Bathroom DIY Guides

How to Accessorize a Bathroom

gtimmerman — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 17:29:00 GMT

How to Accessorize a Bathroom

A bathroom accessory set allows homeowners to match the finish and style of towel bars, lighting fixtures, robe hooks and more.

Accessorizing a bathroom, regardless of size, adds warmth and charm with a personal touch, dramatically changing the visual interior appearance.

Adding color and texture in combination with appropriate bathroom lighting will change a small dull room into a bathroom with serenity and peace.

Accessorizing a bathroom can be accomplished on any income level. Using items in closets and purchases from garage sales is an ideal way to accessorize a bathroom for little or no cost.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), there are two rooms in a home that receive the most scrutinizing by prospective homebuyers: the kitchen and the bathroom. More sales have been closed based on the visual appearance of these two rooms than any other room in the home. Bathrooms are of particular importance, predominately to women, who view this room in great detail gathering all information about the present owner in a few brief minutes. Cluttered bathrooms lacking character and warmth are often shunned with dis-content and loss of interest in the remaining rooms of the home.

According to Eric Jungbluth, Vice President and general manager of Creative Specialties International, a leader designer and manufacturer in the bath accessory marketplace, “A bathroom is a reflection of a homeowner’s personal style. Our research shows consumers truly seek an emotional benefit from their baths….a sense of comfort, serenity, and style. The right accessories and finishing touches can add these feelings to the bathroom in an instant .”

Accessorizing Styles

When accessorizing a bathroom, recent surveys have found that overall style is extremely important to Americans when accessorizing a bathroom. In terms of specific styles, choices and preferences, surveys have also indicated that consumers typically accessorize a bathroom in three primary themes: country, casual/contemporary and traditional. With 38% of the population decorating in a casual style, 35% of consumers choose a more traditional style, while the remaining 27% prefer a more country appearance.

Be Creative

Perhaps the most frequently asked question remains on how to accessorize a bathroom. Eric Jungbluth further states: “An important tip to remember is that there are no rules when it comes to accessorizing a bathroom. If your family room and kitchen are decorated in a traditional theme, it doesn’t mean you necessarily have to accessorize your bathroom in the same style. It’s a personal decision—experiment with different looks and determine which style combination works best in your home.” Mr. Jungbluth adds: “Think of traditional accessories in untraditional ways. Try replacing a group of different accessories together on the wall—perhaps a towel bar, glass shelf and a robe hook. The combination of the varying sizes and textures can add an interesting flavor to a room.” Be creative when accessorizing a bathroom, letting natural talent flow throughout the room.

Starting Point

A good starting point when accessorizing a bathroom is the tub or shower combination. White tubs are predominately the color found in most homes. Although white is considered to be cold and impersonal, the neutral color represents unlimited opportunities when accessorizing a bathroom. Closely view the condition of the tub. Worn, outdated tubs may need replacing with the overall cost of replacement returned many times over. The color of the tub or tub/shower combination remains a key element when accessorizing a bathroom affecting the remaining color choices of the room.

White walls may give a small bathroom an appearance of a larger room however lacks character and definition. Consider repainting walls to accent the positives of the bathroom. Before changing the wall color pay special attention to all walls, making the appropriate repairs as needed. Painting over imperfections only accents the negatives, not the positives.

Unlimited Choices

Chrome or polished brass was once the only choice in the selection of bathroom accessories. Although chrome remains the number one choice in bathroom accessories, brushed nickel continues to remain in close contention for the number one position. Today, consumers have unlimited choices in bathroom accessories from oil-rubbed bronze to contemporary brushed chrome. With wrought iron finishes of fixtures to non-chrome towel bars, changing the overall appearance of a bathroom with accessories remains only limited by the creativity of the individual.

Lighting Fixtures

A recessed lighting fixture like this adds warmth without blemishing the room’s ceiling.

Of vital importance to accessorizing any bathroom is lighting. The appropriate lighting fixture or combination of fixtures adds a sense of warmth and serenity while drawing attention to focal points of the room. Removing antiquated ceiling fixtures and replacing with modest, in-expensive chandelier adds elegance and additional focal points. Adding spot-lighting above mirrors draws and attracts attention while setting moods.

