A newly renovated bathroom adds value and functionality to your home. In fact, it gives your bathroom a new look and feel and transforms it to better suit your needs. So, when renovating, you must plan ahead and install improvements that will serve you and your family.

If you are planning to renovate your bathroom, consider one or several of these essential upgrades that will improve your storage functionality and comfort.

• Low-flow or hidden-tank toilet

Many toilets with hidden tanks have water storage vessel mounted inside the wall, and this feature has several benefits. In fact, this is great for small bathrooms since the design can save more space. Also, their modern and contemporary style will give your bathroom a new look and feel. However, maintaining these toilets can be a bit of a challenge because there's no easy access to the tank, especially if there are issues with its internal parts.

You should also consider installing a low-flow toilet since these models save water every time you flush. These toilets will increase the value of your home and will significantly lower your water bill.

• Textured Tiles on the Shower Floor

There are lots of tiles, flooring, and wall choices during your planning phase, but it is important to prioritise safety. This means choosing textured tiles on the shower floor. The extra grout and texture will keep your feet from slipping, especially when the floor gets wet and soapy.

Textured tiles are also easy to clean, and their grout usually resists humidity, mould, and stains. You can even mix and match different colours and patterns for maximum visual impact.

• Installing a 2-inch drain pipe

You may think that this is just an invisible and small improvement, but it will have a big impact on the functionality of your bathroom. Usually, a bathroom will have a drain plumbing of about 1.5 inches in diameter, and this type of drain pipe will usually clog especially if you have a big family. Just think of the number of family members using the same bath and shower.

Therefore, installing a 2-inch drain pipe will cost roughly the same, but it will significantly improve the quality of drainage in your bathroom.

• Do not forget to include a window in the shower

Humidity and heat can lead to mould and mildew, so it is a good idea to have a good bathroom fan since this will provide natural ventilation. You should also consider adding a window in your shower to help draw out humidity and let natural light into the bathroom. Plus, you won't need to waste a lot of energy by turning on the bathroom light, especially during the day. However, it is important to slope a shower windowsill downward because it needs to drain water out. Lastly, try using frosted glass for privacy.

Overall, installing minor improvements to your bathroom during your remodelling project will transform it into a more modern and contemporary space that you will love for years to come. You can even do your own painting to save money. Learn more about that via the link.

One of the best ways to upgrade your bathroom is to put in a brand-new sink. In fact, you can even install the sink yourself and choose the one that suits your family and lifestyle. Although if you are planning to change the look and feel of your vanity, especially with a new marble or granite top, you may want to hire a pro to install it for you.

There are so many options available on the market, and you do not want to get the wrong sink for your bathroom. Here are some of our recommendations:

• Check your available space

Before buying that marvellous sink, you will need first to check the available space in your bathroom. Putting a sink in will require space, and that is usually limited to the space available in your benchtop. Therefore, you need to take some measurements and ensure that it is the right-sized sink that fits your bathroom.

• Know your needs

Aside from space, you also need to know if your new sink can provide for your functional needs. So, if you need more counter or storage space, you should get an under-mount sink or bowl sink combo. However, if you do not have these issues, you can then choose the sink based on its style.

• Consider your personal style

Bathrooms are considered the smallest room in your home, but we use them every single day. Therefore, it is always great to express your personal style, especially when choosing your bathroom sink. Do you want a ceramic pedestal type or the modern bowl type? It is all up to your taste and preferences. Establishing your personal style can help you narrow down your option and choose the best sink for your bathroom.

• Choose your mounting

Depending on the type of sink you have, it will directly affect its mounting. For example, if you bought a pedestal sink, then you will obviously need to mount it on a pedestal. So, it is essential to determine the overall look of the sink assembly. But it is all up to you, whether you like the floating sink as a space saver, or a pedestal sink because it is traditional and graceful.

When to consult a pro?
Consulting a bathroom upgrade specialist can still be beneficial since they can provide you with advice, especially regarding the best sink for your bathroom. Some Bathroom renovation professionals will offer free design consultation and cost estimates for installing and buying bathroom sinks or a complete bathroom renovation in Kew if that is what you want to achieve.

Overall, knowing the best sink for your bathroom is important especially if you want to have a stylish and modern bathroom.

There is nothing more satisfying than upgrading the living space in your home, and your bathroom is a great place to start. With just a few changes to your bathroom vanity, you can turn that living space into something fabulous. So, what’s the best way to update a bathroom vanity?
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Here are our tips on how to properly update your bathroom vanity.

