Part of the skill of bathroom design is in fitting an appropriately sized and appointed bathroom suite into anything from a tiny cloakroom space to a large and spacious area.  You may wish to make a huge statement with your luxurious bathroom fittings, but if they overpower a smaller space, you need to reconsider what will best fit in to create the best look for your bathroom.

With all of the luxurious as well as durable materials available nowadays to create your perfect bathroom, you can fit the bathroom furniture of your dreams.  You can also select from many exciting bathroom accessories, which can turn a mediocre room into a luxury retreat, a place to revive in the evening or to freshen up each morning all ready to face a new day.

Equally with external corners, walls cannot be assumed to be perfectly square but here, there is another rather trickier problem to be addressed: the cut tile’s unglazed edge has to be hidden. To achieve this, one wall is finished with tiles that have been cut to fit in the usual way and those on the other wall are placed in such a manner that they overlap those on the first wall. The job is then completed by using grout on the exposed cut edges.

An even neater finish can be achieved by starting the second wall with complete edging tiles, although in this case the walls would have to be perfectly vertical.

Tiling can be a tricky job but with adequate care and attention, the tiling of corners can be successfully overcome.

You can create a luxury bathroom not only by adding a stylish bathroom suite or accessories but also by selecting the right lighting.  Choosing the correct lighting will enable you to create a luxurious atmosphere and will leave your bathroom looking stylish and impressive.  Spotlights, stylish ceiling lights and mirror lights will help to add luxury to your bathroom.  You can even opt for bath or spa lights to create a cosier, intimate feel.

If you are willing to spend a little extra for more luxury, then you can consider adding luxury items such as spa baths, elegant glass walk-in Triton showers or whirlpools to your bathroom to create the perfect retreat.  Spa baths look particularly impressive with extra lighting installed and you can easily add accessories such as towels and spa products for extra luxury.

Underfloor heating is also an ideal choice for those wishing to add extra luxury and comfort to their bathroom.  There are many underfloor heating systems available that are easy to install and suitable for different types of floors such as wood.  Underfloor heating will keep your bathroom warm and cosy, providing you, your family and your guests with extra luxury.

The classic symptom that your bathroom or kitchen plumbing requires attention is slow draining. The trouble with blockages is that they can often build up over a period of time, making it difficult to notice that the sink is gradually taking longer and longer to drain. However, when the blockage has built up significantly, it will certainly become obvious. The good news is that the remedy does not always require the services of a plumber.

Fixing a Blockage

The first item of equipment in your arsenal should be a plunger. Partially fill the sink, bath or shower with water. Place the plunger end securely over the plughole ensuring, in the case of a bath or sink, that the waste trap is blocked with something, such as a facecloth. The waste trap is located between the plughole and taps, serving as drainage in case taps are left running.

By applying a vigorous ‘up and down’ motion with the plunger, all manner of residue will be brought up from the blocked pipe. When you allow the sink or bath to drain, the water acts as a flush. Keep repeating this process until you notice the drainage time getting quicker.

The most common cause of shower blockages is hair. The drain socket can be prised from the shower tray and inside you will find a plastic fitting, which can be lifted out, enabling any clumps of hair to be removed.

If the problem persists, your next option is to try out some kind of chemical drain cleaner, which can be purchased from hardware or DIY stores. Apply this to the affected pipe and then leave overnight to allow the chemicals to work their way into the waste matter, dissolving it. Ensuring this process is repeated on a monthly basis will prevent further build-ups.

Compression Taps

These are the traditional bathroom taps you may have used as a child. These taps have two handles or values, one for hot and one for cold. Even though there are newer types of taps that are available these days, many homeowners prefer the classic look of these fixtures.

Disc Taps and Ball Taps

Unlike compression taps, disc taps and ball taps do not consist of two valves. Both of these taps use just one handle, shaped either like a disc or like a round ball at the end. To use these types of taps, simply grasp the end and rotate the handle to the right for cold or to the left for hot.

Cartridge Taps

These taps are similar in appearance to compression taps, because they can have two different handles as well. However, what sets cartridge taps apart is ease of movement. Unlike compression taps, cartridge fixtures don’t use washers, which means that the handles don’t tighten or loosen while being used. This makes cartridge taps move smoothly and easily, compared to the other traditional types of fixtures.

