Below is a guide to the some of the most trendy bathroom counter materials:

Artisan Tile
Custom designed tile mosaics are ultra chic. Using top-quality glazed artisanal tile on the backsplash areas of sinks and counters is a way to add a pop of color into a kitchen and make it truly unique.

Granite
Durable, attractive, and long-lasting, this material is as trendy as ever. However, there have been recent reports (like this one from the New York Times) that says some of the granites used in may countertops emits elevated levels of radon, an odorless gas linked to lung cancer, though the industry maintains their product is safe.

Soapstone
Soapstone is a non-porous material, which makes it resistant to bacterial growth, requires no sealing, and is durable enough for you to place hot hair tools directly on its surface. And rumor has it that Martha Stewart has soapstone counters in her own home.

Stainless-steel
This material is becoming popular in modern bathrooms as it is very easy to keep clean and will not be marred. It lends itself to a modern aesthetic and looks very sleek and industrial. However, the surface is easily dented.

Concrete
Concrete sounds harsh and industrial, but it won’t look like the sidewalks you tread on. It’s easy to customize in terms of color and doesn’t pose the radon threat that granite does while still being just as durable and heat resistant.

Green
Eco-friendly materials are gaining steam: recycled glass, end-grain bamboo and reclaimed woods like recycled old-growth lumber are trendy in eco-conscious and green remodels.

Size Matters: The size of your bathroom matters when it comes to choosing a paint color. Most interior decorators will advise you to choose colors that make your space appear larger, for this is what many want. However, if your bathroom is large (lucky you!), you may want to make it appear smaller and/or more intimate.

So use this rule of thumb: Lighter colors make a space appear larger, while darker colors shrink a space.

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The interesting thing about modern bathrooms is that no two are alike. Because of the varying sub-styles under the “modern” umbrella, you can take pieces from one style and mix it with another and never clash. Urban, Asian, Zen and futuristic are all inspired by a basic theme – they must be highly functional and efficient with a sleek minimalistic design. That usually includes cutting-edge fixtures and components. The layout, design and elements that go into a modern bathroom will vary by lifestyle, home décor, needs and personal taste. So what does it take to create a modern bathroom?

There are basic aspects of a successful modern bathroom remodel. Once you understand these key elements, you can shape and mold your bathroom to suit your lifestyle. Let’s get started.

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One of the biggest wastes in a bathroom is water. Select fixtures that help minimize water use. A dual-flush toilet saves water usage by having one flush for water waste and another flush for solid waste. It takes less water to flush down liquid waste than it does for solids. Use faucets and shower heads that conserve water as well. Replace your old faucet with a faucet that has a self-closing tap that shuts off the water when you release the button. This conserves water while you are shaving or brushing your teeth, as well as prevents leaks. Use a low-flow shower head in your shower. It drastically cuts back on the amount of water per minute used compared to an ordinary shower head. To save even more water use an air shower device. It is attached to your existing shower head and can save water usage by an additional 30%. It pumps each water droplet full of air, which makes each water droplet bigger yet still feels just as strong and wet as typical water spray from a regular shower head.

Consider a tank-less or a solar water heater. They may be a bit more expensive to install initially, but in the long run they save you a bundle on utility bills, as well as conserve power and water.

Use energy-efficient lighting in your bathroom. Fluorescent lighting uses a lot less energy than incandescent lighting. You can soften or brighten the light by using dimmer switches, adjusting the level of brightness for your comport level.

When choosing tiles for you bathroom make-over, envision recycled ceramic, glass, or porcelain tiles for your walls, counter tops, and flooring. They come in a wide array of styles and colors, and you have the satisfaction of knowing that you will be helping the environment and saving energy. Every glass bottle that is recycled actually saves enough energy to operate a 100-watt light bulb for approximately four hours.

Going green in your bathroom gratifies your conscience, saves money and the environment, and offers a splendid re-sale advantage to boot.

The fact is that a drab, dull bathroom can make you feel like you’re dragging your morning along. It’s not the place you want to see right before you hit the sack. It’s the place we run to when we want to hide; it should be the perfect place to spend time!

Bathroom remodeling doesn’t have to be a major undertaking. A few simple touches can turn your boring room into a potty paradise. You’ll want to lock yourself in and never come out. Here are some great remodeling ideas.

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The Pros of Remodeling the Bathroom of an Investment House:

Give it the WOW factor! The Wow factor is probably the major reason you would renovate the bathroom. There are three rooms that you want to be impressive; and the bathroom is arguably number one. Mr. and Ms. Buyer will often make their decision based on the condition of the bathroom.

Whether you choose to remodel the whole thing or just replace certain components should be based partly on the critical need of the bathroom in the buy-decision. Done properly a bathroom renovation could well be the deciding factor between getting your price and not selling your house.

An ugly, poorly maintained bathroom will have the potential buyers lowering their pricing expectations disproportionate to the amount it would cost to renovate it. A buyer purchasing a renovated house has expectations that certain things are in good shape that’s why they’re buying a house that’s already been renovated.

Whether its a face lift or a total gut, that one room can make or break the deal.

If you’re working with a very limited budget you can decide which particular parts of your bathroom that you would like remodeled, such as the tub or the toilet or the sink.

