Examining the Choices Available For Kitchen Upgrading



Estate Home KitchenMore and more consumers are deciding on upgrades for the kitchen. This is true whether they buying a new house or when they decide it is time to replace the original kitchen fixtures, and appliances. Today new appliances, sinks, faucets, and countertops are getting more upscale as well as providing more function than ever before.

Kitchen cabinetry also provides more opportunities for upgrading your kitchen. By adding cabinet accessories and to your kitchen design layout, you will be able to fully customize and personalize your kitchen to be able to maximize its function and purpose. New handles can change the look of your cabinetry very dramatically. You can add or replace old glass panels with new decorative glass panels. They will really improve the look of your cabinets.

Some popular decorative cabinet upgrades include: furniture toe kicks, decorative glass doors, crown molding, and faux door panels.

Kitchen countertops are perhaps the most expensive design item for your kitchen but it can really make the biggest difference in the look of a kitchen next to the cabinets.

There have been many changes in kitchen countertops in recent years with more options and choices available when it comes to surfaces. These surfaces include solid surface, natural stone, quartz, wood, stainless steel, concrete, laminates and more. Today, there are even more dozen choices when it comes to kitchen surfaces with granite being the most popular. Granite like other natural stones such as marble, limestone, slate, soapstone is very durable. It is also less porous than the other stone surfaces and only requires resealing about once a year.

Soapstone is a natural stone and was used by early New England settlers. Today it is still recognized as a good countertop choice. It is naturally resistant to harsh chemicals and heat, and unlike limestone or marble it does not stain. Also yearly maintenance can be performed with just mineral oil instead of using a sealant.

In addition, most countertop surfaces have several finish choices such as high gloss, honed, flamed and tumbled. The most common type is the high gloss or polished type of surface. Honed and tumbled are both matte finishes, but honed is typically smoother.

Giving your existing kitchen a new paint job. Paint can change the look of any room in the house and the kitchen is certainly no exception.

New window coverings can really brighten up a kitchen. You should select kitchen window coverings that can enhance the look of your kitchen décor and at the same time give your kitchen an inviting and open atmosphere. Some wonderful kitchen window treatments include: curtains, valances, blinds, and shades. One of the most important features that people decide upon when choosing a kitchen window covering is to use either solid colors or vivid patterns.

The type of lighting you select for your kitchen can really make quite a dramatic effect and help brighten any work area in the kitchen.

As far as kitchen appliances are concerned, besides the usual choices of conventional gas and electric burners, smoothtop burners are also becoming popular in recent years.

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Some Thoughts on Some Kitchen Design Trends

kitchenplansKitchens are no longer seen as just a room in the back of the house used for food preparation. Designers today are creating more family-friendly kitchen floor plans. Kitchens are becoming more become integrated with the living room, dining room, or family room; creating the great room.

Kitchen cabinets show increasing creativity with new woods and finishes. Painted finishes are gaining acceptance. Also there is the trend toward kitchen cabinets having a more freestanding furniture appearance.

When it comes to kitchen countertops, granite remains as popular as ever, although engineered stone countertops provide more color choices than that offered by natural stone surfaces. Solid surface countertops provide seamless acrylic faces. Solid surfaces also come many colors, patterns, and styles, and are stain and heat resistant. Laminate countertops are more affordable but not built to last. Concrete countertops are starting to gain in popularity and are known for versatility, and strength. Wood countertops are long lasting and easy to clean and repair but the wood will not withstand exposure to water and household chemicals. Stainless steel countertops lack the elegance of granite or tile. These countertops do not absorb stains, but tends to scratch easily.

Kitchen islands are getting a lot bigger and wider. Some larger kitchens even have two islands. One island being used for food preparation and the other island for buffets and breakfast service. As with cabinets, islands often have the look of freestanding furniture rather than matching cabinetry.

Under-countertop appliances are popular — look for refrigerator drawers, dual dishwashers, warming ovens, and the like.

Hardwood kitchen flooring can provide elegance, beauty and style for your kitchen. There is something truly unique and beautiful about hardwood kitchen flooring. Because of improvements in construction methods there is now a larger range of colors, finish, cuts, styles and installation.

Bamboo kitchen flooring is rapidly becoming the hottest trend in kitchen design today. Because of the rising cost of hardwood and the problems of deforestation bamboo is being seen as a good alternative to hardwood.

