Latest Designer Bathroom Ideas and How To Guides for your Home

Using the Internet is a quick, efficient way to receive several quotes regarding home insurance or contents insurance—or even both at once.  It’s also a wonderful way for you to compare home insurance policies side-by-side to see which suits your needs best.

Start by requesting an online quote from a company that you or a friend have used and recommended.  Often this might be a smaller, local company, but one with an office in your neighbourhood.  Be sure to write down the cover you’re requesting so you can match that on later requests with other companies.  All your cover requests should be the same so you can compare the prices side-by-side.

Now request quotes from two or three larger, national companies.  Again, go back to the list you made of coverage requests and make sure it all matches.  Once you have the quotes, do an internet search with the name of the company and “claims” or “service” in the search terms.  Read reviews of the company’s service that you find available, but keep in mind that people are much more likely to post a review when they’re unhappy than when their service has been fine.  When was the last time you posted something to say that your service was good or so-so?

Now do one more search, this time for the name of your town and “home insurance” or “house insurance”.  See if you identify any companies via this search that you weren’t aware of.  If you do, request a home insurance quote from these companies and also check out their reviews from customers.

Now you should have enough information to make an informed decision about a company that provides the kind of insurance you want and also serves the area in which you live. 

When choosing the perfect bathroom suite, size certainly matters. A large suite in a small room or alternatively a small suite in a large room would not be aesthetically pleasing. The character and period of the home must also be considered as this too will have an effect on the finished look.

Large rooms with high ceilings can carry off vintage style suites, freestanding roll top baths that have tiny feet, and toilets with a high cistern and a long chain flush will certainly look the part in an older style house. Bathroom tiles on the walls and floor, and jardinières with flowing greenery help to finish off the look.

Larger modern style bathrooms are likely to have a Jacuzzi style bath and a separate shower cubicle.  Larger bathrooms can also carry off the ‘his and hers’ style basins. There are many styles to choose from including round glass bowls and square porcelain styles. Good quality taps are also important to complete the look.

If you have a smaller bathroom in an older home you may find that opting for a shower enclosure instead of a bath provides more free room. Enclosures are available in all styles so there will always be something to suit the period of the home.

Small bathrooms in modern homes are easy to shop for, a standard shower enclosure with simple shower doors, possibly with plain glass to give the illusion of a bigger room, and smaller basins in a simple design helps to keep the room unfussy. Minimalism is almost essential in smaller rooms as too much clutter makes the room feel claustrophobic.

One of the best things about underfloor heating is the simple fact that it delivers an almost perfect temperature balance between the floor and ceiling of a room.  This is due to the combination of radiant and confected heat. This is far superior to the traditional way of heating houses that has been used over the years, where a central heat point such as a fireplace, or central heating radiators, have pushed hot air into the space that then circulates up to the top of the room.  This rising air creates draughts as it intermingles with the cool air. This is called convected air, or warm air that rises (as does all warm air) making the ceiling the warmest place in the room. But with heat from underfloor heating systems an estimated 50% of the warmth of the entire room comes from the floor itself, and since the heated floor area releases heat evenly it is therefore more efficiently distributed throughout the whole room.

This is quite possibly one of the most ideal heating situations for any room in the house: warm feet, cool head, and a perfect atmosphere for relaxation. Considering the fact that every individual wants their home to be the ultimate relaxation zone, underfloor heating systems are the most efficient way to create the ultimate in comfortable home environments.

Underfloor heating systems come in a variety of types, ranging from wet underfloor heating systems to underfloor electric heating systems, and they can be used in conjunction with a variety of floor finishes. 

If you have been out shopping for children’s beds lately, then you have probably seen the vast assortment that is available, whether you have been shopping online or at a land-based retailer.  Beds for children are manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes.  There are standard beds, bunk beds, and day beds.  There are even beds that are shaped like certain objects, such as the car beds, castle beds, and even fort beds.  So the choices are literally endless.

