Claw foot bath tubs are a symbol of Victorian style at its finest. Today, with all of the bathtub choices available, one type of tub continues to make its appearance in homes around the world. This one tub style is the claw foot bathtub, because of its fashionable appearance and time-tested design. In spite of being hundreds of years old, the claw foot tub remains a solid choice for homeowners who want to own a part of history.

The claw foot bathtub is becoming a popular choice for adding luxury to a bathroom. Modern technology has allowed claw foot bathtub manufacturers to make a few changes when compared to the tubs of the past. The most noticeable change in today’s claw foot bathtub is how much lighter the new tubs are compared to the older tubs. Traditional claw foot bathtubs were made of cast iron and would commonly require four to five men to carry and place in the bathroom. The new modern claw foot tubs are mostly made from fiberglass materials, making them only weigh a fraction of what the older cast iron tubs weighed. Carrying and installing a new claw foot tub is much easier and can be accomplished with less help. Although the materials used to make the new claw foot bathtubs have changed, the appearance remains the same.

Choosing a claw foot bathtub today adds something special to a bathroom. Many homeowners will agree that claw foot tubs bring a touch of Victorian elegance to their homes just like the big and beautiful Victorian homes of the past. The addition of a claw foot tub continues to make bathrooms more luxurious and their trademark style will never go out of style.

Be sure to read more about claw foot bathtubs and all the benefits they have to offer. Also learn more about steam showers, walk in bathtubs, luxury bathtubs, and more at http://www.bathtub-depot.com

What is the most relaxing place in your home? Many people agree that it’s the bathtub. The current trend in home design reflects this. Bathtubs in new homes today focus on luxury.

What makes a bathtub luxurious? The features that a bathtub offers often define bathtub luxury. There are many types of bathtubs available with each type offering its own unique luxury features. Some of the most popular bathtub types include garden tubs, walk in bathtubs, and claw foot bathtubs.

Garden tubs are large, round tubs that are made for soaking. The large size of a garden tub is considered by many to be the most luxurious feature of this type of bathtub. Garden tubs can also be equipped with other features, the most popular being whirlpool jets.

Walk in bathtubs are made for accessibility. They provide the luxury of bathing to people who may not be able to step up and into a regular bathtub. A walk in bathtub does this by providing access to the tub via a door on the side that opens for entry. Walk in tubs can also be equipped with whirlpool jets as well as dual seats.

Claw foot bathtubs are a popular luxury bathtub choice because of their elegant Victorian style and design that has stood the test of time. The oblong shape of a claw foot tub is designed with comfort in mind. In addition, there are a variety of faucet attachments available with massaging features.

It is easy to see that luxury bathtubs come in many forms. When deciding on a luxury bathtub type, consider what features you would like for it to offer to you.

Be sure to read more about luxury bathtubs and all the benefits they have to offer. Also learn more about claw foot bathtubs

Bathrooms were considered to be a place in a house where people tend to give less importance while designing. But lately even bathrooms are being given a lot of attention while designing and building. But still proper bathroom ventilation is missed out by many while designing. Bathrooms tend to be a lot more humid and the bathroom air tends to have excess moisture. This excessive moisture can cause rotting of walls and ceiling and also cause some structural damage. Also, moist surroundings encourage the growth of mildew, bacteria, moulds and many other microorganisms.

To overcome this problem, your bathroom has to be properly ventilated. Some bathrooms have normal ceiling fans installed in them, but they do not do the required job of removing moisture from the bathroom. The best fans that can be installed in bathrooms are exhaust fans. They can eliminate foul odors, remove moisture and also help clear condensation off bathroom mirrors.

An effective bathroom exhaust fan has some standards that have to be met. If you already have an exhaust fan but are not sure about its efficiency then you can go ahead and do this simple test. Just hold a piece of tissue paper up to the grill of the exhaust fan. If the exhaust fan is efficient, the tissue paper will be held tightly to the grill by the fan. Or you can try out the exhaust test. Just place a plastic bag over the exhaust hood and switch on the fan. The plastic bag should be filled with air in a few seconds.

