Many homeowners who have an older bathroom desire something more modern and appealing; however, a complete renovation may not be practical or affordable. Installing new tile in a bathroom is a project that most homeowners can do themselves and it does not have to be as costly as they may think.

Installing New Bathroom Tile

The most time consuming part of the project must be tackled first, which is the removal of the bathroom fixtures, large and small. This includes the shower stall, vanity, light fixtures, sink and commode. Upon removal of the shower stall, it may be necessary to repair the wall after installing the new shower base. This should be accomplished through the use of water resistant sheet rock. The new shower base should then be installed and the plumbing reconnected.

Preparing the Sub Floor

Removing the existing floor covering is the next step. Depending on the type of floor being removed, it may be necessary to install cement board over the old sub floor, and its surface must be clean before beginning the installation of the new floor. Cement board can be installed over the old flooring, but if one chooses this route, he or she must keep in mind that this will raise the height of the floor by an inch or more, making it necessary to plane the bottom of the bathroom door.

Laying the New Tiles

It is necessary to mark the starting point prior to laying the new tiles, which should be made with a pencil precisely in the middle of the room. Next, one must use a trowel to spread a generous layer of glue on the sub floor. As a general rule, the area covered with glue should be equal in size to the amount one can tile in a half hour or less. This ensures that the glue will not dry out before the tiles are put in place. Grooves should be made in the glue by holding the notched side of the trowel toward the outside of the area where the glue was placed.

One should begin by positioning the first two tiles, which should be installed on either side of the pencil mark. A spacer tile down should then be positioned in the corner where the first two tiles meet, and the tiles should be pressed together firmly in the direction of the spacer and towards the floor at the same time. Completing this step correctly is essential, as this will determine how snugly the tiles fit together. An adequate amount of time should be allowed for this step, as it does little or no good to finish the task quickly, but end up with loose fitting tiles that look sloppy and unattractive. It is also imperative to start in the middle and work outwards to avoid becoming “tiled into a corner.”

When all of the tiles have been installed, the grout should be added. When the grouting has dried, the bathroom fixtures should be carefully reinstalled, and any excess glue or grout should be wiped up with a wet sponge. The tiles should be allowed to set for 48 hours, and the grout should be polished with a damp cloth or according to the directions on the container of sealant.

Tracey Roper is a content contributor for floorwarmers.co.uk, an electric underfloor heating company based in the UK

Looking to spruce up your bathroom space without having to retile or tackle major plumbing projects? Don’t worry! It’s easy to do! There are plenty of ways to give your bathroom a beautiful updated look without breaking the bank. Check out some of these quick tips to revamp your bath on a budget.

14 elegant bathroom designs

Paint

The easiest way to change the whole look of a room is to paint it a different color. The good news is that painting a bathroom is cheap. Small rooms mean less money spent on paint (and less time spent painting)! It’s a good idea to pick up a few swatches and bring them home with you to check out under the lighting conditions in your bathroom. This way you’ll see exactly how the color will turn out in your home. Keep in mind that darker colors absorb more light, making rooms look smaller. If you have a small bathroom already, consider using a lighter color to open up the space

Paint isn’t just for the walls you know. If you bathroom cabinets are looking a little shabby, why not give them a fresh coat of paint too? Neutral cabinetry looks great against bright walls, while bold colored cabinets work best with neutral toned walls.

Organize

Sometimes all the bathroom needs is a little TLC to start looking like new again. Give your bathroom a thorough clean-up. Toss any old medications, makeup, magazines, or whatever is collecting dust and taking storage space. If you share a bathroom with your significant other, consider organizing your bathroom essentials on separate shelves to keep things neat. Getting a couple of baskets or jars to keep makeup, shampoo, or soap in can make all the difference. Also, keeping everything except for hand soap off the counter top will make your bathroom look much neater.

Swap

Instead of running out and buying all new items for your redecorated bathroom, consider recycling items from other rooms of the house. For example, mason jars not only make great containers for jam, they can be used for storing cotton balls, Q-tips or makeup sponges. Have a wine rack that isn’t being used in the kitchen? How about mounting it to the wall and using it to hold rolled towels in the bathroom? You could even use a framed mirror or picture frame as a vanity tray, for a decorative feminine touch.

