A good rule to live by is to update your bathroom every seven to ten years. It might come as a surprise for some, but seven years is actually the average amount of time an American lives in one house. There are many factors that contribute to that number, but if we go off of raw data, you can see that an updated bathroom might be in your future.

Take a look at your bathroom. There is a good chance that it is "dated" and has aged without you noticing. Too many times people live there lives and don't see what is in front of them everyday. That blue tile from the nineteen seventies or that gaudy white vanity that went out in the eighties might still be part of your bathroom scene. It's OK, these things get overlooked until someone brings it to your attention and here is what you can do.

When I do a bathroom renovation the first question is always: "How much will this cost me?" It is a fair question and it is especially pertinent in today's volatile restate market. My answer has recently changed. I now say, buy the supplies online and I will work with you on the install price. Yes buying bathroom products online has saved me thousands and now it can do the same for you. The choices are almost endless, you can go with basic RTA products (RTA stands for Ready To Assemble) or you can get as fancy as a high end vanity. Either way the savings are about thirty to forty percent over a retail store like Home Depot or Lowe's. I know, I could not believe it either, but online suppliers have less overhead and less expenses, thus the savings can be passed onto you.

I have found that using keywords has sped up my searching. If that does not make sense to you, I will say it another way. Say you're looking for an un-assembled bathroom vanity and you want to look online. Instead of typing (into a search engine) the word bathroom, you would go more specific like "RTA bathroom vanity". This will instantly get you to a site that has pre-assembled products. Be careful all search engines have "PAID" searches on the top of their list, instead go to the third or fourth down and click on that, this is not a paid search and will give you more of what you want. (Note – the paid searches usually show up a little different from the regular searches and you should be able to see the difference.)

So that new bathroom is literally a click away. Go online, use a few key words and start searching. Remember to avoid sites that claim they will give you "free shipping", it is simply not true and if it is, look at their pricing, I am sure it is inflated enough to cover the shipping costs. Other than that, good luck and start shopping online for that new bathroom.

If you're considering updating your bathroom, you have probably watched some of the home improvement television shows that show examples of shining new bathrooms created in just a few days. The problem is that while you love the look of those decorator inspired examples, it seems they worked with a limitless budget, and you don't have that luxury.

While you won't be able to include imported tiles and top of the line fixtures, it is possible to update your bathroom space without breaking the bank. These budget friendly ideas are great options if you feel like you can't live with your outdated bathroom any longer, but aren't yet ready to do the "big" remodel. Also, if you're planning to sell your home soon and need to do some updating, these tips will help you do that without blowing all of your potential profit.

1. Tile Choices

Yes, that tumbled slate is fabulous, but it's also $9.00 (or more) per square foot. You can find tile that looks great for a fraction of the cost, or you may consider vinyl. Vinyl floor offerings today are NOT the same as 20 years ago. Choices today include high quality vinyl that can mimic the look of other flooring options. Also, it's easy to install, so you can definitely do it yourself.

2. Paint/Wall Choices

It's so easy, after watching those home improvement shows, to think that your bathroom is substandard if every wall is not covered in imported Italian something or other. When you're redoing a bathroom on a budget, however, you'll have to make some different choices. Good old fashioned painted walls are still acceptable. Just be sure you choose a paint that was intended for use in a bathroom. Choose something with at least a semi-gloss finish and a mold inhibitor.

Another option is to install bead board on the lower half of the wall. This look is perfect when you wish to create a cottage or beach feel in your bathroom. You can purchase faux bead board (made of compressed fiberboard) for less than traditional bead board, and the look is identical.

3. Fixtures

When working with a budget, you must become familiar with compromise. You won't be able to purchase the bowl sink right off the decorator's showroom floor, but you can still get the look you want with a little creativity. For example, one homeowner found an old sideboard at a garage sale for $20. Then she purchased two high quality ceramic bowls and had holes cut in them to accommodate the plumbing. She painted the sideboard and had holes cut into to the top to accommodate the 2 bowl sinks. She created a custom, designer look double sink for less than $100.

