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When it comes to designing spaces like your “owner’s suite” (bathroom) – aesthetics and price point aside – you’re probably looking out for fixtures that can give you the most mileage. Besides, no one wants to constantly spend time and money switching out fittings that break down or go out of style every few years. And the best part - were you aware that remodeling an entire bathroom can boost the value of your home by as much as 20 percent?
Redesigning the bathroom might seem like a daunting process. However, once you learn to break it up into a few steps it gets a lot simpler. In this article, we’ll show you the basics of choosing the right bathroom fixtures for your next bathroom remodel. From choosing the right material to avoiding certain short-lived design fads, here are ten tips on choosing bathroom fixtures that bring a modern flair.
TIPS FOR CHOOSING LONG-LASTING FIXTURES
As you begin to look at faucets for your owner’s suite remodel project, yourself a few questions: Are you planning on replacing the entire sink? If you want to keep the sink and simply replace the faucet, you might have more limited options. Simply replacing your current bathroom faucet with an award-winningNasoni bathroom Fountain Faucet can make it feel like an entire bathroom remodel.
If you plan on starting from scratch, you have a blank canvas.
The faucet type will determine how many holes and where the holes are located on the sink. For example, a single lever (single post) faucet requires only one hole, while 4” centerset (mounting holes are 4” apart) and 8” widespread faucets (mounting holes are 6”-8” apart) require three holes. If you’re only replacing the faucet, you’ll need to ensure you select a replacement faucet that matches the existing hole pattern.
Do you realize that your bathroom faucet is one of the hardest working items in your bathroom? Let’s face it, we use it in the morning getting ready for work, and in the evening before bed, and even sometimes during the day, 365 days a year! That’s a lot of uses! Faucets are an area where we recommend you “splurge” with quality because you get what you pay for. According to Interior Design Professional Sheri Bruneau:
"You pay for what you get. A cheaper faucet may need to be replaced multiple times over the years where a more expensive, well-built faucet will last a lifetime."
- Sheri Bruneau
Big box retail companies continually force price reduction targets on faucet manufacturers, who in turn end up cutting corners with cheaper quality parts and finishes. And the results are dramatic, cheap quality faucets that typically require replacement within 3-5 years. Who wants that? Our recommendation: skip the big box stores and find a great quality faucet at a plumbing specialty store.
The style of your bathroom sink will help you to eliminate specific faucets that are simply too high or the wrong style. For example, there are different faucet design considerations for a vessel style sink than those for an under the counter mounted sink that has a traditional faucet and two levers or knobs. Either way, your bathroom faucet has to stand up to the daily wear and tear of handwashing, toothbrushing and lots of splashback - and, it not only needs to look great, it also needs to complement your bathroom while doing it.
Remember, in any bathroom remodel, the faucets are the crown jewels of the bathroom and are not where you want to go cheap.
Before you settle on a bathroom sink for your remodeling project, you need to consider which bathroom you’re trying to remodel. Your family bathroom or powder room might need different requirements than your master bathroom. And you'll also want to consider cleaning requirements - some sink mount types are much easier to clean than others, so if reduced maintenance is one of your goals, read on to learn which type you'll want to consider.
Under-mount Sink: These sinks are perfect for family bathrooms because they’re easy to clean and maintain. The sink mounts from below, so the countertop is right above the top of the sink, which gives it a smooth transition like the one in this bathroom. This makes it much easier for wiping down the counter.
Top-mount Sink: This sink is the opposite of an under-mount sink. The top of the sink sits on top of the counter, so the entire rim of the sink is exposed. The concern with this is, it can be slightly more difficult to clean.
Vessel Sink: Vessel sinks looks like a bowl that sits entirely on top of the countertop. While many may consider these sinks perfect for powder rooms, we consider them somewhat of a fad and to be avoided (unless your goal is to simply be entirely different). They make it harder to clean around them and have other functional issues.
The primary rule for placing towel racks, rings, or bars is that they should be near the bathroom fixtures, such as sink and tub/shower. Towels need to be conveniently accessible whenever these two areas area used. For bathrooms with more than one sink or one vanity area, you’ll need to install a towel bar or ring for each sink area to ensure easy access to a towel when you need it. Measuring the space before you buy will help you to choose the right size before installing it.
Toilet paper holders are usually a necessity that isn't given much thought other than the finish.
Styles
A toilet paper holder is a practical item with unlimited design potential. Commonly overlooked, modern toilet paper holders can add style and elegance to your bathroom’s interior, and some even offer added functionality such as providing a platform for holding cell phones.
Where to Install
To install a wall mounted toilet paper holder, the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) advises installing 26" from the floor along a wall beside the toilet. Make sure the hardware you choose will fit in that space.
Typically it is recommended to stick with the same type of finish for all the bathroom hardware. Most people also choose to go with the same style. These two factors can ensure your bathroom has a designer look and a cohesive design.
