Bathroom lighting can make or break the space. Its no longer just about a single overhead fixture; effective bathroom lighting design relies on layering different light sources, selecting the right fixtures, and choosing an appropriate color temperature. This layered approach ensures both functionality and ambiance, transforming your bathroom from a purely utilitarian space into a relaxing retreat.
The first layer, ambient lighting, provides overall illumination. Recessed lights, or a thoughtfully placed central fixture, work well here, casting a soft, even glow. Avoid harsh shadows by opting for diffused light sources.
Next, task lighting is crucial for specific activities like applying makeup or shaving. Wall-mounted sconces flanking the mirror are ideal, providing even illumination on the face without creating shadows. Consider vertical sconces rather than horizontal ones for a more flattering light. Vanity lights above the mirror can supplement sconces, but ensure theyre positioned correctly to avoid casting shadows downwards.
Accent lighting is the final layer, adding a touch of drama and highlighting architectural features or decorative elements. Small recessed lights can highlight a textured wall or a piece of artwork, while LED strip lights under cabinets create a warm, inviting glow.
Fixture selection plays a significant role in the overall aesthetic. From sleek and modern chrome finishes to more traditional brushed nickel or bronze, choose fixtures that complement your bathrooms style. Consider the size and scale of the fixtures in relation to the rooms dimensions to ensure a balanced look.
Finally, color temperature is key to setting the right mood. A warmer color temperature (2700-3000K) creates a relaxing, spa-like atmosphere, while a cooler temperature (3500-4100K) is ideal for tasks requiring greater visual acuity, like applying makeup. Consider using a combination of color temperatures for different lighting layers to achieve both functionality and ambiance.
By carefully considering layering, fixtures, and color temperature, you can create a bathroom lighting design thats both beautiful and functional, transforming your daily routine into a more enjoyable experience.
Stepping into a steamy bathroom after a hot shower can feel luxurious, but that lingering humidity can quickly lead to problems like mildew, peeling paint, and even structural damage. Proper ventilation is key to keeping your bathroom fresh, dry, and healthy. And while we often focus on lighting in the bathroom, effective ventilation solutions are just as crucial. This means thinking beyond just cracking a window – we need to consider the right combination of fans, ducts, and humidity control.
The heart of any bathroom ventilation system is the exhaust fan. Its the workhorse that pulls out moist, stale air and replaces it with fresh air from elsewhere in the house. But not all fans are created equal. Choosing the right one depends on the size of your bathroom. A larger bathroom requires a fan with a higher CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating to effectively clear the air. Also consider features like quiet operation, built-in lights, and humidity sensors.
Equally important is the ducting that carries the moisture-laden air outside. Improperly installed or poorly maintained ducts can lead to reduced airflow and even vent the humid air back into your attic, creating a breeding ground for mold. Make sure your ductwork is properly sized, insulated (especially if it runs through unheated spaces), and vents directly to the exterior of your house, not just into the attic. Regularly cleaning the ducts is also essential to prevent clogs and maintain optimal airflow.
Finally, consider incorporating humidity control into your bathroom ventilation strategy. A humidity sensor can automate the process, turning the fan on when humidity levels rise above a certain threshold and off when they drop back down. This not only ensures consistent humidity control but also saves energy by running the fan only when needed. Some newer fans even offer variable speed control, adjusting the airflow based on the humidity level, further optimizing energy efficiency.
By carefully considering these elements – fans, ducts, and humidity control – you can create a comprehensive ventilation solution that keeps your bathroom dry, comfortable, and free from the damaging effects of excess moisture. Its an investment in the health and longevity of your home, and one that pays off in both comfort and peace of mind.
Optimizing natural light in a bathroom renovation is a game-changer. It transforms a purely functional space into a bright, airy sanctuary. Nobody wants to start their day in a dim, cave-like bathroom, and who needs harsh, artificial light when you can harness the power of the sun? But, of course, bathrooms also require privacy. So how do we strike that perfect balance between maximizing natural light and maintaining our modesty?
