We Answer Wednesday - Bathroom Accessories

“I’m always struggling to find accessories for my bathroom. I have no idea what a good bathroom accessory is. Any suggestions?”

Great question! Often a room that is overlooked, bathrooms should be beautiful too! Bathroom accessories are what personalize a space and are a great place to add fun colour you may not have anywhere else in your home.

Try adding colored or patterned towels to your space. There are so many great colours and options, you can choose anything! If you’re stuck, try choosing a colour out of your shower curtain and adding that. No shower curtain? Neutral with a pattern with add that visual interest you’re looking for. Of course, if your bathroom is already bright and colourful.. a clean, crisp neutral with a subtle pattern will add that extra pop!

 

Small fake plants are a nice touch. There are many plants that are artificial but you can even tell! Choose a plant to place on your countertop or on another surface you have such as a shelf, toilet, edge of a bathtub. 

 

I love candles in a bathroom. I think it gives the space a serene feel and they smell great! Beautiful candle holders, or just candles on their own are another great layer to add to the bathroom accessory list. You can have one large or a grouping of smaller ones. Choose something you love.

 

Art is a nice touch as well. Somewhere in the bathroom you will likely have a bit of wall space for a small piece or two. Add something that goes nicely with your previously selected colour palette. It doesn’t have to all be the same as what you have but something with a hint of consistency will blend beautifully into the space.

 

Small trays for jewelry and personal items are a functional and pretty option to keep on the countertop. Choose something shiny!  Maybe something that matches the handles in your bathroom such as gold, chrome or brass. The continuation of similar metals makes your space look well thought out, and very harmonious.   But don't leave too much jewelry on display or anything really expensive!

 

The key is to repeat a colour. Having 7 different colours, patterns and textures may seem like a good idea, but it will likely just have an eclectic feel. Try to use some consistency and repeat an accent colour you have already started with.  

 

And for anyone looking to sell their home, don't forget about staging your bathroom it really sets the scene for buyers.  The bathroom is a hot spot that buyers look for so show it off with simple accessories. Create that 'dream' bathroom for those buyers!

 Goodluck!

Maintaining your Natural Stone Tiles

Floor and wall coverings are the first thing that people notice in your bathroom. There are so many different materials, styles, looks and trends that can be applied to make your bathroom stunning. Natural stone is a popular trend we are seeing a lot of these days. Natural stone options consist of Slate, Marble, Limestone, Travertine, Granite, and Sandstone.

Part of having a gorgeous bathroom is maintaining that gorgeous bathroom. Without proper maintenance, finishes look tired and worn. Many home owners are incorporating a natural stone into their bathrooms these days so in this blog we’ll give you some maintenance tips and cleaning suggestions to help maintain the beauty of your tiles!

Natural stone is a stunning choice but also has a lot more work than just laying it and leaving it. It is a wise choice to seal your natural stone tile. The resistance to stains is substantially higher than leaving it unsealed. This is a product that can be purchased at any local hardware store or specialty tile supplier. It is worth the investment! Sealant will need to be reapplied regularly, depending on the brand and specific product. Be sure to check how regularly your sealant should be applied as well as make sure to get the product that is made for your particular stone. Remember that sealant is not a miracle worker and doesn’t make the stone resistant to damage, but it certainly does help.

Now that you’ve sealed your tile, we recommend a regular routine cleaning. Consistent use of a non-abrasive cleaner, mild washing liquid or a stone soap is recommended and safe for all natural stone services. Always be sure to use a small amount of any cleaning product and not overdo it – too much is never good. Be sure to thoroughly rinse all surface once they’ve been cleaned with warm water and a clean cloth.

Regular sweepings keeps a lot of the outsider dirt brought in under wraps. This is the best way to keep surface scratching to a minimum, otherwise your tile may begin to look dull. Natural stone, especially the softer stones, are sensitive to abrasion. (hence the non-abrasive cleaners above!)

Rather than wiping away spills, try to blot them to avoid them from spreading over the surface more than they have already. Water and a mild soap, organic being the best choice will get spills gone as long as they are handled as soon as they are noticed.

Ahhh, the price to pay for beauty!