Children’s beds are manufactured with differing materials, metal and wood being the most common.  There are also some that are made from durable polymer plastic.  Additionally, if your budget is an issue be aware that price ranges on beds for children will range from the very affordable to the extremely expensive.  A good rule of thumb to remember is that the more unique the style of the bed, the more you will pay for it.  Here are some suggestions if you are just starting to shop for a bed for your son or daughter.

Budget is your first concern since it is so easy to spend extra money on your child, so you need to establish your budget and stick to it.  The next step is deciding where you want to purchase the bed.  Do you purchase one of the thousands of children’s beds that are available through an online retailer or visit a bed retailer in your local vicinity? Since this is a matter of convenience and preference, the choice is up to you.  But make sure that you consider your child’s likes and dislikes in the process.

Illuminated bathroom mirrors add a chic finishing touch to any bathroom. Since bathrooms are often lacking in natural light, mirrors can actually make the room appear larger and brighter. Of course, the bathroom mirror is where we preen ourselves and therefore we want to ensure that we can see as clearly as possible whether it is night or day. It therefore makes sense, as well as looking elegant, to combine mirrors with inset lighting.

Lamps are actually situated behind the mirrors. On a standard mirror there is silvering behind the glass but this is sandblasted on an illuminated mirror which actually allows the light to shine through the frosted glass at the front.

You will also have a choice to make when selecting an illuminated mirror regarding whether your priority is the standard of the colour rendering provided by the actual mirror or the lamp life contained within the lights. You will also need to consider the size, shape and style of mirror which is best suited to your overall bathroom theme.

One option is to choose an illuminated bathroom mirror with halogen lamps which provides high colour rendering which will give a natural image similar to looking in the mirror in daylight. The halogen lamp life is approximately 2000 hours.

Another option is fluorescent lamps which can last for up to 10,000 hours. However, fluorescent light has, in the past, been considered rather unflattering to the complexion although advances have been made.

The choice you make will depend on your personal preference, budget and style but one thing is for sure – an illuminated mirror will finish off your bathroom to perfection.

Landlords

While anyone who is a landlord (i.e., lets or sub-lets a house or flat) is required to have homeowner’s insurance, the type of home contents insurance varies by degrees, based upon how the property is furnished. There are also additional options which anyone who is or is planning to become a landlord should review:

•    Emergency Assistance Coverage – This covers the cost of contractor call-out and works done costs to a set maximum limit. This coverage is for emergency situations only and does not include coverage for situations arising due to lack of routine maintenance on the landlord’s part.
•    Rent Guarantee – Rent guarantee coverage pays the rent when you are having issues with your tenant, i.e., during vacant possession proceedings when the tenant is refusing to pay and up to three months after while you are looking for a new tenant.
•    Legal Coverage – Insurance to cover legal expenses when dealing with tenant issues such as non-payment of rent, failure to vacate a property, unauthorised inhabitants, etc.

Tenants

For people who are leasing a property, there is simply no need to take out full homeowner’s insurance; however, it is strongly advisable that they do take out house contents insurance to cover the cost of their personal items and any appliances, etc. that they’ve brought with them/purchased themselves. The types and levels of coverage provided by house contents insurance varies, and it is always a good idea for tenants to do a bit of comparison shopping before settling on a policy.

Consumers need to take care when choosing wooden floors suitable for use over underfloor heating.  There are several suppliers of oak flooring, as well as other types, that are designed for this purpose. 

These types of floorings can withstand the high temperatures that they will be in contact with from the heating but will help to regulate the heat flowing into the room.

As wood is a natural substance it will expand and contract according to the heating conditions in the room and the moisture levels that it is exposed to.  During the colder months the wooden boards may contract slightly as the air in the room is likely to be drier, thanks to the heating.  Summer months are when the heating is switched off and there is more likely to be moisture in the air so the boards will expand slightly.  The use of underfloor heating makes this process more pronounced as the boards are exposed to the higher temperatures. 

