* Tip 1 – Create a level barrier free shower entry – The biggest safety problem with bathrooms is from injuries stepping into a tub or over a shower curb. Eliminate this problem by designing a curbless accessible shower. In this type of remodeling project (also called a wet room) the base and drain are set below the floor and the bathroom floor is sloped toward the drain (eliminating the need to step over a shower curb). If possible make the entryways 32″ wide for improved accessibility.
* Tip 2 – Use decorative safety grab bars- Cool design and safety don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Adding grab bars inside the space can provide an important tool to eliminate falls. Now there are even decorative grab bars that add style.
* Tip 3 – Add seating – A seat in the shower can make the experience more relaxing and improve safety simultaneously. If you have limited room use a fold down seat (consider stylish versions made of teak and brazilian walnut). For moderate sized areas a corner seat works well. Large showers can accommodate a bench seat.
* Tip 4 – Maximize the light -Dark showers increase the chance of falls dramatically. Add a privacy and light transmitting shower window using glass blocks or operable acrylic block windows. Add task lighting within the space. Use glass (or glass block) enclosure walls to move light from a bathroom window into the wet area.
* Tip 5 – Use the right flooring material for style, safety and comfort -Selecting the right slip resistant flooring can add style, improve safety and reduce the time to maintain the floor down the road. Consider using a matte finish porcelain mosaic tile with urethane grout between the tiles to achieve this objective. For added comfort install a heated floor for a spa like experience.
* Tip 6 – Select the right sprays and valves -Plumbing fixtures and water mixing equipment have come a long way to improve the looks and function of your wet area. To create a universal design shower that can be used by people of all abilities install hand held sprays (for ease of use) and anti-scald valves (to keep the water temperature safe).
* Tip 7 – Don’t forget the walls – Shower walls need to be easy to clean, easy to care for, durable, functional and stylish. Consider these tips:
o Use polished finished tiles or acrylic wall surrounds (if you have a more modest budget) for ease of cleaning.
o Behind the wall use water resistant (cement board) or waterproof (extruded polystyrene) backer boards.
o For tile walls minimize grout maintenance by using urethane grout.
o Consider recessed wall niches to save space.
o Attach wood backer boards to the studs for any future grab bar installations.

* Tip 7 ½ – If confused, get help -Don’t be that stubborn person who doesn’t ask for help. Call a professional bathroom remodeling contractor experienced with universal and accessible design principles and products to guide you through selections, options as well as providing a professional installation.

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The bathroom can be more than a room for personal hygiene or grooming. For example, if you have the space, you can add home exercise equipment and a music system or TV in your bathroom. As you proceed with your bathroom online design, begin keeping a notebook with your ideas and magazine clippings of what you want your bathroom to be like.

Here are 5 bathroom online design tips that may apply to the bathroom that you’re creating:

1. Bathroom Lighting – your bathroom lighting can be natural or artificial. Lighting is used to illuminate and brighten the space and lighting can affect how you feel inside your bathroom. Use a window, a wall skylight or roof skylight to bring in natural light or a nice outside view. And a skylight that opens is good because the moisture created by bathing or showering can be reduced. Artificial lighting can be an overhead general light, a light over the vanity mirror or wall sconces on each side of the mirror to provide sufficient light for grooming.

2. Bathroom Ventilation – bathroom online design should analyze bathroom moisture. Since a bathroom generates humidity and moisture, this airborne water can cause problems with the bathroom finishes. A properly-sized power ventilator can be installed that will pull moist air out of the bathroom to the outdoors. Ventilating fans sizes are indicated by how many cubic feet of air they can move each minute (cfm). Use a ventilating fan that will remove air from the bathroom to the outdoors about seven or eight times per hour. For example, a 6′x8′x8′ bathroom equals 384 cubic feet, divide by 8 times per hour equals 48cfm size fan.

3. Bathroom Tile – if you are using bathroom tile and will have solid-color ceramic floor tile, use a different color tile to create a border around the bathroom floor. If you will use the same color tile for the floors and walls, select a different tile size for the walls or lay the wall tiles diagonally to create visual contrast. Use a different color grout between the tiles to make a more interesting look.