Easy update: installing new hardware on your bathroom vanity – perhaps this is the easiest thing to do since you only need to swap outdated knobs and handles for something new and stylish. You just need a couple of screwdrivers, and you can have this quick project done in just one afternoon or less. In fact, there are so many types of knobs out there, so you can just choose which one is best for you.

Give your vanity a fresh coat of paint – another simple way to update your vanity is to give it a new coat of paint, and give those cabinets a new look and feel. In fact, painting a cabinet can be a slightly complicated task, but it can be done with a little research. Most importantly, it’s a good way to give your bathroom new ambiance.

Installing new faucets - another update you can make is to switch out your plumbing fixtures. However, if you do not have plumbing experience it is essential to hire a plumber who can adequately swap those fixtures for you. Some of the things you can swap are faucets which can be daunting if you do not have any experience in removing and replacing them.

Installing a new countertop – after you have taken care of your vanity’s hardware and fixture, you may also want to replace your tired and dated countertops. Replacing the countertop requires more extensive work as you will need to remove the sink and plumbing fixtures. It is also important to repaint any damage done to the walls during the process, but it is all worth it since a new countertop will provide your vanity a new look and feel.

There are great options out there like quarts, granite, and even concrete. It’s also possible to choose copper sheeting or a leather product. If you are on a super tight budget, you might want to consider some simple stick paper that can mimic marble or other expensive finishes.

Overall, there are several ways to update your bathroom vanity, but we recommend that you get in touch with a reliable contractor with a good track record. In fact, these contractors will have a team of highly skilled and qualified plumbers, painters, and renovation specialists that can help you with your project.
Click here to learn about upgrading your flooring. 

If you are planning to remodel your bathroom, it may be beneficial to add a few fantastic features that will elevate your personal space into something special. You can upgrade several things in your bathroom, and we will discuss them in this article.
In fact, these are some of the popular upgrades that will require a small investment, but the reward is massive.

Floating vanities
A floating vanity will mostly consist of a solid plank of wood with a vessel sink, outfitted with drawers for storage. It will make your bathroom feel airy by having an open space between the floor and the vanity.

Frameless glass
Frameless glass will provide a luxurious look to any bathroom, but the main reason for installing it may not be all about looks. Frameless glass will make your bathroom safer since the shower does not have a ledge or lip to step over to when you enter it, so it is not prone to accidents.

Soothing sounds
You can also install a state-of-the-art sound system or a portable smart speaker on the shelf. We all know that music has a great impact on our moods, so listening to our favourite soft music in our bathroom will surely be an amazing experience.

Entertainment centres
If you want to keep up with the news while you spend your morning in the bathroom, you can install a low-voltage, water-resistant TV that is designed for areas near water. In fact, it will also have a water-resistant remote control. However, you need to keep your bathroom humidity levels in check and have proper ventilation.

Steam showers
Another good upgrade for your bathroom is to install a steam shower. However, you will need to make your shower steam-ready, which will require you to equip it with a door that seals tightly on all sides. Most importantly, you will need to include a steam generator outside the shower since this heats water from your water system using a heating element.

An assortment of open and closed storage
You can take your bathroom to the next level by adding various types of storage. We all know that bathrooms can easily get overloaded with grooming and cosmetics products. So, having a mix open and closed storage can make your bathroom neater and more functional.

Chandeliers
Lastly, if you want to add a bit of glamour to your bathroom, then hang a pretty and stylish chandelier over the bathtub. For sure, you will enjoy it while you lounge, or just put it near a window to bound the light around the room.

Overall, there are several things you can do to upgrade and remodel your bathroom. Even just a fresh coat of paint can give it a new look and feel. If you are really serious in launching a remodelling project, it is essential that you get in touch with a bathroom renovation specialist since they can give you some advice and even help you achieve the design you envision for your bathroom.

If you plan to renovate or upgrade your bathroom, you need to understand and prepare a couple of things first. These include the following:

• Know the local building regulations in your city
• Find or create an accurate floor plan of your bathroom
• Determine the materials and fixtures you will use in your project and the required quantities
• Find a supplier or depot that sells the materials and equipment you need

Preparation
The very first thing you will need to prepare before you launch your renovation project is the budget. This means adding the costs of everything you want and need, and then rethinking or redesigning if your dream bathroom does not fit your budget. You will also need to add in the cost of waste disposal for old fixtures and fittings.
You can use social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to get the ideas and inspiration for your bathroom design. These platforms will also allow you to click through other product pages so you can get an estimate of how much your project will cost.

