DIY Supermarket

It wasn’t long ago that all newly-fitted bathrooms were a celebration of neo-Victoriana. Cast-iron claw-footed baths adorned with brass taps sat alongside toilet suites and sinks in traditional styles with plenty of detailing. When it came to performing our ablutions, UK bathrooms were quite literally in another age.

Of course, Victorian-style bathrooms still have a place in homes with older architectural styles, but in recent years there has been a shift towards simpler, more contemporary styles in many modern homes.

So, if we took a snapshot of how bathrooms are being remodelled today in Britain, what would we learn?

It seems that after a brief dalliance with extreme minimalism in the bathroom, things have settled down a little. Bathroom interiors are now occupied by suites that are predominantly white in colour, lines are simple and clean with increasingly curved, softer profiles. The days of stark hard edges and cubist bathroom suites have been replaced with styles celebrating a more comfortable and indulgent approach.

Many homeowners seek to replicate the luxury appeal of the bathrooms they enjoy on their spa-hotel holidays. Wet rooms, double sinks, separate bath and shower cubicles, designer lighting and underfloor heating are all regular features of new bathrooms. Smart bathroom accessories such as heated towel rails, fancy taps and shower heads are becoming the norm. State-of-the-art jacuzzi baths with massage jets and showers with multi-use heads enable you to bathe in far more luxury than ever before.

Bespoke fitted bathroom storage has also gained in popularity, with cabinets and furniture that are specifically designed for use in humid environments offering efficient storage solutions. The modern bathroom is an uncluttered, well-organised sanctuary devoted to relaxation, calm and comfort, with a healthy splash of indulgence added for good measure.

The bathroom is one of the most important and often used rooms in any house, and renovating an existing bathroom can be a very satisfying DIY project.  Whether you are planning on simply upgrading the fixtures, or you intend to completely redesign the bathroom, here are a few tips that may come in handy as you are updating this very important space.

•    Sketch your design on a piece of graph paper and think about where you want all the fittings to go.  Keep a scrapbook of images you have seen in magazines or online for inspiration and ideas.

•    Always consult a professional if you will need help with wiring and plumbing.  The bathroom can be a hazardous area to work in since you may be in contact with both water and electricity, so take care.

•    Wear safety equipment when examining or replacing existing fittings, and do not rush; take your time and ensure everything is done correctly.

•    Think about who will be using the bathroom and if they have any special requirements.  If you live with elderly relatives, for instance, will they need a bath that is easy to get in and out of?  Also ensure that the needs of any smaller children who will be using the bathroom are taken into consideration.

•    Make certain that your new bathroom will fit in with the existing design of the rest of your house.  If you intend on moving in the near future, you might want to consider a conservatively decorated bathroom.

•    Check to make sure there is adequate space available for your intended furniture and fittings, and make certain the electrical/plumbing connections for any new equipment is properly installed.

•    Make sure there is adequate heating and ventilation.  Add a heater if necessary and vents if they are not already in the bathroom.

•    Think about how easy it is to access the plumbing in the bathroom.  If it is hard at the moment, consider adding access panels near the bath or shower.

Removing an old sink or bathroom suite is pretty simple if you follow the right order and ideally get someone to help, because it can put strain on muscles.

Turn off all water at the mains and thoroughly drain the system, which is the usual preliminary task to most plumbing work. Alternatively, use an isolation valve if one is fitted. Leave the bath and sink taps turned on to let all water drain away.

Remove the bath’s supporting framework, such as bath panels, and use a tap spanner to remove waste outlets and taps from the sink and bath. If you cannot undo the nuts, just cut through the pipes, but leave enough piping for later connections.

Lift the sink off the wall after undoing its holding screws and then take the pedestal off the floor. If it is fixed via screws, you may have to remove them using a hacksaw if they have rusted into place.

Use a cold chisel and hammer on the brackets, holding the bath to the wall before lifting it away.

