Tag: Bathroom decor

Adding a vanity to your bathroom

Post author By Alex
Post date 25 January 2021

No matter how large or small your bathroom is, the vanity should be its centrepiece. An attractive, well-constructed vanity adds the conveniences of a sink basin, as well as cabinet storage and countertop space. Here are some tips for choosing the right vanity for your bathroom.

The basics

The bathroom vanity is simply the area around the sink – the sink fixture and the cabinetry around it. You’ll use it just about every day when you wash your hands, brush your teeth, shave or just get a drink of water. Since you’re going to see and use it all the time, it’s important to get the right design for your bathroom – not just for aesthetic purposes, but for practical ones too.

You’ve got an enormous range of options in choosing a bathroom vanity. You can go big or small, and you can choose from an array of different materials – wood, MDF, or laminates, for example. Go with a moisture-resistant material for the frame that surrounds the sink, since it will definitely encounter some wetness after installation. You have a much wider range of choices when it comes to the benchtop. You can get that made with just about any type of material and in any sort of colour. Choose what best matches the rest of your bathroom.

You’ll also want to choose between a single-sink layout and a double-sink layout. Choose the double-sink if you’re concerned about sharing a single sink during those busy mornings or the single-sink layout if you think it’s not going to be that busy!

Picking out the right vanity

Like Goldilocks and the porridge, you need to pick out the vanity that is just right for your bathroom. Size is a consideration. The vanity needs to fit into the bathroom, but not seem out of place. It should be big enough to store all of the things you need, but not so gigantic that it overwhelms the rest of the room. Once you’ve got the size sorted out, choose between a single-sink and a double-sink layout, and make sure you have all the storage space you’ll need.

From there, it’s time for the fun part – picking out the vanity’s design. You have to make sure that the design goes with the rest of the bathroom. An ornate, French-styled vanity goes well with a country-like bathroom, while an opulent marble vanity gives a good burst of class to any luxurious bathroom. Choose carefully, and be sure to keep maintenance in the back of your mind – wood vanities are extremely susceptible to rot and require constant monitoring to make sure they don’t decay.

Contact local bathrooms experts

Features to look for

Before you start shopping for a bathroom vanity, take a good look at the proportions of your bathroom. Will a rectangular vanity fit best, or should you opt for an oblong shape? Likewise, you’ll also want to prioritise your needs. If you need extra space to store toiletries, medications, cosmetics and hair products, you’ll need to find a vanity that has plenty of storage space and drawers. If you have a large family and your bathroom is a hub of activity in the morning, you might also want to consider getting a vanity with two sink taps.

It’s also a good idea to consider maintenance issues. You may love that benchtop made of exotic hardwoods, but don’t choose it unless you’re willing to do the regular maintenance it will take to keep it oiled and properly cleaned. There are a wide variety of laminate materials that are easier to clean and will look just as good.

Your vanity will more or less set the decorative style for the rest of your bathroom, so if you have a contemporary look, then opt for a streamlined vanity with simple touches. Likewise, if your bathroom is more decorative, you’ll want to choose a more ornate vanity that can be a showpiece for the room.

Beauty in simplicity

Bathroom plumbing is now being routed through the walls rather than underground. You don’t have to hide the plumbing by mounting your toilets and vanities on the floor. Stylish wall-mounted units are now catching on. The older plumbing layout also meant that the space under the counter was fully used up by the sink and its associated pipes. Now, with the plumbing safely out of the way, you can instal actual drawers to the side of the sink instead of making do with drawer facades. These drawers offer ample space to store a number of useful items for convenience and ease of reach. Floor-mounted vanities were also bulky and created the effect of a cramped space. The wall-mounted models look light and trendy, without compromising on the storage capacity inside. They make the bathroom look more spacious, colourful and lively.

By doing a bit of homework and asking for advice from a professional, you’ll be able to find a vanity that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also fits your bathroom — and your budget.

Tags Bathroom decor, Bathroom renovations, Bathroom sink

Bathroom & laundry

Storage ideas for your bathroom

Post author By Alex
Post date 23 October 2020

In your bathroom, the amount of storage space you need is surprising. When renovating a bathroom or building a new one, be sure to address the storage space to ensure that you have enough in the future. This will make the bathroom much easier to navigate as well as more fun. The following are solutions for getting the most out of your bathroom storage.

Plan

Prior to the renovation, utilise the planning stage to design your storage. Consider the items you wish to keep in the bathroom. Although keeping towels and electrical items handy is convenient, make sure the correct ventilation exists so that moisture does not have detrimental effects. It is unsafe to allow electrical components to corrode and towels to form mildew.

