15 Ways to Warm Up Your Bathroom for Winter

Article By: Becky Harris

Oh, that dread — you wake up in the middle of the night to take a trip to the bathroom, but you know that cold tile will chill all the toastiness right out of your feet. Or you come in from a chilly football game longing to take a luxurious soak in the tub, but the thought of shedding your layers of fleece stops you in your tracks. Soon it will be that time of year when you want your bathroom to raise your body temperature. Here are 15 suggestions that range from something you can do in minutes for a few bucks to dream-space renovation ideas. 

Eclectic Bathroom by New York Interior Designers & Decorators Thom Filicia Inc. 

Add a cozy rug. A bath mat does not have to be a shaggy little rectangle. Add an Oriental rug to enjoy underfoot during fall and winter. The rich colors will warm up the look of the room as well.

Be sure to add a rug pad or rug tape that will grip the floor underneath any bathroom rug to prevent slips.

Farmhouse Bathroom by Middletown Tile, Stone & Countertops Lesher Natural Stone, Quartz, & Tile

Blend beautiful natural materials. Soapstone sinksatop wood countertops add so much warmth to this bathroom. The look reminds me of the natural beauty of a rock outcropping in the woods.

Rustic Bathroom by Jackson Design-Build Firms Big-D Signature 

Take a different approach to lighting. We tend to think there is a certain type of characterless light we need to choose for bathrooms, like those flush-mount "boob lights." This is not true; open your mind and browse the type of lighting you would usually associate with a foyer or dining room. 

If you are installing a hanging chandelier or pendant light in a bathroom, work with a licensed electrician who knows the codes inside and out. A chandelier cannot be within reach of someone standing in a bathtub full of water; the fixtures will also need to be properly grounded, and you'll need a high ceiling.

Eclectic Bathroom by Gaithersburg Design-Build Firms Sustainable Design Group 

Consider heated floors. One of the most luxurious things you can do to make your bathroom toasty in chilly weather is invest in radiant-heat flooring. If you are planning any renovations, learn more about what this entails and what the payoffs are.

If you don't have room in the budget for such a large investment, talk to your electrician about installing a bathroom-safe heater you can turn on before your bath or shower. Again, I stress, working with licensed pros is a must; you don't want to scrimp on safety with electronics in the bathroom. 

Eclectic Bathroom by Washington General Contractors Impact Remodeling and Construction 

Get your towels toasty. Heated towel bars add luxury to the bath, giving you a wonderful way to wrap up when you step out of a steamy shower.  

Eclectic Bathroom by Washington Architects & Designers Christopher Patrick Interiors 

Rev up the wall color. So many of today's most beautiful bathrooms are crisp and white, but that's certainly not a requirement. Whether working with wall coverings, paint or tile, think outside the usual bathroom color palettes if the thought of white marble leaves you cold.

Eclectic Bathroom by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Antonio Martins Interior Design 

Incorporate antiques. The well-worn patina of this table-turned-vanity and the eclectic miners' oil lanterns add warmth and personality to a white bathroom. There are even votive candles in the lanterns for cozy light that creates a relaxing ambience.

Eclectic Bathroom by Eagle Architects & Designers Studio 80 Interior Design 

Invest in a bathtub that helps retain heat.Materials like copper, brass, volcanic limestone and soapstone retain heat and will help to keep that hot bathwater warm while you enjoy the entire new issue of People. 

Am I the only one who gets a People in the mail and thinks, "Sweet! It's People and bath time for me tonight"?Just wondering.

Contemporary Bathroom by Vancouver Architects & Designers Peter Rose Architecture and Interiors 

Install a steam shower. This is a big-ticket dream-space item, but everyone I know who has one seems to think they can no longer live without it. I did get a chance to test one out at a vacation rental once, and I can report that it was heavenly.

Contemporary Bathroom by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Marsh and Clark Design 

Consider a home sauna. Historically much more common in countries like Sweden, saunas are becoming more popular in the States. 

