DIY Home Decoration
Archive for May, 2010
Comfort in your small bathroom
May 27th
In glossy magazines bathroom looks like as a luxurious salon. Shine and glitter everywhere, every trifle has its own place on the shelf, a glance through the window allows you to marvel at wonderful nature and clouds swimming in the sky. There is ample space for a training simulator, solarium and a couch to have a rest on it. But what do we have in a standard flat? Bathroom, combined with lavatory, with the area of 3-5 sq. m, which you can hardly dare to call “a room”. But if the designer assumes the slogan “it is better to have less, but better”, the result can be impressive. Today we will tell you about methods, which allow to make a small bathroom into comfortable enough, beautiful and modern.
Planning and location of the sanitary equipment is preconditioned by the location of lifting pipes, as well as run pipes of hot and cold water. The most fixed is the connection of the lavatory pan to the discharge stack. This part is usually hidden in the box that is hardly pleasant to look at. If the stack has been already built, it is better not only to hide it, but also to use it with utmost rationality, for example, to hide the toilet bowl into it. If you resorted to re-planning, the range of decisions widens considerably. Rational location of the sanitary equipment easily to free some useful space. Modern sanitary equipment allows to mount the wash-bawl and lavatory pan on the one low partition from different sides, which provides the economy of space and functional zoning of the water closet. There are modern models of lavatory pans with deep washing off, which is fixed directly to the wall. Such decision helps not only to save area, but also increase the convenience of washing the lavatory pan. More >
What makes a good bathroom
May 23rd
How to choose the right bathroom suite from all the variety we have on the market? What is it necessary to consider when choosing a bathtub or necessary equipment? Well chosen and successfully placed bathtub and equipment will make them comfortable and easy to use.
To start at the right time.
It is necessary to choose needed bathroom equipment (including a bathtub) before the new bathroom installation works start. Having decided on the arrangement of bathroom equipment, it is necessary to work out water-piping and drainage system, in case new layout differs from the existing one.
A selection and a number of pipes and fitment required (connectors, fittings, branch boxes, etc) shall be chosen in accordance with the configuration plan. In case the existing layout is preserved, it is necessary to decide whether old bathroom pipes need to be replaced. New bathroom units installation starts just before the beginning of finishing works.
Where to start with when choosing a bathtub.
When choosing a bathtub, it is necessary to following criteria. A bathtub needs to be of comfortable size and form, to fit to the size and interior of the new renovated bathroom. The bathtub should be solid and resistant to mechanical damages, resistant to solvent action of water (wooden bathtubs or Ofuro, also known as furo a traditional Japanese bath, normally associated with a steep-sided wooden bathtub). A new bathroom installation system shall correspond to the existing water supply system. In case drainage accessories (waste traps) are not included in a set, it is necessary to buy a bathtub and a waste trap at the same time to provide compatibility of constructions. All of the bathtubs are supplied with the openings for overflow which are structurally connected with a bath trap.
It is recommended to choose mixers when purchasing a bath as well. It is important to know that
installing a new bathtub, it is necessary to allow a comfortable space near the new bathtub to make your bathroom safe to use. Also it is better to choose a model with anti-slip coating on a bottom which is provided by adding quartz granulated material or rubber droplets. For convenience of using, fashionable bathtubs are often provided with different types of elbow-rests, headrests, comfortable chrome-plated or gilded handles, housing for soap dishes, etc. Many manufacturers produce baths with the backrests of anatomic form which follow human body curves. Depending on a buyer’s predilections and general bathroom interior design, it is possible to choose a bathroom suite of nearly any color. Usually, most of available commercial bathroom suites are of white color. More refined colors are supplied to order. Timing of orders differs.
What does a price of a bathroom suite depends on?
Manufacturing material (in increasing price: steel, cast-iron, acrylic), a size (bathtubs of standard sizes are cheaper), a form (rectangular bathtubs are cheaper than angular and shaped ones, at other equal descriptions: manufacturing material, class, setting). Also the presence of additional functional details: headrests, elbow-rests, seats, handles, shelves, etc. A class and design of a product defines the price range too: “practical”, “first class”, “super de luxe”. For example the “super de luxe” rectangular cast-iron bathtub is more expensive than the “practical” shaped acrylic bathtub).
What is not recommended.
Buying a bathtub in case there are even insignificant chips or cracks on its surface. Choosing a bathroom suite supplier it is better to buy a bathroom suite of the known bathroom manufacturer, which guarantees quality of material and coverage: thoroughness of surface treatment before enamel application (no gaps, no knobs, nor crumbs or sand are allowed under enamel), quality of the bathtub enamel and its application. Identical colors of different bathroom suite suppliers can have different tones, therefore, it is better to buy a complete set of bathroom equipment of one manufacturer.
Wooden Patio Covers
May 19th
Having a patio gives the house an extra dimension and an attractive outdoor space. For people who love the outdoors, having a patio means having an extra room and allows for a wonderful home-to-garden transition.
1. The Benefits Of Patio Covers
It serves mainly as a protection from the harmful rays of the sun but patio covering also has more benefits. With different materials on the market, you can create a stylish look with your patio cover. It gives you a full range of opportunities to make your home even more beautiful than it was before. There are a lot of materials to choose from but if you are also concerned about style and beauty to grace your patio, then wood patio covers are just the thing for you. Wooden patio covers is a stylish way to protect you from the heat of the sun as well as the rain. It also adds value to the house.
2. Enjoy Outdoor Spaces
With your new stylish wooden patio covering, outdoor activities are more enjoyable. Enjoy the convenience of outdoor beauty, or use your barbeque during weather conditions like rain where you would typically be unable to.
3. Wood Is More Beautiful
Aesthetically speaking, wood has gained supremacy over different materials used in making patio coverings. Hardwoods like cedar and redwood are usually used in making wooden patio covers. This material gives you the natural beauty of wood grain that simply isn’t available with any other materials on the market. Plus the variety of ways one could do to accentuate the designs on their patios. More >
Your Living room Is a Place To Show
May 15th
Is your living room a place for show, only used when you’re entertaining? Living rooms, as their name suggests, should not only reflect who you are to the outside world, but they should also be lived in. Here are some suggestions for making your living room warm and inviting for guests as well as functional and comfortable for family members.
If your living room is large, divide it into smaller areas through the positioning of furniture. You want the “conversation pit” to be cozy — a couch and loveseat and a couple of chairs around a large cocktail table will seat many people, yet they’ll all be able to hear what the others are saying. A great place for family meetings as well as for entertaining. Make sure all seats are within reach of a table — someplace to set down those drinks and chips! More >
Feng shui Guidelines For Your Children’s Room
May 11th
Feng shui indicates some specific guidelines regarding children’s spaces and bedrooms. The way we decorate them and the way we distribute the furniture should be done by following those principles in order to achieve harmony and help your children feel comfortable in that space.
One first important aspect to have into account about a child’s room is the colors within it. You should pay special attention to the colors you choose for this space, not only for the walls but for the decoration in general. According to feng shui, a child’s room should be in earth colors such as light oranges, terracotta or warm yellows. These colors would make them feel safe.
Colors that are cold, such as blue or gray shades should never predominate in a child’s room, since they could bring them insecurity feelings. Besides, the wall and furniture colors should be in balance as well. It is also important to remark that too bright colors are not recommended for a child’s bedroom. More >