Recessed can lighting is yet another way to improve the overall ambiance of any bathroom regardless of size. Recessed lighting in many styles and shapes remains inexpensive while adding a soft warm glow to the interior of the bathroom. Recessed lighting should be installed only by a licensed electrician. The charges for the installation are well worth the extra value that the appropriate lighting will add.

Common Household Accessorizing Tips

Accessorizing a bathroom does not require a loan from a bank or draining of savings accounts. Using available items purchased at garage sales, found in attics or tucked into the corner of closets is a frugal way to accessorize a bathroom with dramatic results. Accessorizing a bathroom can be accomplished in less time than expected by using the following proven tips:

Limit towels to one or two colors, one pattern plus one solid color
Clear shower curtains add openness to a smaller bathroom however a colored curtain provide a coordinated look
Install a shelf with a towel rack above the toilet to display neatly folded towels
Use tissue dispensers that match one or more accessories in the room
Decorate countertops with scented candles such as orchids or hibiscuses
Frame and hang pictures of favorite home or garden magazine covers on the wall
Scented items such as potpourri can be changed frequently a clean-fresh fragrance
Use spicy fragrances during the fall and winter months, switching to floral scents in the spring
Adding mirrors to walls gives the appearance of a larger bathroom. Mirrors additionally work well as an accent. Round mirrors of various sizes, arranged in a cluster add an intriguing look to any bathroom

Accessorizing a bathroom is only limited by the amount of individual imagination. Using simple, inexpensive but effective items can transform any bathroom into a room of serenity and peace.

How to Create Bathroom Ambiance

kkrueger — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:08:00 GMT

How to Create Bathroom Ambiance

The bathroom is a place of personal retreat. Even that small powder room for the use of our guests should feel welcoming and comfortable. “It's not surprising, since we spend so much time on the run, that we treasure any leisure time we may have'” says Sergio Magarik, Founding Partner of Kraus USA, a manufacturer of unique bathroom fixtures. “One of the ways many people choose to relax is by transforming their homes into spa-like environments.” While the average homeowner may not be able to splurge on spa features like a sauna, steam bath or whirlpool, creating ambiance through lighting and small details is both affordable and DIY-friendly.

Your In-home Spa

Wall sconces provide excellent mood lighting.
Photo Credit: The Hearth Room

Creating ambiance in a bathroom requires weaving together a number of different design elements to arrive at a perfect blend. Open spatial planning and soothing wall colors are two important aspects of creating that spa feeling, according to licensed architect, Travis Miller from RemWhirl LLC in Crosslake, Minnesota. Miller sees many clients choose earth tone colors for their bathroom tile selections, which create a relaxed soothing environment.

Color and space, of course, are only two elements of a room's design. Lighting is another one, and one that is easily overlooked, according to interior designer, Carleen Anderson of Redstone Interiors of Crosslake, Minnesota. “Wall sconces that are controlled by a dimmer switch is an easy way to add the ambiance that you're looking for,” she says. She also likes to add pieces of comfortable furniture to bath areas. “It increases the sense that this is a room you can relax and spend some time in.”

Paula Kovotavich, a Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer with The Hearth Room, in Baxter, Minnesota, agreed that the proper lighting and color choices were very important in setting the tone for bathrooms she designs. Wall color and lighting provide the backdrop for everything else in the room. It is easy to understand why these two elements can make such a difference.

Designing bathrooms with more space, allows for the incorporation of furniture and décor items. An area rug, for instance, softens the floor area and gives the room a cozier feel. A comfortable chair with a foot stool works perfect for when a woman is ready to paint her toe nails or simply apply moisturizing lotion to her legs.

Don't Neglect the Little Things

The “little things” can mean the small details of a bath, but it can also mean your smaller bathrooms, like your powder room for guests.

Your powder room is an excellent place to add a little flair. A pedestal sink with a distinct faucet would be one option; a glass bowl with a wall mount faucet would be another. Lighting is just as important is this room. However, this small room needs to be well lit and feature a carefully selected mirror for your guests to use for touching up their makeup or a brief primping session during a dinner party. Mirrors also help to make a small room feel larger, so they are an important piece in your powder room.

The other details to attend to are your choices of faucets and towel bars or rings. You have plenty of options regarding finishes and styles in the bathroom accessory area, so take your time in making these selections. Add accent colors to your baths with décor items such as framed art, floral arrangements and candles. Of course, plush towels should be chosen with your bath colors in mind as well.