Eclectic Bathroom by San Francisco Architects & Designers Andre Rothblatt Architecture 

Think steampunk. Winter brings dark, moody days. Instead of fighting the moodiness, this designer celebrated it, stunning us with copper pipes and that old-fashioned high toilet tank. (Remember how awesome you thought those were at TGI Fridays in the '80s?) 

Eclectic Bathroom by Tampa Kitchen & Bath Fixtures Tyrrell and Laing International, Inc.

Let in the light. Windows, skylights and a clear glass shower surround make the most of natural light. If your concern is privacy, explore using transoms, acid-etched glass and clerestory windows. 

Rustic Bathroom by Gallatin Gateway Home Builders Lohss Construction 

Get woodsy. In a ski house, cabin or lake house, it's part of the experience to go full-on woodsy in the bathroom. If you love the look, go ahead and do it at home, but do think about whether or not you'll tire of it, especially during the summer. 

Eclectic Bathroom by Denver Interior Designers & Decorators Ashley Campbell Interior Design 

If you want to go "woodsy light" instead, give the forest a nod instead of a bear hug. Knotty pine walls are not a requirement — you can get your woodsy on with beautiful fabrics that show trees and branches, plus a wood-framed mirror and other small accessories.

Contemporary Bathroom by Austin Interior Designers & Decorators Room Fu - Knockout Interiors 

Add a sunny shower curtain. Yellow will perk up a dark winter's evening.

Traditional Bathroom by Conyers Interior Designers & Decorators Atlanta Design Works 

Likewise, patterns can cozy up the bathroom.

Modern Bathroom by Los Angeles Architects & Designers Studio William Hefner 

Add a fireplace. This is one of the most luxurious bathroom features I can imagine. The first time I ever saw one or heard of it was in a house that had belonged to a Harlem Globetrotter. (And now I'm doing their whistle ...)

15 Doggone-Good Tips for a Pet Washing Station

Article By: Becky Harris

This is going to sound harsh, but your dog stinks. Don't feel bad — it's natural, and you are nice to let him swim in that creek and run in the mud and roll around in yucky things. You don't notice anymore, because your schnoz is used to it. But when I come over to visit, the smell of your dog's bed and the smell on my hand after I pet him is very noticeable, so chances are, the same smell is in your carpets, car and any furniture Fido lounges on. 

You probably mean to wash the dog more often, but it's a pain in the neck. Large dogs are tough to get into bathtubs, the big shake afterward makes a mess, and the whole thing can be quite an ordeal. 

Now that we've got that out of the way, a home pet washing station isn't looking so crazy. In fact, you can use them for other things, too. A builder who's been adding them for years, Vincent Longo, says that one client uses his pet care station for cleaning dirty golf clubs, gardening tools and even the kids after a busy day making mud pies. 

Whatever your thoughts about pet wash stations, there's no denying their popularity. If you're thinking about adding one, here are some ideas to consider. 

Rustic Laundry Room by Mississauga Architects & Designers Parkyn Design 

Incorporate the washing station into the mudroom. Mudrooms are a very popular spot for dog wash stations. Dogs enter from the back or side door, and their muddy paws never make it into the rest of the house.

Traditional Laundry Room by Chicago Design-Build Firms Orren Pickell Building Group 

Include a handheld showerhead or sprayer. Not only will it help you get your dog's entire bod nice and clean, but it will also let you do a quick paws-only wash.

Traditional Hall by Denver Architects & Designers Doug Walter Architects 

Be prepared for the big shake. Anyone who has ever washed dogs knows that afterward they shake off the water with gusto and get the entire area wet (including the person doing the washing). Having a surround and floor that can stand up to water will keep the big shake from damaging drywall and floors. 

If your dog is the type that runs around the house in crazy circles after a bath, all I can recommend is shutting the mudroom door until Sparky dries off and calms down, or else letting him into the garage for the runaround.

