Treasure Hill Cottage

We just finished a bathroom addition in the space over our garage and it went a little over budget. I have to spend a lot less on the decor stuff than what I’d like, so I’ve had to do some real bargain hunting to find good deals on stuff that looks great. And when it comes to bathroom décor, it’s pretty important that it be durable quality materials and construction.

I started by purchasing the big-ticket items, such as the sink, tub and toilet, at a liquidation store. Not only did this save me money but it also helped me determine the budget for the rest of the peripherals. Now I know how much I can spend on bath towel hangers, outlet covers and other peripherals.

There’s nothing worse than a cluttered bathroom. In a room that’s probably pretty small to begin with, clutter only compounds the problem. For this reason, make sure that one part of your bathroom decor that you don’t neglect is a high quality set of medicine cabinets. These cabinets come in many different shapes, sizes, and varieties, but the most important thing is that they have lots of shelf space for all your lotions, medicines, and knickknacks.

These shelves should also be of varying heights, so that even tall bottles fit easily. The cabinets can also contain mirrors, which will add a convenient element to the bathroom that you probably want anyway. If you are particularly concerned about the cabinets jutting into the space and diminishing the look of the room, look into the option of recessed cabinets. Just keep in mind that when it comes to cabinets, they’re only helpful if you keep them organized. If everything is cluttered within the cabinets, you still won’t be able to find anything, and the bathroom will be just as messy as it was to begin with.

I just moved into a gorgeous old house with hardwood floors and crown molding, and lots of big windows—and absolutely no closet space. This is a problem for a person who has as much extra blankets and pillows and sleeping bags as I do. A linen closet really was a necessity. But since I’m no carpenter, and knocking down a wall to build one wasn’t exactly appealing, I went a different route and purchased a freestanding bathroom linen cabinet.

Not only does the cabinet provide the space I was looking for, but the stylish cut and shabby-chic finishing makes it the perfect piece for my home. And it has plenty of drawers and shelves, so not only can I fit my extra bedding in, there is also plenty of space for towels, too. So if you’re ever at a loss for where to put all of your stuff, look in to linen cabinets.

There are a number of simple steps that any homeowner can take to update their bathroom. Not all bathrooms require new cabinets, a Jacuzzi tub, and a retiled floor to be appealing (though these additions help!). The simple steps that homeowners can take to improve the appeal of their bathroom include painting the walls and cabinets, updating the knobs and pulls for drawers or cabinets, purchasing new bath towel hangers, and getting a new mirror.

Paint is one of the cheapest and most efficient ways to update any room. For the average size bathroom, about one to two buckets of paint will be necessary to paint the walls, while cabinets will depend on their own size. The best part is, this amount of paint often costs under thirty dollars. Updating the knobs and pulls on cabinets is also a simple way to update the bathroom, as there are several distinctive styles of knobs and pulls. Bath towel hangers are another feature that can make a bathroom look newer or older without a lot of effort on the part of the homeowner. A new mirror would be the most expensive option, but a more contemporary updated mirror or vanity can make an old bathroom look fresh and modern.

Let’s face it, selling a home isn’t what it used to be, and sellers need to use all the tools at their disposal to market their home to potential buyers. When it comes to rooms and living areas, the homebuyers can often see past poor choices of lighting, flooring, and paint, but updating a bathroom or kitchen can seem insurmountable. The fact is, no one wants a home with a bathroom or kitchen that looks like it belongs at grandma and grandpa’s house. It’s important for sellers to recognize that the bathrooms and kitchen are the two most important areas to market to buyers. This might include some expensive renovations like updating the countertops and appliances, but the investment will be returned to the seller, in addition to an offer on the home. When it comes to bathrooms and kitchens, the newest fad is granite slab countertops and stainless steel appliances. Homebuyers that see a home with these kinds of updates will have a whole different outlook.

It’s also a good idea to add some simple bathroom décor and kitchen décor to both spaces, as this will make the areas seem more livable, like a home rather than a house that could be a home.

When designing the bathroom, it’s important to mix function and fashion.  There are numerous benefits to having extra storage and space in the bathroom, which is why it’s best to start with the cabinets.  While a stand alone sink can be fashionable, a sink with a cabinet is much better for storage.  You might also consider installing a wall cabinet or an old fashioned mirror cabinet.  Having a bathroom linen cabinet is also a great idea; there’s nothing worse than having to run down the hall to get a towel or washcloth while you’re taking a shower!  Once you have the cabinetry picked out, the rest of the bathroom will fall into place much easier.  Select a color of paint or wallpaper to compliment the cabinetry, and use bright lighting to illuminate the space.

The most functional bathrooms should be bereft of a lot of accessories that clutter up countertop space.  Pictures and portraits can be a nice addition in the bathroom, but keep photographs out unless you want your guests to feel weird! 

Dorm life gets so lonely, especially when you’re a freshman in college and have never been away from home for an extended period of time. Yeah, there are parties and potlucks, but even those don’t make up for the love and comfort experienced at your childhood home. Sharing a bathroom is another thing you have to get used to during your first year at college. Needless to say, when you’re used to enjoying the privacy of your own bathroom at home, this can be quite disconcerting.

It’s hard enough to get used to undressing and conducting private rituals (such as plucking your eyebrows, or shaving your legs) in front of other people. It’s another thing when you return to your dorm bathroom and find that someone has taken the liberty of using your shower gel, razor, and even (gasp!) your toothbrush! The use of bath gift sets can prevent this rude awakening. Simply put all of your hygiene products in the basket that came with your gift set and carry it back and forth from the bathrooms with you. Make sure to leave it in your room when you’re not using it, this way no one will be able to get their grubby, little fingers on your personal products.

Every bathroom does not have a closet, and many houses also lack a linen closet or extra space to store towels, toilet paper and other bathroom necessities.  One solution is to acquire a bathroom linen cabinet, which can become a focal point of your bathroom decor if you choose.

A bathroom linen cabinet can not only store linens and bathroom items, but serve as a display case for knickknacks you have chosen to complement your bathroom theme.