Final Touches

Warm natural tile colors create a soothing environment.
Photo Credit: RemWhirl LLC

Creating a welcoming environment in your bathroom is crucial, but it is equally important to ensure comfort following the shower or bath. Heated tile floors or a heat lamp above can provide that extra warmth while you're still wet and toweling dry. And don't neglect that sense of smell when appealing to your senses. Aromatic candles or oils should always be available to float fragrances through the air. Vanilla, lavender and sage are three common scents that are chosen to add a soothing calm to your space of retreat.

Every product selection you make in the design of your bathroom area can contribute to the final ambiance of the room. Seeking assistance from experts in making these choices is always a wise decision, but discovery through trial and error on smaller, inexpensive pieces is a great way to determine what works for you.

5 Stylish Vanities for a Bathroom Makeover

feffendi — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 22:09:00 GMT

5 Stylish Vanities for a Bathroom Makeover

One of the easiest ways to change the scene in your bathroom without breaking your bank is to give it a vanity makeover. Vanities are the center of style and décor of bathrooms; “More than they used to just a few decades ago when function was a higher priority than style,” says Decorating Editor Kimberly Seldon of Seldon Design Group.

Two-step cherry vanity with granite counter tops and pullout storage drawer works very well for cramped spaces without sacrificing functionality and style

The choices are endless for vanities, ranging from classic styles with a simple sink and base cabinet space, to modern looks with interesting raised bowl sinks. You can find country designs, Victorian themes and vanities made from unique materials such as stone, slate or frosted glass – the possibilities are boundless.

Here are five stylish vanities that provide equal parts function, aesthetics, convenience and organization – plus they look great too. Be sure to choose a vanity that represents you and your home’s personality and once you select the right one, build your bathroom space around it.

Birch Bathroom Vanity With Cross Doors

This simple yet rustic design compliments small spaces without taking away from its functionality though it is equally as stylish in larger bathrooms. The square basin offers a modern twist to the country classic feel on this birch wood single vanity. At under $1000 with a few other updates to a small or medium bathroom, a makeover done using this vanity will cost under $2,000 including new tap fixtures, hardware, linens, accessories and rugs.

Dark Cherry Double Basin Vanity With Cream Marble Top

For a classic ambience, this double vanity by Belle Foret has the look and feel of the Victorian era, with its marble top and backsplash, porcelain sinks and ornate curved cabinet design. With ample drawer and cupboard storage space, this vanity is practical for most sized bathrooms. This piece is affordable considering the materials used in its construction. Decorating a bathroom space around it to create a vintage-era bathroom design will result in a rich, classic and inviting look.

Two-Step Granite and Cherry Vanity With Vertical Pullout Drawer

Designed by former musician-turned woodwork craftsman Interior Designer Steve Appolloni of Appolloni Designs, the unique two-step vanity with a pullout set of drawers and separate cabinet space is designed to fit small bathrooms and cramped spaces. Granite countertops and modern hardware make this a luxurious addition to any bathroom without sacrificing function and convenience. Appolloni says, “These days people want to break away from the typical and stand out with new and interesting shapes and sizes.” He explains that of his bathrooms, the ones with the most obscure looks are the most popular. Since the company does entire bathroom remodels, the price varies depending on the remaining elements in the space.

Twenty-One (60”) Eco-Friendly Vanity By Waterfall

Made from materials including recycled milk and laundry detergent packages plus storm-felled trees, this vanity is 100% eco-friendly

With the growing movement toward green living, more homeowners are opting for earth-friendly furniture in their bathrooms. All Waterfall vanities including the Twenty-One (60”) use FSC-certified woods and low-VOC paints, as well as eco-friendly countertops such as 100 Percent by 3-Form® made from recycled milk and laundry detergent packaging.

According to John Mills Davies ASID, Interior Designer at Marrokal Design and Remodeling, and member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association, “Going green has hit kitchens, bedrooms and now, bathrooms too.” He explains, “We’re seeing a lot of interest in recycled and natural materials, like recycled glass tiles or bamboo.” Green vanities also entail the use of wood from storm-felled trees, recycled wrought iron, and innovations such as paper-based fiber composite like RichliteTM.

