Friday 25 March 2011

Bathroom Vanities – Turning Your Bathroom Into An Oasis


Nowadays, bathrooms are no longer considered to be a place in the house where you spend a mere five to ten minutes of your time.  Bathrooms have been transformed into a place where one can rest and relax after a full day’s work right in one’s home.  From the look of the bathtub to the use ofbathroom vanities and cabinets, bathrooms are now considered to be one of the most important rooms to design in the modern home.

Bathroom vanities play a key role in creating the right touch when designing a bathroom.  The right color and material as well as the accessories placed in the area greatly contribute to that perfect look and ambience.  When choosing a bathroom vanity, consider the style that you deem most suitable to your taste. There are many styles to choose from.  Would you want something quite modern, contemporary, traditional or Victorian?  Do ornate designs fit your taste or do clean-cut lines fit you more?  Glass or wood?
Do consider as well the users of the bathroom vanity.  If your budget can afford it and your home accommodates more than one person, than it would be wise to invest in double sink bathroom vanities.  
Allow for the placement of accessories as well on a part of the bathroom vanity such as make-up mirrors or sockets which may be quite useful for electric gadgets as well.  A certain amount of lighting, preferably strip lights with dimmers, should also be considered since they will help in creating a certain mood when one plans to relax in the bathroom.  For women, the proper amount of lighting helps especially when they dress up.

As much as they are used for hiding personal effects in the bathroom, the design of bathroom vanity sink cabinets may also largely affect the overall design of the bathroom.  In fact, bathroom sink cabinets act as camouflage for hiding things that you do not want to be ordinarily seen or for hiding things that are not used on a frequent basis.  It is not enough that one sees a picture in an architectural magazine when choosing bathroom sink cabinets.  It is much better for one to see the actual thing as there are many things to consider such as the height and size of the cabinets.  Make sure that you check all the cabinets in order to see if they meet all your needs as well as the needs of the other users.  Look and style are not the only things to be considered when choosing the design of bathroom sink cabinets but functionality is also of a great importance.  Next to the sink, the most functional part of a bathroom vanity after all, is the cabinet.

As much as the bathtub or the shower is the ultimate place of “rest” inside one’s bathroom, it cannot be ignored the proper choice of a bathroom vanity contributes to the overall look of the room. 

Bathroom Sink Cabinets Are As Essential As Those in the Kitchen

As important as mirrors and medicine cabinets are to a lavatory, so are bathroom sink cabinets. They house essential linens, toilet paper, and other toiletry items that a medicine cabinet will often be too small to handle. Think of how one would feel without a kitchen pantry and it is not hard to see how necessary a washroom cabinet is to the household.

The size of the bathroom sink will generally determine the length and width of the cabinet. When remodeling a bath space, the design layout allows homeowners to install powder room items they have always wanted. A bathroom redesign is an excellent opportunity to delve into the different styles of bathroom sink cabinets. Some homeowners will base  the style of that room solely on its bureau. In newly built homes, owners put a lot of time and effort into choosing fixtures for their kitchen and bath. These are the two most important rooms in a home and are a big part of the decision when it comes to home sales.

The bottom line is the style of the vanity should be indicative of the total bathroom decor. An old world style, cherry wood vanity with intricate carvings may not figure well into the decorating scheme of a sleek, modern bath with chrome fixtures. Take a cue from the style of the home and the colors that will be used within the bath. Never attempt to install bathroom sink cabinets that are too large for a space or one that is too small. Either one will look awkward and detract away from the overall look of a washroom.

Upgrading a bath need not cost a fortune. Sure there are plenty of expensive models, but many bathroom sink cabinets can be found at a discount. Some are cheaper because they are slightly used. Others have been ordered by decorators, only to be discarded for a different design. The seller needs to offset costs and reduces the price to move. No matter where one gets their vanity, it should reflect style, be functional, and enhance the look of a powder room.

Choosing The Right Accent Living Room Furniture For The Living Room


The part of the house which serves for rest and relaxation is the living room.  It is here where a lot of family time is spent and it is also here where guests create their overall impressions on someone’s house.  Therefore, besides the normal sofa and chairs, it is important that one be able to choose a set ofliving room accent furniture which can add to the look, feel and style of the living room.

Nowadays, there a number of magazines and even websites to choose from which showcase different kinds of living room furniture collections.  This can help you pick out a style that fits your taste.  It is important, however, that there be a certain degree of elegance and style when choosing your living room furniture collection.  Elegant living room furniture does not necessarily mean ornate.  There are also modern designs out in the market with clean- cut lines that give an elegant touch to the room.