When redecorating a bathroom suite, a simple addition of bathroom cabinets can make a world of difference. With many styles, textures and colours available, adding a cabinet will not only help the room look great, but also it will provide for additional storage in a small room. There are many things to consider when purchasing bathroom cabinets. The most important is the material. It should be mildew and moisture resistant so that it will repel water and prevent staining and the growth of mould.

The bathroom cabinet should also be functional. Do not just choose a cabinet because it looks nice. It should be able to hold important items that are used regularly, such as toilet paper and a variety of other toiletries. While the cabinet should be user friendly, it must also look great and go along with the decor of the room. Try to choose colours that go with the current scheme in the bathroom to avoid having to repaint or tile. Adding a bathroom cabinet can make a big change in the room, adding visual appeal and providing much needed storage.

For those who wish to modernise their bathroom, but aren’t confident that their Do It Yourself (DIY) skills are sufficiently good to undertake a complete renovation, an inexpensive and easy way of changing the look of the room is to invest in some chic bathroom accessories.

Bathroom accessories can range from changing the taps and Triton showerheads to curtains and blinds.  Some people have found that just by adding a fresh coat of paint and upgrading their bathroom cabinet the room can be transformed.

New tiles are another very efficient way of revitalising a room and uplifting a jaded colour scheme.  Most of the DIY websites and manuals provide instructions on how to tile a room without having to employ an expensive professional.

Even a simple touch, for example, adding flowers or plants to a bathroom, can change the overall feel of the place.  There are many types and styles of plant pots on the market and most of them are inexpensive.  It is always a good idea to ensure that soap and make-up are stored tidily and an investment in some good quality shelving can enhance a room. 

Lighting is also very important.  A well-designed lighting system can only enhance a room and make it appear more inviting.  Since electricity and water can be a lethal combination it is a good idea to have any electrical work in the bathroom inspected by a reliable electrician.  Motion sensitive mirrors are a dynamic innovation that will add interest to any bathroom.

There are numerous examples of bathroom sink currently on the market.  Some of these are made from marble; others use the standard porcelain construction.  If someone doesn’t have the sufficient finances to buy a totally new bathroom suite, then a change of basin could suffice to renew the room.

Though many more contemporary designs have sprung up in recent years, the classic, elegant baths are still a popular choice for the bathroom suite.  The following is an introduction to some of the more coveted models.

First and foremost, most classic bath designs are freestanding, since bathtubs were not traditionally built into the wall.  The feet that may be on such bathtubs are wide ranging, but one of the most popular foot designs is the claw foot.  The claw foot provides a look that is both unique and elegant.  A traditional chrome foot is also common with classic bath designs.  The boat style bath does not have feet.

As far as the design for the tub part of the bath, there are several available.  Popular examples include the slipper style bath, where one end is raised to create a more ideal lounging environment, and the double ended tub, where both ends of the tub are rounded instead of having one end flat.  There is also the double slipper tub, which entails both ends of the tub being raised and sloped.

There is no such thing as a typical bathroom.  Bathroom furniture comes in all shapes and sizes, and in many different materials, from traditional porcelain through to flash Italian marble or contemporary glass and chrome.  Some bathrooms are based around the bath.  Either free standing and set in the middle of the floor, perhaps with the novelty of claw feet or in the more commonplace style of a boxed in rectangular bathtub, set against one wall.

Though a bath lends itself to a long, hot soak, a lack of time often makes it is more desirable to be able to make use of a shower, for quick, efficient hygiene solutions.  However, not everybody prefers to wash standing up, and a bath will always be the mainstay of an efficient bathroom, although very small closet-type bathrooms may only contain a shower unit, and not have a bath at all.  This is the smallest bathing solution of all.