Bathroom exhaust fans are rated by identifying the amount of air it can pull out per minute. They are measured with cubic feet per min (CRM). Bathroom exhaust fans should be rated above 50 CRM to be an efficient and effective one. The Home Ventilating Institute recommends that an effective exhaust fan should be able to provide 1 CFM per square foot. Also if your bathrooms are larger or have bathroom accessory fixtures like steam rooms, sauna or hot tubs, then you will have to invest in a larger exhaust fan. The length of the ductwork to the outside also determines the strength of the exhaust fan that your bathroom should have. The longer the exhaust vent, the stronger your exhaust fan has to be.

Since bathrooms tend to remain closed and compact, noisy fans would test your patience when inside the bathrooms. Make sure that you pick an efficient, quiet exhaust fan for your bathroom. HVI ratings on exhaust fans can be used as a guide to pick the exhaust fan you’ll need. Lately bathroom exhaust fans have been launched with light kits embedded in them. Such new varieties of exhaust fans are getting popular as they are multi functional.

So when you go about designing your bathroom don’t forget to add the option of an exhaust fan to the design. They will help you to keep your bathrooms less moist and fresh for years to come. Do remember to select the right exhaust fan for your bathroom and regularly maintain the fan to ensure that your bathroom is just the way you want it to be.

Learn more about href="http://bathroomscentral.com/Bathroom_Fans.html">Bathroom Fans at the online Bathrooms Central guide http://bathroomscentral.com

Luxury bathroom items are becoming more and more popular as homeowners seek a way to experience a spa treatment in the comfort of home. Steam showers are one such item that is finding their way to residential bathrooms. Steam showers are no longer reserved for the finest resorts and luxury hotels. Today, steam showers are enjoyed by many people because of advancements in technology and the health benefits associated with them.

Deciding to get a steam shower may be an easy choice, but deciding which one to buy may prove to be a little more difficult. Steam showers are available in many different styles, shapes, colors, and the number of accessories. With all the choices available from so many manufacturers, there is sure to be the perfect one that will fit in with just about any bathroom theme.

Steam showers have a host of accessories available which intend to make the spa experience a little more enjoyable. Some of the most popular accessories include: Overhead shower which can feel like standing in the rain, internal and external digital control panels for easier timing and temperature control, foot massage, whirlpool bath, side body jets, radio and speakers, music and phone connection for listening to music from iPods, MP3 players, CD players or any external device, aromatherapy, padded seats and matching headrests, and more.

A steam shower can add luxury to any bathroom. For homeowners seeking a spa retreat in the comfort of their own home, a steam shower may just be the perfect addition. Not only does a steam shower provide relaxation and comfort, it also provides many health benefits. There is no surprise why the popularity of residential steam showers is increasing.

Get a steam shower education. Click on the link to learn all about steam showers Also find information about luxury bathroom items including walk in bathtubs, saunas, whirlpools, claw foot tubs, and more. Get all the facts and info at http://www.bathtub-depot.com

As people are becoming weight conscious day by day, scales have become an addition to the bathrooms. Bathroom scales that are more accurate are preferred by the health conscious people all over the world. As the markets are flooded with more varieties of bathroom scales, it has become increasingly difficult to choose one. It is believed that the weight of a person varies at different times of the day. To get a consistent reading of your body weight, measuring it early morning is suggested.

A mechanical dial scale is usually used in homes. It uses levers connected to a plate with a spring. When the weight is placed over the plate, the spring stretches and the pointer moves showing the corresponding weight.

Nowadays digital scales are becoming more prominent. Digital scales uses load cell technology that translates the weight into an electrical voltage. The results are shown on an LED or LCD display. Most of the digital bathroom scales are battery operated while some others need to be plugged in. The variations in digital bathroom scale models include a calculator to measure the Body Mass Index or the B M I and in some advanced types to measure the body fat percentage.

Of the different types of bathroom scales available, a digital bathroom scale is considered most accurate and is used widely for taking readings at home. Digital bathroom scales with large LCD monitor makes reading the numbers easier without using reading glasses. Choose a particular day of a week to weigh yourself.

