2009 April

photo credit: veganstraightedge

Is the space for your bathroom extremely small? This is a hard situation to deal with. Renovating a small bathroom or having a limited amount of space on a new build can be frustrating but if you have the correct bathroom floor plans, you can create a lovely bathroom even with limited space.

The key to utilizing a small space for the bathroom is paying attention to detail. When creating the plans this attention to detail will ensure that, every part of the room is just right. Here you will find some planning ideas that will help you get the most bang for the buck with your small bathroom.

Choose the Right Colors and Lighting

Believe it or not the color scheme for your bathroom is just as important as choosing the right floor plan. Lights and color can make all the difference in your bathroom. While the floor plan is important for function the right choice of color and lights can instantly make a bathroom feel much bigger than it actually is and do away with the closet feeling you may have otherwise.

Avoid Accessories of Appliances that Stick Out

Appliances and fixtures that stick out are something you definitely want to avoid when creating your bathroom remodeling plans. Every inch that they stick out into the room will take up valuable space. Go with fixtures that affix close to the wall and smaller appliances. This way you have more floor space available and the bathroom looks bigger.

Vertical Lines

Using vertical lines in the bathroom decor can do a lot to make your bathroom look bigger. Vertical lines on the wall provide height in a small bathroom. Consider having tiling that goes from floor to ceiling. You can even go with wall paper in the bathroom that incorporates vertical stripes. Vertical lines give the illusion of more height.

Add Mirrors for a Better Look

Most bathrooms have a mirror over the sink, but did you know that a couple more well placed mirrors could make the room look bigger? The reflection in the mirror opens the room. Place a few decorative mirrors around the bathroom and you have instantly added the appearance of square footage.

Consider a Shower Instead of a Tub

When you are creating your bathroom floor plans for a smaller bathroom, think about having an area for a shower instead of having the full tub. Everyone enjoys a soak in the tub but since space is limited, you may have to forgo that pleasure in order to have more floor area. The shower will take up a lot less space, giving you more available room to use in the bathroom.

Designing bathroom remodeling plans when you are limited on space can be frustrating but it can be done. Take the tips from above and allow them to guide you. With these ideas you can come up with a beautiful bathroom no matter how limited your floor space may be.

Ultimate Guide to Bathrooms: Plan, Remodel, Build

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How To Paint Tile Wow… I’ve seen some ugly kitchen backsplash tile. If you live in a 50’s Ranch House Style home… you might even be living with some of this old, ugly tile yourself.

photo credit: theogeo

Can you paint ceramic tile? Yes… I am here to say that you can learn “How To Paint Tile“! It’s actually very easy.

It is going to take some elbow grease however. Yes… open the windows, put on some great tunes, get your gloves on and get to work!

Wash That Man (Tile) Right Out Of Your Hair!

A clean surface is a must. Tile can get greasy and dirty… but it’s the grout that will be the true dirt magnet.

Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) Heavy Duty Cleaner is my cleaner of choice. Its professional strength just seems to get everything off and leave the surface sparkle clean!

The grout may take something a bit (or a lot) stronger. For this I suggest you pick up a mild acid solution just for this purpose. It’s usually available in the tile section of your local hardware store.

Rinse… rinse… rinse. Cleaners can leave a residue and the only way to get everything back to normal is to get it off with clear water.

Let it all dry – Give it 24 hours to dry. The grout is porous and you will not have good adhesion on a damp surface.

03954 QT ODORLESS PRIMER SIZE:QUART COLOR:BRILLIANT WHITE

I like to use Zinsser’s latex-based Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer-Sealer. Bulls Eye 1-2-3 adheres with a death grip to ceramic tile, glass, and other “hard to stick too materials”.

The primer gives the topcoat something to grip on to. You don’t want to paint and have it be rubbed, chipped or scraped off easily.

If the area is going to get a lot of water splashes – such as the tile in the tub area, use the BIN product in an alcohol base primer for maximum durability.

Roll the primer on instead of using a brush. Use a roller that is NOT made of a spongy material. Sponges leave bubbles. If you see bubbles on the surface while you are priming – you are going to fast with the roller. Go slow and have patience.

You are done for the Day! Let the primer cure for at least 24 hours.

Day 2 - Give the primer a light scuff with some fine grit sand paper. This will give the primer some “Tooth”… the paint needs this to grip.

The Painting Of Tile

Tile should be painted with a roller. Again – don’t use a foam roller. Use a roller with “nap”.

You will need to paint on 2 coats. The key here is to let the first coat “cure” for 24 hours.

For kitchen backsplash areas – oil based paint is preferred for durability. If you are going to paint around a sink or bathtub (not the shower) then you should consider using epoxy based paint.

Cured and Fully Cured Are Different

Cured - means dry and set up.

Fully Cured - means the paint has hardened and is now washable. The Fully Cured time span is about 3 weeks.

Don’t use anything silly like harsh chemicals or stiff scrubbers to clean painted tile. If you wouldn’t use it on your car’s painted surfaces – don’t use it on your painted tile surfaces.