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Renovate or plan a bathroom? 5 trends and ideas to do it best!

Do you need to renovate or plan a bathroom? In today’s article, I would like to share with you 5 ideas and trends to do it in the best possible way.

It’s incredible how the perception and experience of the bathroom have changed over time.

Initially, the bathroom was located outside the house because it was considered a dirty and unhygienic place.

Then, it became incorporated into the house for convenience but remained a secondary space.

Over the years, the bathroom has acquired increasing importance, evolving into a mini spa.

Today, the bathroom is actually one of the most crucial elements people consider when buying or building a home, and even the smallest ones are designed for maximum functionality.

Let’s look at the trends for contemporary bathrooms, which are highly functional and absolutely on-trend!

1 – WALL-MOUNTED FURNITURE

For a few years now, countertops or built-in sinks have been trending.

And this trend continues this year!

Wall-mounted furniture is an excellent way to make a bathroom appear larger than it actually is: the space underneath visually expands the area.

Moreover, they serve a practical purpose because they make floor cleaning easier!

(credits: Sonia Meneghin; rénovert)

You can find wall-mounted furniture in various shapes and sizes on the market, so you can definitely find something that suits your needs and style.

You can place or embed the sink on a support shelf in small bathrooms where a full-sized cabinet might be too bulky.

That will be a minimalistic yet highly impactful decor!

With boards made of wood or any material you prefer, you can definitely get creative and design something that fits perfectly into the available space.

(credits: leroymerlin.it; vogliadiristrutturare.it)

One original idea is to incorporate LED strips UNDER the furniture or the boards.

That creates unique and captivating atmospheres: it emphasizes the elevation of the furniture, defines the volumes, and enhances diffused lighting.

(credits: deghishop.it; screwfix.com)

Be CAUTIOUS of the floor surface when adding lighting under the furniture: if they are glossy, they reflect the light, which can be actually annoying!

In this case, make sure the light is not directed towards the floor; instead, you can aim it at the wall, or at the very least, use an LED strip with a diffuser!

2 – INTEGRATED LIGHTING

We already know lighting is essential everywhere, and the bathroom is no exception!

The trend for bathroom lighting is to incorporate it into the architecture, illuminating the geometry and volumes of the space instead of relying on the traditional central light fixture and mirror lights.

This type of lighting makes the environment more sophisticated, clean, and modern; it produces a soft light that creates a beautiful atmosphere!

(credits: pinterest; screwfix.com)

This kind of lighting is becoming increasingly popular because technology and LED lighting are becoming more accessible and versatile.

It’s great to use this type of lighting, not only under the wall-mounted furniture we discussed earlier but also behind the mirror, in potential niches, recessed in the ceiling, or along his perimeter.

(credits: ernesto.it; artheco.it)

Of course, you can add, as well, decorative wall or ceiling lights according to your style!

(credits: screwfix.com; medium.com)

A good lighting design combines various types of lighting (I explain it here), and playing with different lights in the bathroom can create truly enchanting spaces!

3 – MIXING TEXTURES AND MATERIALS

Mixing different materials and textures is crucial in interior design in general, as it creates contrast and movement, and contrast is a fundamental aspect of interior design (I discuss it here).

That holds true for bathrooms as well!

You could use different materials or colors to distinguish two distinct areas within the bathroom.

(credits: anword.com; leroymerlin.it)

For instance, the shower area could have a floor made of the same material but with different colors than the rest of the bathroom.

Alternatively, you could use entirely distinct materials that still complement the colors of the overall flooring.

You might decide to make the sink area and mirror the focal point of your bathroom by using tiles that contrast with the rest or even opting for wallpaper!

(credits: il-bagno.it; milanuncios.com)

As for the floors, of course, be careful that it is not a slippery material to avoid possible accidents!

A timeless combination is marble, either in white or black, with wood, combining the elegance of marble with the warmth of wood.

(credits: screwfix.com)

For an ultra-modern bathroom, you can combine concrete with wood and satin-finish elements.

Don’t be afraid to use wood; specially treated woods exist, which endure the moisture present in bathrooms.

You can mix highly patterned tiles with neutral colors and uniquely shaped elements for a more relaxing atmosphere.

(credits: obi.de)

There’s a wide array of choices available in the market when it comes to materials, and making decisions can get quite complex.

You can find a lot of examples for tile combinations, but remember, a bathroom isn’t just about tiles!

You have to consider lighting, furniture, sanitaryware, faucets, and various elements, and the risk of picking things you like individually but don’t work well together is quite significant.

HELP YOURSELF WITH A MOOD BOARD

So, how do you go about it?

As discussed in the 4 steps to furnish, creating a mood board can be immensely helpful for the bathroom as well.

A mood board is a sheet where you assemble all the pieces together.

(credits: saniweb.com)

You can easily find images of what you like online, perhaps on the retailer’s website.

