| Instead of paying through the nose for a designer | | | | and what they don't like in their bathroom. Make a |
| bathroom why not design it yourself? Designing your | | | | note of designs that you like and where you saw |
| bathroom yourself isn't difficult, it could save you a | | | | them so that you can refer to them later. |
| lot of money and it's very satisfying. Here are some | | | | Most people will either have remodeled their |
| ideas that will give you a head start. | | | | bathroom in the last few years or know of someone |
| Measure your bathroom and draw it to scale | | | | who has. If your friend knows of someone with a |
| The first thing you should do is measure and draw | | | | new bathroom ask them if they can arrange for you |
| out your existing bathroom on a sheet of squared | | | | to go and see it. The more you see the better. |
| paper. Try to be as accurate as you can because | | | | Use real estate agents to view bathrooms in houses |
| every inch might count depending on what you want | | | | for sale |
| to get in your new bathroom and how much space | | | | Visit the real estate agents in your area and ask |
| you have to play with. | | | | them to show you properties with new or nearly |
| Measure the distance between opposite walls on | | | | new bathrooms. They will be only too pleased to do |
| both sides of the room in case the room is wider at | | | | it for you and you will end up getting a lot of ideas |
| one end than the other. Measure floor to ceiling and | | | | from this. Don't mention to the agent why you are |
| the position and size of windows including the depth | | | | doing it, just tell them that you want to live in a |
| of the window. Also measure the size, position and | | | | property with a great bathroom. |
| shape of any irregularities in the room such as | | | | Some people might feel uneasy doing this but don't |
| pipework. | | | | be because I think that it's a great way to get fresh |
| Draw plans of your bathroom looking down from the | | | | ideas to design your new bathroom with and it might |
| ceiling and looking directly at each wall. When you've | | | | be more in the agents interest than you think. I've |
| finished you should have five drawings on squared | | | | known people do this and end up buying one of the |
| paper and a set of measurements to go with it. | | | | properties that they viewed because they loved the |
| Take these, together with a tape measure, with you | | | | bathroom and realised that it would be much easier |
| wherever you go because you will need to refer to | | | | and cost effective to move instead of remodel their |
| then often. | | | | own bathroom. |
| Don't start by looking in magazines and bathroom | | | | Buy some magazines |
| showrooms | | | | Go down to the newsagent and pick up a few |
| Magazines and showrooms are trying to sell you | | | | magazines on home improvement and bathrooms |
| something and they will naturally go out of their way | | | | remodeling. Now that you have an idea of what you |
| to show things in the most appealing way, which | | | | are looking for you will be able get most benefit |
| may not always be the most practical or realistic way | | | | from the articles, adverts and glossy photographs. |
| for you. You will be using these resources of course | | | | Visit showrooms |
| but leave them until you have a better idea of what | | | | When you have a good idea of what it is you want |
| it is you want in your new bathroom design. | | | | and how you want your bathroom to look you can |
| Use a digital camera | | | | go visit all the showrooms. Look for items that would |
| Take a digital camera with you wherever you go and | | | | fit with your ideas and make a note of them. Don't |
| use it to record everything you see. Make a note of | | | | forget to take digital pictures too; they will all help |
| what each image is about and carefully file it away | | | | when you come to make buying decisions. |
| on your computer for later reference. You will be | | | | Pick up brochures on home improvement and |
| amazed how useful this technique can be and most | | | | bathroom remodeling |
| people don't think of doing it. | | | | Always pick up as many brochures as you can find |
| Visit your friends | | | | when touring the showrooms. Circle the items that |
| Your friends are often the best resource for | | | | you are interested in and make sure you write down |
| bathroom remodeling ideas that you have available to | | | | prices and thoughts that you have at the time. |
| you. Go and visit each and every one of your friends | | | | Use the Internet |
| and ask them if you can take a good look at their | | | | Last but not least, make full use of the Internet to |
| bathroom. Most people are more than happy to | | | | find product specifications, contractors and ideas on |
| oblige especially if they have recently had their | | | | web sites like this one How to get inspiration and plan |
| bathroom rebuilt. | | | | your bathroom remodeling idea |
| Don't be afraid to ask questions about what they like | | | | Have fun remodeling your bathroom. |