Choosing a bathroom layout
There are a couple of considerations when choosing a bathroom layout. For example, there are specifications for how wide door openings should be, as well as the height of your ceiling. Another recommendation is to leave a 30 inch clearance between the vanity and other items in your bathroom. However, building codes will most likely require a minimum of 21".

The toilet should be far enough from the wall and other amenities in your bathroom since this will make it easier for you to use and keep it clean. We recommend at least 20" away from the wall when measured from the centre of the toilet.

Hiring professionals
Hiring a reliable and experienced contractor is something to consider when remodelling a bathroom. The variety of trades needed for this project is ample, and the jobs complex. In fact, if you do it yourself, you will need to understand and apply knowledge in electricals, tiling, plumbing and painting.

For this reason, it is often more time and cost-effective to hire a local bathroom renovation company since they have the required manpower and equipment, as well as knowledge of the best supplier for each item you need in your project.

We recommend checking your contractor's reviews and establishing a good professional relationship so that you can get an understanding if their work is likely to match your expectations.

Overall, when planning the budget for a remodel, it is crucial that you keep the costs in perspective to the current size of your bathroom, as well as the style of your house. It is easy to get carried away with sophisticated modern décor, but this can blow your costs out significantly.

If you want a new look for your bathroom, you may consider a fresh coat of paint or a new sink and vanity that will transform the room into something stylish and modern. However, many homeowners are afraid to tackle this project on their own, especially if they have not done it before.

Here are some tips you may want to consider if you are planning to upgrade your bathroom vanity.

Prepare the tools
Some of the tools you will need in your project will include the following:

• Bubble level
• Adjustable wrench
• Bucket and towels
• Utility knife
• Impact driver

Materials required
For the materials, you will need to get the following:

• New faucet
• Clear silicone
• Drain assembly
• New sink
• New vanity
• Supply lines
• Teflon plumber’s tape

Planning Your Project
One of the most important things to do before starting your project is to plan everything first. This will include measuring the room and the plumbing system required in the area. This will give you an idea of what type of fixtures you will need to purchase that will fit in that area.

Also, vanities and sinks are not the same, so it is important to make the proper preparation, or you may have some issues installing your vanity in your bathroom. In fact, some vanity and sinks are preinstalled by the manufacturer, so they will often be connected to the cabinet.

Do not forget to disconnect the plumbing
When disconnecting your plumbing, turn off the water supply at the sink or at the main shutoff valve. In addition, it is essential to remove the cold and hot water supply lines, so have a bucket or container at hand to catch the water and a towel to wipe the mess on the floor.

Remove the sink and vanity
Always check the edge of the sink and cut around it with a utility knife so you do not damage the sheetrock paper or the plaster on the wall. Also, remove the bolts and screws by holding the sink or cabinet on the wall.

In removing the vanity and sink, make sure you have a helper to assist you, especially if you are planning to remove the sink first before the countertop. You will then remove the countertop once you pull the vanity cabinet.

Re-decorate and installing a new faucet and drain
At this point in your project, you can fill the holes and paint the walls and lay new flooring or tiles. You may also want to put a new light fixture that will give a new ambience to your bathroom.
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It is easier to install the new faucet while you are re-decorating and connecting the supply lines to the faucet at this point will save you a ton of time and prevent any mistakes down the road. You may also want to install the new drain kit and apply a thin layer of silicone to the drain because this will help any leaking incidents in the long run.

Installing the sink and vanity
This is one of the most important aspects of your project. You will now install the vanity cabinet first, followed by the sink. Do this carefully to avoid damaging your walls.

Overall, upgrading your bathroom vanity will require a bit of planning and some advice from experienced contractors. We recommend that you get in touch with a bathroom renovation specialist to guide you through the process.

With the advances in green technology, homeowners are now interested in making their homes more energy efficient. In fact, they are looking for a wide variety of methods and products that they can use in their renovation projects. So, if you are remodelling your home, it is wise to incorporate green technology wherever possible.

Before you let your contractor start their work, it is best to plan, and ensure that you are employing a strategic energy-efficient upgrade. You can get in touch with an experienced and qualified home renovation specialist because they can conduct an energy audit and provide you a rating based on your current energy usage. They can also offer practical suggestions for improving efficiency in your home.

Here are some of our recommendations for an energy-efficient home:

• Install solar panels

If you are currently upgrading your roof or re-installing some parts of it, then you may want to incorporate the gold standard for energy efficiency. These will include solar shingles and solar panels, which are the latest entrant to the photovoltaic product industry. However, you may need to re-design your roof to get the perfect orientation for your panels to capture the most sun rays and maximise output.

