Remodeling your Bathroom, Part 3 of 3: Ideas for Compact and Small Bathrooms INTRO

In small living areas the bathrooms are unfortunately often squeezed into a dark corner, but this is no excuse for a lack of style. When planning your small bathroom remodeling think outside the box and look for brilliant space saving ideas. Small bathrooms can be designed to appear larger with careful planning, clever use of colour and minimising on clutter.

STYLE and DESIGN
Smaller bathrooms are best kept clean and simple. In other words, opt for a minimalist style. This implies concentrating on important spaces and utilizing it practically in order to create a clutter free bathroom and selecting functional, compact bathroom furniture with strong clean lines. Fittings that are too ornate are unpractical and will only add to the clutter.

Only fit the essential. A compact bathroom with lots of accessories is likely to appear even smaller. For storage space, fix metal baskets or open shelves to your walls. This creates a "lighter" look than bulky cupboards and eliminates open cupboard doors taking up space. These can also take up unused areas higher up on walls and in corners.

As mentioned in my previous article, one should choose lighter paint colours such as white, off-white and cream, and tones that will compliment each other. This allows smaller spaces to feel less cramped and more open.

Another really good tip is using large, unframed bathroom mirrors, giving the sense of more open space. If opting for a framed mirror, use light colours on the frame that will blend in with the surrounding wall space.

SANITARY FITTINGS
Wall-mounted basins and toilets are better suited to compact bath rooms. With no foot piece, these take up less floor space. Regarding shape; oval or rectangular basins are less obtrusive and often more suitable for small bathrooms.A variety of bathtubs, showers, vanities and basins are designed specifically for small bathrooms. Go to your local sanitary ware supplier and look at a few examples.

Most compact bathrooms have shower cubicles nowadays. Unfortunately, more often than not they are fitted with a tripple slider that sticks and climbs off the rail. Frameless shower doors give a sense of more space and can change the look of any bathroom.

If the budget allows, opt for a WC with a concealed cistern. This means your toilet's water tank is built into the wall and the only part visible is the bowl. This is generally more expensive, but often more water wise and a great space saving method.

VENTILATION
As mentioned in my previous article, proper ventilation is crucial for any bathroom or cloak room. It has become common practice, especially in group housing developments and apartments to have internal bathrooms with no windows. This creates a number of hurdles, ranging from unfriendly smells to constant dampness and mould.

This can be counteracted with the use of a professionally installed extractor fan and fresh air supply. Should you have an enclosed shower cubicle, the extractor should preferably be in the ceiling over this area. In order to make up the extracted air, surface bathtub either make use of a fresh air supply system or you can undercut the door to create a draft.

solid surface bathtub

What Smart Upgrades Make Bathrooms Sleek and Saves Money? Bidets and Vessel Sinks With WaterSense Faucets

When a bathroom basin upgrade is desired, the purpose for the upgrade must be determined to figure how much to invest.  Maybe a complete upgrade is not feasible because of present day budgetary constraints.  However, small upgrades can not only make a bathroom more contemporary in the interim; it can help save money, over time, for a complete upgrade that creates a Spa bathroom to escape from work-related stresses.  The key is to invest in sleek fixtures with the latest technology that also conserves water to reduce water bills.

Bidets add a whole other dimension to a sleek bathroom upgrade because they are such an uncommon fixture in most bathrooms.  In fact, most people do not even know what it is or how to use it.  According to Kohler, "A bidet is a sit-down wash basin that's convenient and helps conserve water. Long considered to be a luxury item, bidets are becoming an increasingly common addition to the bath" (Kohler online).  In other words, similar to dual-flush toilets where the amount of water used for clean-up can be controlled based on solid waste and liquid waste, the water-pressure of bidets can also be controlled based on the amount of personal clean-up needed.  In both cases, unnecessary water waste is controlled based on a one size does not fit all approach to water pressure control.  Technology adjustments such as these can save thousands of gallons of water each year, resulting in huge savings on water bills, as well.  Immediately, this seems to be to be a better alternative where a small upgrade can curtail monetary waste on water bills.