Normally weight is taken after a person wakes up in the morning and after emptying urinary bladder and bowels. The human system should be free of food or water. This is the perfect time to measure your body weight more accurately. A good digital scale shows the same weight at any time of the day. Another yardstick of selecting a good digital scale is that when some object is put on it and weighed it should automatically reset to zero. However it is better to calibrate the digital scale before using it.

Some modern digital scales come with a sleek glass platform with at least four individual sensors which are located at each corner of the scale to provide atmost accuracy while reading. Most of the other scales uses only one load sensor with a mechanical leveler. Some other types of digital bathroom scales are solar digital scales and portable digital scales and scales with oversized platforms.

As digital bathroom scales are manufactured by a lot of companies, the prices have become very affordable and user friendly. Bathroom scales can also be used outside the homes. They are mainly used in gyms and clinics. Personalized digital bathroom scales give a more accurate weight measurement. Many of these scales work on a spring system. If more than one person uses the same the same scale, the springs will get more wear and tear everytime persons with different weights step on it and this will lead to change in accuracy. Now companies are marketing bathroom scales which are more sleek and stylish, so you can use it as a part of your bathroom décor.

Read more about different types of Bathroom scales at the online Bathroom guide http://bathroomscentral.com

The first step is to put up a sturdy cement board backer. I like to use Hardibacker. Once the Hardibacker is up it is time to get to the tiling. This is the fun part.

1. Do not use Mastic, use a thinset and stay away from the premixed stuff.

2. You want to dampen the cement board prior to troweling thinset on. If you do not, the cement board will draw the moisture out of the thinset too quickly, making for a brittle set that is susceptible to cracking.

3. Pick out the right trowel for your thinset and tile size, also pay attention to spacing recommendations and use the right spacers. I recommend 1/8” or less spacing so that you can use unsanded grout (easier to seal).

4. Remember you are not going to grout at the corners, you are going to caulk so try to maintain an even spacing.

Make sure you use tiles made for walls and follow the directions on the bag of thinset as to what type of trowel you will need.

You want to measure up from the bottom of the backerboard the height of a tile minus ½”. This will give you a ½” overlap over the tile lip on your shower pan. Mark this with a sharpie and using a level transfer the mark across the shower stall.

Trowel on some thinset and spread it with a notched trowel. Then set the tile into it by twisting slightly while pushing into the thinset. Remove the tile to make sure you have good coverage on the back. Reinstall and keep setting tiles using spacers in between. Let the bottom row set up for 24 hours.

After 24 hours you can repeat the procedure setting each row of tile on top of the last row of tile. Continue until you reach the top of the shower stall. Here is the procedure again:

1. Measure up from top of the last row. Mark line with a level as guide for next row.

2. Spread thinset between last row of tile and marked line with v-notched trowel.

3. Set tile into thinset using spacers all around.

4. Repeat for next row up.

After letting the tile set for 48 hours you are ready to grout the tile. Mix up a batch of grout and use a sponge float to smooth it into the joints. After 30-40 minutes (check the directions on the bag of grout) you want to wipe the excess grout with a damp sponge and a circular motion. Keep wiping with a clean sponge until the tile is clear. Let the grout cure for 24-48 hours before sealing.

Clinton Miller is an avid do-it-yourselfer who has taken on and completed dozens of projects ranging from changing a wall receptacle to building a tile shower complete with body jets and mosaic. He often details his projects along with articles and news at http://diyda.blogspot.com

Redesigning a bathroom can bring comfort and luxury into your home—and could also add considerable value if you decide to sell. But a bathroom redesign can be complicated. If you’re considering giving your bathroom a makeover, here are a few pitfalls to avoid.

Choosing a plan that doesn’t suit your space. The amount of space you have makes a big difference in your redesign options. If you have a very small space, you’ll know you can’t add a Jacuzzi tub. If your space is large, you’ll know have a little more flexibility. But with a medium-area bathroom, you could assume a certain feature will fit—but you’ll never know unless you measure everything carefully and work out a realistic floor plan for your new bathroom.

