Tag Archive for: Bathroom

The most profitable bathroom/kitchen renovations for your home

It’s no secret that kitchen and bathroom renovations add the most value to properties but what specific renovations incite a bigger return on investment? Tap Warehouse consulted with property professionals to discover which elements in the kitchens and bathrooms are the most desirable for house hunters and could add the most value to your home. Here’s what experts said:

As far as kitchens go, the most valuable features are: glass doors, durable worktops, breakfast bar, quality tiles, kitchen islands, adequate lighting and modern storage units.
In terms of bathrooms, good quality tiles, power showers, bathtubs, walk-in showers, a neutral colour scheme, underfloor heating, and sturdy fixtures are the most desirable and valuable bathroom aspects. And to be even more specific, property experts hailed good tiles and grouting as the most popular bathroom investment by homeowners, and baths and power showers are the second most popular.

Popular renovations and profitable renovations are, of course, not necessarily the same thing. A critical consideration when renovating your property (with the intention to sell) is who is likely to be your buyer. For example, if you live near schools, it’s probable your house will attract family buyers, which means that space will be of optimum value; over-compensating in a bathroom with a bathtub and a shower cube is not likely a win, even if you really like the idea.

Tailor your renovations to the market, and when in doubt go neutral and stay simple.

For more information on kitchen and bathroom renovation costs and return, visit Tapwarehouse.com

For all your plumbing and installation needs, feel free to contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk – we’re happy to help.

10 top bathroom design trends for 2021

In a world of lockdown and social distancing, many homeowners have turned to home renovations, bathroom especially – and the behaviour looks to continue into the new year. With much of life on hold, homes have become a necessary haven and 2021 design tends reflect the need for calm, comfort, space (clutter is a definite faux pas) and pure, unadulterated escapism.

For a bathroom that will allow you some peace and a place to reflect and relax, check out these 10 top bathroom design trends for 2021:

Minimalism – ‘less is more’ open-style bathrooms that are not crowded with stuff create a refuge for anxieties and cluttered thoughts.

Simple, geometric lines – design simplicity works in conjunction with minimalism to create a bathroom refuge. Organised, rectangular shaping is a consistent design choice in modern bathrooms, as is organised, subtle placement of features.

Efficiency – clean, practical design including adequate storage (for bathroom accessories) facilitates organisation and calmness of mind.

Home Spas – with people spending more time in their homes, luxury and comfort is high on the priority list. As well as home spas, massaging showers, hydrotherapy baths and steam rooms/saunas are up there on the list.

Green tones and wooden finishes – this clear hark back to nature reflects a desire to escape into the calm and quiet of a forest or meadow. These visual elements are not necessarily applied in conjunction but their synergy is obvious. A soft shade of green on a wall complemented with a contemporary wooden countertop is inspired.

Blooms and foliage – keeping with the nature theme, although a touch more vibrant, botanical walls and decors are an emerging design trend for 2021. Busy, bold, bright tropical prints or lush foliage and blooms area fun way to bring life to a tired, old bathroom!

Small tiles – mosaic tiling is being used more and more by home-owners; either in creative patterns or as a neutral wall covering to offer a bit of texture and interest in a bathroom.

Natural lighting – allow as much natural light into your bathroom as possible with large or cleverly placed windows, or mimic nature with adjustable lights that mimic the mood of the outside.

Big mirrors – a trend that has been around for a while; big mirrors create the illusion of space in a bathroom (big or small). Square or rectangular mirrors with rounded vertices are popular purchases for bathroom renovators at the moment.

Plants – another long-lasting bathroom trend adding a touch of beauty into a bathroom is the inclusion of indoor plants, which can be changed with season or design.

Whilst trends might seem contradictory (the excess of spas and saunas as well as geometry, minimalism, indoor plants and mosaic) there is scope to create one dedicated design or mix and match looks to reflect your ideal bathroom haven.

For more top bathroom design trends, visit Homesandgardens.com and Newdecortrends.com

For all your plumbing and installation needs, feel free to contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk – we’re happy to help.

