In the 1800’s a manufacturing company and the Kohler Company began manufacturing and selling bathtubs. Legend has it that the first freestanding bathtub was made from a horse trough with four blocks attached for legs. History shows that they were selling this and advertised it as a “horse trough/hog scalder which could be used as a bathtub.” Thus, the Kohler vintage tub began.

Over time people adapted to the idea that it was a good idea to bathe in these tubs and they evolved into the tubs located in most homes today. Prior to the development of the tub many people had only bathed in a creek or river using a small pan. Spreading the word that regular bathing helped prevent disease also helped with the idea of having and using a bathtub on a regular basis.

It is interesting to note that in the early 1900’s many people’s ‘bathrooms’ consisted of an outdoor privy and bathing in a galvanized tub once a week, usually on Saturday night, prior to going out for the evening. When using the galvanized tub the entire family used the same water which was occasionally heated with more hot water. The head of the family bathed first and then each member took their turn with the baby being last; not very helpful as far as staying healthy goes.

Today the Kohler vintage tub comes in several styles and colors. Although all are classified as clawfoot tubs, not all have this type of bottom. The pedestal tub, for example has a circular base which can be of several types of materials, including wood. There is also a copper tub and a completely wooden tub.

If desiring to remodel the bathroom in the Victorian era theme, one of these tubs is the way to start. In addition to the pedestal tub one can also select from the clawfoot, slipper, double slipper, and Roman. All feature a raised end which makes for very comfortable bathing.

Bathing in a Kohler vintage tub is very advantageous for anyone having back problems as it allows the user to lean back in the tub, resting the spine, shoulders and neck. This allows complete relaxation in a comfortable position while enjoying the warmth of the water. Contrary to the stationary tub this does not cause a strain on the muscles or spine.

The modern Kohler vintage tub, made of acrylic, can also include air jets which circulate the water over the body, giving a gentle massage. This is especially welcome after a day of hard work. Emerging from the tub one feels relief from the cares of the day and totally relaxed.

Changing the design of one’s bathroom can make a real difference in the home. While often a bathroom gives off a cold frigid feeling, by incorporating the Victorian Era design one will be impressed with its feeling of warmth and comfort. Starting the design with a Kohler vintage tub and building from there will result in the desired affect and be enjoyed by all.

Did you know that you don’t have to settle for the same old standard bathtub? When someone walks into your bathroom, the bathtub is usually the focal point. Transition your bathroom from standard to more modern with one of the different vintage tub styles.

Visit us at: Unique Vintage Tubs and Bath.

Tile plays a major role in any bathroom design. One can use ordinary tile pattern in some different and interesting way to give a whole new look to your bathroom. Wide variety of shower tile ideas can be incorporated to give an amazing new look to your bath. One of the most wonderful things about these shower is that you can use it with unlimited creativity and designs. Nowadays it has become trend to design bathroom in an exciting way so that it look luxurious and is comfortable as well. Well planned shower tile ideas will surely add splendor to your bathroom.

One of the most important things while planning shower is the safety. Thus while considering the shower do ensure that the tiles used on the base of the shower are safe to walk when they are dry as well as wet. You can use textured tiles or materials like natural textured stone for your shower base. While selecting shower tile ideas you will come across unlimited options for colors and prints which are made from modern glazing and firing techniques. You can select from these wide range of colors as per your choice and as per the overall ambiance of the bathroom. Multiple colored tiles can also be used to make your bathroom look vibrant.

Apart from different colors, the shower tiles are also available in variety of shapes like rectangles, triangles, diamond and others. You can select these tiles to make your bath look unique and interesting. Shower tiles are also available in some unusual shape like leaves, hearts and natural stones which can be used for the whole shower stall or for only the accents. Along with the available shapes you can also customize the tiles as per your choice and design of the bath as these tiles can easily cut into any shape to fit your design plan.

One of the other interesting shower tile ideas is to have a single shower which looks beautiful and stunning. You can also use different colors, shapes and textures of tiles to make your bath look unique. For sparking metallic and glass tiles, a neutral stone tile proves to be a perfect background. Moreover if you wish to have a modern graphic look you can use combination of rectangle and square tiles. Thus there is no dearth of design and ideas for your shower tiles and you have to just use your imagination and creativity to select the most appropriate one.