There are different accents and ornaments that may be added to the living room in order to give the living room the ultimate look.  Living room accent tables such as wood accent tables or glass tables may add life to a bare corner of the living room.   However, for practicality’s sake, people usually opt for wooden tables as they are easier to maintain and are less prone to breakage.  This is specially true for homeowners who have young children in their homes. One can also accent chairs on certain corners to give that room a tweak. They are made from a wide variety of material such as leather, wood, metal, rattan and the like.  The materials usually dictate the style of the chairs.  Not only do accent tables and chairs add to the room’s style but they also serve a purpose in terms of function.

Another thing to consider adding in the living room is a fireplace.  Although fireplaces are not put to much use these days, fireplaces have this timeless appeal which gives a homey touch to the living room. Vases or decorative pieces such as figurines also provide a certain amount of color to a living room that is need of it.  Pieces such as corner lamps or clocks also add to the overall style of the room.  Added to this is the fact that these ornamental pieces serve as a reflection of the homeowner’s personality and tastes.

Whatever accent furniture one is to place, one should remember that price does not necessarily mean style.  With a variety of pieces to choose from nowadays, one is bound to find pieces that fit within one’s budget.  What one should consider in choosing accent pieces is that these pieces are to serve only as accents.  They should be placed in the right space and they should coordinate with each other.  They should conform to the theme of the room.  Otherwise, these accents may end up looking like clutter instead.

Tips For Choosing a Double Sink Vanity Cabinet For a Large Bathroom


It is such a pleasure to enjoy a large bathroom and it is fun to set out on the journey of choosing a double sink bathroom vanity cabinet for your special room. Some of the benefits of a double sink vanity cabinet include the ability allowing two people to use the facilities at the same time. Great for a family bathroom in the morning rush! This can well apply the main en-suite bathroom too.

Another great feature of the double sink vanity is the extra storage room available in the cabinet area. Having a place for all the grooming gear used by all the family helps to keep the bathroom much more presentable.

There are many different styles and cabinet configurations available and if you cannot find one you like then you can always consider a custom made unit. These are designed and made according to your specific requirements.

When considering the purchase of a vanity cabinet it is best to have some idea of which style you may have a preference for. There are traditional, country, modern, antique, contemporary and other styles to choose from. There are also any number of cabinet materials to look at. The cabinets can be plain timber, painted timber and a variety of other finishes ranging from white to walnut and other colors if you prefer.

There is not only the cabinet to consider, there is the counter top too. There are a number of manufacturers who will mix and match according to your special choices. Some options to think about are marble, porcelain, and glass, all available in a large range of colors and styles.

And this is not the finish of the choices you will want to think about! - you need to consider what style of sink you would like to fit to your counter top. There is the counter sink which is already molded into the counter top, these are very easy to clean and give a very traditional appearance. Then there is the lovely vessel sinks which appear to float on the counter top and these are available in numerous styles and materials. And there are many other styles of vanity sinks to research too.

It is a good idea to do some accurate measuring of your floor space before venturing out on the investigation trail. Measure the area that you will have available for your vanity cabinet and decide which wall or corner you are going to locate it. Remember, that if you are updating a bathroom, it can be a cost saving to locate the new unit near the position of your old one. The same plumbing connections can be reconnected to your new cabinet and sink without major works being needed.

With a large bathroom you can choose from units of 46" width up to and beyond 84" width depending on the space you have allocated to place your new beautiful double sink vanity cabinet. So visit your local plumbing suppliers and touch and feel the models on display and remember to check out the online information below too.

Utilizing the Storage Space in Kitchen Sink Cabinets

The cabinet space beneath the kitchen sink has always been kind of a waste. With the dampness that comes from being in such close proximity to the sink, and so much of the area used up with pipes, traps, and disposals, there really isn't much room for storage. New technologies, however, are making it possible to utilize more room in your kitchen sink cabinet so that you aren't faced with a lot of dead space you could so desperately use for storage.

One of the innovations that are being seen more often are small fold-out drawers along the edge of the cabinet where it meets the countertop. Historically, this was nothing but vented space designed to allow moisture to escape. Now, however, it's being put to better use. Even though the spaces created are small, they come in very handy for such items as sponges and scrubbing pads. These are the unattractive items you used to either have to keep out in plain sight on the edge of the sink or else bend down to put them away or get them out from under the sink.

Roll-out drawers, shelves, and wire baskets are another new creation that can offer you access to more of the things you store under your sink. Don't you just hate having to get down on your knees and rummage in the back of the cabinet for something you need? With drawers, this is no longer a problem. Everything you have stored will appear when you pull the drawer out, and you'll only have to reach down and grab it. These shelves are designed to fit in your cabinet around the pipes, so they are an ideal solution to maximizing your under-sink space.

There are also a variety of plastic trays designed to fit the space under your sink. Although these trays don't pull out like the shelves do, they still help to keep your cleaning products organized instead of allowing them to get mixed around and pushed back behind other things. These trays provide a very inexpensive way to store items under your kitchen sink. In addition, they are a barrier between your pipes and the wooden bottom of your cabinet, so leaking water won't rot the wood.