Vessel sinks are a nice addition to any bathroom because it makes a broad range of traditional bathroom interiors more contemporary with just that one upgrade.  Bathroom technologies can include beautiful vessel sinks with matching vessel faucets spouting ribbon-patterned water that also meets WaterSense EPA criteria.  Based on personal preference, there are many shapes from which to choose such as rounded, rectangular or triangular.  Villeroy & Boch offers these three counter-top shapes in its beautiful Loop and Friends product line made of porcelain; while Danze's Ziga-Zaga product line offers oval shapes that sit on a platform base, adding to the unique designs of vessel sinks.   For even more variety, there are arrays of stone, glass, and stainless steel counter-top vessels that will also create a touch of elegance to any bathroom.    

So, if the desire is to upgrade to a sleek bathroom; however, budget constraints will not permit, then begin with small upgrades.  Bidets with water pressure-controlled personal cleansing systems and vessel sinks with matching vessel faucets that meet WaterSense EPA criteria will add a sleek look to any bathroom basin while the savings on water bills will help contribute to a complete upgrade in the future.

solid surface basin

Call the professionals for kitchen countertop ideas

A kitchen countertop is the center of every house. It is the most vital part of home specially for women. It is a place from where people start their day by making tea or coffee. It is the place where they cook the food for family. This is the center of attraction of every home, so it should be spacious, stylish and modern in look. Improving the appearance of a kitchen is not very challenging task. Plenty of options are available in the market that can be considered by the home owners. Countertops play an important role in improving the look of kitchen, so homeowners can think about getting the installation of beautiful countertops to modify the look of this place. They should select the material for countertops carefully.

Homeowners must have to choose a material that can add a modern touch to their kitchen. Today, a variety of materials is available in the market that can be used in the kitchen. Granite, marble, porcelain are the few types of countertops materials that will be perfect for the kitchen. After selecting the type of  material they should start looking for a renowned company.  They should search for a company where they can call to hire the experts for the installation of countertops in their kitchen. They can browse the internet in order to reach on the website of such company. They can type their keyword in the search bar to see the keyword related results. They can approach the highly reputed company from them to get the installation of durable granite or marble in the kitchen.

A company is existed in Houston, Tx, that is widely known as a stone fabrication company. This company was established back in year 2005 with the aim of supplying the highest quality custom stone countertops to customers. Since then, they have been engaged in fabrication and installation of the premium quality stone countertops and suggesting the kitchen countertop ideas to customers. They carry a vast range of materials to deliver the residential builders, commercial and remodeling market.

They have a large selection of Granite, marble, travertine, quartzite, porcelain, onyx and limestone for their customers. An individual can see the available color and designs of these materials on their web portal. If one wants, then he or she can take a look on their recent work also on their website before hiring them for the installation of kitchen countertops. After checking their work, one can call them for the installation of custom stone countertops in the kitchen.

quartz stone

The greater part of solid surface bathtub?

The greater part of the present day shower tubs are made of steel, plastic and acrylic. The best thing about cutting edge tubs is solid surface bathtub that they are light yet they are exceptionally strong and intense. Because of plastic and acrylic materials, the shower tubs are light to the point that even one individual can convey it. In the event that shower tubs are made of steel, it would take no less than two persons to convey it. Another element of these cutting edge shower tubs is that they can be made into various shapes and outlines. These can have coordinating taps, boards, and shading designs.

The main thing that you would require, in the event that you need a round shower tub in your washroom, would be a sufficiently huge space. When you have a roundabout shower tub in your washroom, it truly makes your lavatory worth investigating. The main thing required would acclimate inside outlines and after that see the distinction, it brings!

Even more some bathtubs have incorporated showers in them as well. Fortunately during the past years bathtub manufacturers have designed some really compact bathroom solutions that could fit a large number of different household needs. Thus by introducing the shower bathtub solution they now make it possible for all those people with small bathrooms to enjoy their daily bubbly bath.

If you have a small bathroom but you still want to fit in a nice bathtub know that you have several options. However before you head to the home depot to buy a bathtub you must read the after builders cleaning London sections in the newspapers and find the contact details of a team of professional cleaners, like this company in order to book their services. You must do so because the installation of a bathtub will definitely turn your nice bathroom in a total mess and you most probably won't have the patience to clean it on our own. If you are worried about the fee of such cleaning contractors don't be because when it comes to builders cleaning London has a multitude of companies that work at very affordable rates.

solid surface bathtub

How to select building materials for solid surfaces Sheet?

