Installing a new bathroom vanity and bathroom sink is a project that will make most people cringe, but with just a little knowledge and enthusiasm it can be performed by anyone. If you are renovating your bathroom and have decided that replacing your bathroom vanity is something that you are going to do, you should consider these tips and tricks. The vanity is the centerpiece of your bathroom, so you will want to begin by choosing one that is the size, color, and texture that best compliments your decor.

When looking for a bathroom vanity you will have a large variety of sizes and styles that you can choose from. Start sorting through the choices by acknowledging the type of theme and furnishings that you would like to have in your bathroom. Decide on the layout, color scheme, decor, and any accessories you want to include. Write notes down and keep record of your ideas, as they can turn out to be quite helpful.

Having trouble thinking of a theme to coincide with the rest of your home’s decor? Don’t worry. Nowadays, it’s common practice to decorate each room with a different theme. If you have a southern, country style living room but would like a sleeker, contemporary decor for your bathroom, you should decorate your bathroom the way you want! Many homeowners are finding that by decorating each room in a different theme they really get to express all of the wonderful styles that they want to represent the home. If you need ideas, try browsing through magazines or home-decorating books to find some styles that fit you.

The next step is to create a budget list and begin pricing furnishings. You can replace your bathroom vanity and stay within your target budget more easily if you keep track of your goals and budget with a list. By planning out your strategy and utilizing these tips, you can ensure that you have covered every step to assuring the bathroom of your dreams.

After you have chosen and purchased your new vanity it is time to begin installation. Below are some of the basic steps that I follow. If you are not comfortable with the plumbing part of the installation, make sure to contact a licensed and trusted plumber.

Step 1. Turn off the hot and cold water supply lines connected to your old vanity sink and disconnect the water supply lines.

Step 2. Remove the sink trap. You will want to put a pail or small bucket underneath it to catch any dripping water.

Step 3. Detach the sink top from the vanity, usually held in place by some type of caulk. You may use a utility knife to cut along the caulk line to aid in the sink top removal, but be careful not to damage the wall.

Step 4. Unscrew the screws that are holding the old vanity to the wall and remove vanity from room.

Step 5. Measure the location of the drain pipes and water supply lines and find the locations of the wall studs. Use these measurements to mark on the back of your new vanity.

Step 6. Cut a hole where the drain pipes and water supply lines will be located.

Step 7. Move your new vanity into position using the measurements you recorded and screw it into the wall.

Step 8. Grab your new sink and install your faucets, drain pipes, and any other plumbing accessories to the sink following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 9. Install the new sink onto the top of the new vanity.

Step 10. Reconnect the drain pipes, sink trap, and water supply lines.

Step 11. Turn your water supply lines back on and check for leaks. Tighten the fittings if you see any leaks.

Step 12. Enjoy your new bathroom vanity!

Though some bathroom trends are simply for aesthetics, many bathroom trends seek to improve our quality of life; these include hands-free faucets, ergonomically designed toilet seats and double-sink bathroom vanities.

Dual Sinks
Double-sink vanities give busy couples a chance to get ready at the same time. Instead of fighting over who gets to use the sink during that morning rush, a double-sink vanity lets both husband and wife brush their teeth and complete their other morning routines – at the same time! Of course, traditional single-sink bathroom vanities are also available, and these can feature the latest in sink trends, including copper and glass basins.

Storage Space with Style
One trend is toward greater storage in the bathroom: Bathroom storage can be found in vanities and in wall and floor cabinets. These pieces of furniture are increasingly as varied as the furniture you’d find in your living room: From gorgeous, traditional details found in solid wood bathroom vanities, to the brushed metal found in a bathroom vanity with a modern twist; today’s bathroom storage solutions are made to fit any decor.

Brighten Up Your Day
To complement a bathroom vanity – and an entire room – a new bathroom trend is to accentuate the bathroom lighting. As part of a bathroom vanity set – which includes a bathroom vanity, sink and mirror – lighting rails are also made to match the exact specifications of the rest of the set. These lighting rails feature the latest electronic technologies, including modular, low-voltage cathode systems and LED lights.

Look in the Mirror
And while mirrors have for a long time been part of a bathroom vanity set, as have medicine cabinets, a new bathroom trend combines the two in a stylish way: Instead of the drab-looking medicine cabinets of old, the current bathroom trend combines the gorgeous, wood styling found on living room-quality mirrors and cabinetry with the functionality of a medicine cabinet.

Even though you might not think of your bathroom as the epitome of style, today’s bathroom trends are centered on good, practical design.

There are several things to think about when purchasing a new bathroom shower faucet for your home. For instance, a relatively straightforward choice between one-handle and two-handle shower designs, or more complex decisions like whether you want a regular valve, thermostatic valve, or pressure-balanced valve faucet. These decisions will be important in determining which shower faucet will have the honor of making it home. This year’s NKBA Kitchen and Bath Industry Show had some great modern shower styles ranging in price from $450 to $2950. Many in the showcased shower fixture arena made use of cascading water rain fall shower heads, glass waterfall shower heads, wall mount and ceiling mount rain fall systems, and a variety of wall jet systems.

