The Home Shop Blog

Whether you want to spruce up your bathroom to make it a more calming space for you or you want to do it increase the resale value of your house, here are some quick inexpensive ways. The walls are biggest area of your bathroom and can be used to make the biggest impact. You will be surprised what a coat of paint can do to refresh the whole look of a bathroom.

If you plan on selling your house in the near future, use neutral colors on the wall and accent with bolder colors. Make sure you buy paint specially made for bathrooms as these are moisture resistant and easy to wipe clean. To personalize the walls get creative and stencil a border. A new shower curtain can be the focus of your “new” bathroom. Select a decorative shower curtain and build everything around it, even the wall color. This will ensure a themed and unified look to the entire space. Choose some special and decorative shower curtain hooks to add extra punch. You must buy coordinating window curtains and do not use mini blinds which give a very dated appearance.

A quick and easy trick to make plain tile look unique is by using tile transfers creatively. These are just like stickers and even come in embossed 3D look and go right on your existing tile. They are, of course, waterproof, washable and can be cleaned just like regular tile. You can also customize your other hard surface accessories with the same decals for a unified look. Replace accessories like tumblers, toothbrush holders, trays, lotion pumps, soap dishes, hamper and wastebaskets for an instant update to your bathroom. Use decorative baskets for scented soaps, candles, special lotions, and bath salts. Do not overdo the accessories because that will just create a cluttered look.

Select brightly colored or special towels and bath mats to further accent your room. Although the towels do not have to exactly match the shower and window curtain design, try to pick up one of the colors to stay with the theme. To keep within a low budget, you can take plain towels and sew on some lace or fringe to make them unique. If you are handy with a screw gun, replace your towel bars, towel rings, toilet paper holder and robe hooks. It will make a world of difference. Check out your local home improvement store for some of the new finishes like rustic bronze and brushed nickel to replace chrome which is now considered out-dated.

For finishing touches frame some calming prints or even pictures. Believe it or not the latest trend is to use personal photos in relaxing backgrounds like the beach or boating for the bathroom. A couple of indoor house plants will help bring some life and color into your bathroom. Do not worry if you do not have a green thumb because plants do very well in this humid environment. Go ahead and try some or even all of the above ideas for a quick and easy update to your bathroom and you will see what a difference it can make.



By: Ann McKee

About the Author:

Caffeinated Content

Bath time can and should be one of the most enjoyable times of the day for parents and children; a perfect opportunity to bond and relax with baby. But once baby has moved into the big tub, the big shiny faucet and warm streaming water can be too much to resist, despite mom and dad’s repeated warnings. So how can parents ensure that bath time is safe, enjoyable and relaxing for everyone? A few precautionary measures go a long way.

Stay in Touch

The single most important action that a parent must take each time a bath is given is touch supervision. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), touch supervision requires that an adult be within arm’s reach of baby at all times. If you cannot touch your baby at any time during the bath, then you are too far away.

Nationally, drowning is the third leading cause of injury-related deaths in children younger than one and the second leading cause of injury-related deaths in children ages one to four. In fact, young children can drown in less than two inches of water, according to AAP’s Injury Prevention Program (TIPP). Drowning frequently occurs quickly and quietly, in the amount of time it would take a parent to take or make a phone call. Regardless of the intended time of absence, a parent must never leave baby unattended in the tub at any time for any reason. Very simply, touch supervision saves lives. No gizmo or gadget will prevent drowning or substitute for the adult supervision that can.

Keep Your Distance

The second most important action a parent must take is to protect baby from the faucet and fixtures. According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, 5,000 children a year require emergency room treatment for tap water burns. The AAP warns that the bathtub is a source of severe scalding burns. In addition to burns, contact with the faucet can cause injuries resulting in stitches, bumps, bruises, scrapes and even chipped teeth. The Center for Injury Research and Policy at Columbus Children’s Hospital found that 75 percent of kids under age five who were hurt in the tub were being supervised at the time.

When selecting safety products for the bath, avoid products that will attract a baby. Bright colors, shiny materials, and happy animals will all draw babies towards them, despite their intended safety purpose.

In addition to touch supervision and the right safety products, parents should also take the following precautions when bathing baby:

- Set water heater to 120 degrees or less.

- Check water temperature on the inside of your wrist before placing baby in the bath.

- Place a rubber mat or non-slip appliqués on the bottom of the tub.

- Have bathing supplies, clothes and towels already assembled prior to baby’s bath.

- Always bathe baby using as little water as necessary.

- Do not allow other children to substitute for adult supervision.

With the right preparation, precaution and products, bath time can be less struggle and more fun.



By: IC

About the Author:

bath mats