Augustine Espresso Double Sink Bathroom Vanity by Virtu

A modern European vanity design that suspends from the wall, providing an open feel with plenty of space underneath, the Augustine Espresso Double Sink Vanity has plenty of storage in its four center drawers. The Espresso finish coupled with dual white washbasins resting on the countertop make this a vanity that works well for almost any bathroom. Two wall mirrors come with this vanity, complementing the simple clean lines and minimalist look.This piece is mid-range in price but durable and long lasting.

A simple search online for stylish vanities will reveal a plethora of choices available costing anywhere from just a couple hundred dollars to thousands of dollars for each piece.

Increase Bathroom Storage

jgoldberg — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 22:45:00 GMT

Increase Bathroom Storage

Are your bathrooms bursting at the seams? You don’t have to remodel them to increase your storage potential. Here are strategies for every bathroom in your home that can boost its capacity without an expensive, inconvenient remodel.

Adding Powder Room Storage

A towel shelf, like this one by Nameeks is a great solution for increasing your bath storage

Powder rooms need little in the way of storage. For example, there’s no need to store bath sheets in these petite spaces, as no one will be showering there. It is, however, handy to have extra rolls of toilet paper and guest towels on hand in powder rooms. That way, someone will have access to these necessary items in case the party guest before them leaves an empty roll or tray.

If there’s extra floor space in a powder room with a pedestal sink, a small bath cart can add the storage a vanity cabinet would have otherwise provided. Lidded baskets found online or in local bath and discount stores can hide guest conveniences, giving your cart an uncluttered, stylish look. Baskets can also be great storage enhancers below a console sink.

If there’s no extra floor space and no available storage capacity below the sink, you can often find space for a wall cabinet in a powder room. Here’s an important tip: If it’s going above the toilet, it should be no deeper, back to front, than the tank. Otherwise, you risk injuring a powder room visitor. If there’s a window above the toilet, precluding cabinet installation, there’s often room on an adjacent wall for such storage. A low traffic spot will work best, as it’s less likely to get bumped there.

Be sure any wall cabinet, bath cart and baskets you add to your powder room are in keeping with the overall style of the space. That way, they become part of the décor and enhance the room’s look, as well as its storage capacity.

Adding Outdoor Bath and Kids’ Bath Storage

Towel storage is often the biggest challenge in these highly used spaces. If the room lacks a linen closet, a hotel shelf installed high on an empty wall can house a stack of towels for use when needed. You’ll find that towel bars take up a great deal of room and can be impractical for multiple users. Hooks or peg racks can be a better solution, as you can hang three or four towels in the space of one standard bar. This works great for larger families or families with frequent sleepover guests.

Wall cabinets can add storage capacity in these busy bathrooms, as well, just as they will for powder rooms. So can shower organizers, which are widely available in discount chains, bath stores and home centers, and hold far more than soap trays. Spacesavers that straddle a toilet with open or closed storage above can be an additional solution, especially for renters who need the capacity but don’t want to put holes in the wall.

Footstools that help smaller children reach the sink can offer storage opportunities, as well. Some have interior room for items that don’t get used daily. As children grow into their teen years, their storage needs tend to grow, too. Teen girls may have cosmetics, hair products and hair blowers. Teen boys may have shaving gear. Storage racks on the back of vanity doors can help meet these needs. So can organizers designed for vanity drawers. Some of these organizers can be found in bath stores or home centers. Others will be available online.

One seldom-considered storage enhancers is to add a tilt-out tray to a fixed sink-front panel. This is often done in kitchens, but makes great sense for a bathroom, too. It turns empty space into functional space, holding small vanity items, like toothpaste tubes or dental floss, near the sink where they’ll be used. A wider vanity can hold two tilt-outs for multiple users. They can be found online and in local home centers.

Adding Master Bathroom Storage

A wall cabinet, like this Barclay-Marina model is an ideal storage enhancement for small baths

This is the space where you’re likeliest to invest the most and get the best return on that investment. It’s also where you’re likeliest to be using professionals to help you plan and install your storage enhancements.

Many larger, newer homes have separate toilet rooms. These water closets often offer space for a built-in, shallow linen tower or

floor cabinet, as well as built-in wall storage. An industry pro will advise you on the optimum sizes for both code and comfort.

