should and shouldn't be used. Only cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer should be used, as the wrong chemical can cause irreparable damage and will set your project back as you have to replace any damaged items, especially things …

How To Keep Your Bathroom Plumbing Working Properly

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Owning your own home should be one of those things that makes you ready to take on the world because it’s such a huge accomplishment. Unfortunately, you usually end up being nervous about everything, especially your bathroom plumbing.

Some of you might wonder what’s so problematic about the plumbing in the bathroom compared to the rest of the house. Well, it really has to do with the usual “life functions” that take place in the bathroom. The last thing the plumbing in that room needs to have is a problem because the last thing we want in our home is the stuff inside the plumbing.

The problem that a lot of homeowners have is that they are not very experienced when it comes to working on the plumbing in their home, regardless of the room. When it comes to the bathroom, we have fairly rudimentary knowledge of how to use a plunger, but in the back of our minds, we really don’t want to have to deal with that prospective mess. Still, you’re a homeowner now, which means you really have to be on top of things. Your home depends on your elbow grease to keep doing its thing, so enough of sticking your head in the ground – it’s time to get to work.

Here are a few very basic tips on keeping your bathroom plumbing working properly:

Always Be On The Lookout for Drips & Leaks – Listen to your toilet after you flush and watch your faucet after you’ve washed your hands. Do you hear or see drips? If so, you’re seeing two things: 1) a symptom of something that has to be fixed; and 2) money down the drain. You would be shocked to know how much water is wasted due to small leaks.

Try To Prevent Clogs and Blockages – Most clogs and blockages in your bathroom drains are caused by greasy build-up, hair, and other yucky stuff. Try your best to lessen the amount of these things by using traps.

Check Fixtures for Cracks and Leaks – So, you’re an amateur plumber, but that does not mean you can’t see something that isn’t quite right. Take a flashlight and look your bathroom fixtures for any developing cracks and leaks. The compromise of the actual fixture can interrupt the basic function of your plumbing.

Be As Proactive As Possible – If there is one place to be a little over the top in terms of trying to get ahead of things, it’s your bathroom. Find out if you have hard water. Check for limescale. If you are in an older home, think about upgrading the vanity plumbing. Give your bathroom every chance it can have to run well.

Your bathroom plumbing doesn’t have to be a menace to your peace of mind. Even with little to no knowledge of plumbing, you can actually do a lot to keep your bathroom plumbing operating the way it should. In the event that a problem may still occur, …

Bathroom Partitions For Your Commercial Facility

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Bathroom privacy can be one concern that many people share. When using a restroom in a public facility, having the privacy you would normally have at home can be very important to your customers.

Luckily, commercial bathroom partitions are available in various designs so you can choose what suits your needs while allowing customers to have the privacy they require.

The construction of your commercial bathroom may determine what type of restroom partition works best. While privacy is essential, having safe wall partitions are vital to keep customers safe.

Choices

Privacy partitions are available in various materials, including stainless steel, baked enamel, solid plastic, plastic laminate and solid phenolic core. Furthermore, they can be mounted to different areas in the bathroom.

You can choose from floor braced, ceiling hung, overhead braced, and floor to ceiling bathroom partitions. Each type of wall partition will work best in certain types of bathroom designs. For example, floor to ceiling partitions can offer extra stability than other options.

Overhead Installation

Overhead braced restroom stalls are very convenient because they do not require specific floor to ceiling construction. Solid plastic, stainless steel, and baked enamel are just a few choices you have when looking for overhead braced bathroom partitions.

There is also a no-site partition that has no gaps between the door and pilasters. This is a perfect option for more upscale areas whose patrons require a more private environment.

Baked enamel is another affordable option you can choose. It too has a wide selection of colors to choose from.

Ceiling Hung

Ceiling hung bathroom screens are best for areas that have low ceilings that are less than eight feet high. Due to not having any connection to the floor, this type of commercial restroom partition allows easy maintenance.

Many different colors are available to choose from to match the restrooms color scheme. Low cost plastic laminate provides a corrosion-resistant material that works great in movie theaters, retail stores, and restaurants.

Floor Braced Installation

Floor braced bathroom partitions are intended for areas that have high ceilings. This design gives the effect of spaciousness to its visitors.

Solid phenolic core floor braced restroom stalls will resist bacteria, water, oil, and humidity. Maintenance is easy since they are able to handle hose-down cleaning. In fact, solid phenolic bathroom panels can also work for shower partitions.

Stainless steel bathroom stalls feature seamless panels and are stronger than alternatives. A textured or satin brush finish lets you decide on the final look.

Floor to Ceiling Installation

Floor to ceiling bathroom panels are recommended for areas that need additional stability. You can choose from a stainless steel design that has a textured or satin finish or baked enamel that has many different color choices.

The solid plastic restroom partitions are perfect for theme parks, stadiums, or any area that has high levels of vandalism. Solid plastic restroom partitions are durable and low maintenance.

Wall Mounted Installation

Wall partitions for urinals are also available for privacy. Baked enamel and stainless steel …