Choosing the right plumbing fixtures makes your bathroom and kitchen more appealing. If you are looking forward to renovating your old, rusty fittings or renovating your entire bathroom, taps, showers, sinks, and toilets are features that cannot be overlooked as they are functional and cosmetic.

There are several factors you need to consider when choosing the appropriate fixtures for your bathroom remodel. They include style, cost, functionality, compatibility, material, among other things. Learning to choose the correct plumbing fixtures and finding their match can be overwhelming. What you have to do is to take your time to study all the plumbing fixtures you need and find out which suits your bathroom the best.

Things to consider when choosing plumbing fixtures

Aesthetics
Choose the style, materials, and colors that perfectly match your home and stick to them. You can either choose traditional or modern.

Modern homes are well-fitted to smooth curves or certain angles comprising of attractive, metallic finishes. If you are looking to make your home luxurious and elegant, make use of sleek stainless steel taps as they are well-fitted for every apartment. On the other hand, copper or ornate bronze fixtures are perfectly fitted for traditional homesteads may be more appealing when compared to stylish taps.

Practicality
You need first to define the kind of lifestyle you have as it will help you to choose the fixtures that perfectly matches your lifestyle. If you have young kids, go for faucets that can be turned easily and reached with ease. A single tap is much far better when compared to tradition separate hot and cold taps.

In the case of showers, there are family members who are lovers of power massaging jet, whereas others may opt for gentle rain. In this situation, dual fixtures can provide a solution that makes everyone happy.

Keep in mind that the efficiency of the fixtures keeps on changing, including that of faucets and shower-heads. It’s essential to monitor the temperature and pressure rating because every fixture or material works best at a particular temperature and pressure.

Cost
Price is one of the key factors when it comes to choosing the right plumbing fixtures. There are all sorts of fixtures, and their prices are determined by style, warranty, material, brand, among others. First, draft your budget to determine the amount you are willing to spend and then shop around to find the price that is close to your budget.

If you have a limited budget, you don’t have to worry because you can still find quality fixtures and materials within your budget. Materials are available at different prices, but there is a need to avoid the cheapest ones because they tend to have a short lifespan, and it is not easy to find replacements. Spending your money on high quality materials can be of much benefit in the long run.

Compatibility
To rearrange the structure of plumbing fixtures can be very costly and tedious when compared to interchanging taps of the same size as well as material. Choosing fixtures that are well-suited with your existing plumbing system will make your life much more comfortable.

If you are looking forward to a quick refresher, pipe fittings are the plumbing elements that are used in the connection of various pipes, components, and any other related fixture. Pipe fittings also allow the flow of water among tubes of varying sizes and shapes and can also split the flow so that you can realize the bathroom renovation you have been aiming for.

Once you have chosen the fixtures you are to buy, it’s essential to hire a reputable, highly qualified plumber to do the installation part. Otherwise, you can have your bathroom renovation specialist organise all required tradespeople to complete the renovation.

Aussies love for cooking, open-plan homes and entertainment have paved the way to new modern kitchen designs which are aesthetically pleasing and can accommodate our changing needs and lifestyle. With these innovative kitchen designs, the focus is more on functional kitchen space that encourages conversation and caters to the needs of the guests.

So when you’re planning to renovate your kitchen, it’s always good to check out the latest kitchen renovation ideas since it will be your foundation in transforming your old kitchen into a contemporary cooking space that you will love and treasure for years to come.

In fact, 60 per cent of homeowners in Australia who renovated their kitchen this year have used modern kitchen designs and followed some trending styles which we will reveal in this article.

Trending styles of modern kitchen design
The contemporary kitchen design must have clean lines, several functional storage spaces, and appliances that are seamlessly integrated into the design. Most importantly, it must show your personality through the colours and other finishing elements you will use in your kitchen. So, your modern kitchen must use colour palettes that are neutral base like black and white or time and partnered with colourful accents and highlights to make a point of difference. Therefore, the emphasis should be on the darker side like brown, gold or copper fixtures.

Lighting should also be considered like incorporating a LED strip around your cabinets, which can add remarkable effect on your fixtures – adding warmth and cheerful ambience to your kitchen. Other things to consider are the shelves and storage on your kitchen.