Windows are the obvious starting point. If youre renovating, consider enlarging existing windows or adding new ones. Think strategically about placement. A high window above the shower or tub offers excellent privacy while still allowing light to flood in. East-facing windows give you that glorious morning sunshine, while west-facing windows provide a warm glow in the evening. Frosted or textured glass offers privacy without sacrificing brightness, while strategically placed plants can add an extra layer of screening and a touch of natural beauty.
Skylights are another fantastic option, especially for bathrooms tucked away in the center of the house with limited wall space for windows. Theyre a great way to introduce natural light directly from above, creating a wonderfully open and airy feel. Ventilating skylights offer the added benefit of improved air circulation, helping to combat moisture and mildew – a common bathroom woe. Just be sure to consider the roofs structure and potential heat gain during summer months.
Beyond windows and skylights, think about how you can enhance the natural light you already have. Light-colored paint and tiles reflect light, making the space feel brighter and larger. Mirrors, especially large ones, can dramatically amplify the effect of natural light. And dont underestimate the power of decluttering! A clean, organized space naturally feels brighter and more inviting.
Ultimately, optimizing natural light in a bathroom renovation is about thoughtful design and finding the right balance between light and privacy. By carefully considering window placement, exploring the potential of skylights, and incorporating light-enhancing design elements, you can create a bathroom that is not only functional and beautiful but also a welcoming and revitalizing space to start and end your day.
Bathroom lighting and ventilation arent just about comfort; theyre crucial for safety and hygiene, and thats why building codes and regulations exist. These codes, which vary slightly by location but follow similar principles, aim to ensure adequate lighting for tasks like shaving and applying makeup, while also controlling moisture to prevent mold, mildew, and structural damage.
Lighting requirements typically specify a minimum amount of illumination, often measured in lumens or foot-candles, focused on key areas like the vanity mirror. This ensures clear visibility and reduces the risk of accidents. Regulations might also dictate the types of fixtures allowed, especially near water sources, prioritizing safety and preventing electrical hazards. Youll often see requirements for GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets near sinks and showers to protect against shocks.
Ventilation is equally important. Bathrooms generate a lot of humidity from showers and baths, and without proper ventilation, this moisture can lead to serious problems. Building codes usually mandate either mechanical ventilation, like an exhaust fan vented to the outside, or a window that can be opened. The regulations specify the minimum airflow required, often measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM), to effectively remove moist air and prevent the growth of mold and mildew. They might also specify the fans noise level to minimize disturbance.
While these codes might seem like a lot of technical details, they ultimately serve a vital purpose. They protect homeowners from potential hazards, ensure the longevity of the building, and create a healthier, more comfortable bathroom environment. When planning a bathroom renovation or new construction, its crucial to consult local building codes to ensure compliance and avoid costly rework down the line. Thinking about these regulations not as restrictions but as safeguards can help you appreciate their importance in creating a safe and functional space.
The concept of home improvement, home renovation or remodeling is the process of renovating, making improvements or making additions to one's home.[1] Home improvement can consist of projects that upgrade an existing home interior (such as electrical and plumbing), exterior (masonry, concrete, siding, roofing) or other improvements to the property (i.e. garden work or garage maintenance/additions). Home improvement projects can be carried out for a number of different reasons; personal preference and comfort, maintenance or repair work, making a home bigger by adding rooms/spaces, as a means of saving energy, or to improve safety.[2]
While "home improvement" often refers to building projects that alter the structure of an existing home, it can also include improvements to lawns, gardens, and outdoor structures, such as gazebos and garages. It also encompasses maintenance, repair, and general servicing tasks. Home improvement projects generally have one or more of the following goals:[citation needed]
Maintenance projects can include:
Additional living space may be added by:
Homeowners may reduce utility costs with:
The need to be safer or for better privacy or emergency management can be fulfilled with diversified measures which can be improved, maintained or added. Secret compartments and passages can also be conceived for privacy and security.
Home or residential renovation is an almost $300 billion industry in the United States,[5] and a $48 billion industry in Canada.[6][full citation needed] The average cost per project is $3,000 in the United States and $11,000–15,000 in Canada.