A final solution for expanding the usable space under your sink is to buy racks and trash cans that are designed to hang on the back of the cabient doors. This offers a perfect way to keep things out of sight and yet have them at your fingertips when you need to use them.

Monday 21 March 2011

Bathroom Sink and Cabinets - Quickly Change A Bathroom's Look


Bathroom sink cabinets, otherwise called vanities, have been a staple in bathroom décor for decades. Before cabinetry was added into bathrooms, a sink simply stood alone on a pedestal. Lately, this pedestal-style sink has actually come back into style and is a very popular choice in many bathroom remodeling jobs. However, a bathroom vanity with a cupboard underneath for storage and a counter on top is still one of the most convenient choices for any bathroom.

You especially see this style of bathroom sink cabinets in most master suite bathrooms. Most homes that have been built in the last 10 to 20 years have a floor plan that includes a large master bedroom with an attached master bathroom. These bathrooms are usually very large and most offer a long countertop with his and hers double sinks. This option allows for an abundance of storage underneath while accommodating the homeowners with a huge amount of countertop space to set out essential daily health and beauty items or simply to use as an area for decorating.

Most bathroom vanities are built-in to the home, but in higher scale home markets and in the case of remodeling a bathroom, many people choose the more elegant look of cabinetry that looks like beautiful or antique pieces of freestanding furniture. These cabinets are usually made out of high quality wood and are usually topped with beautiful granite or marble countertops. Many times, the sink looks as though it is a freestanding bowl instead of an indentation. You can easily spend well over five figures on many of these high quality pieces. You can also enjoy the look of some very unique bathroom sink cabinets for well under $500.

Don't overlook the option of shopping for a beautiful antique sideboard or low dresser or bureau that can be converted into a bathroom sink cabinet. Almost every antique furniture shop will have something that would be appropriate. If the piece is made out of a good solid hardwood such as oak, cherry or maple, it will not matter if the surface is a little beat up. You can easily refinish this type of quality furniture.

Many large cabinetry retail outlets also offer a back room with their "scratch and dent" inventory. Many of the pieces in this room are not there because they are damaged, but because they are extra inventory from a previous job that does not have a match. Because the bathroom is a smaller room than a kitchen, you may only need one or two cabinets to match. This makes the job of finding a good quality piece of cabinetry for a reduced price even easier. Don't be afraid to ask about this option. You may find the perfect bathroom sink cabinet just waiting for you to take it home.

A Look at Bathroom Sink Cabinets


Bathroom sink cabinets are very useful furnishings that are also a major part of the decor of today's bathrooms. These built-in cabinets come in many different styles and are usually constructed out of various types of wood. They usually have a countertop that has a drop-in sink. Sink cabinets came in when modern plumbing was developed, and they have been around ever since.

The predecessor of today's sink cabinet was simply a bowl or washbasin that stood on a piece of furniture. A faucet or valve above the bowl provided the water for the basin. There was no plumbing to carry the waste water away, so it was necessary to dump the water out of the washbowl after it was used. Before that arrangement for washing, there was a washstand that held a pitcher of water and a washbowl.

Modern plumbing changed all that and the bathroom sink cabinet became a permanent built-in fixture in the bathroom. Permanent plumbing attached to the sink both brought water to the basin and carried waste water away. Many kinds of cabinet tops are used to hold the drop-in sinks. Granite, tile, laminate, wood, and other materials are all used as tops. One-piece sinks and countertops are also available.

The cabinets themselves are usually made out of wood, and many types of wood are used, so you can find a cabinet that matches your bathroom's decor. Since the bathroom is a separate room, it can have a unique look, and the cabinet material and style do not have to be the same as the other rooms in the house. Oak is a wood commonly used for bathroom cabinets. Pine, hickory, maple, walnut, elm, ash, and several other types of wood are also used to make attractive cabinets. The wood can also be finished in several ways to give different looks. The cabinets can be left with a natural finish or they can be stained. Staining brings out the natural beauty of the grain in the wood. Because of the moistness in the bathroom, it is important that the cabinets have a finish that will protect the wood.

Sink cabinets are made in many sizes, so you can find one that will fit the available space in your bathroom. The cabinets are generally eighteen to twenty-one inches deep. The shorter cabinets are eighteen inches long and you can have yours custom made in a length that will fit your bathroom. Most cabinets contain drawers and have doors. Your bathroom toiletries can be stored in the drawers and in the area behind the doors. The sink and the plumbing are installed behind the doors. The doors can be simple square doors or they can have routered edges and corners. They can be raised or flat paneled or they can be solid and flat. Because of their usefulness and their essential function, bathroom sink cabinets have become a universal fixture in American houses today.