Solid surfacing Sheet materials are made of polymeric man-made components like marble dust, acrylic, bauxite with fillers and pigments. They are used in various building products like bathroom fixtures like shower pans, sinks, bathtubs and in other installations like countertops and wall cladding. Solid surfaces are non-porous and are easily and cheaply maintained. They mimic the appearance of naturally occurring materials like wood and stone and can be invisibly joined by an experienced craftsman from a solid surface building materials company.

One of the desirable features of solid surfaces is their seamless nature. Their engineered composites have a surface finish of a gel coat that is not penetrated by bacteria or stains. Besides having a uniform appearance their seamless nature is impervious to water as no gaps are left. Bacteria cannot grow in a dry surface. When a solid surface breaks or gets scratched it can be repaired by a trained fabricator with ease.

Decide whether you would like the solid surface to cover existing walls. In order to save on costs it is advisable to install a shower wall or bathtub to cover an already existing surface. Specialized glue is used but the existing surface should not be bowed or spongy. However, solid surface materials cannot be installed over existing fiberglass or plastic surfaces. Such will have to be removed and new backer board put in place.

Your budget will determine whether you will get materials that are cost effective like acrylic or the more elegant material like Swanstone, which is more expensive. In addition, acrylic is available with a lifetime warranty while Swanstone is easily maintained, and comes in wide array of choices.

After selecting the material to use, you should now select the colors, designs and the accents that you prefer. Some materials are available in a wide range of colors, finishes and patterns and smoothness.

The next step is to select the backer board. Note to select one that adheres to the material on the walls. Acrylic is a good choice especially where the walls are in excellent condition as it is easily installed with butyl tape and a color matched sealant. This will save on costs as well as reduce the installation period. Where the walls are in bad shape, you can install a green board that is moisture resistant over them. A cement backer board can also be used. Swanstone can also be used over existing walls due to its good structural shaping.

Ensure that all fixtures that are behind the wall like shower valves are in perfect condition and well placed. In addition, identify which fixtures like shower accessories and bathtubs require enhancements so as to perform better. These enhancements may include corner seats, hand held shower among others.

If the whole process appears too difficult for you, call an experienced contractor. Professional services may be expensive but less viable in the long run. However, watch out as some professionals insist on products that they sell rather than what is solid surfaces Sheet appropriate for you.

acrylic solid surface sheet

What Are Eco Friendly Countertops Made Of?

At a time when many people are trying to think green and implement that idea into their home remodeling plans, many homeowners often wonder what innovation there may have been recently in terms of green or friendly kitchen counter tops. The answer is kitchen countertop more than just a few, but some are lesser known than others. Here are a few friendly counter top materials you may not yet have considered.

At a time when many people are trying to think green and implement that idea into their home remodeling plans, many homeowners often wonder what innovation there may have been recently in terms of green or friendly kitchen counter tops. The answer is more than just a few, but some are lesser known than others. Here are a few friendly counter top materials you may not yet have considered.

This may seem like the craziest of kitchen counter top ideas but it is actually one that is growing in popularity. These counter tops are created by combining recycled paper products with durable, non-petroleum, formaldehyde-free resins to create kitchen counter tops in many different colors and styles. They are heat resistant, tough and, best of all, really affordable.

These days aluminum products that have reached the end of their first use existence can find new useful life again as rather attractive kitchen counter tops. In many of these counter tops up to 90% of their component metal is from recycled resources and the finished product is a kitchen Countertops counter top that is modern and rather unique in appearance while still being very functional for every day use.

quartz stone

Spaced Out About Countertops In Atlanta? UNI Granite Is the Perfect Solution for You and Your Place

It is very well quoted that it is first that you make your home as complacent and aesthetically pleasant as possible and get start with living. As your home is not only where you physically live the most but also to which your hearts turn back to. And what is better than treasuring memories? Creating them! Today, indulging in home is more than just plain obligation. It is something very ulterior to us as we concur with these on a customary level, making it immensely essential and an art as it is today. With smart and modular kitchen and furnishing dominating every home and office, it is inessential to mention that countertops have caught attention like never before.

