Quick tricks for easy upgrades of your bathroom

The bathroom has evolved into an area of retreat within the house, and therefore needs to be designed with care. The secret to the peaceful ambience that will be your source of renewal: an ability to play with colour and a careful integration of décor accessories. Here are a number of tips to help guide you and set you on the right path.

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Around the wash basin
The many options for your walls
The floor
A new view of the window
Lighting
Accessories

Around the wash basin

    The magic of colour
    In no time at all you can rejuvenate your bathroom cabinets with a simple coat of paint. Wood, melamine, laminates: all these surfaces can be painted, as long as you understand how to go about it. First, remove all hardware, then fill any holes and scratches, and sand. An oil-based primer should then be applied to ensure proper adhesion.

    When surfaces have been properly prepared, you can paint your cabinets with a latex paint in the colour of your choice. If it is an antique or weathered finish you’re looking for, get a glaze that has been developed just for this purpose. Easy to bring off, you’ll be deighted with the results and you’ll have given new life to your cabinets.
    New life for your cabinet panels
    The mixture of different materials can produce spectacular effects, and up the charm considerably of your cabinets. You might think of removing the centre panel portion of your cabinet doors and inserting frosted glass, thus keeping your personal things private but envigorating the look of your cabinets.

    For a look both classic and elegant, fitted mouldings painted with the same colour as the cabinet panels will give a classic and elegant look. If you are feeling truly inspired, the addition of wall paper or motifs either hand-traced or with a stencil will complete the transformation beautifully.

    Handles, knobs and hinges can do wonders in giving a new look to your wash basin furniture, without incurring great expence. The tendency these days is towards metalic finishes – brushed nickel in particular – and antique patinas. Always take into account the overall ambience you are trying to achieve.
    Stylized furniture
    Converted into a vanity, the antique furniture piece is making its entry into the bathroom. It is in fact possible to transform an antique chest of drawers into the wash basin cabinet. If you’re not quite ready to take something like that on, turn your project over to a cabinetmaker, or look for a piece that has already been made for just this purpose. Another big trend in sink cabinets is the open concept, providing easy and accessible storage for your personal things. Bath towels can be put in baskets that can then slide into place. This is an option that involves a very small investment of money, but yields big returns in style!

    Replacing the the countertop can change the whole impression of the bathroom, and it’s very easy to do. Ceramic tiles or laminates will do the trick – just remember that surfaces should be water resistant and durable.
    Art has a place in the bathroom too
    In changing the bathroom furniture, questions of style should be front and centre. Coloured glass, avant-garde design, hand painted motifs: cabinets take on the allure of works of art. From now on, the bathroom is a place where comfort and practicality will have to conform to esthetic considerations too.

    You want to keep the wash basisn where it is, but give it a rejuvenating cure? Opt for the paint that will allow you to re-enamel, and hand or stencil paint motifs.

    In a style described as classic, antique or modern, with a copper, chrome or brushed finish, new faucets can, in and of themselves, change the look of your bathroom. You’ll achieve the best results if you install the same fixtures for your bathtub, wash basin and shower.
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