Accessorize

Once you’ve repainted and tidied up the place, invest in a few inexpensive pieces that will make a world of difference in your bathroom. A new shower curtain that corresponds with your color choice is a good way to go. If you have a light colored fabric curtain already, use fabric dye (up to $3.00 per box!) to save a few bucks. Another way to bring in new color is with your hand towels. Hand towels and wash cloths can be purchased in 4-packs from big box stores like Target, for as little as five dollars.

Finishing Touches

Finally, add a few finishing touches to pull it all together. Changing the cabinet pulls and switch plates to match your new style may seem like a miniscule change, but it will really make the room look finished. These small items are also cheap!

These easy updates are all inexpensive ways to change the look of your bathroom. All you need is a fresh coat of paint, and a little creativity to stretch your budget!

This article was written by Erie Construction. For tips on home remodeling, follow Erie Construction on Twitter today.

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Q:  What color countertop and kind of design for the backsplash will go with medium beige stain cabinets and cream color porcelain tile floor?

A: You have described a natural palate to work with, so there are a number of options to choose from. If you choose to go with a contemporary look, I would suggest warm tones, such as a deep brown countertop, like our Vetro Moretti with Bronzite glass subway tile backsplash. For a more conservative look I would go for a natural tone countertop, such as Bianco Modena with a full 18” backsplash, adding a 6” strip of our Karma 962 ¾” x1 ½” Staggered Glass. This will create a modern twist on a traditional look.

12 most creative bathtubs

Shower and/or bathtub plus a sink and a toilet equal the universal facilities commonly referred to as a bathroom.  How varied can designs really be with these standard functional necessities defining its space?  Depending upon the amount of square footage available there are many interpretations of this familiar space. Let’s take a look at the sleek, angular and uncluttered designs that are starting to grace the most necessary room in the house.

Bathtubs are a thing of beauty and can be displayed (rather than sunken) with pipe exposure to accent.  No need to hide the angular beauty and smooth lines of pipe.  The focus is about the materials incorporated to solicit a tactile sensation.  Minimalist presence helps clear the mind and create an atmosphere of tranquility.  Wood and colorful wallpaper are ways to diversify texture and dimension.

These matching fixtures are offset by the brightly colored, tiled walls contrasted against the charcoal accents and well-placed lighting.  Light is used in this bathroom to create density of dimension.

2012 modern design trends are predicted to have a lot of pure white rooms.  Though this bathroom provides the designer with a lot of space to work with, modern themes allow and even encourage the use of center stage rather than corner and wall hugging facilities.  The opaque use of white space delivers an environment of peace without distractions or darkness.

Built in ledges for artistic space and sharp angles can be a dramatic but functional expression of design in modern bathrooms.  Eliminate wall art and shelving in favor of a complete room motif that draws the eye to the floor to ceiling ambiance of the room.  Using houseplants will also bring a serenity and healthy cleansing atmosphere to the bathroom.

Ultra modern bathroom vanities incorporated into your new house plans will update your home drastically.  A total lack of clutter, angular lines, strong materials and lots of light are the hallmarks of modern bathroom design.

Lisa writes about interior design trends and Austin homes for sale.

Many baby boomers are now facing decisions about the best way to care for aging parents. While most elderly people wish to stay in their homes, this possibility must be weighed against any safety issues involved. One of the most dangerous rooms in the home is the bathroom, where the majority of slips and falls occur. When an aging parent begins to show signs of needing help when sitting and rising, or if they have been diagnosed with balancing problems, it may be time to consider renovating the bathroom to make it safer for them.

Issues That Need to be Addressed

It is necessary to look at the current bathroom through the eyes of someone who may have joint stiffness, visual perception issues, muscle weakness, and unsteady balance. It is also wise to think ahead to a time when a wheelchair or walker might be needed. The following checklist provides a list of problem areas to be reviewed:

• Is the bathroom equipped with a walk-in tub or shower?

