Simply scaling down or “miniaturizing” things isn’t the answer either. Yes you can opt for smaller components in some instances but if you do it in total you’ll end up with the “dwarf effect”. A bathroom that looks and feels as if it was meant to be used by miniature people.

So for today designers facing the challenge of remodeling and decorating a small master bathroom, the operative term is “optical illusion”. Techniques that are employed to make it seem as though there’s actually more space and volume than they’re actually is.

At the same time though it’s important to keep in mind that in the end a bathroom has to be used for certain things, so it’s not just about making it “look” big. So while your bathroom may be small there’s still plenty of room for big mistakes.

Small Master Bathroom Floor Plans Gone Wrong

It all starts out with the planning process, and this is where you’re small bathroom ideas are finalized. The problem with plans though is that things can look great on paper but when you finally have them in their finished form even a small mistake turn out to be a glaring blunder.

Now it’s easy to make small changes when your project is going on but big changes are a whole other story altogether. Big changes really have to be done on paper before the tools are rolled out in the work get started.

Good methodical planning makes for a finished job you'll be happy with.

So the first big mistake that most first-time remodelers make is relocating or moving around major bathroom components.

Toilets, showers, and sinks. It’s just so easy to do when you’re sitting at a desk looking at a floor plan.

“To see whether your bathroom should be reconfigured to make it more practical, you can buy one of the many simple computer programs for creating house plans and play with different layouts. Alternatively, make paper shapes of bathroom components (to scale) and move them around a scale drawing of the room space.”

However, what you have to keep in mind here is that any time you move something like this the plumbing and electrical wiring, if there is any, also has to be rerouted. All these things will work to run up the cost.

An unwillingness to compromise in one or more areas is yet another common mistake that homeowners make during the planning process. They’ll have something set in their mind and simply refuse to budge on it.

It simply must be included in and there’s just no way around it. Of course after all the work is done and the contractor has packed up and left they’ll have the results of their entrenches intransigence to live with but by then it’ll be too late.

So keep an open mind in the initial planning stages and try to accept the opinion of those who’ve gone before you. Nobody wishes for a small master bathroom but there are challenges in life that just have a way of presenting themselves.

So pretty much every decision that you make as you’re going through the design process to come up with a workable set of floor plans for small master bathroom will require at least some type of compromise.

Clever Solutions for Small Bathroom Storage Space Challenges

Because so many optional small master bathroom ideas tend to be decisions that revolve around cabinetry and shelving they tend to be some of more most problematic, and also where so many mistakes are made.

No counter cabinet opens the room up while shelving to the left of it makes use of empty wall space.

Try to understand from the outset that you really don’t need cabinets or shelving in a bathroom.

You can get along just fine. Now if that sounds hard to believe just take a trip into a bathroom at a busy restaurant and see for yourself that there’s not a single cabinet or shelf to be found.

So the story here is that you need to work up from the bottom. From the vantage point that each and every square inch of shelving and cabinetry you include in is entirely optional.

“When walking into a small room, we want to bring the eye upward and keep things simple to give the appearance of a space that has room to breathe. Adding a floor-to-ceiling shelving unit in a corner area is a great way to elongate the room and also condense the amount of usable or open space that is available in the bathroom.”

You see it’s a whole lot easier to change what you have to store than it is to make room to store it in.

At the same time though it is of course entirely unreasonable to suggest that anyone would design a bathroom in their home that included no shelving or cabinets at all..

Even if you did eliminate everything out of your bathroom that you would normally keep and store there you’ll still need some type of minimal shelving for decorating.Somewhere to decorative things on that make it a nicer place to visit.

So don’t make the mistake of trying to reinvent the wheel with your own groundbreaking small master bathroom ideas. Why? When there’s so many great ideas out there that have already been proven. Clever ideas that you can pick and choose from right off the Internet.

A Critical Exam of Bath and Shower Issues

Now when it comes to the potential for big blunders that you can find yourself regretting each and every time you see and use them, it’s for sure your bath or your shower. Now the operative word here is “or” because if your small master bathroom ideas include fitting both a bath and a shower in you have one of two problems.

A corner shower makes efficient use of space while glass walls and door open the room up.

One is that you’re setting yourself up to make your space problems even worse by creating some really cramped conditions… if you truly have a small master bathroom. “Or” your master bathroom really is a that small.

“Don’t forget the corners. A number of bathroom fixture manufacturers make pieces meant especially to slip into corners. Corner-mounted sinks and toilets can sometimes add more space to tight quarters.”

Rather you just think it is, because if you can comfortably fit both a full size bath and a full-size shower in with no problems then by definition your bathroom is not small.

What you don’t want to find out the hard way here is that one comfortably sized shower or bathtub was the better option than having a scaled down bath “and a shower” that are both uncomfortable to use.

It’s just so easy to do too is because there’s just so many great-looking and affordable feature laden small showers and bathtubs available on the market now. Also make no mistake about it but that the folks who market them are more than happy sell you one of each.

Jacuzzi tubs for instance are also now smaller, better designed, and more feature laden than ever before. They’re also more affordable too, and the same thing goes with showers and that for sure includes. Even the most up-to-date technology in steam showers as well.

The Bottom Line On Small Master Bathroom Ideas

So the bottom line here is that before you find yourself feeling frustrated with the limited floor space that you have to work with on your project, keep this in mind. That is that a carefully planned and well designed small bathroom that’s not just more usable but actually a pleasure to use, is far better than a poorly designed, badly plan large bathroom. Luxury isn’t all about space but what you make of it.

Now this doesn’t mean you have to be a low-budget to want to do it either. It’s just one of those jobs where you get to use cheap raw materials and turn them into something of real value on your home.

It’s also project doesn’t take much time. In fact if you have everything all together in a ready to go you can have the entire project done in maybe an hour to an hour and a half. Of course this doesn’t count painting and drying time. But really your only dealing with a mirror, and between four to maybe 10 or so small pieces of wood. Then the final “big plus” for framing your bathroom mirror is that you get take a look at it everyday. More than once. So the appreciation factor is big here which is always nice.

The trick to it though is to learn how to frame a bathroom mirror without getting hurt, and the primary risk here is the cuts. It’s so easy to do too, and given the size of the piece of glass, in a fraction of second you could be left with a gaping slice. People have even died from glass cuts that have severed an artery.

Then of course there’s always the risk that comes with handling power tools. If you are going to use power tools.

Don’t Get Cut Because Glass Can Sure Do It

Don’t be one of those people who learn the hard way just how dangerous a sheet of glass is. They find a nice unframed mirror at, say a yard sale, pick it up for a bargain price, and only have 30 or so feet to carry to fit in the trunk of their car. The problem with a sheet of glass though is that there’s only one way to carry it and that is with both hands over the outer edges.

Just like carrying a giant razor blade with both hands over the the razor’s edge.

The same rules that are in place for professional glasers apply when handling a bathroom mirror.

So rule number one is glass safety comes first, so never take chances, and that starts out by wearing a pair of thick leather gloves. They don’t have to be expensive goatskin leather either.