Brighten up your bathroom without blowing the bank

We have all heard how kitchens and bathrooms are the hot spots in your home. These are the rooms that can get you top dollar when it is time to sell. But looking around at bathroom specialty showrooms can be overwhelming, so many choices and the price to do to a bathroom reno can spin out of control. So is there a way to brighten up the bathroom and not blow your budget? Of course. check out these ideas:

a -- Change up your hardware. A simple and easy makeover but wow it can really transform a room.

b -- Paint. Depending on what look you want to achieve will depend on your colour choice. If you LOVE colour, I recommend drama in a powder room but softer in an ensuite or main bath.

c -- New mirror. Adding a 'custom' mirror looks expensive and sends the message ' this home was loved and cared for' to potential purchasers. Look for a mirror with a unique frame, again, a special touch that you might not see in other homes.

d -- New towels etc.... Get some fresh guest towels, new soap dispensers, a small plant (real or fake) and perhaps, a piece of art. This can really spruce up a boring bathroom and won't cost much at all. I like classic white towels, very chic and timeless. A black and white photo is also a timeless piece that works with all colour palettes. This is a great idea to follow if you are looking to sell.

e -- New shower curtain. Get rid of the old and in the with new and don't forget to replace the plastic liner, too. A mouldy shower liner and/or curtain is just gross. A new curtain adds some freshness to the room.

f -- Change out your faucets, shower head, towel bar and toilet paper bar. Adding these shiny, new pieces can really change up your room and make it sparkle! Most hardware stores offer a package so all the items match. A mis-match of hardware in the bathroom looks like you went and bought everything at a discount, take the time to find items in the same finish and look.

Serious about selling?

Be sure to put extra time into minor repairs. Fix the leaky faucet, cracked tiles, touch up paint and remove the mould and mildew. These small details are not insignificant and do matter. Putting time and effort into making your home 'picture perfect' will not go unseen and the offers you receive on your home will reflect that.

Bringing sexy back into the bathroom

The idea of moving into a new home that the builder has outfitted with your wish list of upgrades can be hard to resist. But builder upgrades can be very costly. Even relatively simple items, such as a few pot lights that would normally cost a homeowner a few hundred dollars, can spike by a couple of hundred per cent when you ask your builder to install them. At the same time, it can be difficult to know what’s best for your new home until you have lived in it for a while. Does it need three pot lights or four? Where should the lighting be placed? What colour of tile would work best? Why not wait until you havemoved in to decide. Then you can make the upgrades yourself, and keep the money in your pocket rather than fill your builder’s.
Ready to turn your basic, boring bathroom into a swank, sexy space?

1 -- Replace the shower head. The most basic of upgrades but one that can make a big difference in your morning shower, the three-outlet upgraded shower head is pure luxury but without a high price tag. Even a somewhat handy person can make this change.

2 -- Replace the basic mirror. All builders use a very simple basic mirror that is usually quite plain or if you are really unlucky, very dated. But this is a simple fix, go to any home furnishings store and find the mirror section (make sure you have measured your space). Replace your boring builder mirror with a more current one. If you can find one with a unique frame this can really make your space a special one.

3 -- Replace the vanity. This change is bit more costly and recommended in a resale home as opposed to a new build. The existing vanity was classic builder’s basic or perhaps original to the home—functional but boring. A new dark-wood vanity, bought off the shelf at Home Depot or Rona, can come complete with marble top and vessel-style sink, which can give any bathroom a modern flair at a reasonable price point.

4 -- Replace the light fixture. A single fixture over the vanity and one over the bathtub is the builder basic but it leaves the room unevenly lit and dim. Adding two pot lights in the middle of the ceiling makes the room bigger, cleaner and brighter. Adding inexpensive upgraded light fixture above your mirror completes the lighting modification needed to create an expensive looking bathroom.

5 -- Accessorize! By adding some decor pieces that work with your theme (beach, spa etc...) can be the finishing touch to setting the tone to your new bathroom. Look for a small plant, guest soaps or a unique soap dispenser, pieces such as beach glass, shells or starfish, some art to hang on the walls. Don't forget the towels - look for a colour that works with the space right now crisp white towels with a touch of chocolate are really popular but whatever you choose make it consistent. The Dora the Explorer towels might be on sale and would work in a child's bathroom but they should not be used for your adult guests. Buy in bulk and look for sales, most department stores run a promo sale on towels a few times a year.

Even though it is just a bathroom remember this is part of your home to, and your guests will want to feel welcome in all areas of your home. If you are looking at selling now or in the near future, the bathroom space(s) are very important on the resale market. After speaking with members of the Bennett Real Estate pros (http://www.bennettpros.com/) their agents mentioned that the bathrooms were an important factor in selling any home. Potential buyers are looking for clean, well-maintained and current bathroom spaces. When showing your home make sure any repairs have been fixed, the bathroom is spotless, all personal items are stored away to show off counter space and adding some decor such as a plant and clean towels, goes a long way. A bathroom can make an impact on your guests (or potential buyers) and your ensuite should be a place to escape and enjoy!