• Are there sturdy handrails beside the commode and bathing areas?

• Is there a seat in the shower or tub for resting?

• Does the shower or tub have a non-slip surface?

• Does the sink allow for wheel chair or walker access?

• Are the light switches and towel racks low enough to access from a seated position?

• Does the faucet have a thermostatic control to prevent scalding?

• Is the flooring completely level in the bathroom and of a type that will not become slippery when wet?

• Are there sharp edges that need to be smoothed or covered with edge guards?

Ways to Save Money

If many of these safety changes have to be made, it will take some time and money, but preventing a loved one from having a bad accident will make all of your efforts worthwhile. The following are ideas for renovating in some areas without straining the family budget:

• Consider reconditioned or second-hand items, but make sure they have been inspected for safety before purchasing.

• Put a list of your needs on Free Cycle in case someone needs to get rid of the very items you need.

• Peruse the sale bins at home improvement stores.

• Check for items at the local salvage store or thrift shop.

• Ask a local agency on aging if any community organizations do projects for the elderly, such as widening doors or installing electrical components.

Before beginning a bathroom renovation project for an elderly family member, it is a great idea to consult friends and co-workers who have completed such a project. They will be able to supply valuable information about the best brands to buy and the best businesses offering good deals. They may also share concerns about items that they wish they had included in the remodeling process. This information could prevent you from making costly mistakes in your own remodeling project.

Rachel Wilcox believes that bathroom adaptations are essential to enable people to continue living safely in their homes as they age. She also thinks adaptations in other areas of the home, such as stair lifts, can make a real difference to the lives of elderly people.

Time spent in the shower should be enjoyable, relaxing and cleansing. In some homes however, showering is a dreaded task for a variety of reasons. A common cause of shower-phobia is the varying temperature – not being able to find the perfect balance between scolding hot and freezing cold. Another is the power of the water flow, a strong flow that beats down on the skin can be incredibly invigorating in the morning. Many showers however, fall short of this expectation and merely provide a feeble flow of water which doesn’t feel as cleansing.

If your showering experience is more of a chore than a pleasure, it’s time to give your bathroom a much needed makeover. If you strive for a luxurious home then the bathroom can be a great place to start. It’s the ultimate place for pampering and relaxation if you design it correctly. Follow these shower tips to ensure you never leave the bathroom deflated after an inadequate showering experience.

Ventilation

Showering can be such a pleasant experience that you just don’t want to get out! The steam that fills the air in your bathroom however, can damage its appearance as it can be the perfect breeding ground for unsightly mould and mildew. In order to enjoy your shower without worrying about the dreaded mildew, you need to ventilate sufficiently.

Extractor fans which can be operated by a switch are one of the most common ventilation supplements to the window. You generally switch them on before you jump in the shower and turn them off when you’ve finished. Some extractor fans continue to run for a set time after being turned off so you can leave the house without worrying about electricity waste. This can be an incredibly convenient ventilation method as leaving the windows open when you leave the house isn’t the best security mechanism.

Shower Heads

Power showers are notorious for wasting copious amounts of water, and with energy bills being high and global warming becoming an increasing concern, it’s seemingly possible to indulge in the perfect shower. Consequently, eco-friendly shower heads are being continually improved and manufactured to simulate the gush of a power shower using less water. This can help you to achieve the ultimate showering experience without adding to the shocking effects of climate change.

Curtain or Screen?

If your shower is situated above the bath you may realise you’ve compromised on the quality of your showering experience because it doesn’t have its own enclosure. Shower curtains are an absolute no-go in luxury bathrooms. They fail to keep the heat in as well as a shower screen or enclosure does and curtains often flap around as the shower spray beats on its surface, which can often result in water spraying all over the floor. Not only can this potentially ruin your bathroom floor, having a shower curtain stuck to your behind whilst showering isn’t the most pleasant experience.

