Tips for Creating a White Bathroom

When thinking about upgrading your bathroom's look, one of the first things you'll likely consider will be the color scheme. White is usually either an immediate "yes" or "no" for most people, with few gray areas in between. While white can give the illusion of space for small bathrooms, it can also become overwhelming and feel too sterile. Below we'll discuss some ways in which you can make your white bathroom work for you.

Minimalism

The minimalist look can work wonders for a bathroom, particularly a small one, but you'll want to ensure it's done right. Nothing ruins a minimalist look more quickly than a space that becomes cluttered by not offering convenient storage space.

To keep things truly minimal, avoid decorative knickknacks and provide yourself with ample storage space. Use glass jars to keep everyday items such as ponytail holders or Q-tips easily accessible and neatly together. A potted orchid or small cactus plant will do well in a minimalist bathroom with natural light and add the right amount of color without compromising your overall look.

Trims & Dimensions

Afraid an all-white bathroom could become too stark? Use small elements of color or texture, such as trim or tile, to add a touch of warmth and dimension. Colored trims are an easy way to open up spaces, and they can be complemented with other small touches such as framed wall art, large mirrors or unique floor tiles. An interior brick backsplash or accent wall gives your bathroom an extra dimension and sets the stage for rustic or antique decor.

Contrasts

If you love the idea behind the minimalist look, but aren't quite sold on an all-white theme, consider contrasting your whites with other colors such as brown or even black. Your white walls will provide the illusion of space while darker cabinets, floors or vanities will provide the contrast you're looking for. Choose light oak, teak or cherry wood to create gentle contrasts or add darker colors for contrasts that are bigger and bolder.

Alternately, consider reversing your color scheme by installing white cabinets and vanities while using your walls to provide the contrast you're looking for.

Décor

Give your white space a little more of that homey feel with décor. An antique mirror or standing lamp can be a wonderful addition to a white bathroom without adding clutter, and adding wall art of your choice can give you just the splash of color you're looking. Use classic framed art for a quaint bathroom look or spice it up with antique metal signs for a more playful dimensions. Add small plants, jars or even candles to shelving or into built-in nooks or windowsills, but avoid cluttering counters with décor.

Round v. Elongated Toilets

Remodeling a bathroom comes with many considerations. Whether you're thinking of making minor improvements or you're looking for a complete overhaul, we know you're likely grappling with a variety of how-tos.

Today, we'll be talking about two types of toilets: round and elongated. You likely grew up with one or the other and have always made do with what you had. However, each of these toilets actually has its own pros and cons. When choosing a new toilet for your bathroom, we want you to consider these.

Space

Things can quickly become crowded as you mentally install new appliances. Everything looks great on its own, but is it still practical when it all comes together?

The main difference between a round and an elongated toilet bowl will be its length. Round bowls are on average about two inches shorter, at 16 1/2 inches, than an elongated bowl at 18 1/2 inches. That means, generally speaking, a round bowl will prove more ideal for compact bathroom spaces.
However, you may find that your home is currently set up with an older round bowl model sporting a much larger tank. If that's the case, your current round toilet may be taking up just as much room as a modern toilet with an elongated bowl would.

Cost

Round toilets tend to be less expensive because they are smaller. However, elongated toilets don't have to cost you an arm and a leg. Bathroom Place offers high-quality dual-flush toilets at affordable costs.

Flushing

How your toilet flushes will depend on its internal system, not on the shape of the bowl itself. Both round and elongated toilets can be low-flushing to comply with eco-friendly standards, and each type of toilet has its unique flushing power. However, some families find that round toilets are more hygienic since children tend to sit too far forward on elongated toilets.

Comfort

How comfortable a toilet is will depend largely on your size. Small children will find the smaller opening of a round toilet easier and more comfortable, while an adult will find the longer rim more comfortable and hygienic.

3 Ways to Lighten Up a Bathroom for Summer

Your bathroom serves many purposes. It’s a private refuge where you can be alone, a workstation to primp and pamper, and a necessary stop throughout your day. In a room you so commonly visit, why settle for a dark and dreary space? As the summer days get brighter, your bathroom should too! This season, don’t let dull designs cloud up your space. Let the light in with these three summer bathroom ideas for brightening up your bathroom.

Give the Walls a Makeover

You would be amazed how much a coat or two of paint can do. While dark colors can look luxurious and romantic, they can also considerably shrink a room. Dark colors absorb light, so they end up dimming the whole room. If you want to brighten up your bathroom, this end of the color spectrum is your worst enemy.

Lighter colors reflect light much more effectively than dark ones, making the space look bigger, brighter, and breezier. Delicate colors like mint, baby blue, and light coral are great choices if you want to keep things light and airy without whitewashing the place. Summer is colorful, so these happy hues are perfect for the season. If you’re not a pastel person, consider modern neutrals like a cool gray or light taupe. These shades are mature and timeless, excellent for a guest or unisex bathroom.

