How to Make Your Bathroom Stylish and Functional

If you plan on renovating your bathroom, here are a few useful tips that can help you make your bathroom extra elegant and functional at the same time.

Calculate the Cost

Before you start working on your dream bathroom, you need to think about how much money you will need to set aside for this project of yours. You need to be aware that bigger changes in the bathroom come with a bigger cost. So, estimate the price according to what you want to do with your bathroom and see what you can afford. You need to be ready to pay a larger sum if you want your new bathroom to meet your expectations. 

Firstly, you need to ask yourself what kind of bathroom it is that you want to create. Do you want to create a luxurious retreat or do you want to just freshen up space with a minimalistic makeover? Then, you need to consider the size of your bathroom. You need to take certain factors into account such as the labor cost, the quality of the materials you will be using, and so on. Apart from that, you need to think of the costs that are associated with the fixtures and finishing touches that are needed in order for your bathroom to look modern and elegant. 

Make sure you are familiar with the price differences. Off the shelf, vanities tend to be more cost-effective than custom made bathroom cabinets. However, you will most likely have to settle for a very limited range of colors as well as sizing. If you opt for a custom made cabinet you will have an opportunity to choose a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors that will perfectly fit your bathroom.

Standard dimensions

You can save a lot of money by sticking to your standard-sized items. This can also save you a lot of time. On the other hand, customized items will be more expensive and they will most likely have a longer lead-time. If you are willing to wait a little more and pay extra, purchase a custom item. Getting customized bathroom items can really make your bathroom look unique and elegant. 

Space Planning

To come up with a good bathroom design, you first need to make a plan and think about the layout you will be working with. Space planning is the key to making a good bathroom design. You need to consider factors such as the size of the bathroom, how many people are going to be using this space, and the inclusions as well. Think about what kind of changes your space allows. Do you have enough room to build a walk-in shower? Should you make an in-wall cistern? This way you get to save some floor space as well. 

Lifestyle

You need to think about your lifestyle as well. Whatever changes you make in your bathroom, they need to suit your lifestyle and the dynamics of your family members. You need to take the number of family members into account. Then, you need to think about who tends to use the bathroom most. You should also consider the time of the day the bathroom will be used the most. Lastly, do you tend to take quick showers, or do you want our bathroom to be a relaxing place where you get to take long baths? 

Types of fixtures

The next thing you need to do is to choose the type of fixtures you are going to install in your bathroom. There are so many available options that it can get really hard to pick one and categorize its pros and cons. Here is one tip that will help you. Ask yourself these following questions:

• Does my bathroom have enough space for a freestanding bath?

• Does my budget allow a freestanding bath?

• How much are colored tapware?

• What kind of toilet do I want?

You also need to make sure that your bathroom items such as vanity are installed properly. With professionals such as Acqua Bathrooms, you can equip your bathroom with some high-quality bathroom items that will last you for a long time. 

Color

If you want to bring your design together and create a coherent and modern-looking bathroom, you need to consider how you are going to mix and match your colors. Look both online and in interior design magazines to see what suits your bathroom best.

The colour of your tiles and paint can have a big impact on how your bathroom will turn out. The kind of colours and shades you implement can greatly affect the bathroom's appearance. For instance, if you have a small bathroom, try implementing soft, light, and neutral colours to make space look bigger.

Finishes

Finishing touches can really make your bathroom pop off. Think about what decorations you can implement. You don’t have to go overboard. Just think of the small details that can really bring the whole design together and make your bathroom look elegant. For instance, if you go for one main color for the whole bathroom, like black tiles and items, implement small gold details that will make the bathroom look really luxurious. 

Try out different design 

Don’t be afraid to try out different designs. These are some of the ideas you can start with.

Black is the New Black

Using black as the main color of the bathroom will make the space feel extra modern and elegant. This color is simply chic and it can create an illusion of a bigger and more luxurious space. 

Mix Textures

Try to mix several different textures in your bathroom. For example, you can contrast soft materials against hard bathroom surfaces. Your bathroom will be very pleasing to all senses. 

Incorporate Furniture

If you have a large enough bathroom, think of implementing a few furniture pieces that will make the space feel extra cozy and welcoming. For example, you can place a comfy sofa in the corner of the bathroom.

Invest In Art

You can experiment with some art pieces too. Place a few smaller artworks around the bathroom or use a larger art piece and make a bold statement out of it. It can be your focal point in the bathroom. 

Bring the Outdoors In

Make the outdoor elements part of your bathroom interior design. Bring in some plants and make sure the room gets a lot of natural lighting. It will make you feel so relaxed and calm. 

Play With Tradition

Think of implementing a few traditional pieces such as wainscoting. Simply use modern materials and clean lines and your bathroom will look very chic and modern with a touch of traditional beauty.

Implement mirrors

Mirrors in various different shapes and sizes can really transform the space. If your bathroom is small, implementing a few mirrors and strategically placing them around the room can make your bathroom look very spacious and elegant. For instance, a huge vanity mirror is always a good choice. 

Accessorize

Make sure you properly accessorize the space. You can add stuff such as stools, different storage pieces, and other accessories that will further complement your overall bathroom design.

Vary Finishes

Lastly, small details can make a huge difference. One trick that works for any space is using both matte and polished finishes in the bathroom. This will make your bathroom look super elegant. 

Conclusion

All things considered, it all comes down to paying attention to details and making sure that your design is coherent and well put together. 

How to Replace the Lighting in Your Home to Make It Eco-Friendly

There is more than one way to create an environmentally friendly home. Start with replacing old lights with energy-efficient models and conserving more energy if you currently use efficient lights. Here are suggestions on how to make your lighting more eco friendly.

