Bathrooms, Revised & Updated 2nd Edition E-Book

Editors of Creative Homeowner

• Herausgeber: Creative Homeowner
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Serie: The Smart Approach to Design
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Seitenzahl: 144

Beschreibung

Learn to think like a design pro to get the bathroom you've always wanted without making the types of mistakes that cost money or leave you less than thrilled with the result. Bathrooms, Updated Edition explains everything homeowners need to know about budgeting; hiring contractors; designing and working with space; selecting cabinetry and hardware; shopping for fixtures; choosing appropriate countertop, flooring, windows, and other finishing materials; and how to bring all off these elements together cohesively with style. Completely updated with the latest trends, products, and innovative ideas, this new edition offers a smart approach to bathroom design.

Leseprobe

Revised & Updated 2nd Edition

Copyright © 2011, 2018

This book may not be reproduced, either in part or in its entirety, in any form, by any means, without written permission from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts for purposes of radio, television, or published review. All rights, including the right of translation, are reserved. Note: Be sure to familiarize yourself with manufacturer’s instructions for tools, equipment, and materials before beginning a project. Although all possible measures have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the material presented, neither the author nor the publisher is liable in case of misinterpretation of directions, misapplication, or typographical error.

Creative Homeowner® and The Smart Approach to Design® are registered trademarks of New Design Originals Corporation.

The Smart Approach to Design: Bathrooms

Vice President-Content: Christopher Reggio

Technical Editor: David Schiff

Cover and Page Designer: Justin Speers

Editor: Anthony Regolino

Indexer: Elizabeth Walker

Printed in Singapore

Current Printing (last digit)

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

ISBN 978-1-58011-804-0

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Creative Homeowner Press.

Title: The smart approach to design bathrooms.

Other titles: Bathrooms

Description: Updated edition. | [Mount Joy, PA] : Creative Homeowner, [2018]

| Previous edition published 2011. | Includes index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018000103 | ISBN 9781580118040

Subjects: LCSH: Bathrooms--Remodeling. | Bathrooms--Design and construction.

Classification: LCC TH4816.3.B37 S625 2018 | DDC 690/.42--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018000103

We are always looking for talented authors. To submit an idea, please send a brief inquiry to [email protected].

Creative Homeowner®, www.creativehomeowner.com, is an imprint of New Design Originals Corporation and distributed exclusively in North America by Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc., 800-457-9112, 903 Square Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552, and in the United Kingdom by Grantham Book Service, Trent Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 7XQ.

Acknowledgments

The editors wish to thank designers Helene Goodman, IIDA; Susan Obercian, of European Country Kitchens; and Lucianna Samu for their contributions to this book.

We would also like to acknowledge the helpful information provided by the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

THINKING AHEAD

• Plan to Save

• The Top 10 Planning Points

• Help!

• The Write Stuff

• What Else?

• Insurance and Permits

• Check, Please

CHAPTER 2

SIZE UP YOUR SPACE

• Assessing Your Needs

• Layouts

• The Top 10 Best Uses of Space

• Designing a Master Bath

• Planning Shared Space

• Partial Baths

• The Top 10 Half-Bath Tips

• Designed for Kids

CHAPTER 3

OUTFITTING YOUR BATH

• Today’s Fixtures

• The Top 10 Fixture Amenities

• Soaking in Style

• Praiseworthy Showers

• Lav Flair

• Today’s Efficient Toilets

CHAPTER 4

SURFACES

• It’s a Cover Story

• The Top 10 Surface Trends

• Stone, Wood, and Tile

• Glass and Concrete

• Quartz and Synthetics

CHAPTER 5

VANITIES AND STORAGE

• Practical and Beautiful

• Vanities

• Bathroom Furniture

• Linens and Things

CHAPTER 6

LIGHT AND AIR

• Natural Light

• Artificial Light

• Clear the Air

• Ventilation Systems

• Keeping It Toasty

CHAPTER 7

ADDING STYLE

• A Chic Retreat

• A Dip into Color

• Traditional Looks

• Feeling Nostalgic

• In a Modern Mood

• Asian Influences

• Old World Classics

RESOURCE GUIDE

GLOSSARY

INDEX

PHOTO CREDITS

INTRODUCTION

Every room in your home has the potential to showcase your personal style, and your bathroom is no exception. Nowadays, bathrooms combine function with style, incorporating materials, surfaces, and textures that used to be confined to other areas of the home. In addition, there are many functional elements that bathrooms contain, including fixtures, fittings, cabinets, lighting, and ventilation systems.

The many options in fixtures, materials, and finishes that are available today allow you to create your own style in the bath.

The Smart Approach to Design: Bathrooms will

• explain all of these components,

• explain the features that will fit in best with your lifestyle and needs, and

• highlight stylish features you can make your own.