It’s ideal to mix wall cabinets and open shelving to ensure that your contemporary kitchen is functional. You can also use mix benchtop surfaces with different widths, like a thick solid stone for your island bench and thinner benchtop for your main kitchen surface.
Our top 5 kitchen renovation ideas to consider this year
Modern country kitchen
This type of kitchen will have dark timber floors, kitchen cabinets, and a green-hued grey wall that adds a soft country ambience since it is surrounded with blonde timber works. It is also partnered with a light accent colour, which serves as the source of its texture and open shelving for practical uses.

Modern Hamptons kitchen
Luxurious, airy, and bright but is balanced beautifully with upholstered seating and raw timber floorboards that adds texture and depth. This kitchen design is ideal for those who want a classic beach-side glamour kitchen.
 
All-white modern kitchen
This contemporary, chic and sleek kitchen is neutral and incredibly practical since it can be integrated with a variety of appliances and storage options.

Kitchen with statement splashback
If you’re someone who loves a colourful and well-lit kitchen, then this is an ideal design for you since it’s adorned with waterproof tiles or vinyl wallpaper to make a statement. This type of kitchen looks robust and easy to maintain.
 
Small, chic and contemporary kitchen
A contemporary and luxurious kitchen design and it doesn’t need a big space. This small kitchen has textured pendant light with timber benchtops and exposed beams with chrome and sleek white cabinets.

Also, if you’re planning to renovate your kitchen this year, we recommend that you look for a reputable contractor like TED Bathrooms since they have a team of qualified and experienced designers and renovation experts who help you realise your dream kitchen using your design and vision.

It takes a number of experts to complete a bathroom upgrade in Doncaster. Some include a plumber, carpenter, and cabinet maker. Find out exactly what tradies you need and what you need them for in the article below. 

1. The plumber is responsible for the water management system. Pipes and taps must be installed and connected to the main water supply. The water drainage system is also installed by the plumber, to get rid of the wastewater. Most of the work of a plumber is done inside the walls, ceilings, and floors.
2. The electrician is a certified professional who is responsible for the electricity network in the bathroom. Lights, heaters, and extractors have to be connected safely to the main electricity network. Wires have to be changed and reconnected according to the new layout of your bathroom.
3. The glazier takes care of all the glass materials inside the bathroom. Glass has to be cut into the exact measurements for the correct installment. For your own safety, all glass should be installed by a professional.
4. The carpenter is responsible for all the woodwork. He makes sure all the structures and fixtures are correctly installed. Structures and fixtures will often be customized to fit exactly. Furthermore, all the structures and fixtures have to be waterproof. He will make sure all the materials used inside the bathroom can resist any form of water damage.
5. The cabinet maker has to make the cabinets custom-made to fit perfectly into your bathroom. Every bathroom has different measurements and forms. He is responsible to fit the cabinet as efficient as possible into the bathroom. It is important to have enough storage options in the bathroom while keeping it spacious inside.
6. The tiler will place all the tiles smooth and tight into your bathroom. Whether it is on the floor or wall, tiles have to be installed properly to make it waterproof inside. The improper installment of tiles in the bathroom will result in leakages.
7. The painter will use a special kind of waterproof paint to resist bladder and mold. He knows exactly how to treat the walls and ceiling for an optimal result.

Are there jobs you can do by yourself?

• Painting can be done by yourself. Unfortunately, it will often end in a mediocre result. Many people regret they have done the painting job by themselves. On top of the bad looks, the risk of bladder and mold is much higher when the painting job is not done by a professional. It requires more knowledge and skill for an outstanding result than most people realize.
• If you are really handy you might consider doing the tiling, cabinet making, and carpentering by yourself. But for most people, we don't recommend this. A lot of knowledge and skills are needed for a beautiful and functional result.
• Plumbing and glazing should be done by a professional. Plumbing is a difficult job. Most of the work is done inside the floor, walls, and ceiling. This is the only way to install everything properly. If not done well water damage will cost you more money in the long run. Glazing has to be done with precision and specialized tools. Don't risk improper installment and damage to the expensive glass you just bought. Give it to the pro to be safe.
• The electricity network should always be done by a professional electrician unless you are a certified electrician yourself. You risk electrocution (especially in combination with water), fire and short-circuiting.

We totally understand you don't want to manage 7 different individual professionals. They are not cooperating as a team, and all their separate bills will add up. Moreover, you don't know how professional and reliable all these different professionals are.

Doing a bathroom remodel by yourself will result in other types of problems. You will have to invest much of your time, especially if you don't have the experience and skills necessary. Let alone the risk of a mediocre end result. TED Bathrooms is specialised in any type of bathroom renovation, and we have all the knowledge and skills needed for an amazing result. This will all be possible for an affordable price. When you choose us for the remodel of your bathroom, we will guarantee you will be delighted with your new bathroom. We will take away all your worries from start to finish. Contact us and our team will be ready to help you!