If you are in Atlanta and looking for marvelous countertops that are also popularly priced, UNIgranite is the destination for you. UNIgranite's area of expertise is premium Marble Kitchen Countertop in DeKalb and enduring granite countertops. The terrace countertops are crafted to perfection with utmost grandeur and artistry. With their distinguished quality of work and perfection, UNIgranite is raising popularity in cities of Atlanta and all other Atlanta counties. The countertops are popular among the clients and business colleagues with their unmitigated beauty, multi-functionality and exceptional durability brought from the best suppliers across the globe. The staff at UNIgranite is specifically trained and proficient enough to suggest the most suited and apt product for your home or office.

UNIgranite endeavors to provide the peerless quality products with unmitigated craftsmanship at affordable and pleasant prices since the brokers are not involved. Calcium carbonate and several other minerals that undergo extreme heat treatment in nature result in a plethora of options the customer can choose from with varying texture like delicate Alabama white, culturally flavored Calcutta Gold, Grand Crema Morfil, natural Colorado Gold Vein, Light Emperador, effortless Rainforest gold, unique Negro Marquine and many more that not only add a unique sense of allurement to the countertop but also are very low maintenance and withstanding. Based mainly in Atlanta Georgia, UNIgranite brings to you fascinating designs and options to beautify your home or office like nothing else is not only an agglomerate of clients for UNIgranite but also the community with its trust and belief in UNIgranite has in a way maintained and proved its aura of perfection in the area of expertise. The company takes every professional care of every little step starting from countertops and fabrication to installation.

acrylic solid surface sheet

Characteristics of Natural stones

Even at the outset, one should know that all stones, used for decorative and finishing purposes, are not alike – though some of them may look similar, they are not identical. The natural stones can be broadly classified as belonging to three predominant groups - Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic. Experts suggest that these differences are due to mineral components and the stone formation process.
Granite is a classic example of igneous rock that has cooled and crystallized beneath the earth’s outer surface. Sandstone, Coral stones, Limestone are some of the sedimentary type of natural stones.  Metamorphic denotes a change in form. This changing of one rock type into another type takes place due to an increase in temperature or pressure or a combination of both factors.
Colors of the natural stones depend on which part of the world they come from and on the nature of minerals in the earth through mining. As people may be aware blocks are removed from the quarry mines and then cut into slabs.
Each stone is obviously made up of different characteristics. Pitting is nothing to be abhorred as it does not make a stone inferior in appearance or quality. As a matter of fact, pitting is considered a natural characteristic of stone based on industry standards.
It may be purposeful to know some characteristics of various natural stones before buying natural stone products:
Granite is arguably the hardest natural material available for countertops.   Granite should be preferred not only for its beauty, but for its durability and easy maintenance. Granite can offer a wide range of color choices.
Marble is indeed a widely favored stone and many feel marble is irresistibly fascinating. Marble is also a hard material, though less hard than granite. But like granite, marble is available in multiple colors. Marble is ubiquitously used in hearths, pub counters, and bathrooms and to a lesser extent as kitchen countertops.
Limestone, it must be said, is a very porous material which offers a more rugged look – though many still prefer it.  Limestone is not an ideal choice for countertops because it is susceptible to staining and scratching and leaving indelible marks. Limestone may instead used for flooring, and fireplace adjoining areas. Limestone is also available in different colors.  
Soapstone is less favored by many for countertops as the appearance steadily darkens with age due to oxidation process. Soap may be appealing to a select few who desire an aged or weathered look for their countertops
Onyx is widely recognized as a gemstone. It is a semiprecious variety of quartz that is used often in jewelry-making. Onyx is a very aesthetic stone with variegated spots and layers - though somewhat fragile. Onyx is mostly used for furniture, fireplace surrounds and bar tops but may not be suited for kitchen countertops..

The important characteristics to be considered by the buyer of natural stones are Durability, hardness, strength, range of colors and overall appearance. One cannot expect all these qualifications in one particular natural stone.
Some natural stones that have atmospheric Influences are ill-suited as kitchen or bathroom countertops. A very porous stone will absorb water, which may freeze and cause crystals near the surface to flake off. A persistent exposure of fresh surfaces to such atmospheric elements may sooner or later cause disintegration
However, a natural Quartz stone whose strength and durability are high, will have sufficiently good looks – and more so, if the appropriate color is chosen..

quartz stone

Useful Tips About Choosing Kitchen Sinks?