The kitchen pantry is making a comeback. This is because so many households are purchasing their groceries in bulk and they often find that they simply do not have enough space. Many typical kitchens do not have enough room for storing these bulk items. Many people when planning a kitchen remodeling tend to overlook the problem of storage.

Many of the pantries being designed now use custom cabinetry every bit as beautiful and creative as those you would find in the kitchens themselves, including details such as solid-wood cabinetry and sleek state-of-the-art hardware

Besides kitchen pantries other storage solutions have been created to fill a need for more imaginative kitchen storage solutions

There has been a recent change in kitchen storage systems and units that has resulted in the development of high-performance storage that can make it easier to having it all within easy reach. Kitchen storage units are available in a large variety of styles and materials. You can find organizational systems that can be used with your existing cabinetry. These kitchen storage systems can be retrofitted into cabinets.

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Can Kitchen Design Software Help You Come Up With a Kitchen Design Plan?


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With specialized kitchen design online software or software that you download and install on your computer, you can make the design process easier.

When you utilize the power of kitchen design software to complete your kitchen design idea you will enjoy benefits such as….

  • Laying out cabinet patterns
  • Experimenting with different color schemes
  • Determining where to place appliances and lighting
  • Deciding how to implement your floor design

Although you might have a great idea for your kitchen design, being able to actually visualize it with kitchen design software makes it easier to gauge if the plan will really work when finished.

When looking for kitchen design online software, be sure to look for software that is easy to use and will achieve your desired objectives.

If the kitchen design online software works directly on the Internet, compatibility with your computer may not be a big issue. If you plan to download the kitchen design idea software from the Internet for installation on your computer however, you need to make sure the software and your computer are compatible. Always review the software’s system requirements before downloading any software.

 

Do You Need To Define A Compact Bathroom Design?

Keep These Bathroom Decorating Tips In Mind When Creating Your Plans

Do you have a small bathroom that you want to make appear larger? If so, you might want to consider implementing a few simple bathroom decorating tips that are guaranteed to help make your bathroom appear bigger than it actually is.

When working on a compact bathroom design, there are a few decorating elements that you should keep in mind in order to help make the space look larger. These include…

• Find ways to let in more natural light
• Add additional lighting fixtures
• Paint with lighter colors
• Include plenty of mirrors
• Find ways to keep clutter to a minimum
• Choose fixtures that are properly scaled to the bathroom size

By keeping these bathroom decorating tips in mind while remodeling your bathroom, you can fool the eye into thinking the space is larger than it actually is.

By letting in plenty of light and by decorating the bathroom in lighter colors, the light will be reflected and create a look of spaciousness. Similarly, when you include mirrors in your compact bathroom design, the reflection made by the mirrors will create an illusion of depth, making the bathroom seem much larger.

Keeping clutter to a minimum is another important element in a compact bathroom design. No matter how large a room is, having too much clutter takes away from the openness of the room and makes it seem too small for the items that are inside of it. This is particularly true when it comes to decorating a small space, which will tend to seem cramped anyway. Look for items that can serve a dual purpose in order to get the most out of your space — while also keeping knick-knacks and other unnecessary items to a minimum.

Finally, choosing fixtures that are properly scaled to your bathroom is essential when creating a compact bathroom design. Obviously, choosing an oversized bathtub will look out of place in a smaller bathroom, while also taking up too much space. In a smaller bathroom, it is best to stick with a smaller tub. Or, you might consider installing only a shower unit if space is really tight. Whether you go with a tub or only a shower, selecting a corner unit will use more of your available space while also creating visual interest in the room. Similarly, a pedestal sink can help create a more “open” look in the bathroom.

With a smaller bathroom, the proper design elements can help open up the space and make it appear larger than it really is — or at least less cramped.

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What You Should Know About Kitchen Faucets

faucet

With kitchen faucets you will find that there are hundreds of options available. Today there are so many styles based on functionality, color and material. You may want a traditional standard kitchen faucet or you might want to consider a kitchen faucet that features a high sink clearance offering good spout heights for filling up pots, tall vases and pitchers, as well as extended reach, thereby creating easier access to the sink.

Perhaps the best way to choose a kitchen faucet is to consider the quality of the product and its practicality. Also by how the kitchen faucet will fill the décor and layout of your kitchen. After all a kitchen faucet should not only be functional, but attractive as well.