Want a modern sink, a Euro-style bathtub, or traditional fixtures? How about marble countertops, tile floors, or mirrored accents on the walls? Go for it—any style can be incorporated into your home to create a bathroom you will love for both the way it functions and its good looks.

Bathroom decor may run the gamut from ultra modern to classic, such as Old World, above, or a combination of contemporary and nostalgic styles, right.

CHAPTER 1

THINKING AHEAD

It can be a good idea to remodel or add another bathroom, even in a tough economy. An updated design or a second bath will increase the value and livability of your house. The most important thing you can do prior to the start of your project is to prepare. Know what you need, what you’d love to have, and how you’re going to pay for it. And find the best people to get the job done right. This is one of those remodeling projects that you’ll never regret!

Thinking about adding a bath or remodeling an old one? Plan ahead to make the most of what you can afford to spend.

Plan to Save

Once you decide to remodel or add another bath to your house, you’ll have to do some important research and planning. Becoming informed and knowing exactly what you want, how much you can or are willing to spend, and who is going to do the work will help you avoid some of the pitfalls that can cost you time and money.

Few people actually like to crunch numbers. However, establishing a budget is the only way to determine the size and scope of the project you can afford to design. It is disappointing to plan a luxurious bath, complete with spa features, only to find that you can barely afford a rain shower and a heated towel bar. Set priorities.

When you’re looking at financing options, try to avoid paying cash. If it comes down to a choice between laying out cash for remodeling or for buying a new car, always go the cash route for the car and finance the remodeling. You can deduct the interest of the home-improvement loan from your taxes; you can’t deduct the interest on a car loan. Unfortunately, many homeowners will gladly put money up front for a remodeling project and finance the car. It doesn’t make sense.

It also doesn’t make sense to set aside money or sign a loan for thousands of dollars without getting a handle on where that money is going. How much time would you spend investigating new cars before buying? You would probably read performance reports on various makes and models, then test drive several vehicles before finally making a purchase. Approach a home-improvement loan the same way. Take the time to investigate your financing options and all of the products and services for which you will be paying.

And don’t forget: when seeking estimates, comparison shop for contractors. Use the plans and specifications for your new bathroom to get equivalent bids. If you can’t draw them yourself, pay an architect or designer to do it.

GET MORE INFORMATION

www.NKBA.org

www.NARI.org

THE TOP 10Planning Points

1 SET REALISTIC GOALS Make a list of must-haves; then add amenities you’d like to have—if the budget will allow.

2 RESEARCH PRODUCTS Look for the best you can afford. Compare prices and features.

2 SHOP WISELY

3 CHECK OUT “GREEN” ALTERNATIVES Incorporate some Earth-friendly products, such as water-conserving fixtures, into your bath design.

3 SAVE WATER

4 INTERVIEW SEVERAL CONTRACTORS Check their references and the contractors’ standing with the Better Business Bureau.

5 GET IT IN WRITING Among other things:

• the payment schedule

• specifics of the job

• a start date and a reasonable timetable for completion

6 EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED Build a cushion into your budget.

7 MAKE ARRANGEMENTS Keep in mind that you may have to stay elsewhere for a few days at some point during the project—especially if it’s the only bathroom in the house.

8 OBTAIN PERMITS This is a rule not to be broken. Never let anyone tell you to skip this step. Permits and building codes exist for a reason—your safety. Ignoring them may cost you not only financially but personally, as well.

9 CONSIDER YOUR HABITS AND LIFESTYLE A gorgeous jetted tub may be some people’s idea of luxe bathing. But if you are strictly a shower person, don’t be afraid to forgo the tub and build a fabulous shower in its place.

9 PERSONAL PREFERENCES

10 WASTE NOT If you are thinking green when shopping for new products and materials for your bath, go a step further and consider what you have that you can reuse or repurpose.

Help!

Ask friends and neighbors to recommend professionals in your area. You can also check online or in the local paper. Whenever you hire people to work in your home, first take the time to research them carefully. Your home is likely your largest single asset. Don’t take chances with it unnecessarily. Interview professionals, and follow up on their references. Ask tough questions. Call state agencies and trade associations to check credentials, and always work with licensed contractors.

Whomever you choose to help remodel the bath will end up knowing you and your family better than your lawyer or doctor does. He or she will see you first thing in the morning and after a hard day at the office. That person will be a part of your family for the length of time it takes to complete the project. Check out all professionals as closely as you would a tenant.

The master bath pictured here and on the opposite page caters to both the aesthetic and the functional requirements of its owners, thanks to careful planning. The owners found design and building professionals who understood their needs and with whom they could communicate.

Also remember, the people you hire to work on the project are in your home. You have every right to tell them not to smoke, play music, curse, or eat inside. You can even tell them how and where to store tools and materials around your home. Be reasonable, but make a set of rules before work begins, and ask your contractor to enforce them. You could include this in your contract, which gives you legal grounds for making your demands. However, in most cases, a reputable contractor will make sure that workers are respectful of your wishes.