Not only the choice of color of the tiles enhances the look of the bathroom, but proper shower tile ideas can also make the bathroom look more beautiful. An affiliate with Bathroom Decorating Ideas.

Now, a shower is one thing, which will be very random to go for anytime. But once you start looking for your discount shower door, you will come across so much variety, that a simple choice can become a delight. You begin your hunt by selecting either a framed or a frameless discount shower door. While a framed shower door has an aluminum frame circling the glass, the frameless, tend to let the glass be on its own, with rounded edges. Beyond this, you have the option to decide, what kind of a door you wish to have in terms of their opening style. A bypass door could be used if you want them to slide past each other, other wise a standard pivot door is a decent and not a very expensive idea, which shall give you a whole lot of space to pass through. In fact, if you have deeper pockets and varied taste, you may very well get your self a custom door made, with your choice of materials and design. For instance, you can choose a frame from satin brass with a tinted ground glass of a green hue.

Coming to the technical aspect of discount shower door, we shall first look into the sliding doors, which could usually be bypass doors. Bypass doors are put in a row. They could be made of stuff such as glass or polyethylene. You could also put designs on your discount shower door far as they come in chrome. Though a sliding door can provide a good ornamental look to your bathroom, its handles also make a good hold as a towel bar. You can have rollers done to the base, which would make it a lot better in terms of exertion. If the door is coming expensive to you. You may very well take to the curtains, which are low maintenance, handy and cheap to use. Though certainly, the sliding doors outperform the curtains when it comes to maintaining dryness out the bathroom. Curtains do not have a very long life and tend to wear out easily due to water. While the shower doors no doubt are better looking in all aspects, and also come with a resale value, which a curtain shall never have.

But while you go for the doors, remember that sliding doors are not all that suitable for showers whose openings are not big enough. For a bypass door, there has to be enough space for both the doors to pass side by side. While if you a family person with kids, a bath curtain will be friendlier for all the approach you will have for your young ones while they take a bath. Also, the sliding door may need you to install a soft water system, because a hard water system can leave behind enough deposits for a stain. With the right kind of guidance in terms of advice and good look at your discount shower door browse, you may well get a good deal for your price. But do not forget that a good item in your house has an aesthetic value, so do not compromise on that, and you shall never get bored of the shower door.

Coming to the technical aspect of discount shower doors, we shall first look into the sliding doors, which could usually be bypass doors. Bifold Shower doors are put in a row. They could be made of stuff such as glass or polyethylene. You could also put designs on your discount shower door far as they come in chrome.

The first step is to put up a sturdy cement board backer. I like to use Hardibacker. Once the Hardibacker is up it is time to get to the tiling. This is the fun part.

1. Do not use Mastic, use a thinset and stay away from the premixed stuff.

2. You want to dampen the cement board prior to troweling thinset on. If you do not, the cement board will draw the moisture out of the thinset too quickly, making for a brittle set that is susceptible to cracking.

3. Pick out the right trowel for your thinset and tile size, also pay attention to spacing recommendations and use the right spacers. I recommend 1/8” or less spacing so that you can use unsanded grout (easier to seal).

4. Remember you are not going to grout at the corners, you are going to caulk so try to maintain an even spacing.

Make sure you use tiles made for walls and follow the directions on the bag of thinset as to what type of trowel you will need.

You want to measure up from the bottom of the backerboard the height of a tile minus ½”. This will give you a ½” overlap over the tile lip on your shower pan. Mark this with a sharpie and using a level transfer the mark across the shower stall.

Trowel on some thinset and spread it with a notched trowel. Then set the tile into it by twisting slightly while pushing into the thinset. Remove the tile to make sure you have good coverage on the back. Reinstall and keep setting tiles using spacers in between. Let the bottom row set up for 24 hours.