Take these images and place them close together to see if the overall look is balanced and harmonious.

If not, you may need to change the mismatched piece.

Mood boards are an indispensable tool for interior designers, and I highly recommend using one when renovating or planning a bathroom!

4 – LARGE TILES

Contemporary spaces favor clean and minimalist lines, so using large-sized tiles in the bathroom is a winning choice!

The fewer interruptions in the lines, the more spacious the room will appear.

It’s also important to try to place the tiles as close to each other as possible and use grout material that matches the tile color as closely as possible.

(credits: kylandkara.com; lightslightslights.com)

That will make everything look more linear, uniform, and elegant, and, most importantly, it will reduce dirt buildup in the grout lines!

5 – TOUCHES OF BLACK

We’ve seen it in the 2021 trends: in recent years, touches of black are a beloved trend that continues to be popular!

Black details, typically matte, are widely used.

It could be the faucet, the cabinet handles, the mirror frame or shower enclosure, or even the sink itself!

Black details add a certain visual weight to the space, helping to bring strength and movement to the environment, especially when light colors dominate.

(credits: Rubinet Faucet Company’s; verticalclimb.it)

The contrast created is truly unique and captivating.

Black complements just about any material, but before incorporating this touch of black, consider how it harmonizes with the rest of the space so you can use it in the right proportions!

I hope this article has been helpful and enjoyable for you. If so, let me know in the comments!

Feel free to share it with anyone you think might be interested, I would be honored, and it will help me gain more exposure.

If you feel that your home, or any specific area of it, doesn’t reflect your personality enough, don’t wait any longer and book your consultancy!

 

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How to change the look of a room for free

Is it possible to change the look of a room for free?

After some time of living in a house, certain areas may lose their appeal in our eyes.

Sometimes, we may feel like throwing everything away and starting over from scratch…

Has that happened to you as well; am I right?

If so, as I imagine, today’s article is for you because I’ll give you four tips to change the look of a room for free!

Yes, you heard it right, for free!

But is it truly possible?

Let’s find out!

– CLEAN AND ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY THINGS

Who among us doesn’t have objects bought or gifted over the years that are now useless or no longer serve a purpose?

Or piles of newspapers and magazines that we’re unlikely to ever look at again, just accumulating somewhere?

It’s time to clean up, remove, and make space!

Get rid of anything that doesn’t hold any value for you, anything you don’t need!

It may seem unbelievable, but this simple act alone will already transform the space, and it’s completely FREE!

– CHANGE THE ARRANGEMENT OF FURNITURE

Try to imagine different ways of positioning the same furniture in the room.

Start visualizing new layouts and then actually try moving some pieces of furniture.

What’s the worst that could happen?

Even if things go wrong, you can always put everything back the way it was before and get a little workout in the process!

At least you’ll have a clear understanding that the original arrangement is the one you really prefer!

The reality is that many times there are other options for arranging the same elements, which may even become more functional!

A different and more functional layout will make you love the room even more, making you feel even more comfortable.

Leave room for imagination, envision, and try it out, if you want to first on paper, or you can go ahead and physically move the furniture.

That, too, is a cost-free intervention; the investment is only your time and physical strength!

– REARRANGE YOUR OBJECTS

Take all the objects you have in that room and “take them away.”

If you love specific compositions, maybe take photos of them first, just in case, to be able to recreate them if needed.

But, as with furniture, even the composition that seems most beautiful to you could (as you can see, I’m using the conditional) become even more stunning!

Even a different arrangement of various objects like books, vases, photographs, and so on will undoubtedly give a different look to the space!

And once again, the investment is your time, not money!

– MOVE, SWAP DECORATIONS BETWEEN ROOMS

It may seem trivial, but try bringing, for example, vases from your bedroom to the living room, or vice versa, swap paintings, and so on!

After all, it’s not like things, once placed, have to stay in that place forever!

The room will transform!

Of course, this is feasible if the house has a common thread in terms of colors and style!

As I’ve often mentioned, it’s essential to have a color palette and use it throughout the house.

It doesn’t have to be the same everywhere.

One room can have a predominant color from the palette, while another room can have a different color.

However, the palette should be consistent.

The same goes for styles.

Once you’ve chosen a style or a mix of styles, you should maintain it throughout the house.

That will allow you to freely move furniture and objects without them EVER being out of place.

I hope you find these simple tips helpful in changing the look of a room, if you put them into practice let me see the before and after in the comments!

Of course, if you have any doubts don’t hesitate to contact me!

 

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And at the end of renovation work, what happens?

And at the end of renovation work, what happens?

“I finally enjoy the house!” you’ll tell me!

Whether it is your permanent home or a second home…

And you’re right!

AND AT THE END OF RENOVATION WORK?