Are you planning to renovate your bathroom? If so, it is important to know if you’re going for a walk-in shower, regular shower, or the type that is fitted over a bathtub. There are several benefits of having a walk-in shower and we’re going to tackle some of them in this article, so you can finally decide whether it’s the most ideal option for your situation.

There are some potential benefits of walk-in showers and these will include the following:

• Walk-in showers look aesthetically fabulous

Having a walk-in shower in your bathroom improves the flow within and gives it a sophisticated designer feel. In fact, whenever you see photos of walk-in showers, they look more luxurious, sleek and minimalist, which gives your bathroom a spa-like ambience. This will definitely increase the value of your home.

• Easier to clean and maintain

A well-built walk-in shower is much easier and quicker to clean than a standard bathtub or cubicle shower. The reason for this is that the shower floor can quickly be mopped along with the rest of the bathroom floor. It’s also easy to clean the toughened glass shower screen since it only needs a quick spray to keep it looking sleek and gleaming.

Another thing to consider in a walk-in shower is that there are far fewer corners and edges, which means fewer areas to collect debris and grow mould.

• It is sturdy

If you’re adding a walk-in shower in your bathroom, you’ll need to use ceramic tiles, natural stone, or porcelain, so they both look beautiful and modern but also very durable and long-lasting. The shower will also consist of tiles from ceiling to floor along with a glass screen, so there isn’t much to break or repair.

In fact, in most cases, you just need to replace the door seals and hinges, but that will take several years before you replace them.

• Space-saver

Regardless of the size of your bathroom, you can easily fit a walk-in shower into the most awkward of spaces. If you hire a reliable bathroom renovation specialist, they can even design a custom and well-fitted walk-in shower to save a lot of space. On the contrary, if you have a big bathroom, you can make your walk-in shower the highlight of your bathroom.

So, whatever the size of your space is, you can make it look more spacious by adding a walk-in shower since you don’t need a shower curtain or cubicle which are common objects that obstruct the eye. The glass shower screen can also make space look more prominent since it can let the light bounce around the bathroom.

What you need to consider when adding a walk-in shower
To ensure a long-lasting walk-in shower, it is essential that proper waterproofing is implemented on both the walls and floors of the shower. You’ll need to ensure that it is fully waterproof, so you won’t have any problems in the long run, except for replacing a washer in one of the taps once it becomes defective through wear and tear.

If you’re looking for a qualified and highly skilled team of Bathroom renovation specialists in Doncaster or Eltham, you can contact TED Bathroom, we can help you design and construct your new walk-in shower.  

Bathrooms can take a lot of abuse over the years. Constant moisture damage and general usage will eventually turn a shiny new bathroom into a ratty old one. Sooner or later you will start to think about giving that old bathroom a makeover to turn it new again.

There are lots of things that can go wrong with a bathroom renovation though. A remodel can run off the rails due to shoddy work, sub-standard materials, or poor choices. So here are five tips on how to stop that bathroom makeover from ending up as a disaster.

1. Avoid spending too little or too much on the renovation.
When considering how much work you want to be done you need to think about how much usage the bathroom will get. If it only gets light usage then you probably won't want to spend a fortune on it. If it's a shared bathroom for a large family then it will get much more use, so make sure you budget to do a job that will stand up to the extra usage.

If your house has a certain level of value then you may also need to match that level when renovating. Otherwise, the bathroom may end up devaluing the property as a whole due to the mismatch in luxury standards.

2. Avoid over-renovating.
If your bathroom is a mess then it can be tempting to think of just ripping everything out and starting fresh with a complete remodel. Often this is a mistake though. Costs can quickly spiral out of control and simple jobs can turn out to be a nightmare due to the complexity of plumbing and waterproofing.

It's often a better option to take a closer look at what's wrong and see if what you are dealing with are fundamental issues or just cosmetic ones. Fittings can be replaced and sections of broken tiles may be able to be renovated without replacing an entire wall of them. Cracked shower glass, rubber seals, and plastic runners can usually be replaced without renovating the entire shower area. Flooring can generally be resurfaced too, but it can be expensive due to the surface area involved and issues with waterproofing.

Before you go overboard with your bathroom remodel in Eltham, first make a list of the things that definitely need serious remodeling and then another list of the things that just need some cosmetic repair work done.

