CLAWFOOT TUBS ARE GROWING INTO one the most common remodeling necessities. A stand-alone tub can transform an entire bathroom. Accent colored tubs can also liven up your three year old paint job. Legged tubs are easy to install, because they do not require any major construction. You can’t go wrong with replacing your shower with a Clawfoot tub; in exchange you’ll receive more comfort, better durability and many more compliments.

Designing a bathroom can be a daunting task. It is often the smallest room in the house, yet also arguably one of the most important. There are considerations of practical storage, aesthetics, fixtures and, of course, heating, ventilation and water. Fortunately for the would-be designer, SMR Bathrooms has a website that will aid the choice when it comes to all of these considerations.

The firm is based in Portsmouth, and was established in 2002 as a distributor of heated towel rails. Its success brought expansion, both in premises and product catalogue, and now it is a supplier of a complete range of bathroom products, from heated towel rails to designer radiators and bath panels to shower enclosures. The firm prides itself on the best possible prices, quality of goods and levels of customer service, and its complete portfolio of products can be found on its website: http://www.smrbathrooms.co.uk/.

The first consideration when designing a bathroom is to evaluate the spatial capability of the room. Making the most of the space you have is as important as buying future-proof fittings and fresh accessories. A large space will allow you to think bigger, while the confines of a small bathroom will obviously force your hand towards more compact solutions. The sales staff at SMR Bathrooms have vast experience in all aspects of bathroom fittings, so are especially well-placed to offer this kind of advice from the outset. They also retain a small showroom at their base in Portsmouth, though if you are nor local to that area their website is comprehensive and their team are just as comfortable via telephone enquiries.

Having decided what you can fit in to the room, you can really think about the style and finish you wish to achieve. If money is no object, then you have a blank canvass and chequebook to create your dream room. If your budget is not so hefty then you will have to be more creative when it comes to fixtures and fittings. Fortunately, there are plenty of modern designs for eye-catching tap fittings and heated towel rails that are as cost-effective as they are accessible. SMR’s website is structured to provide quick access to every product, often along with several images that enable you to visualise that product in your bathroom. However, although SMR Bathrooms does supply almost every kind of bathroom fitting, it does not supply tiles or flooring. Flooring plays as major a part in the final finish of your room as anything else, so needs to be sourced from another reputable supplier with as wide a range of flooring solutions as possible.

With your design and fittings sourced, you can plan in the hard part – the installation. Sourcing products may be exciting, but these fixtures will not fit themselves. Unless you are an experienced and qualified craftsman you will need to enlist the services of an electrician and a plumber for the requisite installations. You may also choose to hire a tradesman to complete the tiling, unless you are confident of completing the job to your required finish yourself. If you do attempt it, remember that one small mistake could result in the need to start that job from scratch – proving a costly mistake in both time and money.

When it comes to final installation, as when seeking advice from your bathroom goods supplier, designing a bathroom is often better left to the experts.

Given the bathtub is such a large fixture, its impact on the look and feel of your bathroom is significant. So why settle for an everyday looking bath when there are baths available that are stunning works of art? Whether it’s a modern aesthetic you prefer or something thoroughly royal, nowadays there are enough beautiful baths to choose from that you’re certain to find one that fits your home decor perfectly. Let’s take a look at a handful of outstanding bath designs for a good dose of inspiration.

Freestanding baths have a special elegance that is hard to match and they set a warm mood within the room. Consider this magnificent slipper bath with its traditional roll top and white claw feet. Seen here with classic vintage style taps, alternatively you could opt for a floorstanding tap set for that extra touch of elegance. Claw feet come in a wide range of finishes such as antique gold, chrome or raw cast iron.

For a more modern take on a freestanding bath, look for tubs with sleek sharp lines such as this spectacular bath finished in contrasting black and white. This ever-popular minimalist style does indeed bring a sense of calm and spaciousness to the room promoting complete relaxation and enjoyment, which I’m sure we could all do with a lot more of!

Envisage yourself immersed in this handcrafted regal cast iron bath finished in gold, complete with stunning vintage style taps and book stand. Baths such as this add a tremendous sense of beauty to the room and make for an amazing focal point that will be appreciated by you and your guests. How could anyone not enjoy such an indulgent bathing experience! And the good news is that majestic baths aren’t as expensive as one might think. Look to online bathroom supplies stores for impressive deals on baths and enclosures and be sure to check delivery fees not just the cost of the bath itself.

If you’re asking ”But where’s the bling?” look no further than this truly spectacular double ended slipper bath. You can decorate your bath in a similar way with your own personal artistic style. Many cast iron baths come finished in grey primer ready for your choice of colour, from there it’s just a matter of choosing additional decorative elements to embellish your bath with. Before you know it you’ll have a bath that doubles as a work of art and a luxurious place to bathe – what more could you ask for than that?