But I take inspiration from a fact that happened to me a few days ago, to make you understand that the end of the work and the handover of the keys does not mean that everything is finished and ok.

Some time ago, I followed the renovation of a farmhouse for foreign clients, their holiday home, and the work was finished about a year ago.

As you can easily imagine, living away from Italy, they can’t live in the house every day.

They, therefore, relied on a person who can open and check the house from time to time. And they rely on her for the management of the part used as a guest house.

This person has, as it should be, all the references of the companies and professionals who carried out the work so that she can face any problem…

In theory, at least.

BUT IT DOES NOT ALWAYS GO AS WE WOULD LIKE

Yes, because unfortunately, there was some malfunction:

– a leaking toilet,

– a shower that discharged badly,

– internet which was often absent.

Nothing really serious, just a big bother, but things that need to be fixed!

The lady, therefore, tried to call whoever had made the implant, unfortunately often IN VAIN!

Although she knows both plumbers and electricians, rightly, this person didn’t want to call them because it’s obvious that whoever made the installation knows it better and, therefore, knows where to put his hands.

I’ve tried to call them too and send them messages, which were read, but to which I didn’t receive an answer!

I honestly find this unprofessional behavior!

Sure, you can be busy at the moment, but is it possible that throughout the day, or at most the day after, you can’t find a moment to call back?

PAY ATTENTION TO THE CHOICE OF THE CONSTRUCTOR OR PROFESSIONALS!

You know how much I insist on the design phase, on how important it is to really define the project in every detail, even including the furniture (or rather, starting from that).

Once this is done, however, it’s vital to choose the right constructor or professionals!

As I explain here, it must be done after studying the project to choose highly qualified professionals in the work you have to do.

Once you have found a list of specialized technicians, you need to do a further investigation to understand which one is really for you and it will always be there… even after the delivery of the keys!

It is not easy, because, as in every field, there are serious, mediocre professionals… unfortunately also real “criminals” (yes it’s a strong term, but there are also those!)

Sites and reviews are elements that already give you a first idea, but it is not enough:

– on the sites, they could have purchased photographs and not of works actually done

– the reviews could be from friends and family!

TELL THEM ALL YOUR DOUBTS

It’s important to have an in-depth interview!

At that moment you must be able to express all your doubts, even what seems silly to you, prepare a sheet with all the questions that come to your mind.

In some ways, this is a test: if they know how to answer all your questions exhaustively, really trying to dispel any doubts, they will show you their availability!

Availability that they easily will always show you, even once the work is finished!

You must be able to be sure that if something happens, you will always have someone who can help you!

Someone who will answer you when you call, if not immediately within a short time.

And if for any reason he cannot come immediately, he will move to solve the problem anyway!

It’s not easy, let’s face it, it’s a bit of luck, but the more careful you are in this choice, without being in a hurry to start work, the more likely it is that you won’t have too many surprises during, but also afterward!

For any doubts, do not hesitate to contact me, or if you want to write to me in the comments!

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Home renovation? Read here to understand why it is important to choose the technician first and the contractor second.

If you’re thinking about a home renovation, it’s likely that you’re pondering how best to go about it…

You are probably thinking about calling a construction company in the first place, perhaps one you trust, to get a quote and decide how to start this venture directly with them.

I imagine this because I admit, I did so too for my first home renovation.

When I still knew little or nothing about it and was in a completely different line of work…

Oh yes, I too made that mistake, only fortunately for me, I chose a company with the right stuff, serious ones that work very well and so everything went smoothly!

Why do you make this choice, and why, if you are not more than lucky, can it be a terrible mistake?

Your thoughts in deciding to go directly to the construction company may be twofold:

– you think you are saving money;

– you think that the contractor is the right contact person (who better to know what we are talking about than those who perform the work).

Actually, both of these statements are incorrect!

Of course, many companies really like this choice, because they will be able to do whatever they want in your home, and, for you, this will be a big problem!

What do I mean by that? I’ll explain it to you right now!

– for huge renovations, they will offer you one of their technicians to do a project that THEY told them, based on what you explained to them;

– they will not specify the materials they will use.

This involves

– that the costs will increase out of all proportion because, not having studied the project beforehand with the technician, surely changes will come up during the work that needs to be done.

And these changes will come:

– from your side that by reasoning, you understand that there is a better solution for your needs,

– or from the contractor that only later will notice that something cannot be done this way, but it is better to do it that way, which however will lead to an increase of tot…

Believe me: this happens very often indeed!

– you will never know the proper value of the materials you have in your home, and there is a real danger that they will be poor quality, stock remnants that you paid for, however, as if they were first-rate!

– the work will be slow, and each modification will lead to an inevitable loss of time!

Construction companies, even the best ones, know how to do the work, but they don’t know how to do the project and don’t know how to do the bureaucratic part properly.