“When working with glass, it is important to wear the necessary protective gear to shield eyes and skin from injury if the glass breaks or shatters on impact. Eye gear is required when doing any sort of cutting or grinding, and is often recommended during installation procedures as well. Gloves and footwear that protect against cuts are also important when moving any type of glass pane.”

Rather those cheap “super thick” heavy leather garden gloves you can pick up at your local hardware store works best.

A long sleeve shirt and pants with leather shoes are also a must because when a large piece of glass breaks huge shards comes straight down like guillotines that can cut your foot completely in half.

Then lastly a roll of masking tape goes a long way towards making your project a whole lot safer too, so if you don’t have some get some. Go around the entire perimeter edge with tape to cover up the sharp edges. Then crisscross strips of tape across the face of the glass to keep it together in one piece if it should break.

Basic Power Tool Safety 101

Mirrors have been getting framed long before there was ever power tools, so there’s no problem doing the job without them. However, a quick look around the Internet will show that pretty much all the instructional material that details how to frame a bathroom mirror depicts it being done with power tools. An electric miter saw for cutting the wood strips and often a pneumatic “air powered” brad gun is used to attach the frame to the wall. Two very dangerous tools.

There are no little accidental cuts with power saw injuries

Now there’s no such thing as a small skin cut with any type of power saw. If the blade comes in contact with you while it’s running you’re going to the hospital for stitches so always exercise complete caution using one.

“But, if you look into the accident statistics, they reveal something quite different; power tools are often involved in some of the most serious accidents involving cuts, amputations, impaled objects and eye injures.”

This means that if the blade guard is missing don’t use it, and always tie your hair back if it’s long enough to hang down and get snagged by the blade.

Then if you’re saw doesn’t have an automatic blade brake on it like newer saws have, always wait until the blade stops spinning “completely” before you attempt to adjust it.

Ask any carpenter or trades-person who uses a pneumatic staple, brad or nail gun on a regular basis at work and they’ll tell you that they’ve been shot by it at least once. It’s almost a given that it’s going to happen because they’re just that dangerous. Then when you place an air gun in the hands of an inexperienced person the risk of being shot skyrockets.

Even so, being shot by even a large 16 penny gun really isn’t as dramatic as an injury as it may sound like. It’s getting shot in the eye or head that you have to be concerned about, so always wear goggles, and if someone is using one up on a ladder make sure that it it has a functioning safety and that they keep their finger off the trigger.

Get Started on the Mirror Framing Project

There really are several ways that you go about the job and how you do that as determined by a handful of different factors. For instance if you have a large mirror that’s already attached to your wall in front of your sink you’ll approach it in a different fashion than, say if have a smaller mirror that hasn’t been attached yet. Even so, there really is no one set rules that determine specifically how to frame a bathroom mirror so there’s plenty of room here for creativity.

Pre-paint your pieces ahead of time with primer and a top coat to save time and clean up hassles.

Now can skip the learning process altogether are opting for one of the many mirror framing kit packages that are available online.

They basically snap together and by doing so sidesteps so many that potential problem areas that come with doing the job piece by piece using wood trim.

Now if you look carefully at all the kit packages though you’ll see that they all come in one basic design motif. Straight pieces along the sides that butt into decorative square corner pieces.

“I’ll try to answer all your questions with pics and instructions, so that all of you can try this at home. I learned again the best way to do this and I think I have it fine-tuned now. I’ll cover it all below in a bulletpoint list so that you can see all the instructions in one spot.”

There are two things that you can do to make it easy on yourself if you decide to do the job from scratch using wood trim. One is to wait it to install the mirror on the wall until after you’ve cut and “test fit” all the pieces on the floor or a table.

This way you can check to make sure that everything’s going to go together correctly before you start in nailing the frame and the mirror together on the wall.

Then the second thing you can do is to opt for a painted mirror frame. With paint you’re free to use caulk to fill in all your mistakes and bad fitting joints. You see, if you go with a stained and lacquered finish you need to do perfect work because everything will show through in your finished results.

Don’t take this to mean that you absolutely cannot use any of them because that just isn’t the case, and in fact all three of the above listed products are commonly included in many homeowners bathroom floor ideas. It’s just that each one of them does carry with it at the very minimum certain maintenance requirements. Or in worst case scenarios water damage can have you ending up having to redo your floor all over again when you thought that you were through with it.

There’s Much Better Choices Than Carpet for Bathroom Floors

It's for sure an easy fit with any type of design and color scheme.

Of the three above listed flooring products the one that comes in at 1st place as the all time worst possible choice to make for bathroom floor ideas is carpet.

Now even though there are types being advertised today as being applicable in wet and damp conditions it eventually become a problem if it’s exposed to water on a regular basis.

“The presence of moisture in the pad will lead to the growth of decay fungi on the wood or oriented strand board (OSB) sub-floor. The sub-floor will be decayed and weakened by mold. Mold also releases spores that can cause respiratory ailments, especially for those with certain health problems.”

Being careful to avoid splashing water on it while you’re bathing and showering isn’t enough either enough because eventually the higher volume of ambient moisture in the air will eventually lead to mold problems and discoloration.

There are some definite positives that come with carpeting in a bathroom though and this is why in spite of all the downsides people do occasionally use it. In a colder climate for instance it is by far the most foot friendly. Particularly on a concrete slab floor carpeting is nice and warm. Carpet also look great and with so many color options it’s always an easy fit into any design and color scheme.

It’s also by far the fastest easiest of all possible bathroom floor ideas. Make your selection, sign off on the sales contract and within a day the installation process can be over and done with. This versus something like perhaps tile that can be a days long project that involves tearing out and replaceing baseboards and paint tough up. Even so, all it takes is one overflowing toilet to turn a carpet covered bathroom floor into a nightmare.

The Pros and Cons of Hardwood for Bathroom Flooring

There's no debating the fact that hardwood does look amazing on a bathroom floor.

Wood is yet another bad choice for bathroom floor ideas and once again it’s the moisture issues that make it the poor choice that it is.

Now most homeowners who weigh up the pros and cons of wood flooring tend to view the potential for water damage to its finish as the primary risk. While this may be true repairing a surface issue like this really isn’t a major task.

It’s the risk of bowing that’s a major downside of wood flooring in a wet environment.

“The inevitably humid environment in a bathroom as well as unavoidable spills and splashes have the power to warp wood flooring, rendering it unattractive and encouraging the growth of potentially destructive and dangerous molds. However, new finishes for hardwood flooring and creative designs are making wood floors in bathrooms a more viable option.”

Also again just as with carpeting, no matter how careful you are, most particularly if you have children or teens in your home direct water exposure is inevitable.

Then there’s also the risk of an occasional backed up toilet as well that can over time lead to more substantial damage issues. Even so, you no doubt have already seen hardwood being used on a bathroom floor, so there has to be some benefits that way in its favor.