Kitchen faucets that are made with high quality material such as solid brass can provide a superior look, performance, and durability. While this can cost more, you will find that with a quality kitchen faucet, you will get more value for your money with more trouble-free service.

You can find a good selection of kitchen faucets and sinksat a state-of-the-art online resource for home renovation and design needs.

With today’s kitchen faucets there are countless options. At one time the lowly kitchen faucet was just a way to get water into the sink. But today there are a large number of styles available to the consumer that are based on functionality, color and material from brass, to stainless steel.

But when considering a type of faucet you also need to consider if it is easy to get parts or to repair and replace parts. Warranties on kitchen faucets vary. The best ones offer lifetime protection against leaks and drips, insuring that your faucet will provide years of trouble-free service.

Most kitchen faucet models will fit all kitchen sinks, however there are some exceptions. So it is a good idea to check sizes first. For instance, you will want to verify if the spout length is not too long to prevent the spout from hitting inside the sink basin. Some people choose goose-neck faucets because they provide a high sink clearance for filling pots.

The most popular brands of kitchen faucets are Delta, Moen, and Kohler.

There are basically two groups of kitchen faucets. They are wall mounted or sink mounted. While wall mounted kitchen faucets were common, today most kitchen faucets are mounted into the top of sinks.

The best way to choose a kitchen faucet is by the quality of the product and its practicality and durability, as well as how if fits into the new décor and layout of the kitchen.

With most faucets being turned on and off hundreds of times a day, and for many years, it is necessary to select one that not only looks great, but also provide durable service.

You can find a good selection of kitchen faucets and a state-of-the-art online resource for home renovation and design needs by looking online. There you can see an extensive selection of some of the finest in kitchen faucets and fixtures for your home.

There are generally two types of kitchen faucets in use today. Single-handle faucets are centersets where hot and cold are controlled by one lever or knob that’s often part of the spout. The most common type of kitchen faucet is the widespread kitchen faucet. This type of faucet requires three separate holes and consists of the hot-water valve, the cold-water valve and the spout all being mounted separately.

In selecting a kitchen faucet you will want to consider the kitchen sink. Kitchen sinks usually come with from one to four or more holes to accommodate various types of kitchen faucets. If you are considering changing a faucet on an existing sink, it is better to select a faucet to fits the sink’s current hole configuration. If you want to change from a three-hole type faucet to a single-hole one you will be left with open holes that will need to be filled. On the other hand if you try to knock out additional holes to change from a single-mount to a three-hole type faucet you run the risk of damaging an existing sink. Therefore you will find it much easier to also install a new kitchen sink and faucet together because you can choose any kind of kitchen faucet and sink that is compatible.

If you do decide to go with a new kitchen sink there is also an online state-of-the-art resource for home renovation and design needs as well. There you can see an extensive selection of some of the finest in and fixtures for your home.

While you are at it, you might also consider installing the new kitchen faucet on your new sink and then install the faucet and sink combination into the new countertop at the same time. This way you will not have to work in such a tight place under the sink as you would have to when attaching a new faucet.

Today there are more choices than ever before when it comes to faucet finishes. Brushed nickel is moving up in popularity, at least according to Moen. It is now second only to chrome in popularity. Other finishes such as oil rubbed bronze are also becoming more popular with consumers.

The finishes available on the market provide both performance and durability. Most any color or texture for your kitchen faucet finish is available today. The most affordable material is chrome. PVD finishes, stainless and antique looks are generally more expensive.

Stainless steel remains the choice of kitchen faucets with most homeowners because it is easy to care for. A finish like brass will require a lot of time for cleaning.

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Bathroom Design Ideas to Make Small Bathrooms Look Larger

bathroomplansIf you are like most homeowners you no doubt wish you had a larger and more luxurious bathroom in your home. If coming up with any more square footage is simply impossible than fortunately you can find some design ideas that can at least go a long way to make your small bathroom look and feel bigger and also make it seem less crowded.

Good bathroom remodeling ideas are not just for bigger, luxurious bathrooms that happen to have more generous space and therefore are more able to move around their bathroom fixtures and remodeling plumbing and electrical outlets.
You will find that many homes will likely have small bathrooms and small bathrooms can provide a cozy and intimate feel. Too many time though bathrooms tend not to be looked at as a room or a space where one can spend quality time. The result is that many bathrooms are usually just designed to be comfortable and efficient, and that is usually considered enough.