However, some people prefer a more eclectic look and often go with a mix of styles in the same finish. This is a purely personal choice. If you decide this is your personal style, be sure to keep the style mix balanced. Otherwise, the eclectic look will elude your design leaving only a hodgepodge look that doesn't work.
Popular Fixture/Hardware Metal and Finishes
Most metal finishes used in bathroom fixtures are available in brushed, satin, polished chrome, antiqued and satin. The metal finishes can be high-end expensive solid metals or plated metals known as PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating of thin layers of metals, such as aluminum, chromium, titanium, and other metals.
Nickel: Nickel bathroom fixtures come in polished, satin, or brushed finishes. Nasoni’s Gloss Black Nickel Fountain Faucet is shown below.
Chrome: Chrome is a finish applied to a metal (or plastic for some components on poor quality faucets). The most popular choice is polished chrome, such as the 4” Polished Chrome Centerset Fountain Faucet below.
Face it, we all like to start our day with a nice shower to wake us up and get us ready for the day. If you don’t enjoy your shower as much as you should, perhaps you need to consider changing a few things during your owner’s suite bathroom remodel.
Everyone wants a showerhead with great water pressure; for example, a high-volume shower head often needs up to 55 pounds per square inch of water. In some cases, you can choose a showerhead that uses less water while maintaining great water pressure by selecting a showerhead that has EPA WaterSense certification. If you don’t have a specific type of showerhead in mind, there are many types to choose from.
Showerhead Styles
If you prefer a special showerhead, such as the rain showerhead in this bathroom, then stick with the same finish so it will match the rest of the tub hardware.
The showerhead should clear the tallest person's height, so be sure you measure before you buy and install it.
Mold and mildew are public enemy #1 in our toilets and showers, and apart from being an unpleasant sight, it can also wear down the finishes of your appliances. One way to prevent the growth of mold and mildew is to ensure your bathroom has an open window that provides sufficient ventilation such as the bathroom window shown here.
Alternatively, if adding window ventilation is not in your budget, bathroom exhaust fans can also be a great tool to keep things clean and dry.
Bathroom faucets include those designed for sinks and tubs. Here are some things that are important to understand before making a purchase decision.
Buy Only Certified Lead-Free Faucets
Legally, all faucets installed in the U.S. and Canada must be certified and lead free, but today more than ever before, there are many ways to purchase non-certified bathroom faucets and hardware online. The danger is purchasing uncertified faucets and installing these yourself.
Unknowingly, you could purchase faucets that contain lead or other harmful elements when buying online from manufacturers outside the U.S. that don't adhere to US plumbing certification requirements. Faucets sold in the U.S. are required to meet numerous plumbing certification requirements, such as:
There are also other state-level laws that can apply; to learn more, we recommend an excellent online publication from StarCraft Custom Builders titled: Keeping Faucets Safe & Reliable
Unfortunately, many online sites such as Amazon, eBay, Wayfair, Overstock and a few other internet retailers are selling illegal, contraband faucets, flouting the laws of every state and Canadian province and in violation of US Federal statutes. If the faucet you are considering isn't certified, then you put yourself and your family in danger. Be sure to check for these certifications and ensure you are following your state’s laws and regulations. Not only for you and your family’s health, but it’s also possible that your insurance may not warrant any faucet failures that flood your home because of using an illegal faucet, even if it was purchased legally on a site like Amazon.
Consider Nasoni Fountain Faucets, as Nasoni’s Sustainable Luxury approach is both responsible and resourceful. Nasoni is committed to green manufacturing processes and helping people use water in smarter environmentally responsible ways.
Our award-winning fountain faucets are designed to maximize water efficiency and life span, without sacrificing comfort and convenience of the user experience.
You may also want to purchase a WaterSense certified faucet. This type of faucet reduces 30% or more of water usage in a bathroom. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) replacing old bathroom faucets can save home owners around 700 gallons of water per year. Look for this label to conserve your water use.
And if you want to save even more, consider a Nasoni bathroom Fountain Faucet! Nasoni’s patented fountain feature uses only .26gpm, which provides a whopping 78% savings over EPA WaterSense flow rates.
One of the main ways to boost the longevity of your bathroom fixtures is to carefully pick high-quality materials that can stand the test of time. The best choices are faucets made from solid, lead free brass or stainless steel. For those gunning for a sleek yet practical option, selection of solid, lead-free brass patented Fountain Faucets with PVD finishes can help you prevent problems like corrosion and stains.
Bathroom Hardware Tips Save Time and Money
Considering these tips for your owner’s suite bathroom hardware can save you time and money and guide you to making the best choices for your bathroom design. Selecting the best style for your home interior means you'll enjoy the finished look for years to come.
Are you ready to redesign your bathroom? Consider a Nasoni fountain faucet. With our Happiness Guarantee, and Limited Lifetime Warranty, you have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
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