Discount Bathroom Vanities Blog

When designing a bathroom for children, you want a functional bathroom that is safe for your children.  A child’s bathroom should be easily accessible from the children’s bedrooms, with door locks that can be opened from the outside, if that becomes necessary.

A children’s bathroom should be a room that is easily cleaned.  Surfaces that you choose should be ones that can withstand dripping, spotting and splashing.

When choosing fixtures for a child’s bathroom, it is recommended that you should choose standard size fixtures.  You may have more than one child using the room, and of course, children grow and you do not want to have to replace fixtures every couple of years.  If you have a small child who is going to use the room, you can always have a stool in the room so that the child can reach the sink.  An undermount sink would be more practical than a vessel sink in a children’s bathroom, so that all of the children can reach the sink.  When deciding on a faucet, a single handle faucet is easier to use, than one that has separate hot and cold faucets.

A shower in a child’s bathroom will be very flexible if it has more than one showerhead, so that a lower one can be used for a small child.  You might want to achieve this by the use of a shower panel in your shower that gives you multiple showerheads as well as other massage jets.  Make sure that the shower has grip bars for safety. A bathtub should have a nonskid surface and be equipped with grab bars for safety purposes also.  Using a mat in a tub is more dangerous, since the mat can slip.

Electrical outlets in a bathroom for children should have outlet covers.  You might want to have a built-in might light.  Fans and lights can be put on timers so that they will go off after a certain amount of time.

If the toilet is in a separate room, make sure that the door swings outward.  You might want to choose a toilet that is lower to the floor, for easier accessibility.

When choosing a floor for this bathroom, it is important to make sure it has a nonskid surface, so that your children do not slide and fall if it gets wet.  If you place a rug in the bathroom, again, make sure it has a nonskid backing.

In a children’s bathroom, it is important to have some storage available for tub toys, for example.  

Decorating a child’s bathroom using a theme makes it more fun for your children.    The shower curtain, lighting, other accessories and painting might all revolve around the same theme.

These are just some ideas for you to think about when designing or remodeling your bathroom for your children so that they will have a fun place to call their own.

Bathroom faucets have evolved over the years.  Years ago faucets were functional, there was very little to choose from and the choices in finishes were usually chrome or brass.

The bathroom faucets that you choose make a statement and reflect your style and taste.  Today’s bathroom faucets come in a wide variety of materials and styles, making the choices much more difficult.  Whether you are remodeling your bathroom, adding a new bathroom or just replacing the faucets in your existing bathroom, you have to consider their use, the style and price.  Bathroom faucets are used daily, so they must be durable and functional.  There are shower faucets, bathtub faucets and sink faucets to consider if you are replacing all of the faucets in your bathroom.  

When planning to purchase new faucets, you must take into consideration whether or not you are replacing a faucet that you already have. If you are replacing the faucet that you already have, you must replace it with the same type that was there before, such as a one hole or three hole faucet. If you are remodeling, you might have the option of more styles of faucets. 

When starting to shop for a faucet for your bathroom, you will quickly see the variety of faucets available.  There are single handle and two handle faucets.  There are two handle widespread faucets and wall mounted faucets.  There are also one or two handle vessel faucets, to be used with vessel sinks.  There are two handle single hole faucets and ones with a pullout spray.  If you really want to go high-tech, you can purchase an electronic faucet, which are usually seen in commercial settings.

Faucets give a room personality.  There are faucets that are innovative in design and can exude luxury and quality.  Depending on your room, you may want to choose a faucet that is on the cutting edge.

If you have chosen a bathroom vanity with a vessel sink, the types of faucet that you will have to purchase are either a vessel faucet or a wall mount faucet.  These faucets need to be positioned higher than regular faucets, since the vessel sinks are usually placed on the vanity counters. 

If you have an undermount sink or a sink that is mounted on the countertop, your faucet must fit the number of holes drilled in the vanity countertop.  One hole faucets are made to be used with one hand and usually have a spout and handle all in one piece.  Three hole faucets are either widespread faucets with individual hot and cold handles or a set that is on a center set with the faucet and two handles all on one plate.

If you are choosing new tub and shower faucets, depending on whether you are just replacing what is already there or purchasing faucets for a new installation, will determine your choice of fixtures.  Most tub and shower faucets are hidden in the wall and you only see the handles and spouts.  Many shower faucets are mounted on the wall, but you may choose a ceiling mount faucet for a rainshower effect, or you may choose to have a handheld shower.

