We Answer Wednesday - Quick Bathroom Updates

"I am in need of a makeover for my bathroom.  I don't have a big budget so I cannot renovate but I need some quick and easy ideas to freshen up my bathroom."

The bathroom is one of the smallest but also one of the most used rooms in the home.  A renovated bathroom can be costly and time consuming but you definitely have some easy updates that are quick and affordable that can really make a splash!

Try working with the colour scheme in the bathroom instead of against it.  So if you have coloured tile - add some complimentary colour in there.  If you fight with the colour or ignore it - you won't get the end result you want!

Change up the textiles - easy and affordable! So add a new shower curtain and liner, add some new towels too and maybe even a bathmat! Stay from toilet covers...



Add some fresh bling - so switch out your old cabinetry hardware and add some new knobs or handles! This is a quick change but it really makes a difference (this is also a great update for a kitchen). If you are handy, you could even update your towel bar an toilet paper holder.



Switch up your mirror - adding a new mirror with a decorative frame will instantly freshen up your space and give it a custom look and feel without the custom price tag! If your lighting is looking a bit dated (and you are handy) consider updating the lighting as well.



Add some accessories - a plant, some art, candles, new soap dispensers - easy updates that make the space feel and look new again!

 

If you are looking to take it to the next level, consider paint! It's a small space so it would be a quick weekend job but be sure to get the right paint so let the salesperson know that you are painting a bathroom. 



Sprucing up your bathroom is also a great idea if you are considering selling your home.  When we stage bathrooms we like to keep them clean and clutter free but also styled in neutral tones and add some accessories to set the scene.

Bathroom Vanities for Every Size

Even though the bathroom is the smallest rooms in the house, it is also one of the most used rooms in the house - so shouldn't it be fabulous?

Whether you are renovating just for yourself or looking to update in order to sell - don't ignore the bathroom!  It's a hot spot for buyers.


So if you are considering a bathroom renovation, take a look at this checklist of things to consider before you start -

1.  How many people will be sharing the bathroom? If there are 3 or more you will probably need two sinks.

2. Do you have a linen closet? Towels eat up valuable space.  If you don't have room for a closet (or it's not in the reno budget) look for a vanity will also serve as a linen closet, consider one with open lower shelves to stack towels and face cloths

3. Tight space? Of course you want to maximize the amount of vanity space in the bathroom but be sure to measure everything.  Measure to make sure you can freely open any doors and drawers before you buy.  What's the point in a vanity if you can't use the storage space?

4.  What's included? Some manufacturers and some sell everything separately offer all-in one (sink, counter top and faucet)  and in other cases you need to source out the faucet and sink on your own.  So make sure you know what's included when you go to buy.

5.  Tight budget? Want a new vanity but can afford it? How about dressing up what you have with paint and/or new hardware.  Also try updating the mirror - it doesn't have to be expensive but something with a thicker or shiny frame looks more custom made. It can make a world of difference.

Vanities for small spaces:

- Round.  Round vanities with legs keep a tight space from feeling crowded.  Look for one with a drawer and a shelf that will also provide some storage, too.















 - Wall mount.  Wall mounted vanities are great for smaller spaces as they offer storage but because they are open at the bottom they don't have all of the bulk.  Plus it is so easy to clean underneath wall mount vanities.












- Dresser style.  Could be new or a converted vintage piece.  It offers deeper drawers that you can easily add dividers too (or just use baskets inside, if you aren't handy) to help you stay organized.  And with a smaller sink you an have more counter space



 Vanities for medium spaces :

- Double Doors. A re-imagined dresser as a bathroom vanity allows for so much storage and counter space, too.



- Off side.  A floating vanity (aka wall mount) is a modern and airy approach.  By setting the sink off center you get much more counter space and still lots of storage with open and/or closed shelving- open shelves are perfect for things that you use everyday that are also attractive.



- Farmhouse style.  A large farmhouse style sink gives you a large sink and works well with a wider space.  Try wall mounted faucets to give it a streamlined look (it keeps the counters clear).  the wall mount faucet is also great for vessel sinks.



Vanities for large spaces:

- Long and lean.  If you can, go for length - you won't ever regret having all of the storage.  Be sure to have a mix of drawers and cabinets.  when doing a long wall of cabinets, try putting on some legs (short block ones are just fine) they will make the piece (and the whole space) feel and look less heavy. Personally, when there is a lot of cabinetry in a bathroom I like to opt for lighter tones like white, cream, soft grey or lighter wood tones it i more calming.