The first big “pro” in its favor is looks and appearances. Hardwood flooring just looks good and there can be no arguing that fact. It’s also an easy match with hardwood cabinets and other natural materials like slate, stone, and granite form instance. Hardwood is also included in so many bathroom floor ideas because it’s light, so it doesn’t require the level of structural support in a wood framed floor that heavier products like stone and tile do.

Laminates For bathroom Flooring Aren’t a Great Idea

Is there now a truly waterproof laminate flooring product available?

Then finally #3 on the bad choices for bathroom floor Ideas list is wood laminate products, and there’s a lot of them out there now.

Now if you’ve already been checking them out you may have already noticed that most all of them list on their informational literature that they’re resistant to water – and they are.

For sure more resistant to water damage than standard hardwood. However, the operative word here is “resistant”.

“Moisture has long bedeviled the laminate flooring industry, and has been one of the major reasons why many homeowners choose not to install laminate in wet places. The problem is not with the top layer, but rather with the core.”

Resistant means just that. That they resist water damage and that should in no way be construed to mean that they’re “waterproof” because they’re not. If given enough exposure to water, over enough time eventually even the best and most water resistant wood laminate flooring products will develop problems. Surface finish issues at the minimum but laminates can come apart in worst-case scenarios.

Once again though, just like hardwood wood laminate products look great on a bathroom floor and there’s a whole lot to choose from now too. Then another big selling point is the growing  selection of easy install systems for do-it-yourselfers that require no nails or glue. “Floating floor” systems that are easy to cut and fit, click together in a tongue and groove fashion then lay down just as they are over a thin film mat.

The Bottom Line on Materials for Bathroom Floor Ideas

When it comes to bathroom floor ideas today there are just so many options in quality materials that are meant to be used in damp environments. Ceramic tile and polished stone for instance are an excellent choice but even they have their share of drawbacks as well, such as cost and weight. Vinyl however, trumps them all and comes in at #1 on the list of best products for bathroom floor ideas because it’s light, goes down quickly, is among the most affordable, requires no maintenance, and it is completely, 100% waterproof.

Now the good news here though is that over the years designers and decorators have taken up the challenge to come up with some great solutions, and some of the more clever of them revolve around lighting and paint. But lighting and paint can only work to create an illusion so there’s still more techniques that you can use to make better use of the actual area that you have to work with.

So so while in most other rooms in your home you’ll tend to think in terms of square feet, when it comes to design and decoration in a small bathroom you have to think in terms of square inches. You see, with small bathroom ideas every square inch counts because they do add up and all that you save and make maximum use of combine to make a difference.

Small Bathroom Storage Ideas That Really Work

A perfect example of a recessed cabinet that even makes use of a small corner wing-wall.

But when it comes small bathroom storage ideas you really do have to be ready to get creative and do a little compromising.

The compromising means that you may have to reassess your priorities with regards to what you like to store in a bathroom. Now that’s the easy part.

Then the creative part comes into play when deciding where you’re going to best store the things that you simply must keep in it.

“We gathered for you some creative ideas on how to organize your storage in a small bathroom. The cool thing about all of them too is that they are for the most part very budget-friendly.”

Installing shelving over a toilet, for instance, is one of the more common sense small bathroom storage ideas because in a larger bathroom this area usually ends up being left empty.

Corner shelves are yet another creative solution because they’re less intrusive. Then if you’re up to investing some money into some actual hands-on remodeling work, recessed cabinets and shelving installed into the wall cavity take up no space at all.

The Art of Painting a Small Bathroom for More Volume

Pale pink and yellow simulate sunlight without making a small space seem smaller.

Of all the small bathroom ideas that have been contrived to create the illusion of space, it’s those that use paint that are without a doubt some of the most clever and effective.

They’re easy to incorporate too because by and large they mostly involve color choices and basic painting techniques.

“In a small bathroom with little light, the conflicting color needs make it hard to decide. The secret is choosing a cool color that doesn’t get too dark or a warm color that won’t take over–and always choosing paint with a little sheen.”

For instance any home decorator today will tell you that light colors are always the best choice for smaller rooms. Painting over dark wood cabinets with a light color is another trick that you can use to add space and dimension because light colored cabinets appear less intrusive.

Painting over dark trim to match the color of the walls adds to the uniformity of the color scheme while it decreases clutter, both of which can combine to add to the illusion of space and volume. Also don’t forget that darker sinks and bathtubs can also be resurfaced with a lighter color as well.

A Few Sound Thoughts on Small Bathroom Shower Designs

A shower just can't get any more space efficient than this clever ultra-compact fold up model.

No question about it but that a shower takes up a lot of valuable space in a small bathroom and you can only go so small with one because you have to fit in and use it.

So just like painting your walls and cabinetry, small bathroom shower designs have to rely heavily on optical illusion to trick the eye into seeing more space than is actually there.

“Where do you turn if you want to buy a shower and you have an exceptionally small bathroom?”

So rule number one, no matter what size or where you locate your shower for the same reasons listed above you’ll for sure want to go with a lighter color.

Then changing out a frosted shower door to clear glass for sure helps to open a bathroom up just that much more. Then finally there can be no bigger space maker then simply converting the bathtub into a shower-tub combo.

Brainstorming For Small Bathroom Lighting Ideas: Think Layered

Evenly dispersed LED light sources are tucked away behind recessed shelving.

In today’s interior design and decorating circles the operative phrase for small bathroom lighting ideas is layered lighting. Light that emanates from more than one source at more than one level in a room.

String lights attached underneath cabinets for instance are a very popular method for achieving a layered lighting effect. Positioning lights lower down and directed against a wall is yet another way to achieve a layered lighting effect.

“Ideally you’ll sketch out your ideal bathroom then scale it again to practical proportions as you determine what is necessary and what is not.”

A single light fixture located at the center of the ceiling directs light down to to squeeze in your field of vision.

Much the same way as a spotlight is used to focus an audience’s attention a stage performer. Now it works great for a stage act but for sure not so great for a small room. Then another new discovery is the effect that LED lighting has when used in confined areas. Broader spectrum LED lighting spreads out more evenly to create somewhat of a layered effect, even from even a single source.

Dark is Definitely Out With Small Bathroom Flooring Ideas

Painted wood plank flooring works amazingly well in this authentic antique design motif.

Rule number one when it comes to small bathroom flooring ideas is that dark colors work to accentuate the smallness of a room. So this means dark colors are definitely out but don’t worry because this in no means limits your options.

This is because due to the limited amount of square footage involved you’re more free to select from more expensive flooring products that otherwise might not fit into your budget on a larger floor.

“But what I’m getting at is that there are so many other lovely bathroom flooring I wish I had experienced other types. Here is a selection from my files of bathrooms with different kinds of flooring: from stone to marble, and wood to smooth concrete.”

For instance would you be at all surprised to learn that there are over 5000 different variations of marble tiles being produced worldwide?

That’s just marble. Then consider there’s also a wide variety of types of light colored polished granite tiles as well. Then of course there’s virtually countless light colored styles of ceramic tile to choose from too, so if you were to add up all your options you can spend the next year sorting through them all.