Professional home improvement is ancient and goes back to the beginning of recorded civilization. One example is Sergius Orata, who in the 1st century B.C. is said by the writer Vitruvius (in his famous book De architectura) to have invented the hypocaust. The hypocaust is an underfloor heating system that was used throughout the Roman Empire in villas of the wealthy. He is said to have become wealthy himself by buying villas at a low price, adding spas and his newly invented hypocaust, and reselling them at higher prices.[7]
Perhaps the most important or visible professionals in the renovation industry are renovation contractors or skilled trades. These are the builders that have specialized credentials, licensing and experience to perform renovation services in specific municipalities.
While there is a fairly large "grey market" of unlicensed companies, there are those that have membership in a reputable association and/or are accredited by a professional organization. Homeowners are recommended to perform checks such as verifying license and insurance and checking business references prior to hiring a contractor to work on their house.
Because interior renovation will touch the change of the internal structure of the house, ceiling construction, circuit configuration and partition walls, etc., such work related to the structure of the house, of course, also includes renovation of wallpaper posting, furniture settings, lighting, etc.
Aggregators are companies that bundle home improvement service offers and act as intermediary agency between service providers and customers.
Home improvement was popularized on television in 1979 with the premiere of This Old House starring Bob Vila on PBS. American cable channel HGTV features many do-it-yourself shows, as does sister channel DIY Network.[8] Danny Lipford hosts and produces the nationally syndicated Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford. Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete co-host the nationally syndicated The Money Pit Home Improvement Radio Show.
Movies that poked fun at the difficulties involved include: Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948), starring Cary Grant and Myrna Loy; George Washington Slept Here (1942), featuring Jack Benny and Ann Sheridan; and The Money Pit (1986), with Tom Hanks and Shelley Long. The sitcom Home Improvement used the home improvement theme for comedic purposes.
A contractor[1][2] (North American English) or builder (British English),[3][4] is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction site, management of vendors and trades, and the communication of information to all involved parties throughout the course of a building project.[5]
In the United States, a contractor may be a sole proprietor managing a project and performing labor or carpentry work, have a small staff, or may be a very large company managing billion dollar projects. Some builders build new homes, some are remodelers, some are developers.[6]
A general contractor is a construction manager employed by a client, usually upon the advice of the project's architect or engineer.[7] General Contractors are mainly responsible for the overall coordination of a project and may also act as building designer and construction foreman (a tradesman in charge of a crew).
A general contractor must first assess the project-specific documents (referred to as a bid, proposal, or tender documents). In the case of renovations, a site visit is required to get a better understanding of the project. Depending on the project delivery method, the general contractor will submit a fixed price proposal or bid, cost-plus price or an estimate. The general contractor considers the cost of home office overhead, general conditions, materials, and equipment, as well as the cost of labor, to provide the owner with a price for the project.
Contract documents may include drawings, project manuals (including general, supplementary, or special conditions and specifications), and addendum or modifications issued prior to proposal/bidding and prepared by a design professional, such as an architect.The general contractor may also assume the role of construction manager, responsible for overseeing the project while assuming financial and legal risks.There are several types of risks can occur include cost overruns, delays, and liabilities related to safety or contract breaches.
Prior to formal appointment, the selected general contractor to whom a client proposes to award a contract is often referred to as a "preferred contractor".[8]
A general contractor is responsible for providing all of the material, labor, equipment (such as heavy equipment and tools) and services necessary for the construction of the project. A general contractor often hires specialized subcontractors to perform all or portions of the construction work. When using subcontractors, the general contractor is responsible for overseeing the quality of all work performed by any and all of the workers and subcontractors.
It is a best practice for general contractors to prioritize safety on the job site, and they are generally responsible for ensuring that work takes place following safe practices.