The modern alternatives to old-fashioned bathroom cabinets are solving some of our age-old bathroom headaches, including the common problem of a bathroom having poor natural light.  For applying make-up or shaving, decent lighting is essential.  Many of the new breed of bathroom cabinets feature integrated mirrors with LED or fluorescent lighting to ensure optimum illumination.  Some bathroom cabinet models even feature coloured ambient lighting to create different moods.

Mirrors that steam up leaving you unable to see a thing in them are no longer a problem when you purchase a bathroom cabinet with mirrors that have inbuilt sensors which automatically de-mist them, as if by magic.
 
It seems our perception of what the bathroom cabinet does is going to have to change.  It is no longer just somewhere to store our toiletries; today, the bathroom cabinet serves as a power source, lighting station, magic mirror, and attractive piece of furniture in its own right.

When you lay tiles you will need to make sure they are spaced evenly for a professional finish.  You can either use tile spacers to ensure the same gap is left between each tile.  Alternatively though, you can lay the tile and then slide is a little in order to make sure it is positioned to your liking.  Many people lay it slightly further away from the previously laid tile and then slide it back towards its neighbour.  The problem, however, is that adhesive can build up in between each tile so iIt’s better to lay it right next to the neighbouring tile and then slide it slightly away.

Tile Cutters

It is probable that you will have to cut some tiles in order to lay them around obstacles and when you come to the edge of the room or wall.  In order to cut the tiles, you will need to use a tile cutter.  Ordinary ceramic tiles can be cut using a rail cutter.  For the best finish, make sure the blade is in good condition.  Natural stone and textured porcelain can be cut using a wet saw with a diamond tipped blade.

Sometimes flushing the toilet several times in a row can clear the blockage if it is fairly minor.  If the water level rises up very high each time and takes a while to go back down, however, then the blockage is more serious.  In this case, it is best to flush once or twice to see what happens, then wait half an hour and flush again to see if it has made a difference.  Do not keep flushing as it could make the problem worse, and even cause the water to rise up and spill onto the floor.

Before you try other methods, you should roll up any sleeves and put on rubber gloves.

It is sometimes possible to unblock a toilet by using a wire to help move the blockage up the pipes.  Flush to see if this makes a difference.  If you can see the cause, then it is better to try and pull it up rather than pushing it further down. 

Another common solution is to use a plunger to create a vacuum and force the blockage up.  If it works, remove it and place into a bin liner to dispose of – do not flush it back down the toilet.

Appropriate chemical solutions can be used to break up toilet paper blockages, although they can be quite harsh, and so are recommended as a last resort.  When using any such product, always read the instructions carefully.

Shower curtains, for example, now come in a variety of colours and prints.  Some even feature art replicas, copies of interesting maps or fabulous photographs of landscapes or cityscapes.  Taking a cue from such a shower curtain and using it to bring the room together can be as easy as picking out matching or complimentary bathroom accessories, such as soap holders to place on the sink top.

Bathroom accessories are easy to change.  For example, purchasing a new bathroom rug with colour-co-ordinated towels to hang on the towel rails can alter the entire feel of the room.  Many retail outlets offer matching bathroom accessories bundled together, so it is simply a case of choosing one that you like.  You can also personalise your bathroom decor by selecting separate pieces that you find interesting and seeing how you can put them together.

When using accessories to change the look of the room, do not be afraid to paint the existing bathroom cabinets and the trim around the bathroom mirror if they are old, tired and out of date.  Simply ask your local hardware store to mix paint that is suitable for moist environments and be sure to sand and prime the surface thoroughly, before applying a suitable undercoat.

We all spend time in the bathroom and to make it a more enjoyable experience try to create an ambiance that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed.  Being the smallest room in most houses, the changes are inexpensive and easy to make. 

Unscrew the showerhead from the shower arm and place it on a table or workbench covered with a towel.  Take apart the showerhead, taking the time to note how the pieces fit back together.  If you’re worried about being unable to remember how each piece goes back together, take digital photos with your mobile phone or camera as you disassemble it. 

Fill a bucket or large bowl with a mix of two parts water to one part white vinegar.  Submerge all parts of the showerhead in this mixture and let them sit overnight. 

After this time, remove the parts and return them to your towelled surface again.  If you notice any remaining mineral deposits on any of the parts, remove them with a wire brush.  Once the showerhead is clean of all mineral deposits and debris, reassemble it.  Make sure to screw the parts together tightly, but not so much that it warps the pieces. 

Before screwing the showerhead onto the shower arm, wrap a few layers of plumbers tape around the shower arm threads.  Turn on the water and allow the water to spray for a few minutes to clean out any possible remaining mineral deposits.