Bathrooms 4U News

Bathroom suite trends for 2009

admin — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:11:36 +0000

This video, set to a classic 80’s soundtrack, showcases modern bathroom suites which are expected to be popular during 2009.

Bathroom Designs in 2009

admin — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:58:00 +0000

Although analyists see no end in sight for the credit crunch this year, the impact this will have on the home improvement industry may in fact be minimal. If anything, the credit crunch may even have a positive effect on interior design trends. As housing prices continue to spiral, more and more people will opt to remain where they are rather than move from house to house in order to climb the property ladder as before, making it more likely that they will spend on improving their home.

Following on from design trends in 2008 , we will see a leaning towards bathroom furniture, especially darker woods such as wenge and oak, a look which is ultimately reflected in more modern masculine bathrooms.

For toilets and basins more contemporary style sanitary ware is expected to be the choice in new bathrooms rather than traditional. The popularity of wall-hung toilets and basins grew measurably thoughout 2008 and this trend is expected to continue in 2009.

Walk-in showers were a big seller last year and 2009 promises to see the same style incorporated into new bathroom designs, as well as the popular steam/shower cabins.

Modern bathrooms are always pushing the boundaries in design, and this comes about from the users tastes and preferences. Remember, you don’t have to be an interior designer by trade to create a unique bathroom to your liking, just dare to be imaginative.

Jack and Jill bathroom design

admin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:09:06 +0000

We all know what a rush it can be in the family household in the mornings with everybody clamouring for their time in the bathroom. This can often cause countless arguments as we bicker over who is spending the longest time in the bathroom. One great way to helping solve this problem is to create a Jack and Jill style bathroom. This essentially is a shared bathroom between two bathrooms, usually created for a brother and sister with two doors, each leading to a seperate bedroom.

The first thing to consider when creating the Jack and Jill bedroom is the colours. Neutral colours such as light greens, baby blues or yellow are ideal for creating gender neautral rooms. Wall decor should be appealing to both sexes, so think about things that interest both the people who will use the bathroom. Maybe a poster of a film they both enjoyed, or wall art that’s both modern and appealing to both sexes.

If you shop around you can find bathroom suites with double basins. Although this isn’t essential for the Jack and Jill bathroom, as it’s unlikely that both will use the bathroom at the same time, it is good for giving the appeal that both will have their own seperate wash area.

Vanity units work well in this style of bathroom, especially larger ones with double doors, so both can have their own space for storing toiletries. Alternatively, you can have two seperate bathroom wall cabinets.

With accessories you will need two of some things, ie robe hooks, towel holders, and possibly soap dishes. That’s the trick behind making the Jack and Jill bathroom work - giving the impression that each user feels like it is their bathroom and not one that they are sharing with a sibling.

Whether you have a shower or bath will obviously depend on the size of the room. Small corner shower cubicles take up very little space so are a better option than installing a bath.

One last tip - set a rota on who should clean the bathroom and when.

There you have it. Mum and dad have more time in the bathroom, and Jack and Jill get to feel like they have they’re own ensuite bathroom.

Cloakroom designs

admin — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:06:46 +0000

Creating a cloakroom suite can be a much harder task than designing a new bathroom, usually because of the limited space you have.

Cloakrooms are often a small room, so maximising the space you have is essential. There are a number of ways to achieve a luxury cloakroom with a small room.

1. Choose wall-hung sanitaryware.
Wall-hung basins not only free up space on the floor they also give an ultra modern look to the bathroom. Corner basins are an especially good space-saving option.
Likewise with wall-hung toilets. If you are able to conceal the cistern behind a wall, Back-to-wall toilets are another good idea for freeing up space.

2. Use cloakroom furniture.
With cloakroom furniture sets you only have to consider one wall for where your wash area will be. Using a vanity and a back-to-wall toilet unit everything is compact into one space. Also, a washstand looks really unique in a cloakroom, giving it the feel of a modern new bathroom rather than just a cloakroom.

Finish your cloakroom design off with coat hooks or a hatstand, and for a modern design use chrome towel rails and a stylish mirror that will compliment the new cloakroom.

Boost your house price with a new bathroom

admin — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:33:47 +0000

When it comes to home improving people usually ignore the bathroom as it is the smallest part of the house and less used compared to the other rooms. However let us tell you that one of the best ways to increase your house value is by remodeling your bathroom.

One can simply have a wonderful bathroom with shower that rains on you, hydrotherapy bath tub and sink that look like water worn boulders. It has always been a trend that while buying a used house people prefer to have attractive, good and clean kitchens and bathrooms. The only thing you need to remember is not to make it look very grand as it will become difficult to fetch for comparables when estimation has to be done. It also becomes difficult to get our money back when yours is the most expensive house in the neighborhood.