Don’t dismiss the idea of white walls yet, though—white is a classic for a reason. A great pearly paint is one of the best ways to reflect light throughout a space. If you’re not willing to totally part with color, though, you don’t have to! Pops of color add interest and dimension to an otherwise monochromatic room without subtracting any light. Coordinate the towels, rugs, soap dish, and other accessories in your favorite cheerful shade (we love yellow, turquoise, and green) and bring in some plants for a little extra charm!

Open Up with Appliances

One of the most important features of your bathroom is the actual appliances in it. After all, what’s a bathroom without the bath stuff? However, your toilet, shower, and sink don’t have to be stale just because they’re standard. Almost all bathroom furnishings come in an assortment of shapes and sizes. Replace large fixtures with smaller, sleeker items with less detail to create more space and allow more light. Remember, pale colors are still your friend here! A compact, floating bathroom vanity like this one in white is perfect for opening up tight spaces.

Wherever possible, replace opaque room dividers with glass ones. Things like fabric shower curtains emphasize a sense of enclosure and absorb a lot of much-needed light. If privacy is no problem, install glass shower doors to give your bathroom uninterrupted light flow.

Bring In the Bulbs

Last but certainly not least, what better way to lighten up a bathroom than to add lights? Natural light is undoubtedly the best option, as the sun beats fluorescent lights any day. If your bathroom doesn’t have any windows, introduce daylight with a skylight; if you don’t have direct roof access, though, light tubes can add an infusion of natural light.

One trick to good bathroom lighting is overlapping light sources. Layer your light with overhead flushlights, wall fixtures, and even a soft glow under your vanity to illuminate the floor. You can also make up for a lack of lamps by using multiple mirrors. Mirrors not only make the room look bigger, but also can turn one light source into two or more with its reflective surface. Kill two birds with one stone with an LED mirror to deliver beautiful and bright light without unwanted shadows.

Looking for more bathroom remodel ideas? Follow us on Pinterest!

4 Shower Systems to Update Your Builder-Grade Bathroom

Purchasing a new home can be an exciting time in your life. It marks a new chapter as you’ve gone from renter to homeowner or maybe you’ve upgraded into a larger home that has more of the features you desire that your previous home did not. Whatever the case may be, a new home will eventually have a list of items you would like to replace. Some will take higher priority; think big fixes like new roofs or appliances, as they may be a necessity. However, cosmetic repairs will appear on the list at some point, and those can be just as important for your sanity.

Frequently on the list is the desire to upgrade your bathroom with a new look. Changing out the shower fixtures can be one of the easiest projects that can be completed over a weekend. Standard builder-grade bathroom fixtures are usually cheap and not very pretty. They serve their purpose of getting the water flowing when needed, but their aesthetic skills are limited. Here are four modern shower systems that are worth replacing your builder- grade fixtures with:

    Modern & Affordable- The Ian Shower Set

If you’re looking for a modern shower set that will upgrade the finishes in your shower at an affordable price, consider the Ian shower set from Inolav. This one function shower set includes an 8-inch square wall- mounted shower head and lever set. Simple yet sleek, it’ll give your bathroom a modern touch in no time. This shower set looks just as great in a small guest bathroom tub as a standard shower in a master bathroom.

Contemporary & Adjustable- The Colton Shower Set

Those looking to customize the shower for each user no matter their height, the Colton shower set is ideal. With an adjustable shower bar and hand shower, you’ll enjoy being able to rinse off with ease. This set also comes with a large 8-inch square shower head, giving you the option to bathe in a spa like setting with the overhead shower or the handheld shower. If you have pets to bathe in the tub, the adjustable hand shower can be handy.

   

Modern & Dual Function- The Delia Shower Set

Oversized walk-in showers with plenty of space could benefit from the installation of the Delia shower set. This two-function shower allows you to use the overhead shower and the handheld shower at the same time or separately. You’ll enjoy having complete control over the water output with this set. The minimalist design on this handheld shower will pair well with a monochromatic bathroom. 

  

Luxurious & Complete- The Ezio Shower Set
If upgrading your builder grade fixtures is at the top of your remodeling list and you’re looking for a complete overhaul in your shower space, adding the Ezio shower set will give you the results you’ve been dreaming about. This complete shower system includes a three-function shower set that has features you’d find in a bathroom at a spa, including two body sprays. If your best thoughts come to you while you’re in the shower, this is the shower set for you.

All four of these modern shower head sets from Inolav are available in a polished chrome or brushed nickel finish. Choose the one that best compliments your bathroom vanity and sink hardware. If you’re unsure which one to choose, polished chrome pairs well with cooler colors while the brushed nickel can help add warmth to your bathroom color palette.

So which one of these shower sets would you like to replace your builder-grade bathroom hardware with?

3 Vanity Collections to Match Your Personal Style

With warmer weather and summer approaching, the desire to refresh the design in your home can be expected. While there are many things you could change throughout your home, one of the smallest spaces offers the biggest ‘wow’ factor. Giving your bathroom a makeover may make your daily routine more enjoyable and relaxing. It could be something as simple as changing out your linens, adding a new layer of paint to your walls or swapping out the builder grade bathroom mirror you’ve been talking about replacing since you moved in.

