Remodeling Bathroom Ideas

Remodeling bathroom ideas from design magazines, home improvement books or online galleries may motivate you to make changes that improve this important area of your home. Remodeling this room may be a very extensive project, requiring the placement or rearrangement of new plumbing lines. On the other hand, you can expand your storage space, increase your ventilation and make your room more efficient with a few relatively minor remodeling ideas.

Even if you leave all of your fixtures exactly where they are, you can enlarge a modern bathroom visually and create the impression of greater space by updating your lighting and flooring. Fresh, neutral shades of paint or tile, such as ivory or pearl, combined with a large mirror on a bathroom wall can instantly enlarge a dark, cramped area. Adding a skylight to a small space allows light to flood the area and provides for better ventilation. Discuss your remodeling bathroom ideas with a home remodeling expert to get satisfactory, long lasting results.

Ideas for Bathroom Fixtures

When most homeowners think about remodeling a bathroom, their ideas include modifying or rearranging the sink, toilet, tub and shower. You may be interested in streamlining the look of your space by replacing old fixtures with sleek, water conserving models. On the other hand, your ideas may include remodeling your bathroom to include a claw foot tub instead of a contemporary shower.

If your remodeling bathroom ideas involve rearranging your fixtures to make better use of the space, you will probably need the help of a licensed contractor. Changing the arrangement of fixtures that utilize water may require modifying the plumbing lines -- a task that most homeowners don't want to undertake themselves. Installing a new toilet or sink can be a risky job, but the task is relatively routine for licensed remodeling and plumbing contractors.

Pedestal sinks have become extremely popular, especially for minimalist or vintage designs. These graceful fixtures, combined with classic faucets, lend beauty and elegance to your remodeling bathroom ideas. However, pedestal sinks may not be the best alternative if you're looking for ideas for expanding your storage space. In many bathrooms, the drawers or cabinets under the sink are prime storage areas.

With the addition of pedestal sinks, consider installing a floor-to-ceiling cabinet or a recessed set of shelves to make up for the lost storage area. Towels, cosmetics and personal care appliances can easily be stored in recessed overhead shelves, which will be out of reach of small children. Pedestal sinks may also require the addition of extra counter space, so that you don't have to compete with family members to get ready for work or school. With the right spatial arrangements, you can have the fixtures you want without sacrificing the space you need.

Medicine Cabinet Ideas

When you're considering remodeling bathroom ideas, it's easy to overlook the importance of medicine cabinets, especially if you're focused on fixtures. However, medicine cabinets are an important source of storage space in large or small bathrooms. In a smaller room, a recessed cabinet can offer a secure area to store medications, supplements, shaving equipment and cosmetics out of reach of little hands. Remodeling bathroom ideas for medicine storage may include safety latches and locks to protect children.

In the classic remodeling bathroom ideas, medicine cabinets are mounted above a sink for easy access to their mirrored surfaces, but these fixtures may also be mounted in a corner of the room. Surface mounted cabinets are installed directly above a sink or counter to provide an area for personal care. A recessed cabinet may resemble a mirror installed flush against the wall, until you open the hinged or sliding door to access the contents of the cabinet. Cabinets come in a wide range of sizes and styles, including mirrored cabinets with sleek contemporary track lighting.

Improving Ventilation

Ventilation is an important concern in any area of the home where moisture gathers, whether it's the bath, laundry room or kitchen. Condensation can encourage the growth of mildew and eventually damage the design elements in your rooms. When you include exhaust fans, windows or skylights in your remodeling bathroom ideas, you can keep the air throughout your house dry and fresh. Exhaust fans can be combined with lamps and heaters to keep the area warm on winter mornings and provide the lighting you need for shaving or applying makeup.

With plenty of fresh air, personal care space, color and light, this area may become one of your favorite parts of the home. Extend your remodeling bathroom ideas to include new flooring materials, paints and lighting. Upgraded fixtures combined with a more efficient use of space and improved ventilation will increase your satisfaction with your bathroom and make your daily routines flow more smoothly.

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