Arriving at the beginning of the work with a clear idea, with a plan properly done, knowing exactly what materials you want is really essential so that you then can check that the contractor is doing things as agreed.

It goes without saying that you are not an expert, you have an idea of what you would like, but a project cannot be limited to a quick sketch with two annotations…

The construction company, however skilled it may be, cannot accomplish what you want precisely only based on the few things you tell them.

Who looks after your interests?

And of course, as said before, on huge renovations they will propose you their technician, with whom, however, you will hardly talk… How can he do a project tailored to you? He will not do it, but will do it following the orders of the construction company!

Another problem, by no means marginal: relying directly on the contractor who will be the construction manager? Who will be in charge of safety?

If you haven’t hired a technician, you should do it yourself, but you don’t have the skills, and then you’ll have to rely on their professional, on the one you’ve never seen but who did the project and took care of the bureaucratic part…

But are you sure he will do your interests? I’m already telling you… absolutely not! He will do the interests of the construction company!

Do you still believe that for home renovation relying directly on the contractor is convenient and the best choice?

Often there is a false illusion that the construction company has every interest in giving the best possible service; in the end, it gets by on your money, so why complicate your life by not doing the work well?

That is largely due to the market in which they have to operate, a market in which price wars are the order of the day!

That somehow turns the enterprise into your “antagonist” because it has to maximize earnings while reducing costs!

Spending more is no guarantee to have a better job…

At this point, you might think: “I go to the most expensive one, and I’ve solved it!”.
No, unfortunately, it doesn’t even work that way because the constructor company MUST BE CONTROLLED anyway!

And that is always! And who can do that? Only and exclusively a technician!

But as said before, it can’t be their professional because if not, he will look at their interests and not yours, and you’ll be back to square one!

First, choose the technician and make a project!

The correct thing to do is

  • FIRST to choose a trusted technician; with him, study a project that is complete in detail and is functional to your needs.
  • choose all the materials you wish to have,
  • and THEN choose a construction company that, at that point, based on that detailed project and knowing what materials it will have to handle, will be able to give you a much more correct estimate.

The technician is aware of what he has to do, and knowing the laws and decrees, he knows how to do it, and having chosen him, you will check that everything is done properly and will defend your interests!

Do you understand why if it is true that the choice of the constructor company will make a big difference in your home renovation (I talk about it here), it is even more so the choice of the technician!

Better to move forward in steps!

My team and I always start from here…

Once we have identified the right house for you, we start with the project that we do 360°!

Which means from the first brick to the furniture (wanting to the last knick-knack!).

We follow and support you in choosing all the materials (tiles, interior and exterior fixtures, sanitary ware, furniture, of course!).

And only after that do we start with the work!

Home renovation is a high-impact financial and emotional commitment that you CAN NOT leave to chance.

It is a long and arduous path, which, if not properly managed, can lead to a lot of frustration, don’t risk this and let me support you: contact me!

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Changing the perception of environments with colors

Changing the perception of environments with colors is it possible?

Visual perception has a strong impact on our brains: a room will seem smaller if it is empty, compared to a furnished one!

This is because the furnishings delimit spaces but, above all, they are for us a “measuring meter”.

For example, if we see that on a wall there is a double bed with 2 nightstands and still advances free wall we know with certainty that that wall will be longer than 2 meters.

The bed is, in fact, 1mt 60 wide, the two nightstands will be at least 40 cm so, making the calculations, we are definitely over 2,5 meters.

LET’S SEE SOME TRICKS

Today I want to give you some little tricks on how to create different visual effects by simply using color on walls and ceilings:

  •  To “lower” a room, it will be enough to paint the ceiling a darker color because this will optically lower and, therefore, give the impression of a lower room.

  •  In corridors, which are often long and narrow, it will be useful to color the ceiling and the back wall with a darker color to give the impression of greater breathing space.
    This will give the impression of a wider corridor.

  • If you need to shrink a very long room, you only need to color the back wall a darker color, because visually it will bring the wall closest to you.

  • On the contrary, to lengthen a room, you should keep the ceiling light and paint the walls a darker color.

  •  Furthermore, to “compress” a room it will be enough to paint both, walls and ceiling, with dark color.
    On the contrary, to enlarge, everything will have to be clear.

  • Finally, you can paint everything dark and leave only the back wall light, in contrast to the rest.
    In this case, the wall will give a lot of prominence to whatever element you put in front of it.

USE WISELY COLORS!

Depending on how the walls are colored, the perception of these environments will change and appear more or less deep, wide, high, or low.

Knowing how to play with visual effects can be useful to “improve” an environment.

And it will do without masonry works that perhaps, because of a load-bearing wall, cannot even be done!

If you want to transform home environments, the correct use of color is a fast, and above all, changeable solution !!!

If you still have doubts about how to do it, you can contact me!

 

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