So now if you want to with very little cash out you can make your shower a better place to spend that one week a year in. A relaxing and more enjoyable place thanks to new design concepts along with a wide selection of accessories designed to make showering a far more pleasurable experience. Also don’t forget to keep in mind just how important a master bathroom is when it comes time to sell a home.

So Why Not Shower Shelves Too?

Four recessed shelves hold a lot of containers.

If you stop to consider it for a moment, the shower really is a small room in your home. So why not shower shelves?

Of course shower shelves are really nothing new but what is new is the more elaborate and decorative design schemes that you can find in more today’s showers.

It turns out that just like in all the other areas of a home, people have been finding themselves in need of more shelving space.

“You’ll notice a wide array of materials used. Some materials match the stone or tile used on the wall, while other materials compliment the stone or tile that is used. Some materials are stone or tile pieces and some use custom slabs.”

There’s more now to take into a shower now besides a simple bar of soap and a container shampoo and hair conditioner so designers and decorators have begun to focus more intently on coming up with new shelving configurations in recent years.

Recessed shelving for instance that’s built right into the tile work as an alternative to hanging shelving. Of course hanging shelving is still available and it too has gone through a redesign process to give today’s homeowners more options.

The big benefit of built-in shelving though is that it’s recessed into the shower wall, so it “adds space” rather than taking it up. Also when you go with built in recessed shelving it allows you to design and configure it to your exact specifications, to accommodate the things that you like to bring into a shower.

Custom Decorative Shower Heads

Like standing outside in a warm heavy rainstorm.

For sure the most important component of any shower in has to be the shower head. It’s what makes a the shower and over the course the last handful of decades there’s been explosion in new designs for this one item in particular.

These new shower heads not only look better but they function better as well, with rain shower heads being among the most popular.

“Imagine standing under a beam of light that highlights each shimmering droplet of water as a shower of refreshing water cascades down upon you. Sound nice? Then the illuminating showering experience of the Drops Lighted Shower from Cisal is definitely for you.”

Shower heads designed to duplicate the effect of standing outdoors during a heavy downpour.

What type of shower head end up choosing depends greatly on the type of project you’re involved with. For example if you’re building a new home and just starting in with the design process your selection is far more greater. Greater than say if you are shopping for a custom add-on unit for a remodel project. One that you can easily adapt in without having to tear into existing tile work.

Tile Murals Bring Art Into Your Shower

Your idea created in custom painted ceramic art on your shower wall.

It’s the Internet that’s responsible for the exploding trend in tile murals because what it takes to produce and market what’s available today requires direct access to the larger market the Internet presents.

These these aren’t mass produced stenciled on tile murals that you may have seen in a home decorating store where you live either.

“This cooperative project incorporates designing the overall mural, drawing the design onto ceramic tiles, and painting the tiles which will be kiln fired for permanancy.”

Rather they’re custom designed, hand-painted murals created by skilled artisans.

In fact there are so many plying their trade now that if you have an idea that you’d like to have created on a tile mural you’ll have no trouble finding a site to do that for you.

So much of it is surprisingly affordable too which is also helping to spur on this growing trend. Also keep in mind that you don’t have to tear you shower apart and redo the tile work to have a custom tile mural displayed in your bathroom. You can order one framed to hang on your wall.

A Steam Shower Is a Sauna and a Shower in One

A more compact corner unit for a smaller bathroom.

If you’ve always dreamed about having your own private steam sauna in your home then a steam shower is something you may for sure want to take a look at.

When it comes to ideas for master bathroom shower upgrades this is the very latest technology that combines a standard shower and a steam sauna into one, but there’s more to it than that.

“If you are remodeling a small bathroom, we recommend considering a shower stall without a bathtub. This shower is about 34″ x 34″. You could never get away with a bathtub this small.”

This is because today’s steam shower comes loaded with feature options that make it an even more enticing prospect.

Options like aromatherapy and vibrating foot massage for instance the combine to take a shower to an entirely new level of relaxation.

They’re also available with LED lighting and integrated stereo sound system so you can listen to music or TV programming while you’re in the shower. They also come in a wide range of prices, design styles, and sizes to fit any budget, bathroom or design scheme.

Chair and Safety Handles For Security and Convenience

Light, compact and easy to use.

Wen it comes to the risk of being injured by falling in your home there is nowhere more dangerous than your tub and shower.

“From folding shower chairs to bath seats with and without backrests, Shower Chairs come in a variety of styles and sizes. So, how do you choose?”

Particularly for the elderly and the physically challenged, taking a shower carries with it the inherent risk of accidental injury.

Safety handles and a chair can cut that risk down substantially but understand here that you don’t have to be elderly or physically disabled to benefit from either of these shower accessories.

Now if you have a picture in your head of these two items with a standard clinical design style that you may have seen in a hospital or a doctor’s office you’re are correct.

There’s a wide range of solid high quality shower chairs for instance that are designed solely with functionality in mind. However, if what you’re in the market for is something more stylish, like perhaps a shower chair made from water resistant Teak wood you’ll have no find trouble finding one. You’ll also have no trouble finding modern stylishly designed safety handles as well.

A Waterproof Stereo System For Music and TV

Affordable compact units go right from the box into the shower.

It really has gotten to the point where just about anything now can be made waterproof and be adapted into a damp or wet setting, and portable stereos are no different in this respect.

So now you have your choice of any number of types of music systems designed to be carried or adapted into a shower.

“Does exactly what I expected. When I wake up for work, sometimes my wife is still sleeping. I want to listen to the TV in the bathroom as I get ready for work but I don’t want to wake her. This solved the problem.”

They’re completely impervious to water and many of the smaller portable units are surprisingly affordable to. Their wireless too so they go right from the box into the shower.

They’ll also transmit TV programming as well which is a big plus for people who are pressed for time in the morning while getting ready for work. So they’re a real time saver in this respect by not just making a morning shower more enjoyable but also by allowing you to get ready and out the door sooner.

Master bathroom remodel ideas, on the other hand in some cases can easily take weeks to complete and cost huge amounts of money. You see, it’s the high cost of the labor involved that’s primarily responsible for the greater percentage of what you’re going to pay for any type of home remodeling work. That is if you plan on hiring a contractor to do the job, and most people do for bathroom work in particular.

It all can seem so specialized. Plumbing, carpentry, tile and electrical work. All things that most people just assume that they don’t have the skills and knowledge to to do, and in fact in most cases they’re right. Even so there’s still a good list of low cost master bathroom remodeling ideas that just about anyone can do with only simple hand tools. Upgrades that can really make a difference.

Replace Your Sink and Toilet

It's actually a light and easy project that can be done in about an hour

A brand-new sink and toilet can make a huge difference. Particularly the sink and toilet that you currently have in your bathroom are old and dated. They’re also surprisingly affordable to purchase.

“When replacing a sink, you’ll probably want to replace your faucet as well. An old faucet on a new sink will likely look out of place. Replacing both at the same time will simplify both processes.”

Chances are though that what you have standing your way is your own doubts as to whether you can really do a job like this. You see, removing and replacing their sink and toilet is just something that most people just never consider doing. In fact it all probably looks like a difficult job to you as well.