Oversized master bath vanity counters can often spare space for a stacked storage tower between the sinks. These are typically designed into a remodel, but can be added at any time. An open-backed cabinet (known in the trade as an appliance garage) sitting on the counter can keep electric toothbrushes, shavers and trimmers charged and out of sight. It’s usually topped with a closed-back cabinet for additional storage. Here’s another tip: It can be tough to match existing finishes that have taken on the patina of time. Consider painting or refacing your cabinets so that the new tower blends flawlessly into the room.

Final Thought

You’ve probably discovered that you’ll fill up whatever storage space you find (or add) in your home. Here’s a final tip: Organize what you have already. Donate items to charity or give away duplicates to friends or relatives. Create a system for yourself that works for the long-term and meeting future storage needs will be that much easier.

Bathroom Remodel on a Budget

Ben — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 01:17:00 GMT

Bathroom Remodel on a Budget

Because we visit the bathroom several times throughout the day, it’s often one of the most used rooms in the house. Many of us neglect this space by using it totally for utilitarian purposes and don’t put much thought or time into decorating this commonly used room. What’s more, bathroom design can easily become very expensive, putting off even more of us from remodeling our bathrooms. But your bathroom renovation doesn’t have to cost a million bucks to look like a million bucks. By using these tricks of the trade and clever design solutions, you can easily renovate your bathroom on the cheap.

Cost Breakdown and Critical Path

If you're handy with a hammer and tape measure, making your own custom cabinets can be a great way to keep your cabinet budget in check.

Before you buy one tile or browse the plumbing store for showerheads, a complete design of your bathroom is required to create a tight and firm budget. A detailed blueprint and a cost breakdown list are must-have items when designing on the cheap. As each item is detailed that goes into your bathroom remodel, you can check pricing before you buy, ensuring you get the best deal every time. Whether you hire a bathroom remodeling contractor or you do it yourself, make certain you have a cost breakdown list to help you find the cheapest and best materials for your new bathroom.

The critical path method or CPM is used by builders and contractors to get a complete picture of the job schedule, so they know exactly the what’s, when’s and where’s on any job. Creating your own simple flow chart/calendar can help you to break your bathroom renovation into phases, allowing you to save enough money before you begin the next phase. Breaking a bathroom job into phases can cause problems if materials are not ordered at the right time. A CPM chart can help solve those issues and ensure your bathroom remodeling project runs like clockwork.

Flooring

Replacing damaged or worn out linoleum with sparkling new tile is a great way to get the most bang for your buck when remodeling the bathroom. Unfortunately, a common mistake many DIY bathroom renovators face is that tile is installed last, while cabinets and fixtures are replaced at a later date. If you’re breaking down your project into phases, keep in mind that tile and other bathroom flooring options go underneath cabinets, sinks and toilets. If you’re replacing any of these other bathroom fixtures, do so after the floor has been installed, and you won’t be disappointed with cracks and gaps in your new floor.

Cabinets and Vanities

Here a custom built medicine cabinet was built from reclaimed wood and an antique vanity light was repaired and repainted, allowing the homeowners to significantly save on their bathroom remodeling project.

One of the most common bathroom renovation projects is replacing cabinets and vanities. This can quickly get expensive and blow your bathroom budget before you even get started. Unless your cabinets or vanities are damaged and beyond repair, replacing them isn’t always the best idea if you want to save money. After all, the cheapest cabinet is the one that’s already in place. Hiring a cabinetmaker to refinish your cabinet doors can be a cheap alternative to total replacement. Throw in new paint, stain, new knobs and hardware and you’ve practically got a new custom cabinet for 1/3 of the price.

Unfortunately, sometimes cabinet or vanity replacement is necessary and the overall cost of the bathroom budget will rise significantly. Vanities can easily be eliminated in smaller bathrooms by replacing the conventional vanity with a pedestal sink. The downside—you lose under sink storage space and small pedestal sinks don’t do well in large master bathrooms.

For those who like to think outside of the box can go for the ultimate in shabby chic and country design by using an old dresser for a sink. Easily adaptable to a basin style sink, a restored antique dresser with a basin sink not only looks amazing, but it can be done for a fraction of the cost of conventional sink installation.