Replace Old Lights With LEDs

Replace your old light fixtures with LED lighting that is the newest trend. LED lights have higher levels of energy efficiency because of the bulbs that consume less power than traditional incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. There are no toxic materials found in LED bulbs, such as the mercury found in fluorescent ones. The toxic emissions are nonexistent and create lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The average lifespan for a LED bulb is 50,000 hours, which lasts many times longer than a fluorescent bulb and remains functional for more than a decade of regular use. This long-lasting light allows you to significantly reduce the waste in your trash and landfills.

Replace Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting is designed more for decoration than necessity. It usually includes dim lighting that can be left on for hours, or in some homes, all night. The lighting is too low to read under or perform any practical task. Avoid this unnecessary type of lighting to become more eco friendly.

Install Dimmers

When you're not using your lights at the moment, reduce the power and brightness to consume less electricity. Attach a dimmer to a light fixture to decrease the voltage and dim the light. This device can be used in any room in a home or commercial building. Some dimmers are connected to the Internet or controlled by the smartphone from a remote location.

Use Task Lighting Fixtures

Task lighting is recommended to avoid flooding the room with light and consuming a lot of electricity. All of your light is focused on accomplishing a specific task, such as reading or typing. Working in a very bright room is not always easy and may reduce your concentration. Task lighting allows you to remain focused on one object or activity to increase your concentration and conserve energy.

Installing a dimmer, using motion detection sensors and buying LED lights are a few of many options available to make the most of your lighting. Illuminate your area while you conserve as much electricity as possible and reduce electric bills. Know that you benefit more from making the effort to conserve energy than not making any effort at all.

Guest Post - Why You Should Build Instead of Buy in 2021

Over the course of a year, the coronavirus took the real estate industry and flipped it on its head. What once was a buyer’s paradise is now a seller’s dream. So, if you were hoping to purchase your first home, now might not be the best time. Of course, you could get a historically low mortgage rate if you do decide to buy. However, you’ll likely pay more over a longer period of time, which certainly doesn’t do you any favors. 

Instead of settling for a mediocre home outside your budget, why not build your own exactly how you envision it? In 2021, there are a handful of good reasons to do just that. 

Home Values Are High

Mortgage rates hit record lows for months in 2020, fueling the demand for homes. Instead of building, most people chose to purchase pre-existing houses. Unfortunately for buyers, this high demand also drove up home values. In October, prices rose 8.4% from a year earlier and 7% from the month previous. Now, experts predict that homes will only become more expensive, albeit at a much slower pace than last year.

Housing Inventory is Limited 

Of course, a high demand for homes has also led to a dramatic decrease in inventory. In late November, the market only had a 2.3 month supply of inventory. Since then, a few more homes have made it into the market. Still, finding a decent home for a good price is nearly impossible. 

Subsequently, many who were once hoping to buy have decided to build instead. This alternative might save first time buyers more money in the long run and get them into a home sooner than if they had waited for prices to drop again.

Housing Production is Growing

More Americans are working from home than ever before. If you’ve transitioned to a home office, too, now might be the perfect time to build a new house or add onto your existing one. It wouldn’t hurt to have an office all to yourself, you know. 

Luckily, housing production is growing, effectively driving down construction prices and making renovations more affordable to the average homeowner. Of course, constructing a home from the ground up will still require a fair amount of money and time. However, with all the time you’re spending at home, investing in a comfortable place to live and work might be worth it. 

Taking the Leap 

If you’re ready to take the leap and finally build your dream home, the first thing you need to do is conduct some preliminary research. Where is the best place to build in 2021? Does the local municipality require you to have a construction permit or can you renovate without one? Understand exactly what you’re getting yourself into before you break ground. Then, if things go south, you’ll already be prepared to handle them so you can finish your home sooner rather than later. 

Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.

How to Prepare Your Home Before Listing It for a Quick Sale

With limitless homes available in the market, a homebuyer is likely to get choosy when buying one. Potential clients will settle for nothing but the best, so give your home a pristine appearance for an effortless selling procedure. Employ the following tactics when listing your home for sale.

Give Your Landscaping a Fine Touch

Excellent landscaping is a vital element as it's among the first things a potential buyer will realize. Make your compound spotless by pruning any bushes, mowing grass, and planting new flowers. Revamp the front yard to an irresistible standard. Shoddy looking exterior portrays a negative image about the interior as well. Clean your gutters spotlessly. The better the appearance, the easier the selling process gets.

Make the Necessary Repairs

With the rising demand for quality homes in the market today, you do not want to go for years looking for a buyer. In the same case, everyone would wish to sell their home at a high cost. Generally, the condition of your house will determine such factors. Fix all flaws such as damaged windows and leaking roofs as these may turn buyers away. Make it as blemishless as new.

Find a Reliable Agent

While the process of selling your home may prove challenging, finding a seller's agent is a brilliant idea. Involving a reputable team makes it easy to get a buyer sooner, unlike deciding to work alone. Allow the agent to give you a proper plan and pricing for your home.

Renovate the Front Door to Make It Attractive

Old paint on the front door will render every effort you have made to revamp your home futile. Paint the door afresh using a color that matches the rest of your home to make it stand out. Replace any bleached decorations or house identification numbers for one to see from far. A new elegant doormat will play a key role in inviting people to your home. If a homebuyer likes what they see on the front door, they would feel invited to check the interior.

Depersonalize Your Home

When a buyer comes to inspect your home, they would want to imagine owning it. Conceal your items such as photos and furniture to create room for the buyer’s imaginations. If possible, vacate the house to make it appear ready for the next occupant.

Finally, when you have made all the necessary plans and confirmed that all is well, invite an evaluator to affirm that your home is ready for listing. Make the final touches and list your house for sale.