No matter what particular style you select to decorate your small bath, it will still remain a small bath. However you can by just using the right colors and lighting design, create a posh and cozy bathroom retreat.

The same types of theories involving the principle of space enlargement can be applied to a bathroom as well as to a kitchen or just about any other room in your home. As an example you might want to consider replacing a larger vanity with a more compact and stylish looking pedestal sink.

You should try to eliminate anything that sticks out too much in the bathroom. You can take out any wall shelves, hanging racks, or any decorative accessories on walls that tend to make your bathroom look smaller. Eliminating these items should go a long way to make the bathroom feel larger.

The use of vertical line can help you can create the illusion of height in your bathroom. For example having bathroom tiles that go all the way to the ceiling or the introduction of vertical stripes in a wallpaper pattern can make a small bathroom seem larger. By lining the edge of your ceiling with a border or a cornice, or even a painted tile around the top of the walls can help to create more visual depth. You may also find that by adding some polished tiles and putting up mirrors can also result in the area reflecting itself and creating the illusion of additional square footage for your bathroom.

Keeping your walls a more neutral color or shade (white or beige) can also create an impression of more space. You will find that if you draw the eye upwards, the room will look taller; so you can add a border around the ceiling to help create a more vertical depth.

Lightning plays an important role in creating an illusion of more space in your bathroom. You could combine the mirrors with your lighting fixtures and the color. It is important that the lighting by spaced out correctly. You should have a strip of light bulbs installed above your main mirror.

Another good idea if you have a small bathroom is to replace the bathtub with a more upscale shower design. This could be a glass cubicle with mirrors inside or an angled shower enclosure, what is usually called a quadrant corner shower unit.

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The Proper Butlers Pantry – an Example of Reaching into the Past

butlerspantryButler’s pantries date back to the Victorian era during the time of stately old homes that had hired help such as butlers and maids to serve meals were commonplace. Many homeowners who had purchased these old homes decided not to preserve the traditional butler’s pantriesin these home during remodeling because they wanted to expand the kitchen or provide more space for other rooms of the house.

The butler’s pantry may be making a comeback because kitchen designers now see the value of them in keeping the original architecture of the home. The butler’s pantry is also becoming popular because they are great a keeping any dirty dishes out the way while entertaining. Plus they have cupboards and cabinets for holding silverware, linens and china.

All of this is contributing to a trend today by many homeowners and kitchen designers to preserve the butler’s pantries in older homes. Plus in many new kitchens there is a growing trend in introducing custom designed butler’ pantries.

In many older butler’s pantries designers have updated them to include a second sink for any items that need to hand washed, and can even be equipped with a coffee station, a small under-counter refrigerator, garbage disposal, ice maker, and places for storage. Additional items can include pull out racks for small appliance, inserts in the drawers for flatware, and even a small climate controlled wine vault.

Today the butler’s pantry can be place in entertain guests. A butler’s pantry best serve those households that entertain frequently, or who tend to serve formal meals with several courses.

Most butler’s pantries are designed to be walk-through areas, and historically they would serve as a passageway that is located between the kitchen and the dining room. This makes for convenient access to glassware and silverware and to provide an area for appetizers, drinks, or dessert. This is because most butler’s pantries are equipped with shelves, linen drawers, wine coolers or wine vaults, and food warming trays.

Most walk-through butler’s pantries are at measure at least 6 feet by 8 feet. Usually the same cabinetry design is used in both the kitchen and the butler’s pantry to maintain a continuity of design between these two rooms.

Just as with many custom kitchens a butler’s pantry can combine hardwood cabinets, shelving and the drawer units can be designed in such a way as to create a more custom look. A butler’s pantry can also include such custom features as decorative glass-front walnut cabinets with elegant crown moldings, dentil moldings, and decorative cutouts in the wood. This helps create in the cabinetry the look of fine furniture. All of these design features can create a warm inviting atmosphere for entertaining guests and as a showcase for all of your best kitchen accessories.

Butler’s pantries can also be U-shaped and be accessible from only the kitchen. However as in any butler’s pantry they will still be equipped with a sink, refrigerator, and serve as storage.