-  Open up.  If you have a large bathroom you might have other options for storage like a linen closet or linen tower. An open vanity can make any space feel very airy and light.  Opting for something sculptural will make the space feel beautiful.  The exposed piping can act as a handy towel rack, too.


 

-  Take a seat.  If the space allows consider a make up station within the counter.  Think about location of the make up station, personally I think it is best at the opposite side of the sink in order to keep everything dry. A make up station also looks great when centered between two vessel sinks.

 

Hooray for Hardware!!

So one of my favourite and easy fixes for a kitchen, bathroom and an outdated piece of furniture is new hardware.  This is a great way to update a piece or just give it a new 'style spin' .  This is a very easy and inexpensive way to make a big impact!  This is a great tip if you are looking to sell your home and what some easy ideas to update the space.

In my last home, we had a very plain faced kitchen cabinet door - we purchased a very modern looking handle and it made our kitchen look so new and current - it really changed the look of the whole space.  In our current home, we changed out our old brass very 1980's cabinet pulls and opted for a more current one in a brushed chrome. 



Sometimes the pulls and knobs can be the show stopper of the space.  Last year, we renovated a turn of the century home into a real estate office.  In the kitchens and bathrooms we used crystal knobs which added so much sparkle to the rooms and also worked well with the age of the home.



The installation of knobs and pulls is so easy and takes next to no time at all!  What a little fix for a big impact!!

All About Bathroom Sinks

So many styles, so much to choose from,  Where to start?

Because of the limited purpose (hand washing) of a bthroom sink, manifacturers have had the opportunity to develop a wide variety of styles for the bathroom sink.  Every bathroom sink has their own pros and cons, let's take a look -

PEDESTAL SINK-
looks like a bird bath and is often seen in powder rooms and smaller main bathrooms

Pros: attractive option when there is limited or no room for cabinetry, can make a smaller bathroom feel more spacious, open at the back to provide access to the drainpipe and supply lines

Cons: offers no storage or counter space



WALL MOUNT -
attach o the wall and are open underneath. Not as attractive a bit more of an idustrial or old fashion school house look

Pros: work in small bathrooms, they do not take up any floor space, easy wheelchair access

Cons: no storage or counter space



INTEGRAL SINK -

is a one-piece option with a surrounding counter

Pros: simple installation, one-piece construction means seamless (no gaps, no crevices for trapping dirt, hair etc...)

Cons: replacing a sink means replacing the countertop as well, no opportunity for creatively matching a counter with a sink



DROP IN SINK -

also known as 'self rimming sinks' fit inside a whole in the counter top.  the rim rests on the edge of the hole and is secured to the counter top with a waterproof sealant.

Pros: vanity cabinets hide the drainpipe and water supplies, cutouts in the cabinet do not need to be finished because they will be covered by the sink and the fixtures

Cons: these sinks lean a bit more to practical than to beautiful, the sink rim makes it impossible to wipe water from the counter into the sink



UNDERMOUNT SINK -

unlike a drop in sink this sink is installed from below.  This means the counter edges must be finished as they won't be covered by the sink

Pros: has a sleeker appearance than drop ins, without a rim you can wipe water from the counter into the sink

Cons: unless the vanity top can be removed you cannot install an undermount as a retrofit, because edges are exposed (counter) these sinks can only be used with waterproof countertop materials such as granite, marble, quartz or a solid-surface synthetic



VESSEL SINK -

sit on top of the vanity and are completely exposed and come in a variety of materials including glass, marble, and cast bronze.  No faucet holes - faucets are installed in either the wall or the counter top (be sure to get a faucet that is tall enough for a vessel sink)

Pros: visually striking, because the cut outs are so minimal you really maximize the impact of your countertop - so if you have purchased an expensive natural stone countertop you'll will get to see more of it. 

Pros: no over flow holes (you will want to install a grid drain to be sure to not have any overflow), can be very expensive, because the vessel sink sits on top of the vanity you may want to customize the vanity height



CONSOLE SINK -

a blend of characteristics from the wall mount sink and the pedestal sink.  Lots of variation in terms of look, size and style

Pros: can accommodate a wheelchair (depends on the distance between the legs of the console), extra width usually allows for some counter storage space, in some cases towel bars can also be added

Cons: extra width means most consoles are too big for smaller bathrooms, plumbing is usually exposed