So the big surprise here is that in spite of how permanently attached they look both of them are really only held in place by a few screws.

Go and see for yourself that all that’s holding a toilet in place is two small nuts on either side along the bottom flange. They both have plastic caps of them that pop right off. Then only plumbing work that’s involved is unscrewing the water feedline in the back from the little faucet on the wall.

It’s almost the same thing with replacing the sink. That is that if you take a flashlight and stick your head into the cabinet underneath it to look up to see, on either side it’s just a few screws and clips that are holding it in place. Then just like the toilet you’ll see that there’s two feedline this time. One for hot and one for cold water that you’ll have to unscrew and once that’s done the sink should just lift right out.

Replacing Your Faucets is Really Quite Easy

If you can follow a simple set of instructions you can do it in about an hour.

Then whether or not your master bathroom remodel ideas include replacing your sink, replacing your old set of faucets with a new faucets can make a huge difference.

Once again particularly if they’re re old and dated. Faucets are particularly important too when you consider that just about everyone who visits your bathroom ends up using them before they leave.

“Replacing a faucet requires some work and patience. Fortunately, new faucet units are made for do-it-yourself installation with easy-to-follow instructions included.”

Now what makes them such a great option here is that they come in such wide range of prices. So no matter what type of budget you’re working with you can afford to replace them.

Also just like changing out your sink or toilet, you only need a few simple tools for the job. It’s an easy job too too, particularly if you’re removing your sink because once you have your sink out you have easy access.

You don’t need any plumbing skills either because everything is already put together right out-of-the-box and the few connections you do have screw together. So the installation process itself is generally really only a four or five step process that involves screwing on some couplings and then hooking up the feed lines to water faucets on the wall under the sink.

New Paint For a Brand New Look

No special skills required,so if you can hold a brush you can do it.

Painting has got to be the easiest way to save money on any home improvement project, so if you’re trying to come up master bathroom remodel ideas that require no skill at all and that can make a “huge difference” this is the one.

A new coat of paint in a bathroom can be just what it takes to “put it over the top”,.

The big secret with painting though is to get it where it’s supposed to go and not get it where it’s not supposed to go.

“It is best to paint the trim work before the walls are painted. Beginning with your baseboards, use a 2″ angled tip/sash brush and paint around the room in one direction, so that you do not miss any areas. Next, paint the window trim, door trim and any molding. Remove tape before the paint dries. Need a refresher on loading a brush?”

You see, anyone can pick up a brush or roller and start in covering a wall, but the trick is to finish up the job without having drips and splatters all over everything. So a big chunk of the labor involved in any paint job, particularly in a bathroom with her so many things to workaround is masking and covering.

Then there’s quite a bit to be learned about the paint itself, the tools used for applying it and techniques. More than you may realize. There’s also a lot of information out there now on different painting styles and stenciling for instance. Then you should know that bathrooms and kitchens require a different type of paint (gloss) than you would use on other rooms in the home because of the moisture issues.

Change Out Your Lighting Fixtures

All the job requires is a screw driver and a pair of pliers.

Take a walk down the lighting isle at your local warehouse hardware store and it can feel like your kid at Christmas time. So many great looking fixtures in a wide range of prices and they’re all lit up for full effect.

There’s one little problem though that stops you from making a purchase though, and that’s that you have in your head that switching out a ficture is a difficult, maybe even dangerous job.

In fact if you’re like most homeowners you shy away from any project that involves electrical wiring.

“If the original light was mounted without a junction box, you’ll need to install one to comply with building codes. Several types of replacement boxes are available. A drywall-mount or “push-in” box with mounting clamps is easy to install.”

For starters there’s the concern about getting shocked, and then of course there’s always the worry that if you hook something up wrong you can cause an electrical short and end up with some kind of catastrophe. Well now is the time time to get past those unwarranted fears and chalk up changing out your light fixtures on your master bathroom remodel ideas list.

Get past all of them and pick up a screwdriver because once you open the box and look at what’s involved you’ll see that in most cases there’s only three wires have to be hooked up. A white wire, a black wire, in a green wire. The green wire doesn’t even carry electricity because it’s for grounding, so you really only have to worry about not getting a black and a white wire mixed up and how difficult is that to do?

Bathtub Refinishing Instead of Replacement

Refinishing can save you well over 50% versus the cost of installing a new tub

If your bathtub has seen better days and you’re knocking around the idea of replacing it, get ready because it wall probably cost a lot more to do than you may realize.

To start with they’re big and heavy, particularly if yours is a cast-iron model. So for sure you’re not to remove and carry it out on your own. You’ll for sure need help there.

“Mix the epoxy and paint it on with a brush and roller. Small bubbles will appear on the surface as you paint, but as it dries its self-leveling properties will eliminate the bubbles.”

Then secondly, removing a tub is not a neat and clean job because it has a lip that rides up under the sheet rock and any tile that’s on the wall.

So if it’s not the style of your tub that’s bothering you but rather only the color and maybe some chips perhaps you can find room in your master bathroom remodel ideas list for having your bathtub refinished instead of replacing it. Now for most folks the fact that it’s a whole heckuva lot cheaper is reason enough but there’s even more reasons than that might make this a violable option.

For instance if you’ve never seen bathtub that’s been refinished you’ll be surprised at how well good look when the job is done right. It’s done with high-grade enamel that can last for decades if the surface is prepared properly before the enamel is laid down. Then the sky is the limit when it comes color selection, so you don’t have to worry about being disappointed there either. Then lastly you can have it professionally done or purchase a DIY kit online.

The Bottom Line:

Go ahead and add up the cost of each and every one of the above listed DIY master bathroom remodel ideas, combine those numbers into one figure and you’ll see that all of them combined will cost you less than $1000. Then go take a walk through your master bathroom and with your minds eye picture what it would look like if you did all of the above listed projects and you’ll see what would huge difference they all can make.

Turning the standard master bath into a private retreat and with so many new high-tech materials, products and appliances available now, it just keeps getting easier. It’s also becomes more affordable too.

Take a walk through a home decorator showroom today and you can see for yourself that so many of the luxury amenities that most people can only dream about in the not too distant past are now within reach. Not only are they more affordable now but the features options that they now come with can seem almost futuristic.

At the same time though, some of them are decidedly low tech. Grab bars for instance aren’t just for the aged handicapped any more as new decorative styles are being included in more of today’s master bathroom remodeling ideas.

Then another clever discovery is that eliminating the raised lip on shower doorways lends an upscale look and also makes getting in and out of the shower less precarious.

Then on the high-tech front, amazing new moisture resistant mirror TVs are the very latest technological innovation to find its way into the bathroom. They look and function for all intents and purposes just like any other mirror. Give the remote a click however, and in an instant it’s a fully functioning flat screen TV.

A Quick Look at Steam Showers

“After taking your steam bath you are able to take a shower. Today’s modern steam units can be fitted out with any number of accessories that can include integrated surround sound for your MP3 player, LED mood illumination as well as an accessory for aromatherapy oils.”