After 24 hours you can repeat the procedure setting each row of tile on top of the last row of tile. Continue until you reach the top of the shower stall. Here is the procedure again:

1. Measure up from top of the last row. Mark line with a level as guide for next row.

2. Spread thinset between last row of tile and marked line with v-notched trowel.

3. Set tile into thinset using spacers all around.

4. Repeat for next row up.

After letting the tile set for 48 hours you are ready to grout the tile. Mix up a batch of grout and use a sponge float to smooth it into the joints. After 30-40 minutes (check the directions on the bag of grout) you want to wipe the excess grout with a damp sponge and a circular motion. Keep wiping with a clean sponge until the tile is clear. Let the grout cure for 24-48 hours before sealing.

As people are becoming weight conscious day by day, scales have become an addition to the bathrooms. Bathroom scales that are more accurate are preferred by the health conscious people all over the world. As the markets are flooded with more varieties of bathroom scales, it has become increasingly difficult to choose one. It is believed that the weight of a person varies at different times of the day. To get a consistent reading of your body weight, measuring it early morning is suggested.

A mechanical dial scale is usually used in homes. It uses levers connected to a plate with a spring. When the weight is placed over the plate, the spring stretches and the pointer moves showing the corresponding weight.

Nowadays digital scales are becoming more prominent. Digital scales uses load cell technology that translates the weight into an electrical voltage. The results are shown on an LED or LCD display. Most of the digital bathroom scales are battery operated while some others need to be plugged in. The variations in digital bathroom scale models include a calculator to measure the Body Mass Index or the B M I and in some advanced types to measure the body fat percentage.

Of the different types of bathroom scales available, a digital bathroom scale is considered most accurate and is used widely for taking readings at home. Digital bathroom scales with large LCD monitor makes reading the numbers easier without using reading glasses. Choose a particular day of a week to weigh yourself.

Normally weight is taken after a person wakes up in the morning and after emptying urinary bladder and bowels. The human system should be free of food or water. This is the perfect time to measure your body weight more accurately. A good digital scale shows the same weight at any time of the day. Another yardstick of selecting a good digital scale is that when some object is put on it and weighed it should automatically reset to zero. However it is better to calibrate the digital scale before using it.

Some modern digital scales come with a sleek glass platform with at least four individual sensors which are located at each corner of the scale to provide atmost accuracy while reading. Most of the other scales uses only one load sensor with a mechanical leveler. Some other types of digital bathroom scales are solar digital scales and portable digital scales and scales with oversized platforms.

As digital bathroom scales are manufactured by a lot of companies, the prices have become very affordable and user friendly. Bathroom scales can also be used outside the homes. They are mainly used in gyms and clinics. Personalized digital bathroom scales give a more accurate weight measurement. Many of these scales work on a spring system. If more than one person uses the same the same scale, the springs will get more wear and tear everytime persons with different weights step on it and this will lead to change in accuracy. Now companies are marketing bathroom scales which are more sleek and stylish, so you can use it as a part of your bathroom décor.

A shower, a hot bath, a makeup station, a rare moment alone – a bathroom offers a personal refuge; a place where your personal style surrounds you with peace and comfort. Whether you prefer design that is simple and comfortable, or high-end and elegant, changing the elements of your bathroom can change the overall look of the room. Replacement of the bathroom sink cabinets especially can greatly alter the look of your bathroom – bringing it from retro to contemporary and anywhere in between.

Bathroom sink cabinets refer to the cabinet space underneath the sink in your bathroom. Generally they are incorporated into the bathroom vanity; the sink, faucet, cabinets, and sometimes drawers offered as one whole piece. In an effort to make a cohesive room focused on a particular style, many people will make use of cabinets to set the tone. Decorating enthusiasts understand that in order to pull a room together there must be a visual focus on which the feeling of the room is established.

There are a variety of styles from which to choose when it comes to bathroom sink cabinets; everything from Victorian or country to traditional or modern. Working within any of these genres simply means choosing cabinet materials that reflect the particular style. There are bathroom sink cabinets that feature sleek contemporary lines and materials and fit well within a more modern bathroom.