So butler’s pantries are an example of reaching into the past to come up with a new kitchen design trend.

Selecting Countertops for Your Bathroom

bathroomcountertopsCountertop materials and colors really set the tone for your overall bathroom design. Many colors, styles, pattern and materials are available to choose from — each with its own special qualities.
In addition to making a statement bathroom countertops can still be practical, providing additional workspace. Choosing a particular material can set the tone of the room

By customizing your bathroom countertop, you will be able to address all of your bathroom needs and add your own personal sense of style. You will need to choose for your bathroom design project a countertop that can accent your major fixtures like your shower, toilet, vanity, etc.

Bathroom countertops are made from materials that are durable and, and are also quite easy to maintain. Most countertops are constructed by combining a base of plywood or particleboard that then spans across the top of a cabinet and the finish surface material. Materials used in bathroom countertops also include any mastic, glue, mortar or grout needed to adhere the surface to the base and keep it impervious to water and stains.

While functionality is important in the kitchen since the kitchen countertops take more of a beating that bathroom countertops do, when it comes to bathroom countertops you are more able to consider appearance above all else. Since bathroom countertops are generally custom-made, you will find that the style and design options are wide open.

Bathroom countertops come in many types of surfaces and materials. These include: laminate,
solid surface, ceramic tile, marble, and granite.

Laminate

Laminate represents the lowest installed cost and a wide choice of colors, patterns and textures.
While laminate is stain and scuff resistant is can still be susceptible to burns and nicks.

Solid Surface

Solid surface bathroom countertops provide more design flexibility along with easy maintenance. These surfaces are easy to clean and sanitize. Scratches and most types of stains can be buffed out. Solid surface countertops imitate the look of natural stone such as marble, granite or slate. This type of material can be machined with standard woodworking tools, although you may find that you need a professional installer.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile has long been a top choice for bathroom countertops. It is known for its variety of styles, colors, patterns and materials. Prices range widely, depending on quality, and you may find that not all tiles are suitable for bathroom countertops. Tile is made of clay, shale, and porcelain. There are different types of tiles including glazed and ceramic.

Marble

Marble is know for its beauty, but because it is soft and porous and can stain easily. Nevertheless marble still remains a top choice for bathroom countertops, walls and floors. Marble is available in slab or tile forms and in a variety of thicknesses.

bathroomcountertops

Due to its beauty and durability granite is a more high-end choice for countertops. It is less susceptible to scratching and absorption than marble. Granite bathroom countertops withstand heat and the high usage that a bathroom counter would be exposed to. There are a wide variety of colors available, as well as finishes, including high polish, matte and rough-textured.

 

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Re-discovering the Kitchen Pantry

kitchenpantryplanThere was a time when many homes had a separate food pantry, or a larder as it was called, located just off the kitchen. They were a way to store food and utensils and a place for storing extra food during long winters.

About 100 years ago a food pantry or larder that was separate from the kitchen was the norm.
Often the pantry was located near the outer edge of the home where they could be at a lower temperature than the kitchen. The kitchen pantry continued to be a standard feature in the home up until World War II. But as kitchens became larger and more modern, the kitchen pantry fell out of favor.

When you have many families now purchasing their groceries in bulk they often find that they simply do not have enough space. Many typical kitchens do not have enough room for storing these bulk items. Many people when planning a kitchen remodeling tend to overlook the problem of storage. This is why in the age of warehouse buying the kitchen pantry, either the walk in type or a large pantry cupboard located just off the kitchen, is starting to make a big comeback.

Whether or not you are a professional chef or you just love cooking, you could certainly use a place for all of your cooking supplies and equipment. Kitchen pantries today can provide many storage solutions regarding everything from food and food preparation and paper products. A well designed kitchen pantry can meet the needs of you keep your family organized, and help to increase the resale value of your home. Also kitchen pantries are helping reduce the need for have so many kitchen storage units located within the kitchen itself.

When deciding on a kitchen pantry design, there are two questions you need to answer first: What will your proposed pantry be used for? Exactly how much space will you have to work with? If you have a small home you may just have room for wall cabinets and put out drawers, or install built-in hutch style cabinetry for storage solutions. Larger homes can accommodate a walk-in pantry, which can be a good thing to have if your kitchen lacks enough cabinetry. Also walk-in pantries are as popular today as kitchen islands as a new kitchen design trend.