5 top tips for saving water in your bathroom

The average person uses 149 litres of water per day. Does this mean anything to you? – Considering we live on an island with plenty of rain and a seeming abundance of water. The impact of the amount is likely to depend upon our attitude to water conservation, and how much effort we put into conserving water in our homes. In which case, 149 litres might seem excessive if we are careful with our water use. And if we aren’t counting droplets, perhaps we should be?

Using water is using energy, which impacts the environment. Cleaning waste water (or ‘grey water’, as it’s called) is an energy-intensive process, so is heating the hot water that comes out of your taps – doing less of both these things makes a difference to the health of our planet. (Using less also means spending less.)

There are many household appliances that use water (dishwashers, washing machines, kettles etc.) but the bathroom (home of the delectable bubble bath and steamy shower) is the biggest water usurper on your property. If you’d like to reduce the reduce the amount of water you use in your bathroom, here are five top tips to help you do that:

  1. Preference showering over bathing. The average bath consumes 80 litres of water; in comparison, a shower uses 46 litres per use.
  2. Turn your taps off! You don’t need to leave the water running when brushing teeth or shaving, or even when you are running the water warm before you wash your face in winter.
  3. Use water-efficient equipment. An aerated shower head, for example, or a cistern displacement device in your toilet cistern to reduce the volume of water used in each flush (you can get one of these from your water provider).
  4. Check for leaks (and have them fixed!). A dripping tap can waste 15 litres of water a day, or 5,500 litres of water a year.
  5. Install a water meter. When you’re paying your utility provider for exactly how much water you use, laid out in an itemised bill, there’s an incentive to waste less of the stuff.

The great thing about being economical with water is that it doesn’t cost money – only effort! Entirely worth it, if you ask us.

For all your plumbing and installation needs, feel free to contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk – we’re happy to help.

Sources: Edenproject.com, idealhome.co.uk

Top tips for keeping mould out of your bathroom

Mould is like missing socks and dust on shelves – incredibly annoying! It isn’t always obvious and recurs no matter how hard you clean. Or does it? Could there be a way to rid your bathroom of mould?

Understanding why mould occurs is the best way to combat the stuff. Typically, mould is caused by high levels of humidity and your bathroom is the wettest room in the house. Poor ventilation incites mould – lingering moisture trapped inside your bathroom (when you close the door to have a shower, for example) will attach itself to surfaces (walls, mirrors, the floor, etc.) giving mould the perfect condition in which to flourish. Damp mats and towels are also conducive to high levels of humidity in a bathroom.

Here are some top tips to creating a mould resistant bathroom:

  • Get rid of excess water by using your bathroom ventilation fan when you use the shower or run a bath, and leave it on for 30 minutes following the end of your bath; if you don’t have an exhaust fan, install one.
  • Remove anything that provides a place for mould to flourish – like toys, shampoo and shower gel, sponges, loofahs and cloths. If you keep a mat or towels in your bathroom area, wash these regularly and make sure they are dry when placed in the bathroom.
  • A mildew-resistant shower curtain is a good option. Otherwise be prepared to wash/replace your shower curtain frequently.
  • Keeping household humidity levels below 50 per cent prevents moisture from gathering; an air conditioner or dehumidifier can help.
  • Open windows and doors (where possible) to promote a dry interior.
  • Fix leaky toilets, sinks and plumbing pipes immediately as the resulting damp will encourage mould to grow.

Good luck!

For all your plumbing and installation needs, feel free to contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk – we’re happy to help.

Source: Houselogic.com

How to maximise space in a small bathroom

The most recent Bathroom Market report by AMA Research has revealed a growing preference for minimalist, wall-hung and counter top bathroom designs, with the most popular products supporting space saving solutions.

If you have a small bathroom (or a bigger one that you’d like to neaten up) there are some nifty ideas that are trending at the moment, including slim-line wash basins and short-projection furniture. Compact shower baths, small freestanding baths and space-saving ‘back-to-wall’ D-shaped/skirted baths also work well in smaller spaces.

‘Invisible’ storage solutions are a great for de-cluttering as are prefabricated solutions including installation frames and concealed plastic cisterns.