4. Bathroom Wall Decor – if your bathroom walls are soft or neutral colors, use colorful bath linens and bath mats to create a nice contrast. Good bathroom online design means the accessories such as towel rings and soap dishes should complement the materials, fixtures and colors used on the walls and floors. For example, do not use modern-looking chrome towel holders with antique brass faucets.

5. Bathroom Storage – plan how you’ll use the bathroom wall space. Having shelves or cabinets over the toilet, using corner shelves and placing towel bars above one another increase your available storage space. A medicine cabinet with mirror can hold grooming supplies, medicine and toiletries. An attractive combination sink and vanity and a shower caddy in your shower can provide additional bathroom storage.

Doing bathroom online design means reading as much as possible, thinking and planning what you want and need in this important room. From materials used to the bathroom layout to the finished colors, having a successful bathroom project is about knowing what options you have, then choosing the best ones for your project. Learn as much as you can about online bathroom design before building begins so you can have the best bathroom possible.

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One issue you should tackle is where to keep the toilet paper. This is something many people would overlook when designing a room but it is actually very important. If it is a smaller bathroom you may want to keep the toilet paper out of the room altogether. If there is a hall closet or other space you can keep it in, you will be better storing it there than taking up unnecessary space in the bathroom.

It is important to determine who is going to be using this bathroom. Of course nothing is set in stone but for instance if you are redoing the kids bathroom, there are different items you need included in the room. You will probably need more room for storage, such as for toys for the bath.

Also consider towel storage. There is always at least a sink in each bathroom so you want room to store a few towels. Guests should never have to search around for extra towels when in the bathroom. Whether they want to have a bath or shower or just wash their hands and face, there should be ample towel storage space. You can be really functional. Use a few towel racks attached to the wall, use a facecloth hanger on the wall, and then store a few extras in the bathroom vanity.

You may want to add a piece of art to the room to add that perfect finishing touch. Many people would not think of putting art in their bathroom but this is the perfect place for it. Your bathroom is supposed to be relaxing and serene.

For smaller bathrooms you can actually add in a larger piece of art and it will trick the eye into thinking the room is larger than it actually is. Think of art with flowers and pretty feminine designs for the bathroom. Pastel shades work especially nicely.

Designing a bathroom should not be a hassle. It should be fun and a great do-it-yourself task to take on for yourself. If you ever need any help coming up with a design you can visit your local home improvement or hardware store to get ideas.

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The purpose of the bathroom will dictate which bath design you opt for. You don’t want to spend a lot of money on a jacuzzi tub for a child’s or guest bathroom. However, if you’re a bath lover, then investing in a jetted or soaking tub that will be used every day is money well spent.

Beautiful bathrooms don’t necessarily have to be expensive. You can choose from basic tub styles and then decorating bathrooms is as easy as adding gorgeous show curtains, stylish shower caddies and plush towels that coordinate with your color schemes.

You must also consider the available space and what it will take to install the tub. Check to see if additional carpentry will be required for installation and find out how much the tub will weigh when it’s full. A tub full of water must be adequately supported, so check your framing.

Cast-iron tubs, whirlpools, soaking and sunken tubs often require additional support. A tub sized for more than one person will put additional demands on the home’s hot water heater too, so you may also require an upgrade or a separate water heater.

Besides the common rectangular shape, tubs also come in corner, oval, circular and freestanding styles. Built-in tubs can be alcove, drop-in or corner style. An alcove tub is standard in most homes and are often tub-shower combinations with waterproof surrounding walls.

Drop-in tubs can be sunken into the floor or a tub deck. Drop-in models that are mounted into their own frame or deck will require additional carpentry or framework, which can add to the overall cost.

Corner model built-ins are installed in the corner, with surrounds on two sides. A free-standing tub has legs or ball-and-claw feet. These tubs frequently have rolled edges and slipper backs for soaking.

There is a variety of tubs to choose from, so test a bathtub for comfort before you buy. A soaker tub should holds 15 to 20 inches of water, but it’s likely that you’ll need additional plumbing fixtures. Most tubs are made of porcelain on steel because of its durability.

Fiberglass is a cheaper option, but it’s not as durable. If you really want a tub that will be a showpiece in your bathroom, as well as a great home addition, then have a look at cast iron, solid surfacing and natural stones. Whether you’re looking for functional or fabulous, the right bath design will be the cornerstone of your room.

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