Of course you need to think about exactly where the pantry is to be located. Kitchen pantries should be located between either the kitchen and garage entrance into the home or in passageways going from the kitchen and the dining room.

Kitchen pantries generally measure less than 100 square feet with good overhead lighting and electrical outlet for appliances.

Many of the pantries being designed now use custom cabinetry every bit as beautiful and creative as those you would find in the kitchens themselves, including details such as solid-wood cabinetry and sleek state-of-the-art hardware. This creativity can even extend to the design of the doorways of many walk-in kitchen pantries as well.

Having a functional and beautiful kitchen pantry requires some careful planning. Your kitchen pantry should be well designed and well organized to be better able to meet the needs of your family, and providing good storage solutions.

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Are You Looking For Some Great Compact Bathroom Designs And Decorating Tips?

Use These Small Bathroom Decorating Tips And Enjoy Delightful Results

If you are searching for some great compact bathroom designs and bathroom decorating tips that will help make your bathroom look larger, we have just what you’re looking for.

Although having a small bathroom can be frustrating at times, it really is possible to have a bathroom that is both comfortable and convenient to use. In addition, with the help of a few basic small bathroom decorating tips, you can effectively create the illusion that your bathroom is much larger than it actually is.

The first step in creating effective compact bathroom designs is to make effective use of the space that you have. After all, your space is quite limited, so you will need to consider your needs in order to make the most of the space that you have.

Some suggestions you might want to incorporate in order to save floor space include:

  • Get rid of the bath
    Putting in just a shower can save significant space — and may be the right move for you if you generally don’t take baths anyway.
  • Install a corner shower with a curved base
    Installing a corner-unit shower will make more efficient use of available space, while the curved base will create the illusion of added space.
  • Choose the right bath
    If you must include a bath in your compact bathroom designs, select one that is deeper rather than longer so you can save on space.
  • Hang wall cupboards
    Wall cupboards have the ability to free up floor space while also providing added storage.
  • Add shelves above the toilet
    Many people don’t use the space directly above the toilet, but additional storage space can easily be added by placing shelving or cabinetry on the wall above the toilet. This does not mean you are making the toilet stand out. Quite the contrary – this approach can help conceal a toilet.

Some small bathroom decorating tips you might want to include in order to further create the illusion of space are:

  • Install a sliding door instead of curtains on the shower, as this allows the eye to see to the back of the shower and makes the bathroom seem much larger.
  • Add mirrors to the décor, as they reflect light as well as the walls in the bathroom, creating the illusion of greater depth.
  • Paint the bathroom with lighter colors so the light will be reflected and create a grander appearance.
    Avoid patterns and bold colors, as these will just overwhelm the room and make it appear smaller. Just keep the décor simple.
  • Lighten up the bathroom by installing ample lighting, including opportunities for natural light to shine through.

With these basic small bathroom decorating tips combined with a great floor plan, you will be certain to enjoy a beautiful bathroom that is functional, yet seems to be much larger than it actually is.

  • Get rid of the bath
    Putting in just a shower can save significant space — and may be the right move for you if you generally don’t take baths anyway.
  • Install a corner shower with a curved base
    Installing a corner-unit shower will make more efficient use of available space, while the curved base will create the illusion of added space.
  • Choose the right bath
    If you must include a bath in your compact bathroom designs, select one that is deeper rather than longer so you can save on space.
  • Hang wall cupboards
    Wall cupboards have the ability to free up floor space while also providing added storage.
  • Add shelves above the toilet
    Many people don’t use the space directly above the toilet, but additional storage space can easily be added by placing shelving or cabinetry on the wall above the toilet. This does not mean you are making the toilet stand out. Quite the contrary – this approach can help conceal a toilet.
  • Install a sliding door instead of curtains on the shower, as this allows the eye to see to the back of the shower and makes the bathroom seem much larger.
  • Add mirrors to the décor, as they reflect light as well as the walls in the bathroom, creating the illusion of greater depth.
  • Paint the bathroom with lighter colors so the light will be reflected and create a grander appearance.
    Avoid patterns and bold colors, as these will just overwhelm the room and make it appear smaller. Just keep the décor simple.
  • Lighten up the bathroom by installing ample lighting, including opportunities for natural light to shine through.

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