Take measurements

Before purchasing bathroom storage, measure your bathroom adequately. Make a small blueprint of your bathroom taking the consideration where your tub sink and toilet is placed. Also, take into consideration how tall your walls are. Storage units don’t have to be floor units, they can be attached to the wall as well. Once you have done this, decide whether you want freestanding or portable storage. Portable storage can be moved around the bathroom when you find it it’s no longer useful in one area. However, built-in storage cannot be moved it becomes a permanent part of the bathroom structure.

Recessed nooks above baths and in showers are ideal for products / Source: Modern Living Constructions

Innovate

Be creative when placing your storage units. Do not only use vanities and medicine cabinets. Instead, utilise the space in your walls and recessed cabinets which will provide additional room without decreasing the floor space of your bathroom. Additionally, placing recessed nooks around the shower will really open up your bathroom.

Use fixtures

Use vanities with many drawers and shelving units with specialised trays that can be opened for quick access. These fixtures are perfect for applying cleansers at night and cosmetics in the morning. There are even modular units that can be customised to your exact requirements, so you remain organised.

Keep an open mindset

If you are lucky enough to have a large bathroom, utilise different forms of storage for visual interest and to create depth. For instance, combining a vanity, recessed cabinets, wall shelving and baskets will open up your bathroom.

Utilise temporary storage

For those who cannot renovate the bathroom, there are additional temporary storage options that can be implemented. Corner shelving units, regular shelving and hanging shelves are excellent temporary storage choices. Additionally, baskets, boxes and a variety of other containers provide exceptional storage options that can be used anywhere and are available in a variety of colours and styles.

Using storage to match your accessories

If you have a lot of plain accessories you might want to try decorative hooks. These can be installed directly into the wall or hung over the bathroom door on the bar.

Contact local bathroom experts

Corner shelves

Corner shelves come with and without doors and may be used to store things such as personal items and linen.

Linen cupboards

If you have enough room in your bathroom to add a 5-foot linen cupboard this might be ideal. Not only can you store most of the things your bathroom in a living covered, but it also makes the bathroom look more attractive.

Floating shelves

Floating shelves are not enclosed, therefore making the perfect opportunity to add character and style to your bathroom. These are the perfect vessel for towels or everyday washing products and can add a unique charm to the room.

Maximise cabinet, shelf and drawers space / Source: KTR Creations

Pull-out storage

Pull-out storage has been long-used in kitchens – it also works really well in bathrooms. This type of storage is considered hidden and it definitely saves space – it can be built into almost any narrow space. Since most bathroom products are quite small, it provides a perfect and cosy spot for your essentials such as; bottles of nail polish, moisturiser and makeup.
Adequate storage is crucial to the success of any room. Whether you would prefer to have your items and belongings hidden away, or you want to make a statement, these bathroom storage ideas have something for everyone. Feeling inspired to make some storage adjustments? Oneflare can connect you to a professional bathroom renovator in your area to bring your vision to life. Receiving up to three quotes on your job request will also mean you’re able to keep within your budget or get a better idea on what the project may realistically cost.

Tags Bathroom, Bathroom decor, Bathroom renovations, Storage

Design & decor

Choose the best bath towels

Post author By Alex
Post date 13 October 2020

A bathroom towel is for more than just drying your hands or towelling off after a shower. Towels can and should be decorative bathroom features that reflect the style of the room and the owner. Emphasise and complement the bathrooms colour scheme, and show off your personal taste with the right towels. The colour should complement the bathrooms walls, curtains, and bathroom accessories, as well as your own stylistic sensibilities.

Look for quality

If you want the perfect bathroom towels, you need to look for quality. Bathroom towel quality is determined by the material the towel is made of and the GSM, which is the grams of material per square metre. The higher the GSM, the more absorbent the towel will be. The minimum GSM you should consider is 550 GSM; anything less will not be very absorbent. You will also want to purchase cotton towels because cotton does an excellent job of absorbing water and is extremely soft. Egyptian and Supima cottons are the best. Another good material for bathroom towels is a bamboo/cotton-fibre blend, which produces an absorbent, silky material.

Inspect the towels before buying

Don’t base your decision to purchase towels solely on the manufacturer’s tag. Towels can have the right GSM and be made of the right materials yet can differ in feel depending on the manufacturing techniques used. Unfold the towels and feel them. Do they feel soft and fluffy? Are the fibres sticking up or laying flat? Does the towel feel heavy? A good-quality towel should have a good amount of weight to it, should feel soft and fluffy and have fibres sticking out.

