Put a Fresh Face on Your Bath with a Bathroom Makeover
Money-Saving Ideas for Sprucing Up the Bath
A new look, the latest colors, and an updated style -- yes, we
are talking about a makeover, but not for you . . . for your bath!
It's amazing what a huge impact you can make by sprucing up an
outdated bath. And, the best news is that you can do it without
major expense or massive effort. Many people are jumping on the
low-cost, bath enhancement bandwagon, and with good reason.
Consumer shelter publication experts note this trend as well. "With
today's tight economy, many people are opting for a spruce-up, rather
than a full bath remodel," said Lisa Siglag, editor of "House Beautiful
Kitchen & Bath Planner." "Since people are spending more time at
home now, investing in that home has become important." According
to Siglag, it is an investment worth making. "An updated bathroom
will not only raise the resale value of your home, it will also
provide immediate payback by allowing you to enjoy the room.
Even small changes can affect the feel of the bath." Here are
some of the top spruce ups to cost-effectively change your bath
from drab to "fab":
Room with a Hue
Painting is one of the quickest ways to redo a room. It has the
advantages of being inexpensive and easy to do. According to Siglag,
there are two sides of the spectrum in color now.
On the one hand, people are painting very clear colors of blues
and greens to create a peaceful mood for their bath to imitate nature.
On the opposite extreme, homeowners are gravitating toward deep,
rich tones like chocolate browns and wines for the bath. Either
way, the faux techniques that were popular just a few years back
seem to have run their course, with most people choosing regular
brush or roller techniques.
Vanities and Sinks that Make Sense
For just a few hundred dollars, a vanity can provide a great facelift
for your bath. If you have a small bath, look for white or light-colored
vanities. Going from a dark wood to a lighter color vanity will
brighten up the entire room. "As for style, the new trend in vanities
is an open bottom with recessed shelving underneath for linens,
baskets and bath essentials," said Siglag. "And, don't forget the
latest hardware -- traditional looks include simple chrome pieces
while contemporary designs feature the strong architecture of square
or rectangular knobs." To accompany the vanity, more and more homeowners
are opting for an integrated sink and countertop. With many sizes
and types of solid surface products on store shelves, it eliminates
the need to custom order.
Faucets:
Jewelry for your Sink - The crowning touch to your sink and vanity
is the faucet. Changing the faucet is an easy and inexpensive way
to upgrade the bath. Moen's Castleby bath faucets provide the look
of a country teakettle or an antique water pump. The faucet has
simple, clean lines and is available in a number of finishes. What
makes this faucet an attractive buy is that it is built on Moen's
M.PACT common valve system. Once installed, this valve allows you
to easily change faucet trim from above the sink. So in a few years,
you can give your bath faucet another makeover, just by unscrewing
the handles and spout, without ever having to go back under the
sink.
Floors that Won't Leave you with Cold Feet
There are many options in flooring today -- tile that looks like
stone, vinyl that looks like tile, and linoleums that run the gamut
in style and color. Depending on your budget, you are sure to find
something that will complement your bath perfectly. According to
Siglag, most homeowners choose neutral-colored flooring since this
is one area of the bath that probably will not be changed often.
And, neutral colors will blend well with many wall colors and accessory
finishes.
A Spinning Showerhead
When it comes to an upgrade you can enjoy every day, change out
your current showerhead to a new unit that offers unique spray and
massaging patterns, such as Moen's Revolution. Because you can easily
screw off your old showerhead and twist on a new one, this product
is the perfect addition for consumers who want something different
in their baths but don't have the budget for a fancy showering system.
Revolution spins, twists and swirls the water for phenomenal coverage.
Other quick fix tips for the shower include replacing clouded shower
doors with an attractive new shower curtain and covering a chipped
or rusted tub with an acrylic liner.
Accessorize your Life
Unlike the old, mismatched accessories of yesteryear, new suites
of products allow a homeowner to carry the same theme throughout
the entire bath. Accessories manufacturer Creative Specialties International
offers towel bars, robe hooks, toilet paper holders, soap dishes,
toothbrush holders and more to provide a customized accessory look
in the bath, and can be changed out in just an afternoon Although
chrome is still the most popular bath accessory finish, today consumers
have a number of other choices including oil-rubbed bronze, wrought
iron and wood. In addition, accessories can be found to match every
decorating style from country to traditional to casual/contemporary.
Add Some Flair There are a number of other small touches that can
make an overall dramatic impact on the bath:
* Mosaic tiles -- a few colorful tiles can add some charm to your
room.
* Lighting -- rather than an overhead fixture, purchase a decorative
fixture that can fit over your vanity and reflect the new style
of your room.
* Window treatments -- from a bamboo shade to a floral valence,
the choices are seemingly endless.
Like any makeover, you will be amazed at what a difference these
spruce ups will make -- it can take years off the bath, making it
more stylish and hip.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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