Traditional Laundry Room by Ann Arbor Architects & Designers Angelini and Associates Architects 

Go bigger with the drain. Longo recommends using a 3-inch drain in a pet washing station. It will handle dog hair better than the standard 1½- to 2-inch shower drain. He also recommends adding a hair filter over the drain.

Clearly, this dog loves the pet wash station and is just begging for a rinse. 

Modern Laundry Room 

Consider an elevated dog bath for smaller pets. It will be easier on your back and knees in the long run, as long as your dog is willing and able to jump into it, or you don't have a problem lifting your pet into place.

Contemporary Laundry Room by Half Moon Bay Interior Designers & Decorators Designs Dell'Ario Interiors 

Step it up. In this clever design, the counters double as steps up to the basin. The middle step serves as a drying station and has room for a cozy pet bed underneath. 

Modern Laundry Room by Sarasota Home Builders josh wynne construction 

For smaller dogs a large utility sink plus a sprayer is all you need. 

Traditional Garage And Shed by Fort Worth Architects & Designers Direct Home Design 

Use what the pros use. You can find professional bathing stations complete with ladders or ramps at places like ProGroom. 

Traditional Laundry Room by Colorado Springs Design-Build Firms DesignWorks Development 

Combine gardening and pet grooming. Pet washers are also great places to water plants, rinse off mucky Wellies and clean your gardening tools.

Traditional Laundry Room by Lexington General Contractors BACK Construction 

Traditional Laundry Room by Norwich Architects & Designers Smith & Vansant Architects PC 

Incorporate your own style. This custom dog bath utilizes vintage tiles that the homeowner had been collecting for years.

Traditional Laundry Room by Houston Design-Build Firms Morning Star Builders LTD 

Have drying towels handy. An overhead drying rack is a handy spot for drying dog towels as well as laundry. If you utilize this kind of system, be sure to remove your people laundry before the big shake. 

Traditional Spaces by Saratoga Springs Design-Build Firms Witt Construction 

Embrace the theme. This area celebrates dogs in the wallpaper and has plenty of shelves for dog supplies.

Contemporary Bathtubs 

Consider going high-end. Do you and your pet have luxurious tastes? If so, try a dog-specific tub. When family-owned company Hydro Systemsdecided to dip into dog bath design, the owners collaborated with their groomer of more than 20 years, adding features like skidproofing to prevent slips and slides, and even an optional jetted whirlpool system. 

Is your dog the spa type? Do tell, because this idea is certainly new to me, and I can't quite wrap my head around it. Unless the dog's name is Zsa Zsa. Then it makes sense. (Seriously, though, the folks who designed this tub and added the spa option say it's a matter of personality on a case-by-case basis.)

Eclectic Bathtubs 

This model is for smaller dogs. I included it because a photo of a dog sitting in its own personal bath wearing a bling-bling necklace simply must be shared.

Contemporary Laundry Room by Lincolnwood Architects & Designers Gina Bon, Airoom Architects & Builders LLC 

Think about storage for supplies. Just like a human shower area, this one has handy shelves for dog shampoo and sponges.

 

Take it outside. Homeowners are increasingly incorporating pet washing stations into their outdoor showers. All it takes is a handheld sprayer or showerhead that can reach down to the ground. Rinse off muddy paws here before they can get inside and muck up your rugs.

Rustic Bathroom by New York Photographers Robert Granoff 

A second, lower handheld spay is good for pets and for rinsing off your own feet before going indoors.

Traditional Exterior by New Canaan Design-Build Firms TR Building & Remodeling Inc.

Provide a clean path to the door. A concrete, gravel or stone walkway will prevent your dog from dirtying up his paws on the way in from an outdoor wash. Unless, of course, the dog breaks free and does that crazy circle thing out in the yard.

5 Common Bathroom Design Mistakes to Avoid

Article By: Dylan Chappell

Adding to or remodeling your house is one of the most exciting and creative processes you can go through. But with all that responsibility comes pressure to make informed decisions that will last for decades. How can you make sure to get the right design for your lifestyle, stay within your budget and maximize the return on your investment? Start with a great design for every room in your house — including (or especially) the bathroom.