The classic wood steam sauna look.

Steam showers are a hybrid cross between the standard shower and a steam sauna, so they’re a perfect fit if you’ve always dreamed of having your own private sauna.

They range in size from larger models that can accommodate more than one person to smaller more compact corner models with half round glass front. Most all of them also feature low glare LED lighting.

They’re available with a wide range of feature options. Each one designed to enhance the pleasure factor and make showering a more relaxing and enjoyable experience.

Vibrating foot massage for example can for sure come in handy after a long hard workday and then if you feel like listening to music while your feet are being soothed you can also include a surround sound system.

Total Relaxation With Jacuzzi Bathtubs

More affordable, more features and available in more design options

Jacuzzi bathtubs or yet another hybrid that takes all the best elements of the standard whirlpool Jacuzzi and transplants them into the common bathtub. What a concept! But jacuzzi bathtubs really are old news because they’ve been around for a few decades now.

“It is perfect for your body, too, because it has a positive effect on the blood circulation thanks to the jets of air and water that spray the skin and act as a stimulator for your body circulation. If you suffer from any kind of back pain or neck pain, then you will find your jacuzzi a gift from God because it will massage you with dozens of little fingers.”

Even so for years they had a well-earned reputation for being expensive and problematic. That is that they tended to be poorly designed and prone to malfunctions.

Today all those issues have been resolved have been solved and more news report is that they’re also now a lot more affordable to.

They’re better designed, more comfortable, easy and convenient to use and are loaded with feature options. It’s important to no though that the range in selection in types and styles is enormous. At the same time, all style issues aside, do keep in mind that you have to be comfortable using whatever you end up buying.

More Options in Bathroom Window Curtains

Synthetic materials always work best in damp conditions

It pretty much goes without saying that privacy is a major issue in any bathroom but it can be even more so when it comes to master bathroom remodeling ideas.

“Floral themed curtains and plant themed curtains is the most popular choice when it comes to buying a covering for the window. Prices for a bathroom window curtain with flowers start from 8$ on amazon.com and can get to 60$ if you buy it from a specialized shop.”

This because master bathrooms in general tend to have larger windows that also more often than not are located down lower on a wall. So window curtains should be a major consideration any design scheme.

When it comes to materials vinyl tends to be the most resistant to the ambient humidity and potential for resulting mold issues but vinyl for the most part will tend be used in the frame and latticework.

When it comes to fabrics though it’s synthetics like polyester that standup best in moist conditions, and they also tend to be easier to clean than natural fabrics like cotton.

This of course doesn’t mean that you can’t have bathroom window curtains that are made from natural fabrics because they are available. Do be aware however, that while all natural materials and fabrics do tend to be more prone to mold and discoloration in the moist environment that a bathroom presents, some stand up better than others.

Granite and Marble Countertops: Synthetic vs Real

For a damp bathroom synthetic granite may be your best option.

When it comes to the materials that go into your master bathroom remodeling ideas real is always better than synthetic right? Hasn’t that always been the case with just about anything?

While that used to be the case, now there are new man-made countertop materials like synthetic granite and marble that in many applications are not only the better choice but believe it or not synthetic polished granite even costs more than real granite.

“Composite,  solid material, which is a blend of natural minerals, polymers and pigments, that are bound together with acrylic to make synthetic or cultured stone. In other words they’re a type of high quality plastic.”

You read that right. Go with real polished granite on your bathroom countertop and you get a discount. Go with synthetic, man-made polished granite and you end up paying extra.

The reasons here, are to start with today’s synthetic granite looks and feels exactly like the genuine article. Even with your nose down on it unless someone pointed it out to you, you wouldn’t notice the difference. So then why would people pay more?

Start out with genuine granite and marble might look fantastic, they need to be treated at least once every two years with a sealant to prevent water stains.

Then synthetic countertop materials also available in far more colors and that makes them more compatible with a broader range of designs schemes. They’re also lighter to so they work better in situations where week may be a problem delicate decorative cabinetry. Synthetics also fuze and splice better.

Small Master Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

An excellent example of strategic color usage to enhance the illusion of more space.

Small master bathroom remodeling ideas really do call for creative solutions with a healthy dose of compromise thrown in as well. The goal is to achieve the look and ambiance of the master bathroom without feeling cramped.

“Also by opening up the window(s) in the room and maybe adding a skylight will give the room a more open feel. Another trick you can use is by adding more mirrors to the room to make it appear bigger”

You see, you can fill a smaller master bathroom with every luxury amenity on the market, but after all is said and done if you feel cramped for space when you’re in there it completely defeats the purpose.

Over the course of recent decades a huge amount of research and product design work has gone into making the most of the limited amount of space in a smaller bathroom.

So there are smaller versions of pretty much everything, so team showers and Jacuzzi baths are an option here but the operative word here is “smaller”. So check them out carefully and for sure climb into one before you buy to make sure that as small as they are you’ll actually use them.

Then look to creative surface covering techniques as well to give the illusion of space and volume and there are a number of online venues were you can learn more about them in detail. Paint color schemes and floor coverings for instance that work to actually make a room seem bigger. Lighting and how to use it can also have an effect on the perceived floor space and area volume in a smaller master bathroom.

Some of the more surprising however, are the cultured or man-made materials like faux granite that looks just like the real thing, Quartz countertops that are made from real Quartz that comes in a broad range of colors and new laminates.

In fact you’re looking for affordable bathroom countertop ideas newer laminates come in broad range of colors and designs, are made from improved more durable base materials and are still relatively inexpensive.

So if you’re on a tight budget, and particularly if you’re willing to do the work yourself, turning your bathroom countertop ideas into reality is actually one of the easier and more affordable upgrades you can do.

“One of the hottest new bathroom countertop ideas is glass. Yes, that stuff you put in your windows can also be used as a countertop surface.”

DIY Bathroom Countertops Made Easy

If you’re like most people though you may be a bit hesitant to take on “any project” in a bathroom. Plumbing, electrical components, tile work, faucet’s and yes for sure countertops. If you take it all in it once it all really can appear to be work that you need a professional to do. In truth though, with the right information in hand and the proper tools that you need for the job, if you can follow a set of step-by-step instructions most DIY bathroom countertops ideas are projects that almost much anyone can do.

Gluing the edges instead of using metal brackets to hold down a granite slab.

“First, run a bead of silicone caulk around the top edge of the lowest cabinet then carefully set the heavy slab into position. Repeat the process for the remaining two granite segments, being careful not to damage the mounted sinks.”

So start off by looking underneath the sink and you’ll notice two faucets poking out of the wall with headlines attached to them.

Those are your hot and cold water faucet feed-lines and all you need is an adjustable crescent wrench to disconnect them.After you turn off the faucets though to avoid flooding your floor.

Then if you look carefully with a flashlight, somewhere up under your sink were the countertop meets the cabinet you’ll find some brackets with some screws that hold in the countertop in place.

Simply remove the screws and chances are that’s all that it takes for you to be able to lift it up with the kitchen sink and faucets still attached.

