Home Design Trends for 2013

Although there are not fast shifts in home décor, we do notice certain trends as they begin to occur. These are more of a slow move in one direction or another that happen over time, but not all at once. As last year came to a close we observed some aspects of home décor that were beginning to trend. Some decorating habits from last year will be long gone by the end of this year and many trends seem to hold on just a little while longer. Here are some of the main home design trends that we are likely to see continue throughout 2013.

3 Big Ways to Make a Small Bathroom Luxurious

Pelican Shower/Bath

With so many of us leading busy lives and rushing about from here to there, it can be difficult to set aside time to conceptualize, much less carry out, any home improvements. Between work, school, social engagements and other obligations you may often spend so little time at home that you scarcely have a moment to consider whether you’re happy with your dwellings. That is, until you step into your bathroom or kitchen each morning and have that fleeting thought of, “I really should fix/change/replace/ that”. Our only true sanctuary from the outside world, home is where the heart is, and it can be wonderful to focus a bit of effort on your own space. Having a luxurious bathroom can truly improve your quality of life, so even if you’ve got a small area to work with, it pays to make it as comfortable as possible.

Big Items First

When designing a bathroom, the larger fixtures generally must come first. Items like a bath, shower, and sink must be chosen with care according to the bathroom’s measurements and plumbing locations. However, even smaller spaces can take advantage of luxury fixtures. Experts agree that having a bath of any size will increase your home’s value for future buyers.  The most practical way to implement a bath in a small space is to opt for a shower bath , which allows you to make the most of your floor space. Space-saving toilets can be very attractive as well, so look for styles like back to wall toilets and wall hung models to make the room seem streamlined instead of small. Compact, even minuscule sinks are available in a variety of styles. You’ll be amazed by how nice it feels to rest your eyes on a shiny new sink instead of an old, moldy, cracked or stained one. Replacing this feature will add major luxury appeal.

Make the Space Seem Bigger

It’s difficult to make a cramped space luxurious, but you can use a few tricks to make it seem bigger. First off, make sure to eliminate all clutter by storing it properly (implement proper storage if necessary). A good tip for smaller bathrooms is to use open shelving; it allows the eye to travel to the wall, opening up the space. The same goes for clear glass shower doors instead of a curtain. Check your lighting to make sure it makes your bathroom light and bright- few truly luxurious bathrooms are dark and dank. If possible, leave any windows uncovered to allow for maximum natural illumination. Install mirrors on dull walls, to reflect light and give the appearance of a room that goes on much further.

Luxurious Accessories

What exactly is it that makes a bathroom ‘luxurious’? Aside from having smaller versions of larger luxury features, like a shower bath, many times all a small space needs is the right luxurious accessories. Replace an old plastic shower head with a chrome model, and switch out your basin taps for chrome as well. If you’ve always fancied having marble or stone tiles, a small bath can be a great place to install them, as you’ll need far less material to cover your space. Purchase thick, plush towels, scented candles and quality soap. You can also consider added an extra luxurious heating element, such as a heated towel rack or underfloor heating. Many luxurious bathrooms also incorporate texture, in order to create a sensorial experience. Try adding a plush rug for the floor or have a velvet bathrobe to slip into. By adapting the guidelines for larger bathrooms to fit any space, you too can have a luxurious bathroom.

Sonia Bieber is a home design expert and avid cyclist. She spends her free time in the great outdoors, but appreciates coming home to her cozy home, family and two cats. She is also a freelance writer for Bathroom Heaven, retailers of luxurious bathroom furniture and fixtures.

Remodeling the Bathroom

Sometimes the most overlooked area in home remodeling can be the bathroom. We think a lot about how we want rooms rearranged, color coordinated and how to maximize the space. We forget that these are all viable options for the bathroom in our home as well. How do you know when it is time to remodel your bathroom?

Sometimes the fixtures will let you know that it is time to consider remodeling. If it’s a struggle to turn the water off and on, the faucets drip or the toilet sways while in use it is time to think about remodeling.

Perhaps it is the poor condition of the walls that first turned your attention toward a full bathroom remodel. Struggling to store all the necessary bathroom items may be what first got your attention. Or it may have been the lack of decent lighting.

Any or all of these can be indications that it is time (or past time) to begin major renovations. The bathroom, just like any type of home remodeling, can be done all at once or a little at a time as finances allow.

For the most part fixtures must not be moved since they are hooked into main water supplies. This makes it difficult to move them. One option if room allows is to keep the water supply where it is and turn the tub a different direction. This allows for minimal movement of hookups but can provide additional room or just change the aesthetics of the room.

If you are tired of the lack of storage in the bathroom areas of your home there may be some easy solutions when remodeling. A top shelving unit can be extended the length of a wall, or a small cabinet can be made into a full closet that extends from ceiling to floor. This can add storage space as well as change the looks of the room.

There can be many signs that it is time to remodel your bathroom. It certainly should not be the most frustrating room in the house. Talk to your contractor to explore options in home remodeling.

What choices you should think about when remodeling a room

When remodeling a room in your home there are many choices to think about before starting this task. You should consider your home’s equity, your home’s needs, beautification, the time you have on your hands, and your budget. When remodeling a room or your home as a whole, each of these components plays an important role on what choice to make in remodeling.

Let’s say you want to update your bathrooms appearance to increase the equity of your home but your kitchen needs work done as well, not for beautification but because your kitchen needs major repairs. Naturally, the kitchen repairs would be more important then increasing your equity by updating your bathrooms. Your home’s needs always come before wants in this scenario.

The time you have on your hands and the budget you have to work with are of great importance in choosing which room to remodel and how the remodeling should be done. Your bedroom may be too small and your bathrooms may need updating. When do you want the overall work done? How much is each job going to cost if done one at a time? Can you get a discount if you hire the same person to do all the work at once? These are important decisions to work out before you get started on remodeling any room in your home.

Having a plan, your budget worked out, knowing what you want done, and how you want the remodeling done before getting started will make the process of remodeling less stressful. Using these strategies in choosing what room to remodel or how you want the room remodeled will also help you make the process of remodeling a room simpler and more efficient saving you time and money.