The use of Tectonic engineered boards which are specially designed to resist this movement is advised.  These boards are put together in layers for a stronger result.  It is also advised to use boards that have a maximum width of 13 cm, as wider boards will have a more pronounced movement and gaps can be kept to a minimum with this width. 

When using the underfloor heating it is a good idea to acclimatise the floor gradually, keeping the heat low at first and slowly increasing the temperature over a period of a couple of months. 

Divan beds, consisting of just a mattress and base, are perhaps the most affordable bedding option for your home.  They are also the most versatile, as the headboard is sold separately; this allows you to choose a bed that fits your needs and select a coordinating headboard later to compliment your decor.

Bases for divan beds are typically available in two styles:  sprung edge and platform top.  Sprung edge bases have springs that provide plenty of support and comfort; platform top bases are solid and may be padded.  Platform bases make your mattress feel firmer and are generally cheaper than sprung edge bases.

Like other beds, divan beds can support a variety of mattresses.  From twin to king, extra firm to extra soft, choose from a wide selection of mattress covers to suit your personal taste and style.  The covering on your mattress can dramatically affect your sleeping comfort, so it pays to consider carefully.

Jacquard and damask, complex woven fabrics with ornate patterns, are popular choices for mattress covers.  Although their elaborate designs are rarely seen, the soft fabric provides comfort and durability.

Microquilting or panel quilting is ideal if you prefer a smooth mattress.  The decorative stitching holds the mattress filling in place, creating a flat surface.

Hand tufting pins mattress fillings at regular intervals along the surface of the mattress.  This creates a wavy surface, which allows the mattress to conform to the body more easily.  Hand tufting is usually found on more expensive mattresses.

Much like home building insurance, home insurance coverage should be based upon the amount it would take to replace all of your possessions, if they were completely destroyed.

Contents insurance

So what is the average family worth in regards to their home’s content? The typical figure is more than £45,000. However, to get a true picture of what any specific family or household is worth, you would have to go through every single room, including garage, loft, cellar, and shed, and write down everything you found. Then, you would need to calculate what it would cost to replace each item at today’s prices. The only exception would be clothing and linens, where you would need to lower the value to adjust for typical wear and tear.

If the idea of doing that seems too daunting, no worries – some contents insurers offer a maximum amount of coverage which, if enough to cover all of your possessions (or at least enough to make you happy), eliminates the need to inventory and calculate. If it isn’t enough, some companies will provide additional blocks of coverage for additional costs.

It is important to remember when establishing the amount of home content insurance coverage you require that most insurance companies will not cover losses that are a result of any business activity at home. In order to ensure that you are covered for working-from-home situations, you would need to buy a specific policy that addresses home business situations.

When it comes to choosing a shower tray for your bathroom, it is important to look at how much floor space is available. A very compact bathroom will probably need to be fitted with a pentagonal shaped tray if you want to maximise space. This shape gives maximum shower space but takes up minimum area in the bathroom.

A quadrant design with a curved front gives more room in the shower than the octagon but you will need to fit a curved shower door which will usually be a lot more expensive that a conventional flat one.

Rectangular shapes give lots of room and come in different sizes. Squares are available up to about 90 square centimetres in size. Both of these shapes can be fitted almost anywhere you want them.

If you have a bit more space available, a shower tray with a built in area to dry yourself in is a real luxury. It means that you can towel yourself dry without stepping outside the shower and treading water everywhere.

Low level shower trays are recessed into the floor and usually come as rectangles, or squares. If these are tiled up the sides you can get the benefits of having a wet room without the expense of waterproofing the entire bathroom.

Your choice of shower tray will depend very much on the amount of space you have available and on what you are willing to spend. The best way to select the most practical shape and size is to draw a plan of your bathroom and find out exactly how much room you have to position a shower tray. Most bathroom shops will draw a plan for you if you have the measurements.  They will then advise you on the best options for the space you have.