Two pink towels on a towel rack in a white bathroom — Coloured towels make a statement in a neutral bathroom / Source: Hando Homes

The price

You should expect to pay more for high-quality towels than poor-quality ones, but in the long run, you will actually be saving money because high-quality towels last much longer than lesser-quality towels. You can, however, save some money and get a good deal by shopping around. Look for sales at department stores and linen stores. With a little searching, you may be able to save as much as 50% on the purchase price of your new bathroom towels.

Colour

The colour of your bathroom towels should match the design of your bathroom. Classic white towels will match any bathroom, but the white colour stains easily. You can opt instead for neutral tans, browns or greys. However, if your bathroom is boring or dull, you might want to get bright-coloured towels. Bright greens, blues, pinks, reds, oranges, purples and the like may give your bathroom the extra boost it needs to look cheerful and fun.

If you’re still unsure, a good idea is to consider your shower curtain colour. Find a colour you like on your shower curtain and bring it out with towels that match. Emphasizing a pleasing colour in your shower curtain by placing other matching details around the bathroom can tie the whole room together.

Contact local bathroom experts

Patterns

Patterns should be used sparingly. Bathrooms are often small spaces, and loud patterns can loom large. If you find a pattern you like, you can tone it down by using it with other towels in solid, neutral shades.

Towel storage tips

Keep accessibility in mind

Your home is where you should feel comfortable and where everything should be within easy reach. When storing your bath linens and towels, some handy tips to ensure easy access include investing in a decorative towel hamper or basket or a bath cabinet or drawers. Installing a stainless steel rack near your shower space is another option.

Save space by using the rolling method of storage

Try rolling your towels before storing them. The rolling technique helps save precious space and also reduces wrinkles. The rolled towels can then be neatly piled in a basket or an open shelving cabinet. To add a special touch, you can explore your creative side and install a repurposed wine rack to store your towels in.

A dark blue bath towel and hand towel in a bathroom with dark tiles — Dark coloured towels complement dark bathroom interiors / Source: Origin Bathrooms

Enlarge a small bathroom by installing a railed towel rack

Investing in a stainless steel rack for your bathroom is a good space-saving idea. The upper shelf can be used to store fresh towels, while the bottom rail can be used to hang the towels that are being used.

Store your towels in sets and make them appealing to the eye

A good idea, especially if you are using an open cabinet to store your fresh towels, is to pack them in matching sets. This can be achieved by rolling the bath towel, hand towel and washcloth with the largest towel as the cover. Tie them together with a ribbon to add an aesthetic touch. Having your towels in sets can save you the trouble of searching for a particular matching piece when required.

Store your towels according to usage

When using a chest of drawers or a storage rack, pile your towels with the most recently used ones at the top and the cleanest and freshest ones at the bottom. This method can help prevent dust from collecting and will ensure even usage.

Install wall shelves to save space and provide efficient storage

Use wall shelves liberally yet aesthetically, to maximise storage space in your bathroom. Various ideas include installation on an open wall, above the toilet or over a window or door. Install additional shelving units in your bath cabinets. Invest in wicker baskets to hold your towels, which can be placed on the shelves. Using adjustable shelves allows flexibility to add extra racks or rearrange your towels.

Tags Bathroom decor, Decor, Design, Interior design

Bathroom & laundry

3 timeless bathroom design ideas

Post author By Hannah
Post date 15 September 2020

The bathroom is a commonly used and renovated area of the home, but with an array of stylish faucets, tubs and vanities, keeping your bathroom trendy can be a constant battle between the new and outdated. If you are planning to refurbish or redecorate your bathroom space, consider these enduring bathroom designs that will add a classic touch that will never grow old.

1. Natural beauty

Embracing eco-friendly designs and natural materials in your bathroom space is a lasting trend that will remain a popular option for the way it transforms a sterile space into a refreshing refuge.

Natural materials such as stone, are an all time favourite that adds a warm and serene appeal to your bathroom. Neutral hues such as grays, creams and shades of brown nicely complement a bathroom environment that is eco-friendly.

Modern additions such as the vertical garden, can also enhance a green inspired design but as a simpler alternative, indoor plants make a suitable addition. Natural textures and wall features also add an organic element to your bathroom.

2. Wood finishes

Timber floors, wooden beams or bamboo touches are a bathroom design you won’t grow weary with. By combining a modern and rustic look, wood is the perfect addition to your bathroom space.

Dark timber creates a sleek, modern element in your bathroom but lighter panels of wood add a rustic and vintage finish to your bathroom. You can either use timber as a wall feature, or used throughout your statement pieces like on the vanity.

3. Black & white

Monochrome in black and white, is a classic and elegant design that will never go out of style. Embrace black and white with elegant tiles and shower covers.