Another faucet to consider is the one for your tub, whether it is a standard tub, a whirlpool or air tub or a clawfoot tub.

Bathroom faucets can come with additional options such as water purification systems, soap dispensers and power flow. 

When choosing a bathroom faucet, there are several types of handles to choose from and many finishes.  Faucet finishes include chrome, brass, nickel, stainless steel, enameled plastic.  Brushed finishes and also oiled rubbed finishes are popular right now.

There are styles of faucets to go with any type of décor, whether it is a Victorian, antique, contemporary or traditional.  You will find that there are so many faucets to pick from.  The faucet can become a focal point in your room, so you want to choose one that is not only stylish, but is functional and made well.

When planning to remodel or add a master bathroom to your home there are several questions to consider:

• Room Size

Are you going to be adding space for this room or are you remodeling your current room?

• Cost

What is your budget?  Do you plan to do this project in phases or all at once?  Do you have another bathroom that you can use while this bathroom is being remodeled?

• Style

Is your home a specific style, such as Craftsman or Victorian?  Will the style of your home dictate the style that you want for your bathroom?

• Storage

Do you need much storage space?  Are you planning to add a linen closet or shelves?  Do you need a standalone cabinet or room in your vanity?

Do you want a single or double bathroom vanity?  Do you have room for two separate vanities?

• Tub/Shower

Does your room have enough space to have a separate tub and shower?  Are you considering a whirlpool or air tub?  Are you considering putting in a shower panel?  Having a shower with no tub is a drawback when reselling your home.

• Dressing Area

Are you adding a walk in closet or dressing area to the bathroom addition?  Walk-in closets with ample shelving and clothing space is something that most buyers are looking for in a home.

• Toilet

Are you going to separate the toilet with a wall or put it in a separate area?

• Workout Area

Do you want to have workout equipment in the bathroom?  Is the footprint large enough to accommodate this equipment?

Before renovating a bathroom it is important to take all of the issues listed above into consideration so that the remodeled bathroom is one that you will enjoy for years to come.

Glass block has been around for about 80 years.  It is used to give an art deco feel to your room.  These blocks have many uses in a bathroom.  They can be used as a partition, skylight or a window.  Glass block allows light into a space while providing privacy.  Glass block can also be an energy saving material to use.  These blocks come in various sizes and designs and can be backlit to create mood lighting.

Glass block can be used a partition between different parts of your bathroom.  One way to use it would be to create a partition between the main part of the room and the toilet, creating a private space.  Another common use for glass block is to use it for shower walls and begind bathroom vanity.  You can use it as a straight wall and/or a curved wall, creating a shower enclosure that does not need any door, because the curve of the wall catches the spray from the shower.

Glass block comes in both glass and acrylic.  You have many patterns and colors to choose from.  You can choose frosted glass or clear glass for your blocks.  

Some manufacturers have preassembled glass block which makes for easier installations.

You can really create a stunning room by adding LED backlit glass.  Choose one color light or various colors.  These lights can be changed with the season or the mood that you would like to reflect in your room.

Glass block adds architectural interest to your room and will add elegance and style to any home while still providing natural light.  It is about light, warmth, and design in creating a feeling that makes an emotional statement.

When remodeling any room in your house, it is important to remodel it for you but also with an eye on the future.  You want to make sure that the money that you spend will give you a good return when you go to sell your home.  Remodeling a bathroom gives you the second highest return on investment, after kitchens.

• Design

Choose a design, floor plan and features that will work for most people.  If you make the space too personal and choose very unique items for your room, you are narrowing your audience.  Also, do not make choices solely on what you like.  If you choose very specific colors, for example, with your tile, or your bathroom vanities, you are again limiting the number of people who will be willing to spend more money for it.

• Features

You may not want to add some features because you might not want them personally, but it is important to add them, if your budget permits, so that the remodel will be more valuable to future buyers.  For example, you may not want a bathtub, but a bathroom remodel without a bathtub will not be one that all buyers will appreciate.

• Fixtures

You might really want a very unique vanity or a very specific tub, but again, keep in mind that if it is too specific to you, you will not see the return that you might want when you well.

Remodeling a room can get very personal, but if you keep in mind that the room is one for your family to enjoy now, but will help sell your home in the future, it should help you decide what design, features and fixtures will be the best in the long run.