Bathtubs come in all shapes and sizes and with a variety of different features such as built in jet systems, tubs big enough for two, steam baths, corner baths and the list goes on. There’s a tub to suit everyone’s taste and budget so add a spectacular tub to your home and transform your bathroom into an opulent spa-like retreat that you can enjoy day in and day out. After all, you deserve a sanctuary of your own to escape to at the end of your busy day.

Gone are the days when kids just hummed nursery rhymes and put up with the things that we gave them, including their bathrooms. Now, children are more creative, imaginative and choosy about their things and their space, even their bathrooms. They know exactly what they want and why.

For parents, it’s a challenging task to build or create bathroom for your kids, with the mood and decor that would match their children’s ideas and still be a well designed room in their home.

With that in mind, here are a few ideas to consider when designing a child’s bathroom:

- Consider the mood of the space; it is needless to say that it should be be cheerful and peppy. After all, it is for the kids!

– Make it a great place for your kids to exchange moments of sharing, talking, splashing water. Make it fun filled, with bold themes and color. They tend relate more with colors, patterns and images that communicate with them. It’s the place from which they start and end their day, so keep the tone and emotion positive and lively.

– Give them a well-planned storage area for every little thing, right from toiletries to towels and a lot more that can be part of the their realm. Arrange it with soft texture and tidy organisation tricks that send intelligent, yet cute messages across.

- Make everything accessible to them. Stepping stools are a perfect addition and use low mounted racks for towels. Use the space beneath the sink for shelves to neatly store their bath toys. Sinks could be mounted low, so that it’s reachable for your kids, along with a mirror on the wall. Make the mirror fun with one that is shaped into a cartoon character, say – a Mickey Mouse or other character your kids love. Remember, this idea infuses the sense of independence in them and gives you a break!

- Spruce up the decor and the accessories with personality. Add the perfect selection of towels and accessories that are colorful with fun shades and images. Linens like towels, curtains, and floor mats should be colorful and can have images of animals, fish or frogs in true colours will keep them company in the bathroom. Images of the sea, boats and ships could create an aquatic ambiance for them.

- Don’t forget necessary accessories like towel rails, toilet paper holders, and soap dishes. These too can be found in different themes and colors.

- The floor and the walls can be made of design tiles, in bright festive colors and hues. Decorations on the walls can include things like funny vinyl stickers and creative wall tiles. Pull together the design with sketches, murals or wall art.

In a nutshell, your kids’ bathroom can be functional and be a playful space, so have fun with it and make it enjoyable for them to explore to the fullest!

Want in on a secret? Trendiness isn’t necessarily what’s “new”. Right now, a growing trend in interiors, especially in bathrooms, is giving everything an antique glaze.

Antique bathrooms can be subtle in their approach, or they can be a complete blast from the past.

Take cabinet styles for instance. You can create an antique look simply by adding a distressed finish to your current cabinets, especially if they are made from wood. Just be sure to safely apply the varnish and coatings to be sure to preserve your cabinet.

Cabinets can also be completely redone to get that antique look. Think beautifully, ornate, carved wooden shelves lining your walls, in either a rich brown or light neutral.

If you want to just dip your toes in the water of antique bathroom style, you can try upgrading your fixtures to reflect the dated-but-trendy look you desire. Rubbed bronze is always a good bet when going for the antique look.

Other accessories can give that antiqued feel too. Try adding a detailed, vintage, framed mirror above your sink. Going to anything gilded in gold or bronze can get you just the effect you’re looking for.

When redesigning your bathroom in the antique style, try to purchase sturdy, good quality pieces. Although flea markets and vintage shops can offer great finds, don’t be afraid to really test out the merchandise before buying. If the pieces are truly antique, you don’t want to buy them just for their style only to find out that they have no substance when you get home.

In most homes, bathrooms are relatively small so creating a whole new look can often be done with minimal changes. Unless of course, you want to gut the room and start over fresh, this is fine too! The trick is to basically decide on a theme and color palette and carry it out throughout the whole room.

Creating a coherent look consists of using the rule of three as your guide. This means you need to repeat every major color three times. Bathrooms are spaces you can really have fun with but you still need to employ a few practical points.

• Safety – Style should never come before safety. Step up tubs must have handrails, floors should be slip-resistant, etc.

• Look into the Future – If you’re spending a substantial amount of money, you want to make sure that this is what you’ll still want in the future. If you have to put off the remodel for a month to make sure you still feel the same away about your choices, so be it.

• Simplicity – Too many things in a small space look very cluttered. If you have a large room, you can add more items but small rooms should be simple with a place for everything.