If you have the luxury of lots of space, then you may have a complete wet room for an exhilarating all over body wash, maybe complete with water jets and a supersize showerhead.  However you choose to groom yourself to get clean and to get ready to go out, a bathroom will always be the go-to room in your household for the purposes of personal hygiene.  In the 20th century, a bathroom became standard fare in all-British housing, and it is an everyday luxury we can no longer do without.

Though water is extensively used in the bathroom, this does not mean it can be allowed to get everywhere as it can rot wood and cause mould.  Implementing tips to caulk a bath properly can prevent water slipping into crevices and the skills can be transferred to other receptacles where water use is common, such as sinks and shower cubicles. 

Timing Is Key

Remember that caulking must be allowed to dry completely in order to be effective and must be undisturbed during this period.  Accordingly, plan the caulking of the bath procedure during a period when it can be allowed to dry.

Keep the Area Clean

Clean and dry the area where the caulk is to be applied before commencing with the caulking process to ensure that the caulk can bond properly.  Using a degreasing solvent and a soft cloth will ensure that the surfaces will be cleansed of any grime not visible to the naked eye.  Moisture, dust, grime and foreign objects can prevent the caulk from being effective.   

Choose the Right Product

Many types of caulk are silicone based as this material helps to prevent the ingress of water from wherever it is applied.  However, there is also latex based caulking on the market, which may be preferable depending on the purpose for which it will be used.  In addition, some brands of caulk have antifungal properties that make it particularly beneficial for the bathroom. 

Application

A caulking gun is the most common method of applying the sealant, which will make it beneficial to test the trigger in order to get used to it.  On some newspaper or scrap cardboard, apply the caulk to practice doing so evenly and to get a feel for the pressure needed for the trigger.  To ensure a neat result, lay masking or painter’s tape along either side of the seam.

Old tile grout can make even the most stunning floors and walls look unattractive. Tile grout is prone to cracking and the development of mildew in damp areas such as bathrooms. However, you can re-grout your tiles to make your flooring and walls look as good as new. The re-grouting of tiling is a simple and affordable task.

Before you begin re-grouting your tiles, you will need to choose the colour of grout. Choose a colour that matches your tiles.  Bathroom tiles are normally grouted in white but there is a wide choice of alternative colours.

Use a grout saw to rake along the grout lines; alternatively you can use a small screwdriver. Take care not to injure yourself when you perform this step, as the edges of tiles can be as sharp as glass.

Once all the grout is removed, vacuum the space in between the tiles to remove any debris.

Mix up the grout according to the instructions found on the product packaging. When it has been left for the required time to cure, push the grout into the spaces between the tiles, using a sponge on walls or a float on tiled floors.

Run the sponge/float over the tiles to remove any unwanted grout. Wait ten minutes and clean any excess grout from the top of the tiles.

Leave the grout to dry for three days before sealing the grout with the aid of a grout sealer.

We may forget about the value of our bathroom linens, but there’s no denying the exquisite feeling of stepping out of a bathtub and wrapping yourself in a soft, fluffy bath towel. However, if you don’t care for your bathroom accessories properly, your towels won’t stay soft and fluffy for long.

Wash Your Linens Correctly

Keep your bath linens separate from your other laundry on washday. Don’t put other types of clothing in the washing machine with your towels and cloths. You should also wash your linens with warm water, rather than hot water, to avoid wearing down the fibres.

Help Your Linens Stay Absorbent

Stay near the washing machine while your towels and washcloths are being cleaned. During the rinse cycle, add a full cup of white vinegar to the water during one linen wash each month. Vinegar helps to strip the towels of any detergent residue that remains from previous washings, making the towels more absorbent in the long run.

Get Rid of Mildew

It’s always best to avoid mildew in the first place if you can. Drying wet linens completely and washing them each week generally prevents mildew from developing. However, if your towels and cloths begin to mildew, put them in the washing machine with very hot water. Pour in one to two cups of white vinegar and wash the linens as normal. After the wash cycle is completed, wash the linens again with regular detergent, then dry them on high heat.