Shower screens can help to restrain the water much more effectively than a shower curtain (plus they don’t stick to your rear!). They’re much easier to maintain too, a simple wipe down can prevent them from deteriorating or gathering mould. Plus, aesthetically they’re much more appealing and often transparent, or at best translucent, creating the illusion of space as light passes through.

Creating the ultimate showering experience can encourage you and your family to practice high standards of personal hygiene. As winter approaches, many people shy away from the thought of a shower and opt for a bath. With a luxurious shower you needn’t be drawn in by the prospect of a bath, you can happily take a shower instead – which is great for both convenience and the environment.

Written by Stephanie Staszko on behalf of Solar Choice solar PV panels who are dedicated to installing solar panels in a bid to combat climate change.

+ Verve Laser

The bathroom has always been quite a difficult space to decorate, purely because of what it is actually there for. People traditionally took quite a conservative approach to the design elements within bathrooms, which means that they ended up with a room that felt like a guest house. There was also the idea to make the bathroom as luxurious as possible to try and cover up its functions, but this just ended up in sickeningly ornate, busy rooms that seemed to fit in the Roman Empire – you know the type of bathroom, where every open space is covered in a trinket or splash of colour. It seems that the world of artistic design and functional bathrooms could never again meet, but with the return of simple decorating ideas, you can find a balance that will please all of your guests, and encourage you to take the step that your bathroom might need. Here are a few design trends that you could bring in to your bathroom to get the effect that you want.

Wallpaper

Over the last five years wallpaper has come back into the world of design in a big way. Gone are the days of hideous, flat prints – you can now get great customized wallpapers that are bathroom friendly. You now have the choice to create texture, use strips, print out blown up images or mix and match to create an interesting and artistic effect. I suggest that you consult a professional if this sounds good to you. You will need to get the right kind of wallpaper for the wet conditions, and professional installation of artistic wallpaper is a must. The great thing is that you can literally create any atmosphere you want, so consider a fun portrait of an elephant spraying water (if you have children), a calming forest, or an old school newspaper print for interest.

Photographs

I saw a bathroom the other day that absolutely blew me away. One of the walls was covered in stylishly framed photographs of the friends and family of the couple that own the home. At first I thought it was some kind of wall of shame, but in actual fact the photos created a sense of fun. The possibility of distraction is also a useful tool if your bathroom is not the biggest. Try adding one or two tasteful pieces to create interest and add a personal twist.

This guest post was written by freelance writer Victoria.

When homeowners are looking for decorating styles for bathrooms, they often hit a blank because of the fact that the room has to remain functional. The general mentality is that the bathroom is a place to get cleaned up and ready for the day, and that because of this, it tends to be a bit of a loose end when it comes to design. Granted, you cannot expect your bathroom to be as stylized as the rest of your house because of space and function limitations, but there are a few stylistic trends that you can implement to make your bathroom feel like part of your home instead of a functional dead space. One of the biggest bathroom design trends right now is to have a minimalist feel that extends into your bathroom.

Minimalist bathrooms

A style that is very popular with designers, but one that is normally quite difficult to achieve because of the limited space within your bathroom. The minimalist philosophy is one that requires clever storage and neutral tones – the overall effect is one of simple tranquillity. This is a great atmosphere to have in your bathroom, as you are trying to create a relaxing, comforting space.

Colour

The first tip is your colour scheme. Go for something neutral and modern – gun-metal grey, black, and creamy tones can work well. Having one colour can create a sense of calm, and if you choose the right tone you can open the space up. Look to design magazines for a suitable palette.

Create Strong Lines

Next, you need to invest in some great bathroom pieces. An open glass shower with a chrome showerhead can do the trick. Minimalism limits the amount of stuff in your bathroom, so spend the money and time looking for something understated, subtle and quality. Minimalism often incorporates strong structuralist influences, so break the monochrome on your walls with a sharp, strong chrome line.

Storage solutions

The next piece of design advice for a minimalist bathroom is that you need great, simple storage. If you are building a room from scratch then you can investigate options for hidden storage. However, if you are working on an existing room keep the neutral colour scheme and look for clever vertical storage – a boxed floating shelf may work here. Keep the lines strong, and think creatively – exercise restraint and keep it simple.

