Bed and Bath

Your bathroom is one of the busiest rooms in the house. Your bedroom is where you go to relax and get a good night sleep. Improving these rooms not only makes them more enjoyable for the family, it also adds value to the home.

Before you begin to plan your bedroom and bathroom improvement there are some questions you may want to ask yourself:

* Are there enough bathrooms and bedrooms in the house? Will you be adding new rooms or simply improving those that exist?

* Do the fixtures need updating?

* Is there enough storage for the entire family's needs?

* Is there adequate lighting?

* Would an overhead light fixture and ceiling fan improve the comfort and appearance of the bedroom?

* Is there adequate ventilation in the bathroom? Poor ventilation can cause mold and mildew.

* Are there enough electrical outlets?

* Do you prefer a bathtub or walk-in shower?

* Is there enough counter space?

* How many members of the family tend to use the bathroom at the same time? Is the current bathroom set up to accommodate this?

* How much renovating do you think you will need? Can you utilize the existing tub, shower, sink, and toilet or will they need to be removed and replaced?

* If the bathroom is not attached to the bedroom would it be worthwhile to combine the two into a master suite?

* Do you need a permit?

Whether you will be doing minor redecorating or a complete renovation will determine the cost and whether you can do it yourself. When it comes to wiring and plumbing its best left to the experts. Faulty wiring and plumbing can cause serious damage in the long run.

Begin with a rough sketch of the room. Take measurements of the length and width of the area. Measure the doors, windows, cabinetry, and plumbing fixtures. Transfer your measurements to graph paper using ½ inch to represent 1 foot. Make several copies of this layout so you can explore different options. You may want to visit several home improvement stores to shop for fixtures you might want to purchase.

In a full bath the most used fixture is the sink, followed by the toilet, and then the tub or shower. Generally, the sink is placed closest to the door with the toilet somewhat hidden next to the sink. The bath or shower is at the back of the room. However, if more than one person will be using the bathroom at the same time, the sink and toilet could be placed in a separate area where several members can use the room at once and still maintain privacy.

Adding extra windows or a skylight can open up a small, stuffy area. It not only offers additional light, but also allows for ventilation and fresh air. When replacing windows select double-glazed windows for better insulation. Adding a skylight to the roof is also an excellent way to flood the bathroom with light. Fixed skylights are the most economical choice, but venting skylights with roof windows that can open also add ventilation as well as light. They do tend to be more costly, however.

Another valuable bathroom improvement is a long sink counter with double sinks and plenty of counter space and electrical outlets. In addition to counter space, storage space is also a desirable feature. Mirrors can double as medicine cabinets and most sink units come equipped with drawers and cupboards for storing items. If there is not enough room for a closet for linens and towels many department and home improvement stores offer units that fit over the toilet.

If your bathtub is in reasonable condition and you just want a nicer looking tub and wall unit there are numerous companies that can place new tubs right over the existing tub. They also have wall units that offer shelves to hold your shower needs. You may also choose to add sliding doors to the tub as opposed to shower curtains.

If you decide you would like to add wallpaper be sure to choose special wallpaper that is coated and water proof. The wallpaper roll will specify if it is suitable for bathrooms where moisture will not cause the paper to peel away.

Bedrooms generally require less renovating than bathrooms, but even minor changes such as adding overhead lighting and a ceiling fan can go a long way to making the room more appealing and comfortable. Closet areas are the next main consideration when improving a bedroom. If the wall next to the closet is not needed for furniture consider removing it to expand the closet space.