• Use tankless water heaters

For your plumbing, it is best to use a tankless water heater because it can save water by keeping hot water on standby in the tank. However, the installation of this equipment is quite complex, and may require you to re-route your piping and re-wire electricals.
If you are remodelling your bathroom, it makes perfect sense to switch to a tankless water heater.

• Consider buying newer, more energy-efficient appliances

If you are upgrading your home and you want it to be more power-efficient, then you will need to switch to newer appliances that are Energy Star-certified products. This will save you as much as 50% of the energy of non-certified appliances. When you are buying refrigerators, dryers, washers, and dishwashers, it is wise to look for the Energy Star sticker since this will tell you the operating cost of the appliance. This will also give an idea of how much you could save.

• Air sealing and insulation

 Another thing to consider when creating your renovation plan is air sealing and insulation. Consider focussing on air entering and escaping in your home and encourage your contractor to inspect if there are air leakages in your home. They will then be able to caulk and weather-strip these spots before they insulate the walls, doors, and windows.

Overall, we encourage you to contact a renovation specialist who can help remodel your home into a more energy efficient one. They will also give you some recommendations on how to extend and renovate your bathrooms, kitchen, living spaces and flooring.

You want to repaint your house or room and give it a new look, but there are a lot of questions running through your mind. Should you hire a pro or just do it yourself? How much time can you save if you hire a painter? How much money will you be able to save if you paint it yourself?

Well, it all depends on you because the most important factor to consider is your painting experience. Have you painted a house before? Painting your own home can potentially save you money, but it’s out of the question if you haven’t done it before since you are bound to make costly mistakes if you’re a complete novice.

In fact, here is some more question you should ask yourself before making a decision:

• When do you need the project done?

If you want to complete your project in the least possible time, then hiring a pro is your best option. Since skilled painters have the experience and equipment to finish a painting job much faster than an average weekend warrior. In fact, you’ll spend twice as long since there are lots of preparations that need to be done first before the actual paint job.

• What’s your level of expertise?

Painting a room or the exterior of your home is no easy task, especially if you haven’t done it before. In fact, you might even find yourself overwhelmed by the task. Although painting may look easy but getting that quality finish can be difficult for a novice. That is why professional painters can promise good-looking results because they know all of the tricks of the trade, and they’ve been doing this job for years.
Not to mention the prep work you need to do before painting like cutting the lines between ceilings and walls, which requires finesse and expertise. If you are unsure of what you’re doing, you might end up with a big mess and redo the whole process again, which is time-consuming.

• What is the condition of your walls?

The condition of your walls is also a factor when conducting a paint job because perfectly smooth drywall isn’t hard to work on, but if your walls have holes, cracks, and water damage, then it is essential to do some prep work first. This requires some skills and experience, so hiring a pro to do the prep work is a must because this is not something you can do adequately as a novice.
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• Do you have all the tools you need?

You need to understand that paint requires more than just rollers and a bucket of paint. There are a lot of things you need to buy to get the job done right. In fact, you’ll need scrapers, drop cloths, sandpaper, primer, hole filler, paint brushes, extension poles, roller frames, ladders, caulk, and paint trays. Another thing to consider is renting a paint sprayer, especially if you’re painting the exterior of your home. These tools could cost you an extra couple hundred dollars, so be sure that you include these tools and their costs when you’re planning and estimating a DIY paint job.

If you would like to hire a professional painter, contact Kew's bathroom renovation specialists to organise a quote.

Flooring is an essential component in your home, it’s part decorative and part functional. Therefore, choosing the right flooring for your home renovation project will depend on various preferences, budget and placement.

That is why it is necessary to think about the different rooms in your house and the needs they require. You must find a flooring type that is both beautiful and durable, so it must have all these qualities in one package.

When choosing the flooring for individual rooms in your home, you need to ensure that it has the following qualities:

• Safe – since each room will have a fair amount of traffic that passes through it, you’ll want it to be obstruction-free and level to prevent any slipping and unintentional accidents.
• Low maintenance – a good flooring must be low maintenance, which means you’ll need to choose floors that have darker grain to hide dirt and dust. You’ll also want floors that can handle moisture well, so solid hardwood is not suitable for kitchen renovations because when it is exposed to moisture and spills it could warp and get damaged.
• Durable and attractive – your flooring must also complement all your other fixtures like countertops, cabinetry, and wall colour. Choosing a darker flooring is a good idea if you want to create a cozy feeling, while other lighter colour can brighten your room and reflect the light to create an open space atmosphere. Also, choose quality tiling or vinyl since these materials provide a heavy finish that can last years.