What’s the difference between one-handle and two-handle designs?

The most popular design for bathroom shower faucets tends to be the one-handle design. The main benefit of this design is the simplicity, as users need only a single handle to adjust the volume and temperature quickly to a comfortable level. This is an excellent option for any bathroom, but especially that of an elderly person or child, as it is easiest to use.

If going for a more traditional style in your bathroom, try the two-handle shower design. This option gives the bathroom a distinct elegance and is generally more common among typical shower fixtures.

What should I choose, a regular shower valve or a thermostatic shower valve?

The most affordable choice for a shower valve is the regular valve; they are also the most common. The main downfall to the regular shower valve, however, is that they don’t regulate the temperature or pressure of the water. This means that if someone flushes an adjacent toilet your shower could receive an unwanted burst of cold water. To avoid this situation there are pressure balanced valves, that most states now require, which prevent instant changes in water from hot to cold or cold to hot.

Thermostatic valves measure and regulate the temperature of your shower water, keeping it constant once you are fixed on a setting. They also allow you to change the volume and the temperature separately for a versatile shower. Shower valves can also be customized to meet your personal needs as well with additional benefits such as a handheld shower or body sprays.

When deciding which type of shower faucet will work well for your home, keep in mind the styling of your current bathroom. If you already have a two handle faucet it will be cost effective to replace it with another two handle faucet. If you are redecorating and want a faucet with the simplest use, consider purchasing the one handle faucet. Also, remember to look into regular, pressure balanced, and thermostatic valves that work best in your bathroom.

When redecorating your kitchen or bathroom the one upgrade that you should consider making first is your faucet. Faucets are one of the most helpful tools in assisting all of your kitchen projects and can make an eye-catching centerpiece to complement your kitchen or bathroom decor. When deciding the faucet that is right for your project consider the latest and greatest in modern faucet design – the solid stainless steel faucet. A favorite among culinary kitchen faucet lovers, tall pot filler style faucets are the latest and greatest available in the marketplace.

Stainless Steel Kitchen faucets along with stainless steel bathroom faucets are some of the most durable and versatile faucets products in today’s market. There are many stylish options available to help personalize your kitchen or bathroom. Available in both polished and brushed metal finishes, solid stainless steel is the best material choice for your project if durability and longevity are what are after.

Stainless Steel Material Production

Durable and timeless, stainless steel sinks are popular for their clean, modern look as well as their resilience.

From contemporary to classic, stainless steel works well with any type of décor and complements almost any countertop or work surface. It’s also the ideal choice for coordinating with professional style appliances.

Stainless steel not only looks sleek and professional, but it wears well too. It’s hygienic and easy to maintain. More durable than porcelain or cast iron, stainless steel is highly resistant to heat, most household stains, and rust. Because stainless steel is a forgiving material, it’s easy on dropped dishes and glassware.

Stainless steel sinks are easy to care for. Water spots and mineral deposits can be prevented by rinsing thoroughly after each use and wiping dry with a clean, soft cloth. Non-abrasive cleaners are ideal for regular maintenance.

Stainless steel sinks will show day-to-day wear, including minor scratches. Over time this wear will become uniform with the sink’s grain, creating its own unique character, much like the patina on fine silver.

Faucets that are plated finish are a different production technique, plated finishes are less expensive but stainless steel faucets are molded of solid material – expensive labor & material make stainless faucets more expensive to produce. The labor and material costs are considerably more expensive in the stainless steel production process.

Features of stainless steel and what makes it superior to other metals:

• 100% stainless steel construction
• High quality finish – no plating in the process
• Highly resistant to heat, most household stains, and rust
• Pot Filler styles feature extensible outlet
• Spout and head free to turn 360°
• Unlimited faucet placement locations
• Lever on the left, right or front allowing full freedom also to left-handed users
• Stainless steel surface is available Polished or Matt brushed finishes
• High grade ceramic disks cartridge
• Hygenic and easy to maintain

Adding new accessories can be one of the simplest ways to harmonize the appearance of your bathroom and solidify it’s desired style. Bathroom accessories help keep your style updated and, with a wide variety of possible applications, surge your inner creativity. Towel bars, vanity storage shelves, soap dishes, glass wall shelving, toilet paper holders, floor rugs, soap holders, bathroom mirrors, robe hooks, toilet seats, and towel rings are all accessories that can offer a sophisticated update to your decor and make a huge difference in the characteristics of your bathroom.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when choosing new bathroom accessories is the space and size of your bathroom. If a bathroom is very small then try and keep accessories to a minimum; too many accessories can make a bathroom feel cluttered and sacrifice the desired atmosphere of the bathroom. If you are redecorating a larger bathroom feel free to add more accessories if the size of the space can handle it. Use your best judgement and be classy when putting together your decor. Flow of space and color should always be a main concern. Accessories should accent and frame the style of your bathroom, not distract from it. Remember, many finishes are available to help blend together the finish of your faucet and existing bathroom fixtures.