Bathrooms, whether big or small, should always be well thought out and carefully located, and should function with multiple users in mind. We're long past the era where there was one bathroom for every three bedrooms in the house, and everyone had all the time needed to use it. Today's bathrooms need to be beautiful, use space efficiently and serve the users functionally. Avoiding the common design blunders below can help you be happier with your bathroom for the long haul.  

Eclectic Bathroom by New York Interior Designers & Decorators moment design + productions, llc 

1. No view out. No one likes a dark, damp bathroom with bad circulation — it's no fun spending time in a space like that. If you're building or relocating a bathroom, try to site it on an outside wall with windows. If windows are not an option, installing an operable skylight can allow for the fresh air and natural light needed to make the space feel comfortable.

Traditional Bathroom by Bluffton General Contractors Shoreline Construction and Development 

2. A clear view in. I once worked on a large remodel for which the existing design had a bathroom in the dining room — seems kind of like a conflict of interests, right? Whenever possible, avoid locating the bathroom directly off one of the home's public rooms — like the kitchen, living room or dining room. 

This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to put in long hallway, but create some sort of formal separation to break up the line of sight. The last thing you want is to be sitting in the living room with a glass of wine and looking straight into the bathroom at the toilet.

Modern Drawings by Carpinteria Architects & Designers Dylan Chappell Architects 

3. Making it all about the toilet. That leads me to my next blunder: Avoid making the toilet the first thing you see in the bathroom, and avoid any sight lines to it from adjacent rooms. I like to put the toilet and shower in their own room while keeping the sink separate. This allows someone to take a shower while someone else gets ready at the sink. In the bathroom floor plan here, the wall between the two rooms adds only a couple of inches to the overall size of the bathroom but doubles the room's functionality. 

Eclectic Bathroom by Brooklyn Artists & Artisans Green Mountain Construction & Design 

4. Curbed-shower enthusiasm. A curbless shower makes a bathroom feel bigger and look cleaner — plus, it's very practical for aging-in-place homeowners, since it adheres to universal design principles. This look is fairly easy to achieve in a new bathroom or a remodel — just make sure you mention it to your architect or contractor prior to construction. 

Modern Bathroom by Portland General Contractors Hammer And Hand 

5. Thinking bigger is better. That's right: Bigger isn't better; better is better. Whether you're designing a large master bathroom in your dream home or trying to figure out how to squeeze in an extra bathroom for your growing family, the most important aspect of your new bathroom is that it has a great design that functions efficiently for your specific lifestyle. 

Modern Bathroom by Miami Interior Designers & Decorators DKOR Interiors Inc.- Interior Designers Miami, FL 

The truth is, great design is less about how a bathroom looks (although it's always nice when it looks fantastic) and more about how it works. Great design translates to a house that functions better, costs less to build, is more efficient to maintain and gets you more for less.

Outfit Your Shower With the Right Bench for You

Article By: Tiffany Carboni

A shower bench is a wonderful thing. Should your shower stall be large enough to include a seat, it's sure to add function and comfort to your everyday cleansing experience. There is an art to getting shower seating right, however. I asked bath designer Joy Wilkins of Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins to share some tips of the trade. These suggestions will help steer you toward what works best for your stall and your body. 

Contemporary Bathroom by Oakland Design-Build Firms Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins Inc

Types of shower benches. There are three kinds of permanent shower benches: built-in, floating and fold-down. You can also use a freestanding bench, but for this ideabook, we're sticking with shower seating that's permanently affixed to the wall. 

1. Built-in bench. This is a trade term describing a seat that is framed into the shower wall and floor. This type of seating can run the entire width of a shower enclosure, like the one shown here, or may be limited to a corner. It can have squared angles or be semicircular.