Floating vanities and basins are a couple of the most popular wall hung bathroom features when it comes to maximising space in a bathroom, and a rounded vanity is a good idea if you’re worried about the inconvenience (and safety) of a sharp corner sticking out in a tight space.

A counter extended over the toilet creates an easy space to store items and mounting a towel bar on the shower door will save space (although the rest of the towels might need some cupboard space elsewhere in your home). And there are some styling tips that will create an illusion of space in a small bathroom: large-scale patterns can trick the eye into seeing expanded space, as can expanded mirrors.

For all your plumbing and installation needs, feel free to contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk – we’re happy to help.

Source: Forbes.com

10 top bathroom trends for 2019

What does the UK’s most searched for bathroom look like? Google has the answer – and Sanctuary Bathrooms has been kind enough to analyse all the data for us. Check out the top décor and product trends for 2019:

  • Dark colours are IN, with black the most searched colour in sinks and toilets.
  • Back-to-wall, close-coupled toilets were the most popular of more than 14,000 monthly searches.
  • Double sinks with mixer taps are a popular choice.
  • Freestanding roll-top copper topped 35,000 monthly searches.
  • Grey is the top colour for herringbone flooring and wall tiles.
  • Traditional options and chrome are dominant for accessories.
  • Wooden mirrored cabinets were the most popular of 35,700 related searches.
  • Tall freestanding corner cabinets are a top choice.
  • Chrome topped the searches for toilet roll holders and towel rails.
  • Separate single shower enclosures are strong among 57,200 average monthly searches.

The common thread that marries these choices together is the sanctuary of a bathroom space, which is not only functional but an escape. Freestanding baths, chrome features and dark colours – there’s a sense of romance inherent in this type of look.

As specialists in bespoke bathrooms and plumbing we know how important it is for us to stay on top of bathroom trends, and to advise our clients according to their unique contexts and hopes for their bathroom space. For all your plumbing and installation needs, feel free to contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk – we’re happy to help.

Source: kbbreview.com

Is a wet room a good option for your bathroom?

Firstly, what is a wet room, and what happened to a good old fashioned shower? Don’t panic, they still exist and are fabulous but wet rooms are trending, and are a good way to add value to your bathroom and property.

A wet room is a shower but without the shower screen and tray – so, an open shower area, usually demarcated with tiles.

Why might you want one? Other than upping the price you might be able to sell your home for, wet rooms are contemporary and interesting. They work well in a small space, taking up less room than a bath although intentional design is a good idea; to avoid shower water wetting towels and loo rolls. With no screen or tray, wet rooms are easier to clean but do remember that whilst wet rooms have the potential to increase the value of your home, buyers are partial to one bath at least – so think carefully if a wet room is to replace a bath.

If you’re excited about the idea of an open-plan type of shower, it is important to know off the bat that this is a job for professionals, even if you have some experience with home DIY. A gradient will need to be created in your bathroom in order to channel shower water into a drain, and the room will also require waterproofing. This is hard graft and requires expertise and experience for optimum results.

Your qualified tradesman might suggest raising the bathroom door threshold to keep water contained (in the event of drain blockage) and under-floor heating to keep your feet warm as well as dry out the bathroom. The details will be up to you but advice from a professional is your best bet for a beautiful, successful wet room.

Enjoy planning and dare to do something different!

For all your plumbing and installation needs, feel free to contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk – we’re happy to help.

Source: Idealhome.co.uk

Top remodelling projects for homeowners

If there’s cash to spare, what home owner doesn’t love to invest in a little DIY project around the house? That wall you’ve been meaning to paint or that cupboard that needs a lick of varnish…or how about an entire room?

According to the National Association of Home Builders’ Remodelling Market Index report covering the first quarter of 2017, bathroom renovations, which previously held the number one spot on the ‘top remodelling project’ list, have been bumped down the list by none other than…(drum roll)…kitchens.

