Bathrooms
A well-planned bathroom will take more design time than any room in the house, besides the kitchen. A lot gets packed into the bathroom: the fixtures of your choice, lots of plumbing, specialty electrical equipment, cabinetry, a door or two and possibly windows, skylights or both.
Your dream bathroom design will largely depend on your needs – if you need a spa or shower, how much storage you require, the budget you have allocated, etc. Also worth considering is if you will be using the bathroom as a place for relaxing or as a place to “get clean.” Calling on a Murtha design professional at this early stage may help you to decide what will work best for you and your household, and ensure that nothing is forgotten.
Heating is an important thing to take into account when designing the bathroom, and there are several options available depending your budget and needs. There are heated towel bars to warm towels for when you leave the bath or shower, heat lamps that will heat the entire bathroom and radiant floor heat, which will completely eliminate the dreaded feeling of stepping onto cold tile.
Bathrooms also need sufficient storage. Shelving, cabinetry, recessed wall spaces and towel racks are all good ways to store essentials such as towels and toiletries. There are other practical elements to consider such as how long the bathroom will take to clean. You don’t want to spend a lot of time cleaning, so try to eliminate awkward areas and fiddly bits in the final design.
If you want a classic Long Island bathroom that will not date, try to stick to a color palette of neutrals and whites in the main areas – the tiling, bath, shower and walls. You can always update the look seasonally through the use of accent pieces, and well-chosen accents will definitely reflect your style and personality. An interior design professional will be able to tell you what the upcoming trends are.
Many Long Island bathrooms are on the smaller side, especially in established homes, so speaking with the appropriate professionals will help you maximize the space. Some clever tricks for making the space appear larger include using larger tiles, mirrors, clever colors, vertical lines and tiling from the floor to the ceiling.
As the bathroom is the primary moisture producer in the home, ventilation and waterproofing is vital to prevent mold buildup and water leakage. The best way to ensure adequate ventilation is through the installation of exhaust fans and windows that cross-ventilate. Murtha Construction will always ensure that your exhaust fan vents the moist air to the outside of the home in order to prevent moist air from causing problems in the attic. This is where having a company knowledgeable in building science pays as your general contractor.
Some of our design themes include:
- The Retreat – the retreat is a relaxing oasis, almost like having your very own day spa at home. Gentle lighting, a spa, deep bath or luxurious shower, and a calming atmosphere make this bathroom the perfect place to unwind after a long day. Freestanding candles and a place to put a wine glass are a must!
- The Minimalist – the minimalist bathroom is sleek and uncluttered, while still incorporating elements of luxury. Features include clean, modern lines and clever storage.
- The High Tech – the bath, spa or shower is the latest on the market and the bathroom features radiant heating, heated towel racks and other gizmos designed to make the bathing experience better. There’s even a plasma TV near the bath!
- The Utilitarian – this bathroom is designed to be used. While still looking attractive, the focus is to have everything easily accessible and to be easily cleaned.
- Colonial – the deep, old-fashioned bathtub and the classic tones of cream. This bathroom is old-style without sacrificing any of the modern amenities. Simply classic!
Get the design right, and everything planned, ordered and ready to go. Murtha comes in, Quick, Clean, Guaranteed for the bathroom of your dreams! Contact us, or request a bathroom consultation online today!