Single-basin: this is a smaller sink. If you have a kitchen Sink island, you might like to mount a single-basin sink in it, auxiliary to your main sink. If you have a dishwasher, you can rinse the dishes in this sink before putting them in the appliance.

If its basin is fairly large and deep (10 or 12 inches (25-30 cm) in depth) this sink may be more comfortable for you to wash large utensils in than a standard sink with two identical basins.

Double-basin: a sink of standard 33 inches (84 cm) length to 22 inches (56 cm) width that fits perfectly to the standard sink cabinet - 36 inches (91 cm) length to 24 inches (61 cm) width.

Its basins are most often identical. It's a good selection for a sink if you wash your dishes manually; you wash them in one of the basins and rinse them in the other one.

Triple-basin: this kitchen sink is bigger. You can use one of the basins to wash the dishes and the other one to rinse them. Use the third one (usually smaller) to wash vegetables or install a garbage disposal unit in it.

The materials that follow are popular variants for such sinks; but you can see sinks from other materials as well, such as enameled steel, porcelain, fireclay, brass and copper.

A functional material. With it, your sink and countertop may be a whole unit, without any joints. This facilitates cleaning and gives your sink a unified look. Objects, such as dishes and glasses, dropped in a stainless steel sink are less likely to break.

As a self-rimming sink: here, your sink overlaps the countertop. It's good for your countertop to be made from a smooth material (laminate, natural stone...), thus allowing the sink to align itself perfectly with the countertop.

As an undermount sink: here, your countertop overlaps the sink. In this case, no joints with the sink are seen on the countertop, giving an appearance of simplicity. It is easy to clean around such a sink; you can wipe waste straight from the countertop to the sink.

As a tile-in sink: here, your sink is on the level of the countertop. If your countertop is tiled, this type of sink installation is especially convenient. Sinks are flat at the ends, and their edges are at right angles. Thus they fit well to the tiles.

As an integral sink: as I mentioned above, your sink and countertop here are a single unit, without any joints. For such a sink and countertop you need such materials as stainless steel, solid surface and concrete.

You be sure of the quality of your kitchen sink installation, I recommend that you employ the services of a professional.

solid surface sink

What Is Reconstituted quartz stone?

Reconstituted quartz stone refers to man-made stones, that are most often produced using broken down natural stone. Some believe that reconstituted stones lack the natural aesthetic and beauty of natural stones, but with advancing technologies designers are getting closer to being able to recreate this natural beauty. Varieties of reconstituted stone include: Caesar Stone, Quantum Quartz, Smart Stone, Stone Italiana and Sile quartz stone. These varieties of reconstituted stone come from a variety of locations from all around the world:

Caesar Stone: This reconstituted quartz stone is made up of 95% quartz and 5% polymer resins and colouring. Quartz is naturally found in the earth’s crust and is a very hard and resistant stone which is why it is a popular reconstituted stone as it weathers well.

Quantum Quartz: Quantum Quartz reconstituted stone is made from a combination of quartz and silicate materials. This variety of reconstituted stone is highly resistant to a large range of dangerous chemicals including acids, alkalies, chemicals and solvents. Like many other reconstituted stone it is also resistant to chipping, scratching, heat, stains, mildew and mould.

Smart Stone: Smart quartz stone is a reconstituted stone that is made from quartz or granite that is mixed with an epoxy resin to hold it together and pigment. Talk to an expert about which type is best for your situation – quartz or granite.

Stone italiana: This Italian made reconstituted quartz stone is also made from recomposed quartz stone and uses state-of-the-art technology to manufacture this. This reconstituted stone is a leader in the industry with over 28 years of industry experience.

Sile Stone: My mixing together nature’s best quartz and advancements in technology this reconstituted stone has a sophisticated appearance which makes it great for bench tops, work tops and many other projects.

Reconstituted quartz stone is also non-porous which means the possibility of staining is reduced which is why they have become so popular in many household applications including kitchen benchtops, splashbacks, bathroom vanities and more. Whichever reconstituted stone you choose you will be impressed with their ability to shine and resist stains, scratches, heat and chipping.

quartz stone

Modern Bathroom Design & Decorating Ideas

Modern bathroom ideas, regardless if you are remodeling, renovating or simply renovating or updating the feel of your bathroom, now it is obvious this has become a lot easier and fun task. There's a greater variety of options available within the type, size, color and texture. You will find newer designs and some seem to be highly innovative, not only that these items are a combination of form and performance, some of them are environmentally friendly too. Every year, new ideas and formulate new plans. Regardless of the size in the selection of styles for bathroom, you need to make a choice.