Choosing a style that doesn’t match your home. A sleek, modern bathroom will look a bit out of place in a historic home. A style mismatch might not matter so much to you while you’re living in the house, but if you ever try to sell, it could seriously decrease the value of your home. Buyers look for a consistent look throughout a house, and if they’re drawn to an older home with a lot of character, chances are they won’t appreciate your minimalist bathroom design. Make sure the fixtures you choose don’t clash with the rest of your house.

Thinking you can do it yourself—if you don’t have the experience. Redesigning a bathroom is a major task—often more complicated than redesigning other sections of the home. To do it right, you need to be a competent plumber, electrician, tile installer, carpenter, and more. Some intrepid homeowners believe they can do it all themselves. But even experienced contractors who don’t specialize in bathrooms can make serious missteps. Unless you have experience in bathroom redesign work, save yourself the hassle—hire a pro.

Hiring the wrong person. The success of your redesign project hinges on the contractor you hire. Look for one who specializes in bathrooms. Don’t just ask for references—check them. And ask to see an example of finished work. Only hire someone whose work you love, who has a strong list of references, and who has lots of experience. Many homeowners decide to hire a friend or family member, whether to save on cash or to do a favor. But unless your friend or family member is a professional with plenty of experience redesigning bathrooms, this is a bad idea.

Keeping a tight budget. Beware of the assumption that you’ll stay within budget. The average redesign project costs about 20% to 30% more than homeowners planned. Work some extra cash into your redesign budget, and you won’t get a nasty shock if you find out that your project will cost more than planned.

Not ensuring easy access to piping. If you do find that water leaks out of your newly-tiled walls when you turn on your brand-new shower, the plumber will likely need to break through the walls in order to reach the faulty pipes. This can be costly and time-consuming. To avoid this pitfall, request access panels to be installed so that plumbers can reach the pipes easily and quickly in case of a problem.

Not keeping a close eye on your contractor. If you’ve gone to a lot of trouble to hire the right contractor, you should be able to trust that the job will get done right—right? In a perfect world, maybe so. But in reality, you often need to hover like a hawk to get the best results. And it’s best to know what to look for while you do it.

Water leaks can be a big problem with bathroom redesign projects. To keep an eye on things, check out the new plumbing your contractors are installing. The simpler it is, the better—you’ll want the shortest pipe lengths and smallest amount of joints possible, because water leaks are most likely to occur at joints and bends in the piping. Take pictures of the piping as it’s being installed, so you can find potential problem areas before they cause trouble.

You’ll want your tiling hung the right way, as well. Watch to see that your contractor spreads the adhesive evenly over the wall with a notched spreader, instead of simply putting a blob on the back of each tile. You want your adhesive spread evenly because when it’s done right, it acts as a second layer of waterproofing. Over time, movement in your tub can cause cracking in the grout between the tiles. If the adhesive isn’t evenly applied, water can seep straight between the tiles.

Redesigning a bathroom can be a big project—but it can be worth it, too. Be prepared, choose the right person, supervise closely, and have a plan that works for your bathroom space and for your home, and you should be delighted with your finished bathroom.

R Dobson is director of WD Bathrooms specialists in showers, steam showers and bathrooms. For more information on a full range of bathroom and shower supplies visit http://www.wdbathrooms.co.uk/

For many homeowners, the bathroom is becoming more than just a water closet. It’s becoming a place to relax and unwind after a stressful day. Creative redesigners are taking their cues from upscale spas and hotels, making their bathrooms into a luxurious oasis in the home. These are just a few ways you can bring the dayspa into your home.

Upgrade your sink. Today, redesigning a bathroom is more than just adding a Jacuzzi tub. It’s about creating a consistent look and little touches of luxury. Many people looking to redesign their bathroom choose to install two sinks in the master bath. This can add a great sense of space to any bathroom. But today’s redesigners are also taking cues from luxury bathrooms in hotels and spas. Marble, stone, and even sculptured glass sinks add a beautiful accent to any bathroom. When considering a creative sink area, however, make sure you allow as much counter space as you’ll need

Consider lighting. Most of us catch the first glimpse of ourselves in the bathroom mirror every morning. If you like what you see, the rest of your day is just a bit brighter. If you don’t, it could put a damper on the day. But many of us don’t give much thought to the lighting in the bathroom. It needs to be bright enough to allow you to shave or apply makeup without squinting—but soft enough to flatter your face. Using frosted or coated glass bulbs can soften white light without cutting back on brightness. Consider two sconces on either side of your mirror, at eye level—this will even out unflattering shadows you’d get from an elevated light source. Avoid exposed bulbs, as these provide harsher lighting.