The other categories trailed kitchens and baths by a substantial margin yet whole house remodelling was cited as a common project by 53 percent of remodelers, room additions by 46 percent, and window or door replacement by 36 percent, so these all qualify as relatively popular projects.
Check it:

• Kitchen remodeling: 81%
• Bathroom remodeling: 80%
• Whole-house remodeling: 53%
• Room additions: 45%
• Windows/door replacement: 36%
• Finished basement: 27%
• Repairing property damage: 27%
• Decks: 25%
• Bathroom additions: 24%
• Roofing: 23%
• Enclosed/added porch: 23%
• Handyman services: 22%
• Siding: 19%
• Second story additions: 16%
• Enclosed/added garage: 12%
• Historic preservation: 9%
• Finished attic: 7%

Historically, kitchen and bathrooms have consistently ranked as the two most common types of remodelling projects since the inception of NAHB’s RMI survey in 2001. All those toilets, tiles, baths ad sinks – sat on, stood on…so much food and feet; remodelling seems inevitable!

For more information on all your plumbing needs, contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk

Source: Eyeonhousing.org – “Remodeling in 2016: Kitchens Reclaim Top Spot from Baths”

Top Tips when it comes to starting a bathroom refurbishment

Once you’ve made the decision to refurb your bathroom, you’ll need to figure out whether you’re going to do it yourself, project manage other traders to fit your bathroom, or get a bathroom specialist to design and then see it through to completion for you. The experts at Home Owners Alliance has some great advice when it comes to starting a refurbishment project; here are some top tips that you might like to consider:

  • The type of bathroom you want – a practical family bathroom, en-suite, wet room or full-on home spa and personal sanctuary – as well as how much money you plan to spend, are factors that will help you decide who will fit your bathroom.
  • If it’s a fairly straightforward refurb, you might consider doing it yourself, which can save you up to 60 per cent of the cost! But before you decide to take on the project, do consider the time and difficulty of the job, and always get a professional in when it comes to gas or electric.
  • If you have a tradesman fitting your bathroom then buying the goods yourself – with their approval – can help to reduce the cost dramatically.
  • Whether buying the products yourself or getting someone in, it’s worth looking at the guarantees, especially for things such as grouting or sealant, which are costly to replace if they spring a leak. Look for lifetime or ten-year-plus warranties.
  • When deciding what your bathroom will look like, it’s better to start with a blank canvas to create a space that enhances your lifestyle, as opposed to using your existing bathroom as a template.
  • When it comes to practicalities it is important to consider what constitutes a realistic time-frame. Bathrooms can take between one and three weeks to complete (sometimes longer), and depending on the size of your house the work could be rather intrusive. It might be a good idea to wait until you go on holiday or even stay with friends or relatives.

For more advice on bathroom refurbishments, contact the team contact AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk.

What homeowners value most when hiring tradespeople

Whether you’re looking for a tradesperson to tile your bathroom, fix your boiler or install a heating system there’s one thing that homeowner’s value above all else – punctuality! Punctuality is the single most desirable quality that homeowners look for in a tradesperson, according to new research by Plentific.com.  There’s nothing more frustrating than taking a day off work only to wait…and wait…and wait – and then be let down at the last minute.

Homeowners also like to know what’s going on; communication and organisation are top priorities when looking to get building, plumbing or engineering done around the house; 78 per cent of homeowners are more likely to hire someone who sends through a professional quote and 69 per cent prefer a tradesperson who creates a solid schedule.

Appearance is not that important for homeowners, which ranked somewhere near at the bottom of the ‘essentials’ table, with a modern, clean and professional looking van only influencing 47 per cent of homeowners, and a branded uniform influencing just 22 per cent. Age, last on the list, is also irrelevant when it comes to hiring!

Spokesperson for Plentific, Stephen Jury, said: “To improve the odds of hiring, tradespeople should focus more on their schedule, process and attitude before spending their well-earned money on appearances!”

As a homeowner, the biggest compliment you can offer a tradesperson who embodies all of the aforementioned characteristics is to recommend his/her services. At AA Cooper we offer free consultation and no-obligation quotes, and we pride ourselves on being punctual.  For more information, contact the team at AACooper on 01689 485007 or info@aacooper.co.uk.

Source: hvpmag.co.uk – “punctuality is ‘most influential’ when hiring tradespeople”