Designs for contemporary bathrooms can follow a number of approaches, but in general, you need to focus on creating a streamlined and minimalist aesthetic. You do not need a lot of superfluous wall or countertop décor; instead, you need to focus on the design of your everyday items as well as your magazine racks, mirrors and soap dishes. Whether it's easier to conceptualize, think of your approach within the following way: you don't need lots of art because everything who are around you - even the most mundane itemis art.

Creates an great looking effect while allowing you to optimize your parking space.
Is ideal for small bathrooms with no lot of space.
Will allow you to use what you have to make the most from the area around you. Use mirrored walls, for instance, to create the illusion of the luxurious and spacious feel.
Allows you to choose a bathroom theme that won't look dated in a couple of years.

With regards to selecting everyday fixtures, choose items which are out of the ordinary such as stainless cabinets, glass tile mosaics, and classy toothbrush holders.

A modern bathroom theme can help you showcase your personal style. This kind of space is all about the creative ways in which you perceive everyday and mundane items. With this particular design approach, every modern bathroom may have its own unique twist.


As the initial investment in a modern bathroom might be substantial, maintenance costs is going to be relatively low over the years, because you will be using long-lasting and easy to wash materials. No need to ever purchase superfluous, so if you have to cut costs, only buy the essential items which you need.


With a modern bathroom, keep in mind that minimalism is key. Maximize your counter space, and set items away in hidden cabinets. With easy and elegant designs, everyday merchandise is all that you need for decorating your bathrooms.

solid surface bathtub

Beautify your bathroom and kitchen sink for making your house truly beautiful

When it comes to evaluating your house as a perfect home, then not only do the bedroom and the dining sink form the parameters of judgment but equally the kitchen sink and the bathroom arrangements matter a lot. Without a hygienic and functional bathroom and kitchen, your existence at home cannot be peaceful. There are ample options available in the subjects of bathroom products or kitchen sink. Every option has some unique features in terms of utility and good looks. You must choose the right one according to your budget and preferences.

About the kitchen sink utility items

Whether you have an ordinary kitchen sink or a modular one, the one thing without which the kitchen sink becomes non-functional is the water supply in the kitchen. The kitchen sink mixers provide the ultimate functional area in the kitchen for not only washing the vegetable that you will cook but also for washing the utensils. There are various styles available in this regard where the nozzles of the sink are styled very intelligently for making them maximally useful as well as attractive. The sinks are available in different sizes and designs, some of them have detachable tables attached to them for various kitchen purposes. The sink and the tab forms perfect duos to sub serve the major washing activities in the kitchen work.

The exotic bathing solutions

When you are in your washroom for a shower, one thing you really need for a good shower is a faucet. In your lavatory as well, luxury faucets can be installed to take the toilette facilities to an elevated dimension altogether. These faucets are nothing but hand showers which have a comparatively smaller diameter through which the shower jets come out. The perforations are moderately distributed so that there is a controlled amount of water flow. The lever attached to the faucet is for controlling the water force. Thus you can use the faucet as per your convenience and requirement of water flow. In case of the use of faucets in your lavatory, it is often regarded as a health faucet because it ensures the maintenance of the right hygiene and cleanliness with its small mouth of shower perforations.

Fabulous bathroom accessories

Along with the beautification of your toilette, you also have to look after the convenience of using the washroom depending on the trivial but significant facilities. There are many important aspects in the toilette which is not present can really make the washroom uncomfortable for use. These are the small bathroom accessories lie the towel holder, toothbrush holder and so on. All these items are together known as bathroom sets. There is a particular style of bathroom sets known as bathroom set square which is a collection of bathroom accessories with simple designs but ample utilities. In the list come several awesome items such as robe hook, soap dish, towel rack, towel rail, toilette paper holder, tumbler holder and towel ring. You can either take the entire set or the individual articles sink as per your requiremen

solid surface sink