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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.

The great thing about modern mosaic tiles is that they are attached to a mesh backing, so they are evenly spaced out. This also means that when you come to tiling around tricky shapes such as electrical sockets, you won’t be tile cutting. You may still have to break some mosaics in half, to get right up to the edge, but that is a whole lot easier than shaping larger tiles.

Another advantage is that if you are left with a small space to fill, you can just detach a single tile to use individually. Mosaics are extremely versatile. Another advantage to mosaic tiles is that you don’t need to think about repeating a pattern. Just line up each section of mosaics and any pattern of colours or shapes is effortlessly repeated.

As with any tiling job, you still need to mark a level line on the wall as your starting point and work downwards. If you are covering the entire wall, you still need to establish a true plumb line. You also need to make sure that if the tiles make up a pattern or are of alternating colours, you place them the right way up.

Once the mosaic tiles are in position and the adhesive is set, you can apply the grout. This too is an easier job than with bigger tiles because you can sweep a layer of grout over the whole area. You then just wipe off the excess, revealing the beautiful tiles and uniform, level grout.

Bathroom furniture comes in all shapes, sizes, and finishes.  In much the same way as we fit out our kitchens, our bathrooms are now getting the same treatment.  If you are planning to renovate your bathroom, it is worth investigating the bathroom furniture on offer.  You will find sleek, space saving options and solutions to many of your bathroom headaches.

Installing the right pieces of bathroom furniture is the secret to solving the problem of clutter.  We will always need storage space for toilet rolls, toiletries, and towels, and bathroom furniture gives us exactly that.  Whether it is a bathroom cabinet filled with bath oils, a large drawer unit for towels, or an inbuilt laundry basket, ensuring that you fit your bathroom with furniture that meets your specific needs is essential.

Cleverly designed bathroom furniture can house a wash basin in a vanity unit whilst simultaneously concealing ugly plumbing pipe work.  In the same way, wall mounted toilets with concealed cisterns help to create clean lines and minimalist finishes.  Wall mounted furniture functions well in smaller bathrooms as it creates the illusion of more space and makes floors easier to clean.

When you tile a room, it is likely that you will need to cut tiles to fit around the edges against the walls.  In order to cut the tiles you will need to use either a manual tile cutter or an electric cutter.  If you need to cut an ‘L’ shaped tile you will definitely need to use an electric tile cutter. 

Manual Cutters

Manual cutters tend to differ in the way they are used.   You should read the instructions carefully to ensure you get the best result.

Electric Cutters

Electric cutters tend to give better results and one that has water lubrication will give you the best results. 

Cutting the Tiles

In order to measure the edging tile you should place the tile on top of another full tile.  Now place the tiles against the wall. Use a third tile on top as a measurement for where the middle tile needs to be cut.  Mark the line with a tile marker. 

When cutting you should cut the tile a little bit less than the line you have drawn.  This is because it will then allow room for the grout and sealant. 

Laying the Cut Tiles

When you are ready to lay the cut tiles, apply adhesive to the back of each tile.  Position the tile, making sure it is level and aligned correctly.  You should then leave it for around 24 hours to dry before you stand on it.

A quality fitted bathroom has come to be viewed as one of the most important features of a modern house, whether as a haven to relax in or simply as an efficient and hygienic space to have a quick shower before work.  Working with an experienced bathroom fitter, as well as a reputable plumber, during your remodel can help to ensure the job is done properly, with shower trays that are leak-free and bathroom furniture that is fitted accurately.  Decent bathroom suites need not cost a fortune; however, and can be embellished with upmarket accessories such as taps or shower enclosures.  

Luxury tiles can make bathrooms feel more opulent and special.  Many modern homes now also include a wet room, which is a fully tiled ‘walk-in’ shower area complete with under floor drainage.  In some cases, wet rooms have replaced the traditional bathroom suite altogether.  Proving to be both modern and stylish, this room does away with the need for a separate shower tray, shower cubicle or shower enclosure, and can provide an elegant design solution for a home with limited space. 

An enterprising idea might be to convert an unused cupboard or redundant space under the stairs into a small but effective bathroom, whether it contains a shower cubicle, full bathroom suite, or simply a toilet and sink to provide extra cloakroom facilities.  When it comes to selling a house in today’s competitive market, estate agents often agree that an additional bathroom or shower can make the difference and give your property the edge.

Traditionally, the kitchen has been the focus of the home, and certainly the room that has benefitted most from recent home improvements, but now it seems that the bathroom is ready to overtake the kitchen in terms of luxury and design.  Whether installing a new bathroom, shower room, or additional cloak room with wash sink and toilet, this is one of the rooms most likely to appeal to a new buyer or prospective tenant when selling or renting your home.

With that in mind, it makes sense to ensure that you can get the most stylish bathroom, shower enclosures or even wet room for your money.  There are some things to consider when you are remodelling your bathroom, to help get the best out of your room and budget.

Consider luxury materials, such as marble, to give an elegant touch to even the smallest of showers without being dependant on space.  Take lighting into account; whether an array of tea lights arranged around your bath, or recessed lights above the bathroom cabinet, lighting provides a finishing touch and should not be ignored.  Mirrors are the simplest and potentially cheapest way of incorporating light into your bathroom, and can create the illusion of space in a small room.  A mirrored wall above a sink is the simplest and cheapest way of achieving this effect.  If you have the space, create an area for pampering in your bathroom.  You could even include a plasma screen television for the ultimate bathing experience.  Whatever your budget, be creative with colour, using paint if you do not have the funds for expensive tiles, to set off your bathroom furniture to perfection.

Bathroom cabinets are sometimes one of the most functional pieces of furniture in a home. In any bathroom – regardless of its size – the cabinet acts as storage space for toiletries and medications as well as somewhere for items that should not be on display. Today’s bathrooms are not just about functionality as they also express the personality and tastes of the homeowner.

A bathroom cabinet may not seem as important as the bathroom suite, but it is an integral part of the bathroom and should be chosen carefully in order to fit in with the rest of the bathroom décor.

Bathroom cabinets can be standalone pieces of furniture, but homeowners could save space by choosing a cabinet with a mirror, thereby obviating the need for a separate mirror. Bathroom cabinets do not have to be wall mounted, though. They can form part of special units that fit around a pedestal base and there are also free-standing corner cabinets available which can be useful if space is at a premium.

Bathroom cabinets now come in a wide range of styles to suit every taste whether a homeowner wants a distressed effect, a Victorian finish or a modern smoked glass and metal design.

Bathroom cabinets can come as part of a coordinated set along with other bathroom accessories and fittings such as soap dishes, toilet roll holders and towel rails. Alternatively a homeowner could decide to go for a unique bathroom cabinet which will create a feature in the bathroom.