3. Avoid using sub-standard trade contractors.
When doing a bathroom renovation you won't want to spend any more than your budget allows, so make sure that you get multiple quotes. You should also research the reputation of the people giving those quotes. A cheap quote from a dodgy contractor may end up costing you more in the long-term due to sub-standard work. It doesn't do you much good if you save money in the short-term and then find yourself in the position of needing to get much of the work re-done in a few year's time. Make sure that anyone you hire is properly licensed, fully insured, and has extensive experience with bathroom renovation work.

4. Avoid focusing on trendiness and style instead of practicality.
Trends in bathroom designs tend to come and go, with many styles only lasting a short time. Sometimes this is due to shifts in design fashion and sometimes it is due to the impracticality of the design. There are many design components in a bathroom that look good but which may not stand up to the needs of the real-world.

Bathrooms are practical places with a need for practical approaches to their design. For example, things such as free-standing bathtubs may look good but can be a nightmare to clean around. Shallow washbasins may be stylish but tend to result in a mess of water on the floor. Your bathroom needs to be more than just a showpiece.

5 Avoid doing renovation work that is beyond your skills.
If you are handy and knowledgeable with the tools and work required for a bathroom renovation then you can save yourself a lot of money by doing some of the bathroom makeover work yourself. Be cautious of doing work for which you are not qualified or experienced though. Plumbing and electrical work are legally required to be done by licensed professionals, and some carpentry work may need specialized knowledge to deal with waterproofing issues.

There are many ways that a bathroom renovation can go wrong if the work is not done to a professional standard. So take careful inventory of the jobs you are sure that you can do yourself and leave the rest to licensed professionals.

Your bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your house. It's where you go to wash off the day's grime and freshen yourself up. You need it to be in tip-top shape. So make sure your bathroom renovation project stays on track and that bathroom will end up giving you decades more service as a result.

The kitchen is a highly functional room and the heart of your home. Renovating the kitchen not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but it also makes it more functional and adds instant value to your property. When it comes to renovation costs, you will realize that the price varies from one kitchen renovation project to the other. This includes basic range, mid-range and high-end projects. Whatever the size of your project, the overall cost of your renovation will depend on a number of factors including:

• Why You Might Be Looking For a Kitchen Upgrade

Your reasons for renovating the kitchen affects the cost of the project. Are you being renovated to enhance its functionality, to increase space therein, to boost its aesthetic appeal or you want to sell your property? Defining your reasons will help you to work on a good budget that covers the cost of a contractor, the renovation materials and much more.

• Kitchen Layout

Your kitchen layout also can affect the total cost of your kitchen upgrade. With different options available including flat packs, custom kitchens, and classic work triangle among other exciting plans, you need to choose the best. Consider your priorities when remodelling the kitchen. You will want a design and a layout that allows for the proper arrangement of your kitchen appliances, and enough working space. Each plan is available at a different cost. Therefore, consult with a contractor and set aside a good budget for the same.

• Space Planning

Space planning also determines the cost of a renovation project. You will have different features/ type of appliances in your kitchen. They affect the cost depending on the size and type of appliances. For instance, you will need enough space for front appliances including oven, dishwasher, and a microwave among others.

You will also have to plan for benchtops and kitchen counters among others. Ensuring your kitchen has enough cooking space can be relatively expensive. A kitchen with a smaller space is cheaper to renovate.

What’s more, you need to consider the walkways for an excellent project. As you remodel, think of your floor or tile types. There should be enough space between counters and the cooking or preparation area or the island. This will ensure easy and safe movements without interrupting anyone. Having walkaways in your renovation project can be costly.

You also need to determine whether you will need any extensions. While extensions add instant value to your home and make the kitchen space more inviting, you will need a professional contractor for major considerations, proper planning and the right approach for a successful kitchen upgrade.

Conclusion
Knowing how much a kitchen renovation cost narrow down to your priorities. A good breakdown will include labor charges, fixtures, cabinets, windows, appliances and the size of the project. You also need to include miscellaneous. Therefore, have a list of your priorities and know how important each is. Most importantly, have a good budget that will ensure you enhance the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen, its function and overall value to your property where a basic remodel will cost $10,000 to $ 15,000, mid-range kitchen remodel will cost $15,000 to $30,000 and a high-end kitchen upgrade will cost $30,000 and above. It may be worth also investigating a Bathroom renovation in Doncaster to have a consistent theme throughout your home.