Faucets and Fixtures

When replacing faucets and fixtures in your bathroom, and you are not replacing the entire sink, tub or shower, great care must be taken when purchasing plumbing fixtures. The faucet you had cut and drilled into your original basin more than likely won’t accept any new brand other than the original. Faucets and fixtures are spaced with one or more lines leading to the plumbing connection below and come in a wide variety of spacing’s and counter attachments. Always check the manufacturer’s specifications before you purchase any faucets or fixtures for spacing and connection details. If you’re unsure, call a plumbing professional to take a look.

Showers and Tubs

This can be the part of a bathroom remolding project that hits the most expensive point—installing new tubs or shower enclosures. A cheaper alternative for some bathroom remodeling jobs is to install a preformed, factory made shower or tub enclosure. Shipped to your site and ready to go out of the box, a plumber can easily install a shower stall or basic bathtub in a matter of hours lowering costs even further. The downside to premade shower enclosures and tubs—they only fit into a certain sized areas, limiting your design options. Even worse, a hole may have to be made in your house to get the new unit into the bathroom.

Custom made shower enclosures can be reduced in overall costs with cleaver design solutions that take advantage of materials widths and lengths, allowing you to get the most out of your shower enclosure. Design your shower enclosure with your tile measurements in mind. This way, you’ll be sure to use a full tile instead of smaller cuts. It helps prevent costly material waste and cuts down on the labor costs.

Adding a Basement Bathroom

pmrockza — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:05:00 GMT

Adding a Basement Bathroom

Here are the steps to take in adding a bathroom to your basement, which can help upgrade the area and offer convenience, especially if you have a den downstairs.

Steps in Adding a Bathroom to Your Basement

If you’re considering adding a bathroom to your basement, there are various issues to consider, including the purpose of the bathroom and how much room there is for one. If you’ve already finished your basement by making it into a den or playroom, or if you are planning on doing so, a bathroom can be a convenient and useful addition.

Purpose of the Addition

Adding a shower is always a good idea.

The first thing to consider is what is the purpose of the additional bath? Is it to simply add another toilet and area in which to wash up? Or do you also want the ability to shower and/or take a bath? Is it for guests when they visit?

Jason Lajeunesse, a second-generation home contractor and owner of JDL Building & Remodeling of New England located in Exeter, NH, observes, “Some believe that if you’re going to go to the trouble of creating a bath that you might as well go all the way and include a shower and tub. That is if room permits. First of all, you’re already having to run pipes into the area for a toilet and doing the same for a bathtub and/or shower doesn’t really involve that much more effort or money. It’s a good idea, if you can afford it, to install a tub/shower or shower.”

For the purpose of this article, we’ll focus on creating an entire bathroom with toilet, sink, and shower/bath.

How Much Room Do You Need?

Including a bathtub means the room will have to measure about five to six feet in length. The

Although not a preferred arrangement, this bathroom does manage to combine all bathroom fixtures.

width, to allow for a toilet and sink, will have to be 8 to 12 feet. To comfortably fit all fixtures, the size of the room will be around 50- to 75-square feet.

If you don’t have enough space for a tub, you may have enough room for a shower, since these demand about three-feet (9-square feet).