Tip of the trade: “One of the easiest ways to incorporate a built-in bench is with a product like the Laticrete Hydro Ban preformed seat,” Wilkins says. “The seat or bench is installed, then waterproofed and tiled in for a custom look.”

Contemporary Bathroom by New York Architects & Designers Laura Bohn Design Associates 

2. Floating bench. A floating bench is firmly secured to the shower walls but is open underneath. It can be made of waterproofed wood, like this one designed by Laura Bohn Design Associates.

Modern Bathroom by Oakland General Contractors DMC San Francisco 

Or it can be made from a single slab of stone, like this one installed by Devlin/McNally Construction. 

Though floating benches may look simple in form, careful engineering is required. This task is best left to seasoned professionals.

Traditional Bathroom by Wilmington General Contractors plantation building corp 

Braces were installed under this near-floating stone bench by Plantation Building, ensuring that the bench can support both its own hefty weight and that of those who sit on it. 

Traditional Bathroom by Atoka General Contractors Professional Construction Solutions LLC 

Another option for a floating bench is to tile it to match the rest of the shower. 

Tip of the trade: For this sort of tiled corner seat, Wilkins suggests using a product called Better-Bench. “It’s designed in several shapes and comes with the appropriate fasteners for the chosen shape,” she says.

Contemporary Bathroom by Oakland Design-Build Firms Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins Inc 

3. Fold-down bench. This is a space-saving solution for smaller showers or universal design showers. Wilkins' company installed this fold-down bench by framing in special blocking between the stud walls.

Contemporary Bathroom by Oakland Design-Build Firms Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins Inc 

Here's the same bench in a lowered position. When choosing seating, select the style that can best accommodate the weight it will need to support. This one, for example, is designed to hold no more than 250 pounds. 

Tip of the trade: “This teak fold-down bench is aMr. Steam product rated for steam showers," notes Wilkins, "but we also use it in regular showers, as it is designed to withstand water penetration and moisture."

Traditional Bathroom by Portland Design-Build Firms Mosaik Design & Remodeling 

Heavier individuals might want to go with a built-in bench. This is where a conversation with your contractor, designer or architect becomes especially important.

Heavier individuals might want to go with a built-in bench. This is where a conversation with your contractor, designer or architect becomes especially important.

Eclectic Bathroom 

Regardless of the type of bench you choose, Wilkins says, “the top needs to slope slightly, so water runs off instead of pooling.” Pooled water not only feels icky on a naked body, it promotes mildew.

Traditional Bathroom by Salt Lake City Tile, Stone & Countertops Tarkus Tile, Inc. 

A word about size. The size of your shower — not to mention the number of people who intend to use it at one time — will help determine the most appropriate bench size for your needs. Keep your desired function in mind, too. A narrow bench, like this one, makes shaving legs a dream, but it might not be the most comfortable spot for kicking back and relaxing.

Traditional Bathroom by Irvine Design-Build Firms American Coastal Properties 

Setting the right height and depth. The height and placement of any bench must be determined prior to installing the backer board and tile, so that the bench's armature can be securely fastened to the blocking. 

Traditional Bathroom by Brooklyn Tile, Stone & Countertops tile & style 

Tip of the trade: The height of any bench, says Wilkins, “is generally determined by each individual customer. Some like a higher perch — around 21½ inches from the shower pan — which is easy to push oneself off of, especially for a taller person. Some people like something similar in height to a chair, around 17½ to 18 inches. This may work best for those who are shorter and prefer to sit on the bench rather than perch.”

Contemporary Bathroom by Toronto Architects & Designers Geometra Design Ltd. 

The depth of a bench is also negotiable, depending on what suits the bodies for which the bench is being built, and what the stall will allow. Wilkins says a comfortable depth ranges from 12 to 21 inches.

Modern Bathroom by Los Angeles Interior Designers & Decorators Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP 

This shower bench in a Hollywood Hills, California, home falls into the built-in category — but in its own unique way. “It’s a 2,000-pound lava rock that required extra steel engineering to keep it from falling through the floor,” says designer Lori Dennis, who describes this approach as "The Flintstones meets The Jetsons." 