A general contractor's responsibilities may include applying for building permits, advising the person they are hired by, securing the property, providing temporary utilities on site, managing personnel on site, providing site surveying and engineering, disposing or recycling of construction waste, monitoring schedules and cash flows, and maintaining accurate records.[9]
The general contractor may be responsible for some part of the design, referred to as the "contractor's design portion" (JCT terminology).[10]
In the United Kingdom, Australia and some British Commonwealth countries, the term 'general contractor' was gradually superseded by builders during the early twentieth century.[citation needed] This was the term used by major professional, trade, and consumer organizations when issuing contracts for construction work, and thus the term 'general contractor' fell out of use except in large organizations where the main contractor is the top manager and a general contractor shares responsibilities with professional contractors.
General contractors who conduct work for government agencies are often referred to as "builders". This term is also used in contexts where the customer's immediate general contractor is permitted to sub-contract or circumstances are likely to involve sub-contracting to specialist operators e.g. in various public services.
In the United States and Asia, the terms general contractor (or simply "contractor"), prime contractor and main contractor are often interchangeable when referring to small local companies that perform residential work. These companies are represented by trade organizations such as the NAHB.[11]
Licensing requirements to work legally on construction projects vary from locale to locale. In the United States, there are no federal licensing requirements to become a general contractor, but most US states require general contractors to obtain a local license to operate. It is the states' responsibility to define these requirements: for example, in the state of California, the requirements are stated as follows:
With a few exceptions, all businesses or individuals who work on any building, highway, road, parking facility, railroad, excavation, or other structure in California must be licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) if the total cost of one or more contracts on the project is $500 or more.
In every state that requires a license, a surety bond is required as part of the licensing process, with the exception of Louisiana, where bonding requirements may vary in different parishes. Not all states require General Contractor licenses - these include Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, among others.
Some general contractors obtain bachelor's degrees in construction science, building science, surveying, construction safety, or other disciplines.
General Contractors often learn about different aspects of construction, including masonry, carpentry, framing, and plumbing. Aspiring general contractors communicate with subcontractors and may learn the management skills they need to run their own company.
Experience in the construction industry as well as references from customers, business partners, or former employers are demanded. Some jurisdictions require candidates to provide proof of financing to own their own general contracting firm.
General Contractors often run their own business. They hire subcontractors to complete specialized construction work and may manage a team of plumbers, electricians, bricklayers, carpenters, iron workers, technicians, handymans, architects and roofers. General Contractors build their business by networking with potential clients, buying basic construction tools, and ensuring that their subcontractors complete high-quality work. General Contractors do not usually complete much construction work themselves, but they need to be familiar with construction techniques so they can manage workers effectively. Other reasons include access to specialist skills, flexible hiring and firing, and lower costs.
A property owner or real estate developer develops a program of their needs and selects a site (often with an architect). The architect assembles a design team of consulting engineers and other experts to design the building and specify the building systems. Today contractors frequently participate on the design team by providing pre-design services such as providing estimations of the budget and scheduling requirements to improve the economy of the project. In other cases, the general contractor is hired at the close of the design phase. The owner, architect, and general contractor work closely together to meet deadlines and budget. The general contractor works with subcontractors to ensure quality standards; subcontractors specialise in areas such as electrical wiring, plumbing, masonry, etc.
Building design, also called architectural design, refers to the broadly based architectural, engineering and technical applications to the design of buildings. All building projects require the services of a building designer, typically a licensed architect. Smaller, less complicated projects often do not require a licensed professional, and the design of such projects is often undertaken by building designers, draftspersons, interior designers (for interior fit-outs or renovations), or contractors. Larger, more complex building projects require the services of many professionals trained in specialist disciplines, usually coordinated by an architect.
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and supervision of the construction of buildings. Professionally, an architect's decisions affect public safety, and thus an architect must undergo specialized training consisting of advanced education and a practicum (or internship) for practical experience to earn a license to practice architecture. In most of the world's jurisdictions, the professional and commercial use of the term "architect" is legally protected.
Building engineering typically includes the services of electrical, mechanical and structural engineers.
