All posts by Leslie Stafford

Decorative Tile Bathroom Ideas

Decorative Tile Bathroom Ideas for All Budgets

Tile is a very practical material for bathrooms because of its ability to repel water, durability, ability to be cleaned easily, and the variety of options available. Tile is a great choice for bathroom floors, walls, and even ceilings!

Decorative tile is a great way to add a pop of interest in your bathroom, whether on the walls, in the shower, or as a backsplash. Decorative tile tends to be more expensive than standard tile, so it is typically used sparingly, such as in a small band on the wall or a small inlay in a shower. However, if you have a healthy budget, you can really have some fun with decorative tile!

For Small Budgets: For Large Budgets:
  • Try adding a small band of decorative tile (like glass tile) as a backsplash around your sink/countertop. Depending on the scale of your bathroom, you might only need to come up a few inches.
  • You could also add a small band of decorative tile around your shower at approximately eye level.
  • Alternatively, you could pick a square or rectangular area in the shower to install decorative tile.
  • Consider decorative tile for a whole wall (or all your walls!). Installing small glass tiles on a whole wall looks great and adds texture and dimension to your bathroom.
  • Custom patterns and inlays are another consideration for large budgets.
  • Many highly specialized tiles are available in glass, porcelain, and wood-like finishes.

 Browse our “Decorative Tile” page on Pinterest for some great ideas for using tile in your bathroom.

decorative-tile-ideas-for-bathrooms Decorative Tile Bathroom Ideas

Bathroom Sink Ideas: Choosing the Right One

Bathroom sinks come in all shapes, sizes, and materials, and choosing the best sink for your remodel is a matter of taste and budget. From simple, white vitreous china sinks available at your local home improvement store to rugged, custom-made concrete or metal sinks, there is a wide variety of options. See our bathroom sink ideas by type of installation:

self-rimming-bathroom-sink-300x225 Bathroom Sink Ideas: Choosing the Right OneSelf-Rimming Sinks

Self-rimming sinks drop into the top of the vanity, and the rim rests on top of your countertop. This type of sink is the most basic and common when you think about bathroom sinks, and they can be installed with most any countertop material. There is potential for dirt and soap scum to collect in the seam where the sink meets the countertop. These sinks also have the potential to leak at the seam, so keep that in mind. Self-rimming sinks are typically easy and forgiving to install.

 

undermount-bathroom-sink-300x225-300x225 Bathroom Sink Ideas: Choosing the Right OneUndermount Sinks

Undermount sinks are attached underneath the countertop surface, providing a clean look and an easy-to-clean surface with no obtrusive rim that collects dirt and grime. This type of bathroom sink installs with clips attached to the underside of the countertop. Undermount sinks are typically installed with granite and other stone or concrete countertops; laminate is not the best choice for an undermount sink.

 

pedestal-sink Bathroom Sink Ideas: Choosing the Right OneFreestanding Consoles / Pedestals

Pedestal sinks are a great choice for a small bathroom where floor space is at a premium. They are typically used in powder rooms, where counter space and under sink storage are not critical. A console sink is similar to a pedestal sink but usually has 2 or 4 metal legs instead of the single pedestal base. Pedestal and console sinks are typically easy to clean. Many evoke a traditional / Victorian sense of architecture, although some may have a clean, modern aesthetic.

 

wall-mount-sink Bathroom Sink Ideas: Choosing the Right OneWall-Mounted Sinks

Wall-mount sinks are like pedestals, in that they save valuable floor space and are great for small bathrooms. Wall mount sinks can be a great choice for period remodels, such as a farmhouse or old Victorian. Cleaning the floor under a wall-mount sink is a breeze, with no legs or supports in your way. Wall-mount sinks are available in traditional or modern designs, and they can be made of any material such as porcelain, glass, metal, or concrete.

 

vessel-sink Bathroom Sink Ideas: Choosing the Right OneVessel Sinks

Vessel sinks, also called above-counter sinks, are all the rage right now, but they bring us back to the beginning of indoor plumbing when washbasins were set atop a dresser, cabinet, or side table. Vessel sinks allow for some interesting options for faucets such as a surface mounted faucet or a wall-mounted faucet (which requires pre-planning with your contractor). Vessel sinks can be installed atop any kind of cabinet, like an antique cabinet or a repurposed table.

Soap Scum and Mineral Deposits: Deep Clean Showers

Cleaning Your Glass Shower Door

Tired of struggling to keep your glass shower door clean? Here are two handy tips that really work!

off-set-shower-valve-300x200 Soap Scum and Mineral Deposits: Deep Clean Showers

  1. Glass shower doors commonly build up with soap scum and mineral deposits. If you haven’t kept on top of this, it’s time to break out the heavy equipment. First, pick up some polishing compound from any home center or auto parts store and use an auto buffer to polish off all the residue. It’s best to remove the shower door and take it to your workshop so that you don’t create a mess in the bathroom.
  2. Once you have removed all the offending material, you can coat the glass with either Rain-X or Aquapel. This will keep water from beading on the glass and leaving mineral deposits when it dries! Just follow the instructions on the package. You can buy Rain-X at any home improvement store, and Aquapel is available on-line. We also recommend using a squeegee to pull the water off the glass after showering.

Cleaning Tile and Grout of Soap Scum and Stains

  1. Tackling built-up soap scum and dirt on tile walls and floors is made easier with Magic Eraser. These sponges are especially useful for removing ground-in dirt from porous tile. In most cases, it will make easy work of cleaning these areas. For tough stains, a little elbow grease may be needed.
  2. Grout stains can be almost impossible to remove. If you have light colored grout, try using a Clorox Bleach Pen. Be careful to get the bleach solution only on the grout lines. It’s tedious work but can make a huge difference. Just apply and wait 10 minutes and rinse. If stains are really bad, a second application may be necessary.

As with all cleaning projects, make sure you wear safety goggles and that the room is properly vented to deep clean your shower. Happy cleaning!

Relocating a Shower Valve: Centering vs. Offsetting

all-bathroom-off-set-shower-valve-300x200 Relocating a Shower Valve: Centering vs. Offsetting

Centering a shower valve right under the shower head is standard procedure. The shower valve is the piece with the handle where you turn the water on.

Relocating a Shower Valve

But at All About Kitchens and Baths, we sometimes like to offset the valve to one side, especially if you have a handheld shower head. That way, the hose from the shower head won’t get caught on the handles or get in your way when you’re adjusting the temperature.

This might require moving or boring through a stud to do an offset installation, but that’s a small hassle that pays off in the long run.