Revelion 2010

How you style a bathroom depends on a number of factors. First, there is the general style of your home. If everything in your home has a classic country sort of feel, having an ocean theme in your bathroom may seem out of place. Second, there’s the concept of the feel you want to create with the bathroom. For kids, you may choose a fun, cartoon theme; for those who are looking for a relaxing atmosphere, a place where it’s possible to fully unwind at the end of a long day, peaceful colors like those in a spa would be ideal.

Similarly, the types of colors that you’re like – along with the overall brightness of your bathroom – can determine whether you look for brightly colored accessories or those that are muted in color. Finally, there’s your personality, or the personality of the person who will be using the bathroom the most.

In general, there are four styles that are commonly used when accessorizing the bathroom – classy, muted, bright and fun.

In a classy bathroom, you may find yourself choosing bath accessories in muted colors, perhaps with a subtle floral tone. Toilet seat covers, towels, bath mats as wall as bath accessories for the counter – a soap dish or soap pump, a toothbrush holder and such – can all be coordinated with the shower curtain. You may start with a shower curtain that is a neutral color like beige with a rose colored embellishment and match the other bath accessories to the rose shade.

It is unarguable that bathroom vanity cabinets are an essential part to any bathroom. Unfortunately, many have shied away from purchasing the vanity of their dreams. Why? Well, because bathroom vanity cabinets have become quite costly. Fortunately, there is an alternative option for those looking to purchase the vanity of there dreams on a budget. Welcome to the world of used bathroom vanities.

Used bathroom vanity cabinets can cost almost half of what new ones do. This is a big plus side considering that many of us simply don’t have the money to splurge on a new one. What’s more is that one can purchase a very high-end vanity at half the cost. Used vanities tend to have little if no cosmetic problems – thus they are a true bargain.

So where exactly can you go to purchase a used bathroom vanity cabinet? A good place to start is the internet. Head over to your favorite online classifieds site and do a search for vanities. Some of the more popular classified sites include Craigslist and Recycler.com. When you search on the site, you’re bound to come across numerous people selling their vanities. We recommend sifting through the results at a slow pace and being vigilant in trying to spot one that’s truly jaw-dropping.

When you find one that fits your likes and budget, contact the owner and setup a meeting. You need to see the vanity in person before shelling out any cash. Once the meetings said and done and you’re satisfied with the vanity, go ahead and purchase it.

Whether you are working with existing furnishings and fabrics or “starting from scratch” with an empty room, you should always use the elements and principles of design as a guide in choosing everything.  The elements are your tools or raw materials, much like paints are the basics to a painter. The elements of design include space, line, form, color, and texture. The principles of design relate to how you use these elements and are balance, emphasis, rhythm, proportion and scale, and harmony and unity.

Element #1: Space
Space defines the boundaries and sets the limits on the functional and decorative things you can do.  Usually you will not determine the space; instead, you will be faced with the challenge of using the existing space effectively.

Element #2: Line
The lines in a room are second only to color in importance when it comes to setting the overall mood or feeling of a room.  The lines of window fashions should support the dominant line of the room. In most situations, the dominant line is straight (vertical, horizontal or diagonal) rather than curved. Your choice of emphasizing the direction of lines will determine the mood you want to create.
•    Vertical lines add height and dignity, creating a more formal atmosphere. Vertical lines also balance the horizontal lines found in most furniture.
•    Horizontal lines tend to create a restful, informal feeling. They work well in casual rooms or as relief to the strong verticals of formal rooms.
•    Diagonal lines attract attention and lead the eye. They can be disturbing unless supported by verticals or opposing diagonals.
•    Curved lines add a softening effect and keep the room from becoming too stiff. Use curved lines with some restraint to keep the room from becoming too soft and overly feminine.