Then if your bathroom countertop ideas include replacing your sink make sure when you buy a new one that has a hole in it that’s the exact same dimensions as the hole in the countertop you removed so it will fit right in. In fact it’s a good idea to take the old sink with you when you go shopping for a replacement to do comparison checks. Some come with holes already cut in or you can have one custom cut to fit.

Then the last stage of your project is to switch out the sink if you’re replacing it with a new one and then set the new countertop in place on top of the cabinet. Install the clips underneath the cabinet, connect up your feed-lines and you’re done. The same steps you took to remove it, only this time around in reverse.

Bathroom Countertop Materials: Spotlight On Marble and Granite

Of all the bathroom countertop materials that you can go with marble and granite really are easily the most timeless. They’ve both been in use for thousands years and they’re not going anywhere, so of all the count bathroom countertop materials you can come up with, marble and granite are for sure something that you can count on being in style pretty much forever.

Black granite polished to a glassy sheen looks absolutely "amazing".

There’s a lot more to both these bathroom countertop materials than meets the eye though and the more you learn about them the more you’ll be able to make an educated decision when shopping for either one of them.

For instance did you know that there’s over 5000 different types of polished marble available on the market?

It’s a fact because today marble is being quarried in virtually all parts of the globe. So many different colors and styles to choose from, and of course prices can also vary dramatically.

“Granite is one of the most popular materials used for bathroom countertops, but there are also plenty of other variants of a natural stone as well.”

They also vary in hardness with some being quite soft which is something you need to pay attention too.

Polished granite is also available in a surprising range of styles and prices, with the darker colors being the types that people tend to gravitate to.

Black granite in particular has always been in high demand. It’s the iron content in darker granites that give them their color. Iron that also makes them harder and more labor-intensive to process. To quarry, slice and polish, and this in turn is why black granite tends to be the most expensive.

Popular Bathroom Tile Countertop Ideas Today

If you’ve been searching for inspiration to help you come up with bathroom tile countertop ideas then you need to know up front that there are untold thousands of different styles and varieties out there to choose from. Just browse around the Internet a bit and there they are, “one after the other”. So many that you may have found yourself overwhelmed.

So the trick here is to not take a “point and shoot” approach which is to just look for something you like and then point at it, but rather to get ahead of the curve so to speak by learning a bit about the various genres. Where truly great bathroom tile ideas come from.

Light colored tiles add dimension to a smaller room. Eliminating the cabinet and relocating the towel bar also helps to add space.

Morocco for instance is one country that’s known for complex geometric designs that combine bright colors in traditional patterns that date back centuries.

Then since the decline of the Soviet empire and the opening up of Eastern Europe old tile work that remained hidden from the world is now seeing the light of day.

“The translucent glass tiles feel watery, light and reflective (perfect for a bathroom!). The subtle variation in scale, color and proportion reveal an incredibly professional and sophisticated approach that looks anything but ordinary. So beautiful!”

Great traditional European designs from countries like Czechoslovakia and Romania are now the new inspiration for bathroom countertop tile ideas in modern homes and businesses around the globe.

Then as surprising as it sounds the New York City subway system is the inspiration for what has become known as subway tile design genre and it’s taken off in a big way.

It’s a intriguing no-nonsense style of tile work that has gained a huge following and it features checkerboard stripes set in white or bone rectangular tiles often set in an offset pattern.

Subway tile patters work particularly well on larger surface areas like shower walls that work well to showcase the stripes that are typically composed of smaller square tiles in green and blue tones.

Or if you’re looking for something that’s risk-free and real, quick to have installed and easy on the eye you can always go with polished granite tiles.

There’s a broad range of colors to choose from ranging from light to dark and it’s guaranteed to never go out of style. Also just because you’re on a tight budget doesn’t necessarily mean that granite off the table because granite tiles are considerably less expensive than sheet granite and they deliver the same look.

Either way, it’s important to know before you start out exploring bathroom countertop ideas that involve tile how easy it is to get carried away with the design process. Don’t forget that you always have the backsplash to do and more elaborate design work often works better there. Take your time deciding and you’ll be glad that you did.

#1 Come up with a reasonable project plan that fits your bathroom. For instance if it’s small don’t try to fit something over-sized into it. It’s also always best to avoid blowing it up into a major project by relocating a toilet, sink or bathtub.

#2 Make sure that all your fixtures and components match. It’s just too easy to miss something like perhaps the color or finish on a metal shower door frame during the planning and materials ordering process, so check out every detail carefully.

#3 Water in bathrooms means the potential for mold. Then when you consider that older materials such as tile and wallboard often contain asbestos you need to wear a dust-mask and provide adequate ventilation when doing tear out work.

#4 If you’re not going to do the work yourself make sure that your contractor is licensed and also that you check out his references. Or if you plan on doing the job yourself, track down some good online sources for information that you can study beforehand, and refer to as the work unfolds.

#5 Take some time to become familiar with paint types and application techniques before you start in painting because there’s far more to the topic than meets the eye. For instance you don’t want to use a flat color in a bathroom, and try to stay away from oil base paints because they’re difficult to work with.

Here’s Some Good Bathroom Tile Design Ideas

The first stripe in this classic subway design layout is completed as the project progresses up the wall.

If you’re looking for some inspiration to help you out while you’re brainstorming for bathroom tile design ideas there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. That is that you don’t want to start from scratch when there’s just so many proven design styles for you to pick from. Take the subway look for examples that’s noted for its sensible rectangular tiles with inlaid stripes.

The completed shower stall with both stripes done and ready for grout.

Believe it or not the “subway style” name is taken from the tile work you can see on the walls, floors, and stairwells of New York City subway system.

The tradesman who did the work decades ago could never imagined the effect it would have on the countless commuters and they were doing it.

Folks who grew to admire the simple, and orderly yet very eye-catching design style with its checkerboard inlaid stripes, and solid looking bull-nose edging.

“Deciding on a tile pattern took us a while. We were going use a stripe of glass mosaic 3 tiles wide just beneath the shower head but we thought it would look too much like the kitchen accent tiles. So I went to my best sources of inspiration.”

Tile murals can also be another source for solutions in your search for good bathroom design ideas, and no you don’t have to hire a ceramic artist to create one for you or settle for a low quality mass-produced made in China mural either. This is because there are now online venues were actual artists will create a mural to your exact specifications. If you’re willing to spend money that it takes for something like this.

If you are on a more restrictive budget that doesn’t allow for this type of custom work though, there are still other more affordable options. Options like limited editions tile murals for instance, that don’t cost near as much as custom work. Ocean and sea shore design motifs in particular work great in bathroom settings and keep in mind that a mural doesn’t have to be huge. So if you’re short on funds even a smaller mural can be the crowning touch on perhaps shower wall.

Design Ideas For Small Bathrooms

“So I’m sharing tips and tricks on how to turn these closet size rooms into well designed jewel boxes. I hope you enjoy these small but stylish bathrooms.
Check out how a vanity with an open base feels visually lighter in a tight space. Adding mirrors opens up the room and reflects light.”