• Quality – Just because it’s the bathroom doesn’t mean it shouldn’t receive the same consideration as other rooms in your home when it comes to buying quality products.

Many people jump into a bathroom remodel spontaneously. This is a room that is entitled to as much thought as any other area in your home. When in doubt, wait and see if your theme and color palette are still appealing to you down the road.

You don’t have to do an entire remodel on your bathroom to create a spa atmosphere. Adding a few essentials to your decor and hiding the clutter will ensure that you find tranquility whether you’re soaking in the tub or just trying to escape the chaos of a busy home.

Choose a Theme

Spas will rarely have mismatched towels or a confusing theme so you may need to purchase a few new essentials. A natural garden, blue lagoon or Asian theme are just a few ideas to get you started.

Add a Little Nature

Vases with fresh flowers, a hanging fern or some bamboo are all fabulous ways to bring nature into your bathroom. These living things breathe life into your space and promote a calming environment.

Pay Attention to Detail

You don’t have to spend a fortune on decor. Roll a few towels and place them in a basket, add a small table with a tabletop fountain and make sure that you place a few soy candles around the room.

Eliminate Clutter

Spas are simplistic and so should your bathroom be. Instead of having things laying around your sink, tuck them away somewhere. There are simple storage solutions available to accommodate even the smallest bathrooms. Remember, a spa is a peaceful place. If your eyes come to rest on a pile of towels on the floor or an assortment of hair products laying around, the entire aesthetic of the room is compromised.

It is interesting how many people devote a substantial amount of time and money into creating the perfect spa setting in their bathroom and then fall short on the simplest accessories. If you still have a generic chrome toothbrush holder screwed to your wall or if your soap is just sitting on the edge of your sink, you understand!

The stoneware bath accessories available from West Elm are the perfect compliment to any spa theme. The pieces are hand carved in India by stone artisans and the natural finish offers a clean, simplistic, earthy style. They are made from mint soapstone and the best thing about them is not only do they clean up easy, they are priced quite moderately. The prices rang from $10 to $19 and since they are all sold separately, you only have to buy what you need.

Think your soap dish isn’t important? Think again! When you have guests over, the bathroom is the one room where you can’t actually see their reaction to the decor. The small accents like this will allow you to feel confident that they most certainly are getting noticed. Not to mention, stone cleans off so much easier than plastic so soap scum doesn’t become an unattractive distraction! Take the time to put the finishing touches on your personal spa!

There are basically two types of outdoor showers, those that leave you fully exposed which are often used for rinsing off after a dip in the pool or those that are fully enclosed. Why would you want one if you don’t have a pool? Just because! An outdoor shower is a nice refreshing experience, out there with nature, the sun shining, cool breeze and listening to the birds.

Besides, an outdoor shower is ideal if you’re filthy from mowing the lawn or working in the yard or if you happen to work in construction or a factory, so you don’t have to get your indoor bathroom so dirty. Not to mention, they are the perfect place to give the dog a bath too! Whether it’s cold, hot, sunny or gently raining, there’s just something invigorating about showering outside.

Location is Key

How you are going to use the shower will influence the location. If it’s meant for guests to rinse off after swimming, a neutral location is fine. If it’s for personal use, aim for a location that offers natural surroundings. Of course, plumbing is going to ultimately dictate location but if you have a skilled plumber, things can be made to happen.

Wherever you install your outdoor shower, make sure that it offers plenty of ventilation. The space needs to be able to dry out thoroughly after use to prevent mildew and mold from accumulating.

The trend today seems to be making sure that you have the most spectacular bathtub to soak in to create the feel and appearance of a tranquil spa. However, the fact of the matter is, you probably still spend significantly more time in the shower. Most people enjoy a relaxing bath as a treat when they can escape for a few moments, the shower gets used daily so shouldn’t it be just as spectacular?

Remodeling your shower not only will make your rushed time in the morning a little more enjoyable, it will add value to your home.

Material Choice

Although plastic and porcelain seem to be the most popular options, tile is an exquisite choice. Yes, it does cost more than the other two and installation is much longer but it will also have a very long life and it looks spectacular!

Add a Bench

Wouldn’t it be nice to sit for a moment and soak up the steam or have a place to shave your legs? Benches can either be removable or built right into the shower. You can purchase shower stalls that are prefabricated with a bench in plastic, porcelain or fiberglass options. If you chose tile, the bench will need to be built and installed separately.

Change Your Fixtures

Not prepared for an entire shower remodel? Why not just add a new shower head? Rainfall shower heads varieties are becoming very popular right now!

Install Doors

Replacing that shower curtain with doors in either translucent or frosted glass will give your bathroom a huge facelift. They look elegant, are easy to clean and they prevent water from ending up all over your floor.