There are other cabinets that feature more traditional wood material lending it to a more country or traditional feel. One element that must not be overlooked – in an effort to reflect a particular style – is the cabinet accessories such as handles and knobs. Brushed nickel or pewter accessories will set a tone that is much different than that of painted ceramic or solid wood accessories. Keep the details in mind when choosing bathroom sink cabinets to fit your style.

Bathroom sink cabinets can be found in your local home improvement store where they can be purchased within a range of prices. Simpler designs and less ornate materials can be found at more affordable prices. And when working with a larger budget, you can find a variety of more complex designs and higher end materials to suit your needs. The retailer at which you purchase your cabinet will offer installation guidance for those weekend warriors or professional installation services for those who choose to opt out of do-it-yourself duty.

It’s not difficult to understand why so much attention is paid to the bathroom when it comes to redecorating and renovating rooms within a home. For one, an updated bathroom will often yield a significant financial return upon the sale of the home; those looking to purchase a home pay particular attention to kitchen and bathroom upgrades. But, more importantly, making your bathroom what you envision will generate years of enjoyment while you are in the home. Replacing bathroom sink cabinets – an element that creates dramatic visual impact – will go a long way towards creating the bathroom of your dreams.

How to fit a small bathroom shower

What do you do if you want to install a shower but you only have a very small bathroom?

While I love my bathtub for the rare occasions that I get to use it for a long relaxing soak, I don’t know what I would do without my shower. Showers are quick, refreshing and a lot more economical than taking baths. When I had the chance to redesign my small bathroom I jumped at the opportunity to improve the shower that was installed above the bathtub at the time.

The first thing to remember is that there usually is a way to do these things and you mustn’t give up before you’ve really thought about the problem. Don’t be put off by the fact that you don’t seem to have much room to play with in your bathroom design.

So what are the options?

Throw the bathtub away

Taking out the bathtub will give you more than enough room to fit a sizeable shower enclosure. Unfortunately you won’t have a bath anymore. While this might fit in well with your current lifestyle you might want to think about what you might have need of a few years down the line and when you come to sell your property.

When you sell a property you must have a bathroom with a bathtub even if it has a great shower instead. People expect to find a bath in the bathroom and the lack of one can seriously depress the value of your property.

Put your shower in your bathtub

If you have no other option you can install a showerhead above your bathtub together with a shower curtain or splashguard. This should be the easiest solution, as it will take up no additional floor space. Personally I’m not keen on this option.

Turn your bathroom into a wet room

This is an ambitious design that will involve turning the floor of your entire bathroom into a giant shower base and drain. It can be a very expensive option to convert a conventional bathroom into wet room but it has the advantage of allowing you to put your small bathroom shower anywhere you like. Even over the toilet if you want to although I wouldn’t advise it.

Install a curved quadrant shower cubicle

The option that I like best for any bathroom is to install a separate shower enclosure either free standing in the room or in a corner of the bathroom. This is a great solution if you can find the space to accommodate the shower enclosure.

The problem with this idea is finding the space in a small bathroom to fit the shower enclosure. Enclosures come in various sizes so you will need first of all to decide on the smallest size that you think you can live with. Even a very small shower enclosure is better than none at all.

To make the space available you should consider the whole small bathroom design. Find a smaller toilet and washbasin and even a smaller bathtub if you have to. Use squared paper and cut out shapes to try many different ways of arranging everything.

Finally look at curved quadrant shower enclosures as a space saving alternative to square or rectangular ones. Finding one of these was the turning point in my small bathroom shower design. Everything fell into place nicely after that.

Read the full article at Small Bathroom Shower

When most people think of restyling their bathrooms they instantly think it will be an expensive job. New bathroom suites can cost a lot to purchase and even more to install by a registered plumber. Replacing wall tiles can quickly get messy, and blinds that can withstand a bathroom environment can be difficult to find.

Take a look in your bathroom, now look down at the flooring, the part of the bathroom that’s used the most. It gets stood on, dripped on, and spilled on all the time. Baths and showers can often soak parts of your bathroom flooring on a near daily basis, shampoos and other toiletries get spilled or leak over your flooring, and around the toilet area there could even be spills of another kind, especially in homes with younger children.