Stylish fixtures. The fixtures in your bathroom make a big statement about your style. Chrome, aluminum, and stainless steel are all modern mainstays. Many homeowners choose brass for a more antique look. Whichever style you choose, make sure your style is consistent both at the tap and in the shower or bath—mismatched taps can give a bathroom an unfinished look.

Steam showers. If you really want to transform your bathroom into a home luxury spa, consider a steam shower. It’s a self-enclosed unit that uses a steam generator to convert the water from your tap into steam. Steam showers are watertight, can be temperature-controlled, and are approximately the same size as a traditional shower. High-end steam showers often come with an array of features, including voice activation, massage jets and foot massagers, and even outlets for an Mp3 player, a radio, or a telephone.

Beautiful tubs. The bathtub is usually the largest piece of furniture in your bathroom—and the right one can really make a statement. A gorgeous clawfoot tub gives a sense of antique elegance. A Jacuzzi tub gives your bathroom an opulent, luxurious ambience. Sunken and elevated tubs give a strong sense of style. Some redesigners hang a pendant light over the bath to transform it from a utilitarian space into a place to relax and read.

Creative enclosures. You can make a statement with your shower by installing an attractive enclosure. Clear glass enclosures give even a small bathroom a spacious look. To really add to your bathroom’s style, look for a shape other than the traditional sheet of glass between two walls. A round or corner shower enclosure adds a serious punch to the look of your bathroom.

Luxury touches. Opulent bathtubs, creative shower enclosures, the right lighting, and designer fixtures can make a big difference in any bathroom. But to really bring a sense of luxury into your bathroom, don’t forget the little things. Heated towel rails can really make you feel pampered—there’s nothing like stepping into a warm, soft towel after a nice long soak. Bathrooms can get chilly in the winter months, so add a designer radiator that matches your décor. To really pamper yourself, spend a little extra for the softest, fluffiest towels you can find, in a color that complements your bathroom.

Installing a luxury bathroom is the perfect way to pamper yourself. And you don’t need a big budget to bring the spa into your bathroom. A Jacuzzi tub or a steam shower are wonderful additions to any bathroom—but you can give your bathroom a spa feel even with a more subtle redesign. Elegant designer taps, heated towel rails, new lighting, and soft towels are all inexpensive ways to make your bathroom an oasis in the home.

R Dobson is director of WD Bathrooms UK bathroom and shower specialists. For more information on bathrooms and showers visit the online store at http://www.wdbathrooms.co.uk

Bathrooms have steadily increased in size over the last 30 years, and on average today’s bathrooms are twice as large as they wore back in the 70’s

Taking stock of the size of your bathroom is essential before rushing out and picking furniture, tiles and accessories. Most importantly think of the functions your new bathroom will have to perform, that huge walk in steam shower you’ve had your eye on will be no use for your children’s bath time toys! Get everyone’s ideas of how they use the space now and how they would like to use the new bathroom. It might then seem practical to invest more of you budget in a power shower if your family all love showers or splurge on a whirlpool bath if you would like to spend more time relaxing.

To optimise the space in your bathroom if it is a little on the small side look to clever design ideas, such as corner or offset fittings, to fit into otherwise wasted spaces. There is also some great ranges of combination furniture and products available, TC Bathrooms (Traditional Contemporary Bathrooms) have some fantastic shower baths to fit most spaces, as well as a good selection of other co-ordinating furniture.

Other ways to increase the feeling of space is to replace your pedestal sink & toilet with a wall hung sink and toilet, by moving these items from the floor onto the walls creates the illusion of a larger room, even more so when combined with the latest seam free Corain flooring Wall hung towel rails rather than traditional radiators can also be used to utilise wall space and draw the eye up and around the room.