This guest post was written by freelance writer Victoria. She is current learning about online website builder.

Here is an inspiring collection of bathrooms from interior designers in the Greater Toronto Area!

A designer created this small bathroom at a client’s request. The client wanted to have a true European feeling in their bathroom. The design uses porcelain tiles to mimic cobblestone streets and sleek custom designed cabinetry takes advantage of this small space.

The contemporary bathroom was created in Port Credit, Ontario. The sleek lines, walk-in shower give a spacious feel to what could have been easily a cramped bathroom.

If you have a larger bathroom and want luxury in your space then you might like this Toronto bathroom design. This lavish luxury kitchen has under mount sinks in a granite counter top, a Neptune Zen 3666 modern whirlpool/air tub and a walk in shower with its own granite bench and rain shower.

This lovely Port Credit modern bathroom has a wonderful spa like feeling. I love the small tile details and the blue tile backsplash!

Whoever said that a small bathroom can’t be sizeable? This Waterloo black and white bathroom was has mirrored glass doors create the illusion of space and the Cayen L/R corner tub maximizes the use of every corner in this bathroom. Not to mention the gorgeous light fixture!

This Toronto master ensuite bathroom was designed with soothing turquoise walls and white flooring. The overall effect creates a wonder spa like feeling.

Candice Olson created this cute modern contemporary bathroom. Light wood custom cabinets create a feeling of lightness to this room and the Eureka pendants add an airy feeling to this small bathroom.

What is your dream bathroom design?

About the author:

Marika is a writer for the Home Improvement Directory EiEiHome.com and create blogs and articles on home improvement, décor and design.

These days there is so much choice in bathroom suites, bathroom vanities and the general look of the room, that your bathroom style can be as individual as you like. Even the smallest bathroom can be personalised with a bit of ingenuity. Most people will tell you that you shouldn’t have strong colours in a small bathroom, but if you have mirrored surfaces on vanities and cupboard doors they will give the illusion of space.

If your existing bath and wash basin are showing signs of wear then you may want to think about resurfacing and any other bath repairs. While some people prefer the size and shape of a hotel style bath, there are others who crave for a majestic bath with claw feet. Warm up a tiled floor in your bathroom with a bright rug as this looks fantastic with a large, centrally placed bath.

Keep your shower cabinet looking good and make sure you have any shower repairs undertaken as soon as you notice a problem. No matter how great your shower looks from the outside, a crack in the tray will soon spoil your style.

Don’t Suffer the Wash Basin Blues

A scratched and cracked wash basin will spoil the whole look of your bathroom. Don’t run the risk of having a leaking basin in your bathroom, get it repaired and resurfaced before any real problems occur. An open plan style, ensuite bathroom, with a centrally placed bath and twin sinks against one wall makes the most of your available space.

The style and state of repair of your wash basin can make or break your bathroom style. In a small bathroom a corner fitted basin may be the best choice, while a bigger bathroom may demand a basin with a full vanity underneath. Veneers have been a popular choice in many kitchens for a good number of years and more recently these are being introduced into bathrooms.

Which Loo is for You?

You may like the look of a small, compact toilet, but some of these are also very low and may be uncomfortable for some people to sit on. When you are choosing a loo, you need to make sure that it fits well with your chosen bath and basin style

If you have chosen an oblong, almost butler style sink for your bathroom, then you may want to consider an angular loo with a deep, square bowl. Black bath surrounds are now back in style and you may want to match this with a similarly styled loo.

Short on Storage Space?

If your bathroom is short on space for storing spare toiletries and extra towels, then small wash basins fitted into a double vanity will give you plenty of room underneath. It’s possible to get some good quality stacking storage units in a variety of materials and colours to suit most bathroom styles.

Once you’ve settled on the bathroom style that’s right for you, regular maintenance checks will save you money in the long run. Get bath repairs done on damaged surfaces as soon as you spot a problem and your bath will look as good as new.

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of Hometech who provide bath repairs and shower repairs. James writes on subjects relating to home improvements.