When did you last renew your bathroom flooring?

The average bathroom floor takes a lot of use so needs to be hard wearing and easily cleanable, it should be cleaned with disinfectants regularly to ensure a safe, hygienic environment in your bathroom. It should not be a carpet!

Carpets are made from fibres that by their very nature absorb liquids when spilled on them, they are very hard to clean and are almost impossible to disinfect. Repeated soaking by water quickly rots most carpets, and unless you spend money on expensive carpet protecting chemicals, the vast majority of stains will be very hard to remove.

Damp, rotting carpets are a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria and fungi, throw into the mix toiletry spills and you will quickly get a picture of a very unhealthy environment.

Change that bathroom carpet today!

Alternatives to carpeting a bathroom include natural stone such as limestone or granite, ceramic tiling, or vinyl flooring.

Natural stone flooring can have a dramatic effect to almost any type of bathroom large or small. Stone such as granite has natural waterproof properties to it and is extremely hard wearing, although it is one of the most expensive flooring options available.

Ceramic tiles are an ever popular option for bathrooms. They are relatively inexpensive and come in a wide range of styles and colours to match up with any existing bathroom colour scheme. Ceramic tiles are also hard wearing, easy to clean, and straight forward to install.

Vinyl flooring is the lowest priced option for renewing your bathroom flooring. However, it is water resistant, easy to look after, and also available in many designs and colours, making it a excellent option for many homes. Its low cost also allows you to replace this type of flooring on a more regular basis if required.

Update your bathroom today, replace that old, tired flooring and make your bathroom a cleaner, safer, and more beautiful feature of your home.

According to contractors, the room that is undergoing the greatest amount of transformation in new construction and remodeling is the bathroom. In fact, since the 1930s, the average master bath has tripled in size and the huge bathrooms build in houses today have even an oversized closet inside. The change in bathroom space is attributed to the fact that people are now spending more time in their bathrooms when they wish to relax while taking a bath. Experts point out, that the weekend spa mentality has developed into a new lifestyle trend with which Americans feel comfortable and want to experience on a daily basis without leaving the comfort of their own home.

Since the bathroom space has increased, the new updated version calls for an addition of bathroom furniture, which can make any bathroom feel less sterilized and bring in the feeling of comfort that used to be associated with other rooms of the house, like the bedroom or living-room. Moreover, the additional furniture pieces provide extra storage space; something that is definitely needed nowadays by both women and men. To cover the demand, many bathroom cabinet manufacturers offer now sinks set in furniture pieces, which are designed specifically for bathroom use. Options now range from modern glass and steel pieces, to old renaissance dressers and armoires. Moreover, people tend to mix and match furniture and trim their uncovered surfaces in order to make them blend with the flooring, connecting the bathroom to the rest of the house.

But apart from the amount of space available and selecting the right type of furniture, today’s bathroom-users also want to create a bathroom in which they can relax and rejuvenate. These moments of relaxation can be enhanced with simple additions, like a bathroom stool near the tub or in the shower, or if the space permits it with an ottoman for some precious relaxing times. Furthermore, the right type of lighting can be installed quickly altering the feeling one has while taking a bath. Again candles, small regular lamps on the vanity or shelves can transform the bathroom and give it the feeling of tranquility.

Extremely important apart from the furniture selected is the bathroom’s flooring. Tile or wood can enhance the overall appearance of the bathroom and their designs can be matched to blend with the house’s other rooms. Also, the color of the walls or the wallpaper selected to be placed have to match the rest of the area, like the floor, the sink and the bathtub creating a unified outcome. If you decide to go with the wallpaper option, be extremely cautious as it has to be installed really well in order not to fall off the walls as you steam your bath.

Finally, keep your bathroom organized and clean. Numerous scattered items give a feeling of clutter and do not help you enjoy this room of your house. Furthermore, select towels and bathrobes that are soft and fluffy. It is better if their colors and design matches the rest of the bathroom, but most importantly they have to be replenished with new ones almost every year so you will continue feeling the same snugly sensation every time you exit the shower.