If money is not an issue, you may make the decision to remodel your whole bathroom. In addition to deciding what parts of your bathroom you would like remodeled, you will also have complete control over the products and materials used.

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* Bathtub is old and shows years of use and wear
* Bathtub does not match rest of décor in the bathroom
* Bathtub is in a home purchased by a new resident

More often than not, refinishing a bathtub is not a do-it-yourself type of project unless the person doing it himself or herself is a licensed contractor with experience in refinishing bathtubs. This is not a do-it-yourself job because there is so much involved in the process that includes the following items:

* High-volume, low-pressure spray gun
* Respirator or face mask
* Palm sander and sandpaper
* Masking tape
* Paper
* Epoxy paint or primer
* EP-acrylic top coat
* Chemical cleaners
* Bonding agent for porcelain and tile

If you plan on refinishing your bathtub, you should clean the entire tub prior to beginning the job so that you get the most out of the project. Clean the area of the tub you are going to refinish with the chemical cleaners you have purchased. Once you are finished cleaning dry off the area thoroughly so you can begin to sand the tub. Once the sanding is complete, you can add the chemical adhesive, especially if you are working with a porcelain or tile tub. The final step is to paint the bathtub.

Having a soft-close toilet seat is an inexpensive and affective way to keep the level of kid’s injury in the bathroom low. Adjustments you can make for a safer bathroom include putting a grab bar inside the shower stall, this is helpful for everyone not just kids—it can get slick in there! Also, having a pedal sink, with no cabinet doors, that is anchored to the wall, can also improve the safety level.

Also think about a hand shower in addition or instead of a wall shower. Not only is it great for you washing shampoo off of your little ones, but children are less scared of hand showers, which will be especially helpful when they are transitioning from taking a bath to taking a shower. Having a hand shower also benefits you while cleaning your shower/tub unit, it makes it a lot easier. You can use a hand shower to replace a regular shower head (that slides up and down on a bar, adjusting to height), or you can have both.

Another factor to consider when remodeling for kid’s safety include cleaning supplies. If you do keep cleaning supplies in the bathroom, think about adding a special shelve, above the door frame where you can store them. This way they are out of reach for the kids, yet easily accessible for you. Keeping them in a plastic caddy that you can just grab would add to the ease of keeping the cleaning supplies up there.

If the bathroom is strictly a children’s bathroom, make it functional for kids. Ideas for this include hanging towel racks at heights so it is easier for them to grab. Also consider making the bathroom cabinets and shelves low enough so that they can reach them without climbing on anything (like the toilet, tub, or sink, giving them a chance to injury themselves). Also, providing storage containers for items (bath toys, towels, etc) that is easily accessible to young kids will also give them less likely chance of injuring themselves in the bathroom.

Making these adjustments will allow for a safer bathroom for your children. If you think there are additional things you would like to do, you should check out the Child Safety Store, just browsing their website will inspire some other ideas as well. ”

Source: Remodeleze.com

San Francisco boasts more than its fair share of classic Victorians. From Cole Valley to Pacific Heights homes come complete with bay windows, crown moldings, and most likely crumbling bathrooms. Leaky faucets, cracked linoleum, and blistered paint—it might be time to think about remodeling your bathroom And if those period details have survived the years, they’re likely water or energy suckers. Bathroom remodeling can range from a complete overhaul of your bathroom to simple weekend remodeling projects. Here are seven suggestions for San Francisco bathroom-remodeling projects:

1. Cabinets. Add more built-in storage like shelves and cabinets to help keep your bathroom clutter-free. While this remodeling project is more labor intensive, your bathroom will take on an entirely different mood.

2. Change your Lights. One of the easiest ways to spruce up your bathroom is by changing your lighting fixtures. Fluorescent lights will help you cut back on your energy bill and last light years longer than incandescent bulbs.

3. Clear your pipes. San Francisco’s old pipes can often house mineral deposits that have built up over the years, which can contribute to slow drains and wimpy water pressure. Since these pipes are often more sensitive than newer ones, natural drain cleaners are the safest bet.

4. Coat your walls. One of the easiest, least expensive and dramatic ways to remodel your bathroom is by adding a fresh coat of paint. Look for a low-VOC paint that is mildew resistant. Changing the color of your walls can also help your remodeling project look more dramatic. Consider using an accent color along one of your walls to make your bathroom stand out. Blues and greens are good colors to help make your bathrooms a San Francisco sanctuary

5. Cast out old fixtures. A new faucet, showerhead, or toilet can do wonders for your bathroom. Many eco-conscious San Franciscans are opting for ultra low flow showerheads or faucets, and dual-flush toilets are becoming more popular additions to environmentally friendly bathrooms.

6. Consider surfaces. From artisanal tile, to marble, to stone, changing the materials used in your bathroom can make a big difference.

7. Ditch the tub. Consider getting rid of your cramped shower-tub combination and installing a more spacious shower.

If you are one of the fortunate San Franciscans to have a modernized bathroom and are looking for a change, new textiles and paint are inexpensive ways to gussy up you pad and make a cookie-cutter SOMA loft look like home.