Among the most popular accessories to use in the bathroom are toilet paper holders and wall mounted towel bars. Towel bars can bring unique color and detail to the bathroom with the use of a decorative towel or wash rag. A variety of paper holders are also available depending on the styling and size of the bathroom, ranging from wall hung to pedestal top holders for larger bathroom spaces. If in need of some storage space and organization try bathroom vanity shelves. These shelves can be used to store miscellaneous bathroom supplies and are often really helpful when there are little or no cabinets in the bathroom.

Towel rings work well right beside the sink in a guest bathroom. This accessory can also be a great focal point in a smaller bathroom and there are many decorative styles to choose from. Towel bars should be hung at about 48 inches above the floor, or 36 inches in a children’s bathroom. It is important to make sure there is enough room for the towels to hang freely below the bar. Double towel bars can give the bathroom an elegant touch and add extra room for family bathrooms. Paper holders can be hung on the wall, or free standing depending on the style of the bathroom. For bathrooms with tile walls or cabinetry, you may want to look into a wall hanging standing paper holder to avoid unnecessary items cluttering the floor.

Unique soap dishes can also be an important accent piece for your remodeled bathroom. Soap dishes traditionally have been porcelain and plain. Newer versions include teak and bamboo soap dishes in contemporary designs as well as stone natural soap dish designs. Using bar soap holding styles are also ECO friendly avoiding disposable pump dispensers that in additional to disposable water bottles are burdening our waste systems unnecessarily.

Having bathroom accessories can have a wonderful impact on the appearance of your bathroom. Choosing the right number of accessories and the accessories that fit the purpose of the bathroom is important to establish the look you desire. Having too many accessories can make a bathroom appear cluttered when their purpose is to do the opposite. The perfect accessories complement the bathroom and assist in the organization of the bathroom. ]]> http://moderndanish.net/featured/bathroom-accessories-add-your-own-flair/feed/ 2 http://moderndanish.net/featured/the-importance-of-lighting/ http://moderndanish.net/featured/the-importance-of-lighting/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:14:39 +0000 ModernDanish http://moderndanish.net/?p=247  

When remodeling your bathroom or kitchen, choosing the right lighting fixtures to accent the room is a considerably important decision. The choice you make will set the tone for the style and be a key factor in determining the overall atmosphere of the room. The lighting décor you choose should gracefully compliment the rest of your kitchen or bathroom fixtures and exhibit the ideal characteristics that liken your taste. While shopping for your new lighting fixtures, keep in mind some of these important aspects and helpful suggestions.

A crucial thing to think about while deciding on your lighting décor is the mood and atmosphere that you would like to exhibit in your kitchen or bathroom. Depending on the design you select, lighting can show a bold and vivid style or serene and elegant style. It can give you and your guests the warm, delightful feeling of a cottage home or the plush, modern ambiance of an upscale penthouse. Knowing this, you should be very specific about the style lighting fixture and décor you choose to design your kitchen or bathroom.

In general, going with common accent lighting will give your kitchen or bathroom atmosphere one of a softer, more gentle feeling. On the other hand, ambient lighting generally brings a bolder, more lively feeling. Another type that one might choose would be contemporary chandelier lighting, which offers a bit more lavish touch. Be sure to consider the color and shape and the importance each has on the overall declaration of the room. Bright designs such as abstract art glass pendants will inspire a more striking, energetic aura, while sleek styles of a flush mount lighting fixture will create a lustrous, modern look.

When pursuing your desired style also make sure to consider the precise placement of your lighting fixture. One thing to keep in mind is that when you direct light into the mirror in a bathroom or kitchen the light gets reflected more directly, creating a vivid, but also more unnatural look. A great place for modern lighting fixtures is above or on the side of mirrors, which causes little reflection and offers more direct light. Another idea is to strategically place lighting above portraits or other key items that you might want to bring focus to in the room, as even the smallest touches can make beautiful, resounding statements.

The relationship between mirror depth and light intensity is also an extremely important, but not so commonly thought of, aspect to consider while choosing your fixtures. The amount of light and reflection should collaborate with one another to make a bond that will balance and harmonize the room. Too much light will create a straining glare for you and your guests, while not enough light will make the mood of your kitchen or bathroom dim and lifeless.

Remodeling your bathroom or kitchen is always exciting and fruitful, but there is a lot to consider when it comes time to choose your perfect lighting fixtures. Color, shape, style, location, and intensity should all be finely tuned. Making your dream room come alive is an intensive, but highly rewarding accomplishment that will make a profound statement in your home for years to come.

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