The rock was carved onsite, and it took seven men to it haul into place. “It’s carved and smoothed to comfortably fit two rear ends,” the designer notes. 

Contemporary Bathroom by Los Angeles General Contractors SoCal Contractor 

This built-in bench by SoCal Contractor was created for a fashion industry executive who travels most of the year. The custom love seat re-creates the spa experience the owner loves at the boutique hotels she frequents. The tiled, ergonomic design features a sloping seat and a recessed channel that drains behind the “cushions” so water can’t puddle.

Contemporary Bathroom by Salem Design-Build Firms Kaufman Homes, Inc. 

A bench alternative. Not all showers are as large and as lavish as some we've seen here. Nor might they be large enough to accommodate a bench sized for an actual tush. If that's your scenario, don’t despair. Wilkins suggests adding what she calls a toe grip. This is a small recess in the shower wall or a triangle of tile in the corner that takes up very little space, but still helps with shaving legs and washing toes.

Eclectic Bathroom by Naples Design-Build Firms Abbie Joan Enterprises

8 Stunning and Soothing Shower Designs

Article By: Shane Inman

Modern amenities for the shower such as rain heads, body jets, steam showers and hand wands allow you to easily wash away the stress of the day. Take a look at these incredible spaces — from a stained-glass surround, to a soothing and meditative shower, to a Roman bathhouse-inspired space — to see how designers are taking advantage of today's materials and accessories. 

Contemporary Bathroom by Portland Kitchen & Bath Fixtures Chown Hardware 

Middle ground. Divide your master vanity right down the middle with a stunning shower, like this glass enclosure made of two floor-to-ceiling panels and a door at the end. The textural shower wall creates an instant focal point, too. 

Contemporary Bathroom by Austin Architects & Designers Mary DeWalt Design Group 

All around. Have your shower give your tub a hug. This shower enclosure encapsulates a full array of body jets and shower heads, while the round tub sits snugly in the middle of the design. I love how the unique shower shape has doors on both sides! 

Mediterranean Bathroom by Austin Architects & Designers Clayton&Little Architects 

Behind closed doors. These stained-glass doors open into a heavenly shower experience enhanced by an oversized rain head. The light spilling through the colored glass could even become a form of chromotherapy, where colored light restores balance and energy.

Contemporary Bathroom by Truckee Architects & Designers Kelly and Stone Architects - Tahoe 

All in one. Save time and space by positioning your bathtub inside your shower. The frameless enclosure holds both the shower and the freestanding bathtub in one stunning area. 

Traditional Bathroom by Carmel Home Builders Christopher Scott Homes 

Ancient history. Repeat history and re-create a Roman bathhouse feeling with arched doorways and marble tile. A stainless-steel tub and a luxurious shower with multiple shower heads and body jets can soothe you just as much as an ancient spa, but with all the modern amenities.

Contemporary Bathroom by Toronto Architects & Designers Taylor Smyth Architects 

Sleek and modern. This super-modern shower steps away from everything traditional. The vanity's glass backsplash defines the entire space, separating the vanity area from the adjacent shower. With mirrors on one side and towel hooks on the other, the single piece of glass manages to serve both spaces effortlessly.

Contemporary Bathroom by Sherman Oaks Architects & Designers Gaskin Designs 

Soothing and meditative. The dark and cool color palette in this shower creates a serene feeling, reflected by the colorful koi mosaic floor. I love how the wall-to-wall bench allows you to soak in the jets, rain heads and steam in utter relaxation. 

Contemporary Bathroom by Aspen Architects & Designers Charles Cunniffe Architects Aspen 

Center stage. This bold shower immediately calls out as the room's main attraction. Two vertical towers that hide the plumbing appear as columns to the eye. The seamless transition from the shower floor to the floor beyond is stunning — although it's certainly not for the shy.