While people think of complete bathroom remodels, the first few items on their mind are the vanity, sink, toilet, and lighting. During the redesign process the faucet can often get over looked, but in the end design of it all, the faucet is a very important asset to any bathroom remodel, large or small. Whether you are doing a complete bathroom remodel or just an update on your current bathroom design, here are a few things to keep in mind while choosing the right bathroom faucet for you.

The first thing to think about while deciding on a new bathroom faucet is your sink. The new faucet will need to compliment your sink and be designed to work with your sink and not against it. Bathroom faucets are available in many different designs to match along with sinks, these designs include: 8 inch, 4 inch, single hole, and wall mount. Some bathroom sinks have build in faucet holes, so you should measure the distance between the 2 outer holes to determine which faucet will work for you. If you have a vessel or under mount sink, a single home faucet or wall mount faucet may be best for your needs.

After you have figured out what style of faucet works best for your needs, now is time to think about what design will work best for your needs. The 8 inch bathroom faucets are normally available in 3 pieces, the tap, and hot and cold handles. A great factor with the 3 piece faucets are that if your hole measurement is not quite 8 inches, it will still work with your sink. The 4 inch bathroom faucet designs are designed a lot like the 8 inch models, only on a smaller scale to accommodate for the space issue.

Single hole bathroom faucets feature a stem where the tap extrudes from and a single handle normally located on the top. Some single hole faucets do feature two separate handles for the hot and cold, but its still generally the same installation.

Wall mountable faucets can be found in an array of style such as a 3 piece with your tap, and hot and cold handles, 2 piece style with your tap and a separate single hot and cold handle, or a single unit with built in tap and water temperature handle. An important thing to keep in mind while installing a wall mount able faucet is that height of the people using it, you would not want to install it too high for a shorter person to be unable to reach, or too low for a taller person to have to bend down too far to access the faucet.

The next step while choosing your bathroom faucet is the look of the faucet. Faucets are now available in more styles, shapes, sizes, and finishes then ever before. It’s very important to choose the faucet that matches the styles of your bathroom to bring the entire bathroom together and flow nicely.

Another thing to remember is that it’s a good idea to match all of your bathroom fixtures finishes, like your faucet, your shower head, and tub faucet. It is also a good idea to compliment your new faucet with accessories, such as towel bars, hook, toilet paper hold, and toothbrush holder, that match the faucets finish and bathrooms style.

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.

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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