Basic Process

In determining the size of your bathroom try to keep the numbers whole. Lajeunesse notes that this has its advantages as it “lets you to use materials more efficiently and will save a bit on labor.” As an example, 8’ x 12’ conforms much better to construction material sizes than 7’ 8” x 11’ 5”. If the largest you can go is 7’ 8” x 11’ 5”, then reduce the room to 7’ x 11’ or even 6’ x 10’.
The second step involves figuring out where all of the fixtures will go. If you live in cold climes, you certainly don’t want any fixtures on the outside wall. One thing to consider is what makes sense when it comes to the relationship between the sink, bath and toilet. What often works well is to have the tub on one wall and across from it on the other wall the sink and toilet. This leaves a central area open for movement giving users ample room the dry themselves when they get out the tub, to brush their teeth, etc. It also allows for ease in entering and exiting the room.
Once the size of the room and arrangement of fixtures have been figured out, it’s time to frame the room. Although the standard height of a ceiling in homes is 8’, most basement ceilings are lower. The height of the wall will match the height of your ceiling. Before anchoring anything in place, lay out the four walls, ensuring you have studs at 16” centers and double 2 x 4s at the top of each frame. This will give you proper stability. Make sure you measure all aspects of this part properly as this frame will determine the integrity of the room. Once the basic framing is determined, join the walls together with either nails or screws and then put the entire frame in place. Once in place and square, secure the frame to the overhead joist with either nails or screws.
With the studs in place, it’s time to rough in the electrical wiring and boxes and plumbing. Prior to doing this, check plumbing and electrical codes and make sure you’re conforming to them. Drill holes in the studs for wiring and plumbing and run wires and pipes for both. Don’t forget to rough in your lighting for the room and the switch for that light.
The next step involves installing the drywall. Start with the interior, as this will make it easier to measure for electrical boxes and pipes. Start in a corner and secure drywall with screws. Once the interior is done, work on the exterior and then the ceiling.
Fill in cracks with drywall tape and cement. Then once the cement has dried, sand the wall, making sure all areas are smooth. Wipe down the drywall to remove dust.
Install bathroom fixtures, starting with the largest item—the tub/shower. Then install the sink and finally the toilet. Most basement toilets need to be upflush models, which have an electrically powered pump that pushes the waste and water to a drain overhead. Hint: Saniflo toilets come with an entire system that also connects to the drains of your tub/shower and sink. This saves the installer a lot of labor and headaches, eliminating the need for separate drain systems for the other fixtures.
With all bathroom fixtures in place, install a standard interior door with a lock.
Next, paint the walls and ceiling.
Install the ceiling light and any other lights. Also finish off all switches and outlets.
If your basement floor is cement, you may install ceramic tile that is specifically designed for application to a cement basement floor. This tile is installed raised off the floor, offering a barrier of air that ensures the tile does not conduct the cold from the concrete floor. Ceramic tile is relatively easy to install, simple to clean and it looks great. If you already have a floor down, that will most likely suffice.
Install accessories such as towel hooks, cup holders, bathroom mirror, etc. Be sure these are anchored to studs, which will allow them to stay solidly in place.
Make sure all elements are properly functioning.
Clean up the entire area.

Difficulty

It’s important to consider the difficulty of the project. Putting in a basement bathroom will call upon various skills, including carpentry, electrical and plumbing. You may decide to include tile, which is another skill altogether.

Jeff Bryan, the owner of Jeff Bryan Remodeling Inc. in Brentwood, NH, says, “If a person doesn’t have much experience but they do have a lot of time, are good with tools and are a good study, then they can certainly tackle this project. It’s important to take time to consider the different skills needed. If someone has at least a moderate amount of skill and they want to go the do-it-yourself route, then they should.”

But if you are having to learn a lot as you go along, you may end up having to redo so much that it may make sense for you to hire a plumber (if that’s the area in which you’re weak) or, if you lack electrical experience but are solid in the area of pipes, toilets and the like, then bring in an electrician.

The overall difficulty rating of this project is moderate to difficult.

Simple arrangement of sink and toilet on one wall makes room for bath on the other side of room and allows space in the middle of the room for easy movement.

Cost Factors

There are various ways to consider the cost of putting in a new bathroom. If you are doing it yourself and including all fixtures and elements as outlined above, the cost for a 60-foot square room will range from $2,500 to $3,500. But if you’re hiring someone expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $8,000. But, as Lajeunesse observes, prices do vary.

“A few things that influence price are the quality of materials used and how thorough the contractor is,” he says. “If you’re hiring someone, make sure you get a full written estimate and you understand everything that will be done. Check references and compare prices and experience. If you are doing some of the work yourself make sure it’s clear what you’re doing and what the contractor will be doing and supplying.”

Planning is Essential

Whatever you decide you do, is important that you plan out every aspect. Consider what tools you own and which ones you will have to buy or rent. This will drive up the cost. Adding a bathroom can be of great benefit to a finished basement, and it can add a bit more value to your home.

How to Create Space in a Bathroom

jgoldberg — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 19:18:00 GMT

How to Create Space in a Bathroom

A wall-mount vanity, like this Purist model from Kohler, can make your bathroom look larger.

Bathrooms have not achieved the same size gains that kitchens have in the last decade. Those found in dense urban areas like New York, San Francisco and Chicago are often the smallest! Here’s what can you do to make your bathroom look larger and better meet your daily needs.

Getting Started: De-Clutter

Your first step is to declutter. Look through all of the products in your vanity, commode and tub/shower areas and set aside those that are no longer being used. Lightening your bathroom’s storage load is the easiest, most cost-effective way to increase your space.

