New Bathroom Lighting Ideas

Have you ever noticed the lights in your bathroom? Bathroom lighting ideas are not something that people come up with on a daily basis-mostly, people just use the bathroom and don't think about the lighting scheme. But this is an area where a savvy homeowner can take a little creativity and spice up his water closet, and add real value to his home.

Bathroom lighting ideas concern three basic areas. First of all, the bathroom mirror is the place where most innovation is possible. There are several lighting schemes you can use for the mirror. The most common lighting for the bathroom mirror comes from the disco bar over the top of the mirror, with 3, 4, or even 6 bulbs across the top. This has the effect of lighting the entire house, and making you go "YOW!" first thing in the morning while you put on your leisure suit and/or tease up your beehive. Contractors love the light bar over the top of the mirror because it is a cheap way to stick a light in a bathroom.

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Aside from actually hanging a disco ball in the bathroom, this lighting is some of the tackiest lighting in your house. You can have simple elegance and taste all the way through your home, and when you get to the bathroom, you have to squint every morning when you go in to brush your teeth.  Since this is not the 1970's anymore, it is time to upgrade this lighting scheme. Wall sconces, track lights, recessed canisters, or just about any other lighting idea works in this area.

The next area of illumination is the shower/commode area. This is usually a single light in the ceiling near the little fan. As it is a dual area light, you usually have a fairly strong bulb in place. Instead of using one huge bulb, why not split that lighting up some? Two 40 watt bulbs use much less electricity than a single 100 watt bulb, and for the green homeowner, you can even have them controlled by separate switches. This provides the right amount of illumination, while saving real dollars on electricity.

Once you have laid out your new lighting plan, start looking to upgrade the actual fixtures in the room. You can go with a tavern theme, a castle theme, or just about anything you can think of. Bathroom lighting ideas are not restricted to just the lights mentioned above. You can realistically add or subtract lights, use a multiple bulb type system for the different areas of the bathroom, or just go with 40 watt bulbs to have ease in replacement.

The key to upgrading your bathroom lighting is to brainstorm. Look at a few web sites, a catalog, or go to Lowes or Home Depot and check out the fixtures that are available. Most importantly, make sure you are getting fixtures that can stand up in a high moisture/heat environment. Bathroom fixtures  are specially made not to wilt under the pressure of that hot shower.

New Bathroom Lighting Ideas

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It Is Time For A Small Bathroom Remodeling Project

If you live in a small home chances are you have the same problem as millions of people who struggle with ideas for remodeling a small bathroom. Small bathroom remodeling can be tricky, but not overwhelming. This article will examine a few tips, tricks, and suggestions to make your next small bathroom remodeling project better.

Plan A Map

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Before you begin your small bathroom remodeling project you must have a plan of attack. You need to make a list of your goals for your bathroom room. If expanding the room to make it larger is not an option then you must decide if you are looking to use the space to make it roomier looking or are you just after making it as nice as possible for what you have to work with.

If a roomier look is what you desire you may try adding an extra mirror on a different wall or making your existing mirror much larger, proving the wall will accommodate this. Mirrors are a gateway to a roomier look and feel. You may also consider a different paint scheme to give the appearance of larger bath room.

One of the best small bathroom remodeling ideas you can incorporate is by adding a deluxe sink to your bathroom. Sinks can speak volumes about a room and should not be overlooked. You may be able to find some wonderful examples online, but the best way to really see how nice a new sink can add to your bathroom is by visiting your local building supply.

If you are on a tight budget then the plumbing items such as sinks, toilet, and showers are not going to be a good idea. Instead you may want to consider a unique paint scheme for your next small bathroom remodeling project. Maybe a combination of lighter and darker colors may spice up the bathroom, but also give it the appearance of a larger space than it really is.

Small bathroom remodeling is a challenge but one that can bring great joy and satisfaction when done with a little planning and creativity. Check with your local building supplies and also some of the larger companies like Home Depot or Lowes to get some ideas and advice.

It Is Time For A Small Bathroom Remodeling Project

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Bathroom Ventilation and Ceiling Fans

Although a traditional ceiling fan (one with exterior blades) is not generally what a homeowner considers when looking for ventilation in the bathroom. A small, half-bath or even a small full bath is usually not an appropriate place to consider installing a traditional ceiling fan, however in more modern, larger deluxe homes with large "live-in" bathrooms, a ceiling fan can add both a functional as well as a decorative touch that makes this area even more elegant and comfortable.

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To avoid possible confusion, a bathroom ceiling fan is not the same creature as the bathroom exhaust ceiling fan or ventilator although the terms may often be used interchangeably. Building codes in all the areas I can think of require bathrooms to have a means for directly ventilating hot, moist air to the outside. This can be accomplished by having either a window that can be opened in the bathroom or some type of electrical ventilating device that pulls the air from the bathroom and discharges it to the outside of the home via a vent.

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Each type of external ventilation has its pros and cons. A window often provides a nice decorating touch as well as providing a source of natural light and outside air ventilation. However, a window doesn't remove bathroom odors and moist, hot air very well under most circumstances and can't generally be used during the colder months. If the window is of wood construction, you may also run the risk of it warping with the obvious negative results. Window units are also susceptible to mold and mildew (depending on the material used in their manufacture) and require some extra attention when it comes to cleaning. A mechanical ventilation system (that runs quietly) will effectively eliminate hot, moist air and bathroom odors year round. Because of the moist air drawn through them, frequent cleaning of the blades is advisable to avoid the build-up of debris, etc.

Hanging bathroom ceiling fans serve both functional and decorative purposes. Although they don't remove (exhaust) odors, etc. they do provide a pleasing movement of air in an area that usually doesn't include this simple luxury. Even bathrooms with good outside ventilation can be stuffy sometimes, particularly when you are spending time on the "throne" or when drying your hair or after taking a shower. Exhaust systems, whether mechanical or an outside window, take time to remove heat and moisture from the bathroom area and most of us want more or less instant relief when stepping out of the shower or when taking a long, soothing bath. The air circulated by the addition of a ceiling fan can keep that mirror steam-free and otherwise provide the added comfort that you will enjoy.

There are several important considerations to keep in mind when deciding on the type, style and size of a fan that will be used in this area. Many on-line or brick and mortar retail sources will include a category for ceiling fans which can make the selection process easier. A primary consideration is the actual size (length) of the blades. 3-blade models are very popular in bathrooms. These ceiling fans are available with smaller motors and shorter blades that limit the intensity of the air circulation. To be on the safe side, shop for a fan with a variable speed control that will allow you to adjust the air circulation to its most comfortable level.

Take into consideration the height of the bathroom ceiling. A good rule of thumb is to maintain at least 6 ½ to 7 feet of clearance from the bottom of the fan to the bathroom floor. If you have, for example, an 8-foot ceiling, a fan with a 3-inch down rod will be just about right, etc. For lower ceilings, "hugger" type ceiling fans are available from most manufacturers.

Avoid purchasing a ceiling fan with wooden blades or blades that are made of other natural material that tend to warp in damp or moist conditions. Keeping the blades at the same weight is a major factor in preventing a ceiling fan from getting out of balance and becoming noisy.

Bathroom ceiling fans generally need to be cleaned more often than ceiling fans in other rooms because the moist conditions under which they operate causes dust, dirt and other debris to accumulate more rapidly.

While some people use the bathroom for strictly functional purposes and are in and out rather quickly after completing their "business", others use the bathroom as a place to relax and unwind after a long day of hard work. Adding a ceiling fan to this area can truly enhance its use and make the time you spend there a pleasant experience.

Bathroom Ventilation and Ceiling Fans

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