One too many marathons of Fixer Upper or Property Brothers on HGTV can leave you dreaming up all kinds of renovation ideas for your current home. As a result of these popular shows, we’ve seen an increase in farmhouse style bathrooms as well as monochromatic bathrooms. So, if you’re ready to renovate your bathroom but you’re not quite sure which vanity will work with your bathroom design style, here are some bathroom vanity ideas to complement your style.

Bathroom Vanities for Your Farmhouse Bathroom

If your design style is inspired by Chip and Joannna Gaines, you’ll want to consider an all-white bathroom to complement the shiplap walls or backsplash. To achieve a dreamy farmhouse bathroom, consider designing your bathroom around our Watson Vanity. Its modern-day functionality includes five pull-out drawers and two cabinets, providing you with ample storage to keep your bathroom decluttered. Add a few apothecary jars to the porcelain counter, and you’ll be one step closer to achieving a bathroom fit for a ranch home situated in an urban setting.

Bathroom Vanities for Your Monochromatic Bathroom

If you’re wanting a modern bathroom that gives off a sleek, cool and clean look, consider a monochromatic bathroom design that focuses on whites and greys. Wall-mounted vanities, such as our Adams collection, will add to the cool factor, as these vanities offer a floating minimalist look. Available in matte white and metal gray, the Adams 60S vanity has ample storage for your daily essentials while keeping them out of sight. It’s also worth noting the additional floor space you’ll have. Our Adams vanities pair well with cool grey walls, grey mosaic tile or subway tile backsplashes.

Bathroom Vanities for Your Mid-Modern Bathroom
Mid-modern design is gaining popularity once again. If you are wanting to give your bathroom a modern look with a touch of the 1950s, consider our Morris collection. Our Morris 36 vanity in chestnut is just what you are looking for if you’re leaning towards channeling this popular design trend. With thin legs, large drawer pulls and a rectangular sink basin, it is everything that a vanity needs to complement a mid-modern bathroom. This vanity pairs well with an oversized round mirror, gold accents, fun lighting fixtures and patterned tile.

So, no matter what your personal design style is, Bathroom Place has the bathroom vanities to help bring your bathroom design ideas to life. What modern bathroom ideas will you incorporate during your next bathroom update?

3 Things to Consider When Choosing Between a Bidet and a Washlet

The addition of a bidet toilet seat – also known as a washlet – or a bidet to a bathroom in the United States often leads to the bathroom fixture becoming a focal point for houseguests. The comments and questions about a bidet can lead to a full conversation about how to use one and why one would want one added to his or her bathroom. Some people have never seen one in person while others have seen them but haven’t become comfortable with using them. The bathroom bidet is so common in European countries that it is found in homes, restaurants and hotels.

Those who are familiar with using a bidet or washlet seat know how beneficial these can be to a bathroom. So if you’re wanting to give your bathroom an update but aren’t sure if you should add a bidet or a washlet, here are three tips to help make your decision easier.  

1. Space:

If you’re limited on space in your bathroom, a washlet may be the best option for you. What makes a washlet a viable option is that it can be attached to your existing toilet. The additional hardware can be attached to the toilet or to the wall next to the toilet. You’ll want to make sure that the washlet you are interested in is compatible with your current toilet, or else you’ll need to purchase a new toilet and a washlet. If that is the case, consider the popular washlet toilet, the Toto G500. The Toto bidet seat was invented by the Japanese company Toto and continues to be one of the best brands on the market for washlets.

While bidets are often more compact than traditional toilets, there isn’t always room for a toilet and a bidet in a bathroom. If your bathroom renovation is for a half-bath in your home, a bidet could replace the toilet. Doing so may give your houseguests something to talk about when they come over to visit.

2. Choose the Options Most Important to You:

Bidets are classic options that provide a quick cleaning solution for those times that you want to be clean but taking a shower isn’t a viable option. There aren’t many fancy options with a bidet beyond choosing if you’ll want to have a vertical spray nozzle or a deck mounted water solution. A bidet will provide many uses when it comes to hygiene. They can be used after using the toilet or as a quick rinse off spot for your feet after being outdoors or at the beach. We have heard of some people using their bidet to soak their clothes, but we recommend doing that in your bathroom sink instead.

Toto G500 Washlet 

Washlets, on the other hand, provide many additional features with the most notable being a heated seat and a warm air drying setting. Other features include a bowl cleaning prior to use and an automatic air deodorizer. Some washlets are equipped with a personal memory setting, allowing your time in the bathroom to be that much more pleasant. 

If you’d prefer to stick to a traditional European bathroom, then the bidet is a great choice. If, however, you are looking for various bells and whistles to enhance your bathroom experience, then consider a washlet.

3. Price:

If you’re wanting to update your bathroom basins but you’re limited by your budget, there’s good news for you: Both of our bidets and washlets are available at a reasonable price. Our affordable bidets are $325 while our washlet toilet seats range in price from $390- $975.

So, which would you prefer to add to your bathroom?