Explore and Plan

It is essential that the price and style of your bathroom fits the style and price range of your entire house. It should not happen that your bathroom looks more expensive than your bedroom or may be one of the other rooms in your house. One should shop around and plan the project by keeping all the options open for availability of bathroom fixtures at reasonable price.

Lowe’s and Home Depot are useful if you are very price conscious. I am sure everyone is familiar with the brands they carry out. Some of their avant-garde fixtures are fun to be explored at the high end outlets and look for something similar at retail shops in your vicinity. If your budget permits, you can opt for a truly luxurious spa if your neighborhood allows.

Looking at our daily lives and routine, it seems to be so complicated and crowded. Well one can be look for simplicity, need not be boring though. It can provide great visual appeal. So all you need to do is some planning and materialize it after looking at all your options. Improved bathrooms can actually add tens of thousands of dollars in equity to your home.

French bathroom design

admin — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 15:08:55 +0000

Imagining a French style bathroom evokes senses of romance and nostalgia. Whether it be a lavish chateau bathroom or a Parisian apartment bathroom, the French bathroom oozes luxury and class.

French bathroom vanities have long been the main centre piece of the bathroom, with oak vanities being the most popular choice. Whether the French bathroom is a modern design or traditional, you will nearly always find a vanity, as the French bathroom is often reffered to as a powder room, a place to pamper yourself.

Showering areas are usually of the wet room variety, and are tiled in strong earthly colours. Often, in a classical style French bathroom, the shower will be wall-mounted directly over the bath.

Baths are invariably free-standing, a classical slipper bath or roll top bath are what give the classical French bathroom its real appeal.

The bidet was invented in France, so no French bathroom would be complete with out one. Bidets are available in either modern or traditional designs so no need to worry how to incorporate it into the design.

If designing a traditional French bathroom, choose a high level cistern to give a classical look. For the more modern bathroom go with a close-coupled toilet.

For decoration, think earthenware and metal containers which can be used to hold towels and toiletries. Rather than simple frameless mirrors, opt for a more artful mirror with a flamboyant decorative frame. Adorn the walls with wall tapestry and iron decor.

Japanese bathroom design

admin — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:49:43 +0000

Japanese bathrooms have long had a reputation as having elegant designs and creating a soothing and relaxing atmosphere. As with most Asian bathroom styles, the Japanese bathroom is simplistic in its look with minimal clutter and little fuss.

Japanese bathroom furniture usually has a finish in a dark colour, often made from teak. Vanity units are free-standing and are of a minimalistic design. The washstand style is more commonly found rather than modern wall-mounted vanities.

Free-standing wash bowls and mixer taps are the choice for the wash area, something we are beginning to see more of in the west, rather than traditional basin and pedestals.

One common feature that runs throughout many Japanese bathroom designs is to have a drop in bath tub. This gives the effect that there is more space in the room, as it lies flat with the floor. Otherwise, free-standing baths are also popular.

Floral bathroom tiles are a hallmark feature in Japanese style bathrooms, as are simple ornaments such as bowls of pebbles and pot pouri.

This minimal design will give your bathroom a calming feel. It’s also worth reading up a little about feng shui before planning your Japanese bathroom, this will ensure everything is in it’s right place and positive energies will flow freely.

Italian bathroom design

admin — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:41:24 +0000

Like any other country, Italy has a number of different bathroom designs, from classic to modern. Here we will look at modern Italian bathroom designs, for the reason that Italian bathroom furniture over recent years has made a massive impact with their styles of vanities and cabinets.

Italian wall-hung furniture has become immensely popular. They are mounted on the wall more like a piece of art or sculpture rather than a standard vanity unit. Their dark colours of black, wenge and oak are an ideal addition to a modern bathroom.

Rather than have the basin built-in to the vanity like many of today’s vanities, most Italian manufacturered prefer the look of a free-standing basin instead. Another Italian bathroom trend is to have one long basin, often with a double sink, mounted freely on the wall.

Cabinets and mirrors are usually quite abstract in design to match the modern vanity. Contemporary sanitary ware is as inconspicuous as can be. Cisterns are always hidden behind the wall, and the toilet and bidet have an orderly fit against the wall.

Italian shower manufacturers boast some of the most innovative designs in the world. Fully equipped shower and steam rooms offer the most luxury showering options you can have. These look especially elegant with their lighting, often giving off a calming aqua glow, making it the centrepiece of the bathroom.

Italian bathtubs can compliment the furniture. Bath panels are available in a number of different finishes, making it easy to get that dark furniture match. The baths themselves can be as high tech or unassuming as your budget allows.

With a little bit of research, and an eye for the contemporary bathroom style, creating an Italian bathroom shouldn’t be to much of a task.