It's that crowded little room you rush around in every day as you get ready for work, but have you considered that your bathroom could be so much more? A few updates can transform a plain space into a beautiful retreat that will soothe your nerves and become a haven for relaxation.
Building a new home means having choices and making decisions. So if you're planning to build a new home, be prepared to spend an endless number of hours looking at options and making final selections.
So you're thinking about adding another bathroom to your home. There are many reasons to contemplate this project, ranging from an elderly parent moving in, to your teenagers' constant fights over the current bathroom, to wanting more space to accommodate guests. Whatever your reasons, adding a bathroom will enhance your home's resale value and provide increased comfort and convenience in the short term.
According to a 2003 cost-versus-value report from Remodeling magazine, you could make up to 94 percent of your investment back on a $15,000 mid-range bathroom addition. That is even more than the 80 percent this report cites for a major kitchen remodeling job.
Water is one of our most vital and precious resources, yet it's being used up at an alarming rate. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Americans consume more than 450 billion gallons of water each day.
The majority of water is used for either irrigation or generating power, but an alarming 4 billion gallons are flushed down toilets in the United States every day.
If building a new home is in your future, chances are you're inundated with paint chips, fabric swatches, tile samples and carpet remnants. You probably also have a collection of home magazines tagged with your favorite design ideas. But while aesthetics are important, especially in a powder room or a master bath, it is equally important to ensure the building materials and decorative fixtures you choose for your new bathroom have lasting quality.
Each day, millions of us choose showering as our bathing ritual, and Americans have been using the same basic shower since the 19th century. After all this time and trillions of hours showering, the residential market has finally turned its attention to the luxury shower.
Oh sure, we once thought soap on rope and a water massage showerhead was upgrading our builder-specified bathroom, but no longer! Homeowners are about to be tempted by dozens of new products to upgrade their everyday showering routine.
Makeovers are the rage today. Dozens of home improvement television shows, magazines, and even cable networks are devoted to redecorating and remodeling. Experts tell us what we should have, what color to make it and how to do it. Unfortunately for many, the money for makeovers doesn't come as easily, especially for a bathroom remodel.