BATHROOM updates can be costly but if the fixtures and plumbing are in good condition sometimes all you need to do is give the space a facelift. One of the following hot bathroom trends might be the answer to your decorating dilemma.
According to Moen, the current five hot trends in bathroom design are:
The spa-like experience
Homeowners love to create a spa-like atmosphere in the bathroom. A bathroom retreat with an air-jetted tub and large shower head are popular choices in a space such as this. These items usually require a bathroom overhaul but for a quick update that will make you feel like a guest in your own bathroom you could install Moen Motel shelves. These items mimic shelving used in a hotel which will add a touch of elegance to your room and will free up counter space. Less clutter makes a room feel more spacious. New luxurious white towels and botanical accents will enhance the spa-like setting.
Floating vanity
To free up floor space and visual space, a floating vanity might be a good option. This would require a retrofit in most standard bathrooms but if you are building new consider the option of having the vanity off of the floor. It's a sleek look that is clean and neat. If you want to create a sense of this particular style you could certainly install floating shelves to display accent items like candles and decorative soaps. A wall-hung cabinet is also a better option than a floor standing unit if floor space is at a premium. Cabinets like this are readily available at most home building supply stores and are fairly easy to install.
Attractive, multifunctional basics
Items like grab bars used to be unstylish and totally utilitarian. Now they come in a variety of styles and finishes that can actually enhance your space. Grab bars are a sensible addition to any bathroom for use by young and old alike. It only takes one wrong step to slip and fall. Avoid the unnecessary risk by researching your options and installing stylish grab bars in your bathroom.
Antique look
Retrofitting antique cabinets for use as bathroom vanities is still a popular home renovation project. For those who want the look without the work you can certainly purchase a new, antique styled vanity for your bathroom. The detailing and accents of an antique style vanity offer elegance and warmth. To achieve an antique look without having to replace your current vanity you could consider painting an antique finish on your current vanity. Add decorative trim if needed to add to the look prior to painting. Consider replacing the vanity hardware as well so that it is keeping with the look you're trying to achieve. Replace the faucets with Old World styled faucets and hardware to support your efforts. A collection of vintage perfume bottles or similar items will add to the look. Keep your eyes open for antique cabinets that could be used as wall storage in place of a standard medicine chest. Vintage mirrors with decorative frames (or replicas such as the oversized Moen mirror in our feature photograph), will look better than a standard frameless mirror. You could also attach a frame to your current flat mirror to achieve a similar look.
This year's 'it' colour
Turquoise is the hot accent colour for the bathroom this year. Turquoise and other shades of blue and green bring a tropical beach feel to the room. Splashes of vivid colour on the walls and a few coordinating accents can make your bathroom feel fresh and alive. Add small touches of accent colours like canary yellow, purple and red for and extra touch of pizzazz. Think of the colours on a tropical bird and go from there.
Projects that worked
I've tackled several small bathroom projects that worked quite well and were very affordable. To give you some options for your own space I thought I'd share some of them with you.
Make your own shower curtain. Yes, you can. It's quite easy. This project was born out of a desire for a non-standard sized shower curtain in a specific color and fabric finish. I found some curtains that were suitable but overpriced for what they were. So, I hit the fabric store and found a large remnant of a sage green, faux suede fabric which I got for less than twenty dollars. I purchased a grommet kit from the craft supply store and installed the rust proof grommets. I wanted a curtain that would pool on the floor and that is what I got. I do use an inexpensive liner to keep the fabric curtain fresh. The fabric drapes beautifully and is washable. Also, it doesn't run at all so I didn't even have to finish the edges. Win-win.
We had a plain, flat mirror in the bathroom which wasn't very large and was rather boring. I happened upon a large, framed mirror on clearance for five dollars and proceeded to paint out the dark frame in off-white to suit the space and hung it in place of the smaller, plain mirror. The larger mirror makes the small room feel a lot larger and it looks great. You can update a plain mirror by gluing a frame directly to it or framing it in other decorative ways like with seashells or swags of ivy or flowers, for instance. Even just getting a larger mirror can make a huge difference.
The vanity in our bathroom was quite dated before I updated it. The sink is faux marble in tones of tan and cream but the vanity was dark fake wood finish. It had cane inserts in the door panels. The dark cabinet did nothing to enhance the marble sink at all. It was a mismatch from the get go. It had a 1970s feel to it which isn't what we wanted. I replaced the caning with bead board panels (from an old scrap of paneling we had) and painted the entire vanity in an off white that I pulled out of the sink colours. Now the sink looks like it belongs and the cabinet is fresh and bright. My husband replaced the dated faucets with a brushed nickel set we purchased matching door pulls in a similar finish and voila, a new bathroom was born.
There are ways to update most any ugly feature in a bathroom. Even tiles can be painted these days. You just need the right product for the job. Talk to your home supply store for assistance with your specific project needs.
Connieoliver@shaw.ca