Polished marble countertop, beveled mirrors, crown moulding, and subway tile walls with elegant custom corner nosing. Splurging on the best materials that can be fit into ten square feet.

The problem that too many people run into with regards to designs ideas for small bathrooms is that for some reason they will have it stuck in their head that the floor space itself has to be big or at least good size to accommodate good work.

In truth however, the very fact that a bathroom is small works to keep materials cost down to a minimum which in turn can open a lot of doors for a remodel project.

So you’re you’re much more free to go with more costly materials expensive black polished granite for countertops and floors for instance. Materials that in a larger project can be too expensive to use.

Smaller bathrooms are also a great place to try your hand at creative decorative painting techniques, and wall paper styles that give the illusion of greater space and volume.

Through it all though, when you’re brainstorming for small bathroom design ideas for sure the last thing you want to come up with is anything that can make the room look even smaller.

So stick with options like open shelving located high up on a wall rather than bulky space robbing cabinets. Also keep in mind that lighting, particularly soft, filtered, layered can also have a positive effect on space perception.

Color Ideas for Your Bathroom: Tips Before You Shop

Bold dark colors add depth, and dimension to confining areas.

If your bathroom is calling to you for a new a new color there’s a good reason for that. A reason that you’re soon going to discover first-hand.

The reason the jobs been getting put off for to long. That reason is that this one room is by far the most difficult to paint because of all nooks and crannies, and the fixtures, cabinets that have to be masked off and work around.

“Bold Color: Bold color if used with a sense of decoration can bring huge change in any space.”

Kitchens and bathroom walls and cabinets also require semigloss or gloss paint but because of the higher level of moisture, and in a bathroom in particular you really are better off going with gloss.

Then another discovery you’ll make is that gloss paint dries slightly opaque, so it requires up to three coats to achieve solid coverage. Particularly if you plan on going over a darker color with the newer lighter one. Something you really need to take in account when you’re considering color ideas for your bathroom.

Just ask any realtor and they’ll tell you that when it comes time to sell, the most important room in any home is the kitchen.

It’s generally the first room that potential buyers will check out and the one room one that can really make or break a deal.

So what this means, is that if you have selling on your mind you might want to check out some clever kitchen decorating ideas that not only make your home more marketable but in the mean time also make it a better place to live.

Techniques that not only work to create more space in the kitchen in a literal sense but also for sure some of the more clever have to be the decorating techniques that create “the illusion” of a larger room.

Kitchen Decorating Ideas on a Budget

A window greenhouse is a fast and easy low cost upgrade that while it doesn’t bring added floorspace, it does work to expand your field of vision. Particularly if the window’s over the sink. They’re far less work to install than you may think too because you have your choice of models that involve removing and replacing the window or the labor saving option of buying one that simply screws to the outside window-frame in just minutes.

“Look through as many magazines, photos, websites (e.g. houzz.com), home improvement channels (HGTV)…whatever you can to find out what your style is and what you want. It’s very difficult to go to a kitchen design store and have them design something for you if you don’t know what you want.”

Crown-moulding work doesn't have to be this technical. You can do a much simpler rendition to capture the same regal effect in your kitchen.

Then it’s definitely old news that crown-moulding is a sure fire way to bring an upscale look to a kitchen but what most people don’t know is just how affordable it is to buy.

It costs about $1-$1.50 a foot and if you have a ladder, hammer, and sharp handsaw you have all the tools you need for the job.

Do keep in mind though, that crown-moulding that goes on at a 45 degree angle can be tricky to splice together at corners, so you may want to go with the type that sits flat on the wall. Measure, cut, nail it up, caulk the edges and you’re done.

Now of course you’ll have to paint it too, so while you have the paint, brushes, and ladder out, and everything masked off you may want to consider giving your cabinets a fresh new coat of paint for a brand new look.

Not just a coat of any paint either but instead a color that works to make the room seem bigger and there are interior decorators posting free info online now who have broken that down to science. Then if you’re on a real tight budget don’t forget that it costs you nothing to unclutter your counters because this alone will work wonders to make your kitchen appear to be more roomy.

Small Kitchen Decorating Ideas

“Today’s modern kitchen is a place that serves many roles so it’s often the center of social activity, Functioning as a social gathering place as well as for food preparation.”

Colored light pendants, and a short eight foot long tile backsplash both combine to make a huge difference. Cheap to do too!

A small kitchen can present some of the biggest challenges and for sure the last thing you need is any changes that make it look even smaller.

So the trick here is to look at larger homes to skim off kitchen decorating ideas that you can transplant into your project for a larger look.

Now the good news here as well, is that smaller size means lower material costs which in turn makes it easier to splurge on more expensive products when it comes to something like a countertop backsplash for instance.

Kitchen decorating ideas like this are a surefire way to capture that “big home look”, and with a smaller counter you can go with, say polished granite and still stay under $100 on material costs.

Then when it comes to lighting, if you have a smaller kitchen odds are that you also have “small kitchen lighting” as well.

So check out light schemes that are more spread out to finally rescue you from the “one light in the center of the room” syndrome that just “screams small”. Layered lighting for instance, done with string lights that tack up under cabinets, and small affordable pendant lights that draw the eye up and out for a more spacious effect.

Country Kitchen Decorating Ideas

The country or vintage look in kitchens will no sooner go out of style then antique furniture will. So if you’re brainstorming for kitchen decorating ideas that make good economic sense this design motif is well worth taking a look at. No it’s not the cheapest but it’s not the most expensive either. The big plus here though, is that you don’t have to worry about your kitchen appearing dated ten or fifteen years down the road after you’ve poured your money, time and effort into it.

Painted wood paneling just “screams country”, and the secret is now officially out that it’s nowhere near as labor-intensive as it looks. “No it’s not installed one plank at a time” like you may have thought. You can buy country style wood paneling in 4′ x 8′ sheets down at your local warehouse hardware store, and it just tacks up against the wall.

“Nothing says country like the barn look of flat-board paneling”

Simple “rural Americana” accessories and nick-nacks are the final touch in this kitchen.

Make sure you locate the studs in the wall first though, so you know where to drive your nails and add trim on the edges for a nice finished look.

Then when it comes time to paint you’ll for sure want to go with a “country color”. Paint stores have made that so much easier too by researching and blending paint colors specifically tailored for the country design motif.

You’ll be amazed to see what a difference colors alone can make in capturing the “country effect”. While your at it though, keep one thing in mind that fast changes to your cabinets may be in order to complete the total country look you’re after.

Glass windows on cabinet doors for example are one proven technique but if you’re on a tight budget or have other kitchen decorating ideas that are higher on your priority list changing handles, and knobs is a fast, and cheap fix.

There’s just loads of “kitschy rustic” handles available online but before buy make absolutely certain that they’ll pop right into the same holes that you have on your doors and drawers, so you don’t end up having to spackle the holes you have and drilled new ones to fit. Then finally when all is said and done, decorating with country style “wall and shelf” accessories is a definite must.