Types of flooring to consider
There is no single flooring that is ideal for every room in your house since each one has its own pros and cons as well as the costs that comes with it, so it will also depend on your budget. Here are some options to consider when choosing the flooring for your home renovation:

• Solid hardwood – highly attractive and durable, this flooring comes in various range of style and appearance. However, it is also expensive and sometimes hard to maintain since spills and moisture could warp and damage it.
• Engineered wood flooring – this is a good option if you want to mimic the appearance of a solid hardwood but would rather settle for more affordable flooring. The good thing about this flooring is that it’s manufactured to withstand temperature changes, so it is more durable than solid hard hardwood.
• Ceramic tile – this type of tile is manufactured using clay and shale and it is fired in a kiln like pottery, which means it’s a certified hard material and comes in a huge variety of shapes, patterns, and colours. Tile are ideal when you renovate your bathroom in Kew.
• Vinyl – this is considered to be the most resilient and flexible flooring and feels a bit softer than hardwood or tile. It is made from PVC plastic over a layer of felt. If you’re going to use this material for your flooring, we recommend that you choose a textured surface to make it look like stone or wood.

Overall, it will all depend on your budget and the space you have in your home, so before you start your flooring project, you need to have an extensive plan, including the type of flooring you’ll be using based on the requirements of the room.

Adding a home extension in your property is one of the most effective ways of creating more living space. This will provide you with more room or to accommodate your growing family. However, there are several steps you need to take to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your budget and to overcome some of the challenges you might face along the way.

Here is a list of steps you need to consider when carrying out home extensions. These will include the following:

·         Planning
If you’re planning on building your extension, you need to consider several factors like the foundation of your home extension, site access for deliveries of building materials, plumbing and lighting since these are all needed in your project.
You might also want to consider a building plan for your extension, but not all extensions require planning permission. For this purpose, you need to get in touch with a renovation contractor, since they can advise you if you need to apply for planning permission or you can just go ahead with your project without getting one.You may not realise at first how in depth the planning process is, from finalizing dimensions to choosing tiles for your bathroom and carpet for your bedrooms. Here are some amazing shower ideas.
·         Quotes
The cost of your extension will depend on the quality and complexity of your design. We recommend that you contact a renovation specialist because they can provide you with a reasonable quote based on the requirements of your project.
 
·         Choosing the right builder
 
Getting a reliable renovation contractor is vital to the success of your project, so you really need to know the track record of a renovation company before you hire them. You also need to check if they have an in-house architect, designer or engineer since you might need one for your project.
 
·         Assessing financial position/getting a loan
 
Before building your home extension, you need first to determine if you have the budget for it. Although there are other ways to get the capital you need like if you’re going to undertake a small extension, then an interest-free credit card is the best option for you.
 
However, for a larger extension, you should consider getting a personal loan. Another great option is getting a secured loan, but this will require you to set collateral, which is usually your house or other relevant properties.
 
·         Further planning/modifications
 
We often change our minds when we’re conducting a home extension – for instance, making a bigger room, moving a window or expanding the stairs. However, amending your current design will require you to apply for changes in your planning permissions. This means you need to pay for an additional fee before your local building authority approves the minor changes in your plan.
 
·         Permits
 
When it comes to permits, there are not many things you can extend or renovate on your home without needed to apply for a renovation permit. 
 
If you’re doing an extensive remodelling of your home, you will definitely need to apply for a permit. So, it would be wise to seek the help of a professional renovation company like T.E.D Bathrooms, since they can offer you some good advice on how you’re going to conduct your home extension project.
 
·         Arranging alternate living arrangements
 
If you’re doing an extensive remodelling your house, then moving out for a while is necessary. You should make arrangements to live someplace else for at least several weeks until the home extension project is complete.
 
Staying in your family home or with friends is an inexpensive option, but if you want to take a room in a nearby hotel or motel, then be prepared to spend more.
 
·         Troubleshooting
 
No matter how in-depth your home extension plan is, there will always be secondary problems that may arise along the way. That is why you should always keep some spare money so you have a budget you can use to address these issues quickly. Always talk to your contractor and know if there are issues with your project and how they can help in solving these problems.
 
·         Finishing touches
 
Lastly, you should implement some finishing touches to your home extension like a roof window, sun tunnels or a sliding bi-folding patio to transform your space into something cosy and premium.