When choosing bathroom furniture look for white and light woods that reflect the light can make the room feel airy. Darker woods are great in larger bathrooms that can loose their cosy feel, darker woods give these rooms more warmth. Whatever bathroom storage you choose make sure you have enough storage for all of the users. There is nothing worse than a windowsill full of shampoos and other bath time essentials! There is some great storage ideas available from all of the main suppliers, they come in all different styles and suit every budget.

The trend towards lending space from a spare bedroom or swapping a bedroom for a bigger bathroom is also growing. Modern living and fast paced lifestyles mean that people are in need of a sanctuary in their home. The bedroom was traditionally this sanctuary but now with a lot more and more people working from home creating bedroom / offices there is a need for another option. The bathroom is now being used as a restful inviting haven, a place you can look forward to starting and ending your day, with invigorating morning showers and long soaks in the bath on an evening. But this haven comes at a cost, and the cost is usually the sacrifice of a bedroom. To accommodate the Wellness Shower and Freestanding bath or the His and Hers Vanity units, we do need a larger space.

Overall size doesn’t matter in the bathroom as long as you optimise clever design ideas and space saving devices. But if you do want something really special and feel you deserve the bath time haven of your dreams you could always forgo a spare bedroom.

Written by James Chapman, a director of Bella Bathrooms Ltd. Bella Bathrooms - UK Bathroom Shop is a bathroom retailer formed by 2 plumbers from the North East of England. Having hands on experience of custom bathroom installation and products has enabled Bella Bathrooms Ltd to only select quality bathroom products for their showroom and online shop. They sell bathroom furniture, bathroom suites, showers and bath related products for consumers throughout the United Kingdom.

Part of successfully decorating a bathroom to meet your needs is including those elements that reflect your very personal style. When it comes to bathrooms, there are high-end renovations such as those that require construction - including the replacement of vanities, toilets, tiles, bathtubs, and showers. But many homeowners may be surprised by how more aesthetic - and far less expensive - changes, such as towels, artwork, shower curtain, and a bathroom rug, will go a long way towards transforming the look of your bathroom.

A bathroom rug because of its versatility and affordability is one of the easiest accessories to use in the transformation of a bathroom. Rugs of this kind come in a variety of shapes, colors, and textures; one can be always be found to complement the style of your bathroom.

For many, the purchase of a bathroom rug is the very last thing they do in the renovation of a bathroom; but if you are working within a restricted budget, keep in mind that it can be one of the only things you do in the renovation of your bathroom. Not much carries as much visual impact as this small item.

There are many ways in which to integrate a bathroom rug into your overall bathroom design. You may have a unified theme in your bathroom - floral, Asian, seaside, or any number of children’s themes for a child’s bathroom - that can be accented with a similarly themed rug; you may wish to complement the overall tone of the room - Victorian, country, traditional, eclectic, and antique - with a well chosen bathroom rug.

A warmly colored bathroom with ceramic tile may be best complemented by a soft, warm colored rug; a contemporary designed bathroom may benefit from a strong colored bathroom rug that’s less plush and more textured. The prices also vary greatly so keep budget in mind when searching for your ideal bathroom rug; but in many cases, you can find a beautiful and complementary bathroom rug for under $50.

In addition to form, the bathroom rug provides its own share of function as well. A rug can provide warmth on an otherwise chilly floor; there’s nothing worse than stepping out of a shower onto a cold, hard floor. A bathroom rug also provides protection for the floor or carpet underneath it - sheltering it from water damage.

Another added convenience of a bathroom rug is its availability. Rugs can be found in any number of retail stores, home improvement stores, and even online for the ease of shopping right from your home and having your merchandise shipped straight to your door.

A bathroom is a very personal space; that which offers refuge and comfort in a world where we are rarely left in peace. But in order to maximize the power and effect your bathroom space can have in your life, its decor must reflect the style that is unique you. Don’t hold back when it comes to adding your personal touches to your bathroom - including the addition of a bathroom rug. The result will be a room that reveals your style to visitors and envelops you in comfort and familiarity.

For more information on bathrooms, try visiting http://www.bathroomdetails.com - a website that specializes in providing bathroom related tips, advice and resources including information on bathroom rug.