4. Other Tips

• If you know you're going to be updating the bathroom within the next year, start keeping your eyes out for sales. When you see some tile you like on clearance, or a fabulous fixture at a garage scale, scoop it up.

• To save even more on paint, shop the "Oops" section at your local hardware or home improvement store. When customers return paint, many stores sell it for a fraction of the cost. You may even find inspiration if you've been having trouble choosing a color.

• Check your local classified newspaper for plumbing and bathroom fixtures. Many people sell their old stuff when they update their home.

Anytime you are working with a limited budget, creativity is key. By thinking outside the box, you can create a bathroom that is the envy of all of your guests, and you'll still have enough money left to entertain them!

Having decided to make a complete new bathroom installation you may forget about annoying rusty bath, boring faded interior, cracked floor and wall tiles. It means to leave out always leaking mixer taps, painful rusty stains caused by defective sanitaryware, which made you tired a lot. It means to forget about inconvenient bathroom shelves, which occupy the better part of the space but have no practical use. New life begins full of facility, comfort and appeasement! Down with nightmare, inconvenience and constant irritation!

Bathroom is one of the most important rooms in a flat. Only in this room you may really feel easy and natural, create atmosphere of comfort and warmth, and above all, only there you can really stay alone with your thoughts, apprehensions, joys. Only there reunited with your subconsciousness you may lose yourself into your secret dreams and give yourself up to pacification.

Everything around should be pleasant to your eyes and bring the sense of satisfaction in order to reach the sense of maximum comfort and to enjoy hydrotherapeutic procedures. Therefore, when you have decided to make a bathroom renovation you should think over everything up to the smallest details, think over purpose and functionality of every component, select matching light, chord of the bathroom tiles colour, decorate it with various accessories designed exactly for these purposes.

So, you decide to make your bathroom arrangement seriously, what shall we start with? For a start, it is necessary to measure the total area of the room, if the area of your bathroom is not that big try to locate there all the desired elements without bulky compositions. It is necessary to size up at what height desired hanging bathroom cabinets will be located not to hindering movement later on.

Then you need to decide what exactly you want to see in your bathroom: a shower cabin, having saved part of the active area meanwhile, or set a bathtub itself, which occupies a large space, but has its own pluses. In any case regardless of your choice of one or another option you need to know the properties of the bathroom accessories for sure in order not to be disappointed in the future.

Then you need to choose a suitable bathroom sink, there are plenty of them, also, there are also mini and corner sinks, which are perfectly suitable for small rooms. If you decided not to use wall hung bathroom units, you may install nice cabinet under your washbasin, which will create a proper decorative appearance and would give you an additional spare space for bathroom accessories. Above the bathroom sink you may install mirrors. It is necessary to mention that more mirrors you have in your renovated bathroom the wider and larger looks the room. Above the mirror, or next to it is advisable to install spot lights or lamps, which will light well every corner our lovely smiles in front of it.

If your bathroom allows it is necessary to install a towel heater. There is a binary benefit of it: absence of dampness in your new bathroom will prevent fungus and towels will be constantly dry.

In order to save space and embellish the external view of the bathroom you may use wall hung bathroom units. Big plus of this sanitaryware is the complete absence of any pipes, mixers, tanks because everything is hidden inside the bathroom walls and concealed there from curious eyes until the necessary moment.

Buying a new bathtub you may choose it with a spa unit in it which will make your everyday life more joyful and comfortable.

There is nothing but to thoroughly think over a purchase of necessary bathroom accessories to blend them correctly and harmoniously with the interior you create.

And it is also important to say about the selection of color palette for a bathroom. If a room is small, try to avoid dark shades, which will only conceal extra, far too small area. Therefore, it is better to use light and soft tones. And your bathroom will make you happy day after day.

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