SMART STEPSCall in the Pros

STEP 1architects

If you’re planning a significant structural change, such as expanding space or your bath will be part of a larger remodeling project, consulting an architect is a wise move. Among other things, an architect will be sensitive to making sure that the new bath blends with your home’s original architecture. Be sure to find one who specializes in residential design. Look for the letters “AIA” after an architect’s name. This indicates his or her membership in the American Institute of Architects, a national organization of licensed professionals. For a referral to an architect in your area, go to www.AIA.org.

STEP 2CBDs

Certified Bath Designers, or CBDs, are trained professionals who are certified specifically in bath design and remodeling by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). Because CBDs are specialists, they can advise you with regard to spatial issues and floor plans, as well as offer you advice about the latest trends and innovations in bath products that would suit your needs and lifestyle. Check local bath-design showrooms or home centers to find a qualified professional—with the letters “CBD” after his or her name. Or, log on to www.NKBA.org for a referral.

STEP 3interior designers

Interior designers do not make structural changes but work with color, pattern, texture, and furnishings to shape a design. He or she will collaborate with an architect or other remodeling professional to create an overall look for your bath. You may want to contact an interior designer if you are making significant cosmetic changes. The letters “ASID” after an interior designer’s name indicate membership in the American Society of Interior Designers, a national organization of qualified licensed professionals. Your local or state chapter can refer you to an ASID member in your area.

STEP 4contractors

A contractor is a good choice if you have already hired an architect to design the bathroom or if you are not making substantial structural changes to the room. One good example of when to choose a remodeling contractor is when you are simply upgrading fixtures or reconfiguring the existing space for a better arrangement.

Design-build remodeling firms offer one-stop shopping for design services and construction provided by designers and remodelers who are on staff. If something goes wrong, you only have to make one call. There’s no buck-passing here.

A spacious floor plan that accommodates a double vanity, a large walk-in shower, and a separate soaking tub may require additional space. Expanding an existing home is a large and costly project. Most people will obtain a home-improvement loan to get the job done. Interest on such loans is usually tax deductible, but consult your accountant.

Financing

Any bank or lending institution will tell you how much you can afford to spend on your home-remodeling project. But if you feel more comfortable running a test on your own, here is a quick and simple overview of how banks figure out what you can spend.

THE DEBT-TO-INCOME (DTI) RATIO

This tells a lender if you can handle more debt on your current level of income. While each lender has its own approved DTI ratio, the average is normally at least 45 percent.

Current monthly expenses

$______

Add the estimated monthly

remodeling payment

+______

Total expenses

$______

Divide by your gross monthly income

÷______

This is your DTI ratio

______%

HOW TO FIND YOUR MAXIMUM PAYMENT FOR REMODELING

If your DTI doesn’t qualify for financing options, you may need to lower the monthly remodeling expenditure. This calculation will show you how low you need to go.

Gross monthly income

$______

Multiply by lender’s DTI ratio

x______

Subtotal

$______

Subtract your total monthly expenses (minus the estimated remodeling payment)

–______

This gives you your maximum payment of

$______

If the last line is negative, you may have to scale back your plans or do the work yourself on a very tight budget. A negative number means that you won’t be receiving funds from a lender. However, you can check out other funding options. For example, a consolidation loan will allow you to incorporate your current debts into your home-improvement loan. Firstly, this will lower the monthly cost of your current debts. Secondly, this loan allows you to deduct the interest from your taxes, something that you can’t do on other forms of debt.

If your credit score is good, you can find a variety of other forms of financing as well. You could take out a loan against investments, borrow against your credit card, or the perennial favorite: obtain a private loan from a family member.

Q&A

Can you get out of a contract? What happens if something unforseen happens that may affect going through with the project?

what the experts say

There is a grace period wherein you have the legal right to change your mind. This is called the “Right of Rescission.” You can do this within three days of signing the contract without any liability if the contract was obtained at any place other than the designer’s or contractor’s office—your home, for instance. Federal law mandates that consumers must be made aware of this right in writing. Ask your contractor before you sign anything.

what real people do

Frank and Betty were excited about adding a master bath to their 50-year-old house, but life happens. Just one week after signing a contract with a home-improvement company, Frank had a health crisis that meant months of recuperation at home and additional strains on the couple’s budget. Several days past the grace period, their legal right to cancel the job had expired—or did it?

Actually, Frank and Betty had never been properly informed of their right. The contractor failed to include it in the contract. By law, the Right of Rescission remains open beyond three days (up to three years) if the notice is not given or, as in Frank and Betty’s case, is not provided in the required manner.

To ensure that you get what you want, put it in writing. If you like sleek, compact fixtures, such as the toilet and lav above, specify the make and model numbers. Unless an item is custom, such as the vanity below, provide manufacturer names, sizes, and colors in the contract.

The Write Stuff