Clearing off your bathroom’s surfaces, including the toilet tank top and countertops, will also make your bathroom appear larger. (That’s why real estate agents always recommend that their clients keep as little in sight as possible.)

Once you’ve eliminated all of the unnecessary items that take up both storage and visual space, you’ll be well on your way to creating a larger bath.

Easy Steps to Add Bathroom Space

Here are some simple steps you can take to add storage, style and visual space to your bathroom without much effort or expense. First, consider tiered organizers to add extra usable space in your vanity and shower with minimal cost and effort.

A shelf mounted above your bathroom door can also add storage capability to your bathroom. You could paint this shelf to match your walls or trim, so that it blends easily into the room. Find a set of attractive bins or baskets to hold infrequently used items on this shelf, or use it for guest towel storage.

Small Changes Add Visual Space

Well-lit rooms look larger. Consider replacing your current light fixture with one that adds more light to the space. You can also add more space-enhancing light to your bath by selecting window coverings that let in more sunshine. Faux wood blinds or shutters will allow you to control how much light enters the room without risking moisture damage. Powder rooms offer more choices like cafe sheers or cellular shades, since moisture generally isn’t an issue there. A full-length mirror, if you have room for one, can also make your space feel larger and bounce more natural light around the room.

Finally, you could paint your ceiling the same color as your walls, or a lighter, complimentary color, to make your bath look larger. A cool gray bath with white crown molding against a gray ceiling, for instance, will look larger (and richer) than the same gray bath with a white ceiling. As a general rule, w hite ceilings tend chop up a space visually.

Minor Remodeling Changes for Visual Improvements

A console sink, like Kohler’s Kathryn, and the added light from sconces, can make a small bath appear larger.

If you’re looking to go a few steps further in making your bathroom appear larger but still are not ready for a full-scale remodel, here

are some additional ideas to consider. Add wall sconces next to your mirror if there’s room on both sides. This will not only add more space-enhancing light to your bathroom, it will make shaving and make-up application easier. You can also add light by installing recessed ceiling light or a close-to-ceiling fixture. If your bathroom is already small, a larger fixture can make it feel even more cramped.

The more pattern and contrast you have in a room, the smaller it will feel. Consider replacing busy wallpaper with paint, for example. A dated vanity top can be relatively easy to change out, as well. Choose one that accepts either a single-hole or widespread faucet for a more upscale, space-enhancing look than standard four-inch spread models provide.

Minor Remodeling Changes for Storage Improvements

Replace a surface-mounted medicine cabinet with a recessed model, providing you have a wall that allows this change. There are many medicine cabinets today that are taller, with more shelves, than the traditional builder-grade models. By having it recessed into the wall, you’re creating more visual space in the room by eliminating a protruding element. By upgrading to a taller model, you’re adding capacity at the same time.

You can also add storage by adding a tall, in-wall niche behind your bathroom door. An open niche with glass shelves and lighting can hold an attractive collection of perfume bottles or nail polishes that would otherwise clutter up a surface or cabinet. A closed-door cabinet can hold small bath essentials.

Bigger Full-Scale Remodeling Changes

The following changes can make your space look larger and work harder, but require a bigger investment in time and money and possibly professional help. They may also provide a greater return on your home improvement investment.

Replace a standard vanity with either a wall-mounted unit or console. While both offer less storage capability (which you can make up with some of the suggestions mentioned above), they take up less visual space and make a room appear larger. Wall-mounted vanities tend to fit contemporary bathrooms more than traditional ones, while console vanities tend toward more traditional or transitional styles.

Replace a floor-mounted toilet with a wall-mounted model. Again, these tend to be more contemporary in style, but they also take up less visual weight than a standard, floor-mounted model, thus making the room appear larger.

If you’re remodeling your shower, incorporate a wall niche for each user’s bathing gear. This will provide more functionality in the shower than a standard soap dish, and increase the usable and visual space by eliminating a protrusion. Flat tile-style shower heads can achieve the same goal; by not extending into the shower area, they take up less room and make the space feel larger.

Final Thoughts

Successful bathroom design is a blend of form and function. By implementing the tips suggested above, you can enhance both in your home. Not only will you be able to work with better light and store more of what you need on a daily basis, you’ll also increase your home’s style and resale potential.