A draftsperson or documenter has attained a certificate or diploma in architectural drafting (or equivalent training), and provides services relating to preparing construction documents rather than building design. Some draftspersons are employed by architectural design firms and building contractors, while others are self-employed.[1]
In many places, building codes and legislation of professions allow persons to design single family residential buildings and, in some cases, light commercial buildings without an architectural license. As such, "Building designer" is a common designation in the United States, Canada, Australia and elsewhere for someone who offers building design services but is not a licensed architect or engineer.
Anyone may use the title of "building designer" in the broadest sense. In many places, a building designer may achieve certification demonstrating a higher level of training. In the U.S., the National Council of Building Designer Certification (NCBDC),[2] an offshoot of the American Institute of Building Design,[3] administers a program leading to the title of Certified Professional Building Designer (CPBD). Usually, building designers are trained as architectural technologists or draftspersons; they may also be architecture school graduates that have not completed licensing requirements.[4]
Many building designers are known as "residential" or "home designers", since they focus mainly on residential design and remodeling.[5] In the U.S. state of Nevada, "Residential Designer" is a regulated term for those who are registered as such under Nevada State Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Residential Design, and one may not legally represent oneself in a professional capacity without being currently registered.
In Australia where use of the term architect and some derivatives is highly restricted but the architectural design of buildings has very few restrictions in place, the term building designer is used extensively by people or design practices who are not registered by the relevant State Board of Architects. In Queensland the term building design is used in legislation which licenses practitioners as part of a broader building industry licensing system. In Victoria there is a registration process for building designers and in other States there is currently no regulation of the profession. A Building Designers Association operates in each state to represent the interests of building designers.
Building surveyors are technically minded general practitioners in the United Kingdom, Australia and elsewhere, trained much like architectural technologists. In the UK, the knowledge and expertise of the building surveyor is applied to various tasks in the property and construction markets, including building design for smaller residential and light commercial projects. This aspect of the practice is similar to other European occupations, most notably the geometra in Italy, but also the géomètre in France, Belgium and Switzerland. the building surveyors are also capable on establishment of bills of quantities for the new works and renovation or maintenance or rehabilitation works.[6]
The profession of Building Surveyor does not exist in the US. The title Surveyor refers almost exclusively to Land surveyors. Architects, Building Designers, Residential Designers, Construction Managers, and Home Inspectors perform some or all of the work of the U.K. Building Surveyor.
I truly cannot say enough good things about Tamari and TNT Design and Build. We had a pipe leak in our kitchen that caused extensive damage. We ended up needing to do an entire kitchen renovation on a tight timeline. Because it was unexpected we weren’t prepared with many ideas. Luckily, with guidance from Tamari’s team and his extensive showroom we were able to choose quality products that we were really happy with. TNT does top quality work everywhere—from replacing pipes, putting up new drywall, flooring, custom cabinet installation, countertop installation, custom tiling, painting and more. The team is professional and punctual. The small hiccups we encountered along the way were dealt with quickly—the team is very solution oriented. The work exceeded our expectations and was completed ahead of our agreed upon timeline! We highly recommend TNT Design and Build and will definitely use them for any future house projects
I have worked with TNT Design & Build on over 15 remodels and flips of my personal properties, and I can confidently say that they are the best in the business. From start to finish, every project has been handled with professionalism, expertise, and attention to detail. Tamari, the owner, is truly outstanding. His leadership, vision, and commitment to excellence ensure that every project is completed on time and with impeccable quality. He takes the time to understand my goals and always goes above and beyond to bring them to life. His team of workers is just as impressive—skilled, hardworking, and dedicated to delivering top-notch craftsmanship. What sets TNT Design & Build apart is their reliability and consistency. No matter the size or complexity of the project, they have always delivered results that exceed my expectations. Their work is not only high-quality but also beautifully designed and built to last. If you’re looking for a trustworthy, efficient, and talented team for your next remodel or construction project, I highly recommend TNT Design & Build. They have been my go-to company for years, and I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my projects!
We have used TNT for multiple projects from building an addition to full house flooring and complete kitchen and bathroom remodel. Mor and her team continue to amaze me! The work is impeccable and the customer service is top notch. Highly recommended!
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