Clodagh's ideas
For just behind front door, for indoor outdoor use?
Dark bathroom. This one is warm and appropriate. Should you however prefer having your bathroom brightly lit, this can be easily achieved by installing strong light sources. In such case consider using white light to blaze up your windowless bathroom. Not only the room will appear bigger and brighter, but white light has the closest to natural light effect, too.
6. Fake It Consider adding elements to make the room feel like it has a window. I’m sure the window in this space is real, but can you tell? Ultimately a bathroom shade is usually closed, so adding one in front of a blank wall (with a cool-running light behind it) will create the illusion of a window and a diffused glow. Of course, with a crackling fireplace nearby, who needs a window?
Windowless bathroom 4. Have Multiple Mirrors Mirrors in unexpected places really help to expand the space, especially near the ground, where they let the floor stretch out (you can also create the look by using mirror for bathroom toe kicks or closet doors). Also notice how this bath and the one in the previous photo have glass doors instead of a curtain for maximum openness. A fixed glass panel with a swing door is one of my go-tos, even with a standard tub installation.
2. Learn to Love Glass and Lucite If you don’t have a window letting light in, then you won’t want something that takes light away. Polished metal, glass, mirror and Lucite are great materials for adding interest and drama without absorbing light. The space will feel uniform, even if there’s very little color.
Pop out the ceiling If you have the opportunity to install a roof light (you can just see a glimpse of the one in this room), then this could be the answer to your natural lighting issues. A wonderful overhead window fitted in the ceiling will flood your bathroom with light all day long and will also visually lift the ceiling, making the room appear more spacious. Why not have a little fun by creating a fake window like the owner of this bathroom has done. You could even change the view depending on the mood you want to capture… think relaxing beach scenes or soothing country hills.
Mimic the sunlight If you’re still keen on bringing in a sense of the outdoors, try installing a dramatic drop-ceiling with recessed lighting at the edges that mimics sunlight streaming in from above. The light is then directed down the walls and will highlight any interesting wall textures or tiles to make this the focus of the room. Here, brass details further hint at the idea of sunshine.
Kitchen storage Face it: Cooking requires a cookbook and a tasty beverage. This savvy shelf hides on the side of your cabinet when not in use and swoops in like a superhero come prep time.
Kitchen storage Reposition Pot Lids Due to their awkwardly shaped handles, lids can comandeer a cabinet. Get them out of the way by outfitting a drawer with a tension rod that holds them vertically in place. See more at the Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking »
Kitchen storage Remember the Toe Kick We see you hiding under those cabinets, extra storage space! This clever IKEA hack proves that even tiny kitchens have room for a bevy of cake pans or baking dishes. Get the tutorial at Tikiddo »
Design rules Be brave Good design is all about confidence and if you want to create your perfect home, you’ll need to take your ideas and run with them. Don’t think you have to be half-hearted about things. Identify your design concepts and implement them fearlessly and with commitment to the style. If you give each element a presence, you’ll ensure the room looks intentional and well-thought-out. Here, the deep blue paint could have been used on just one wall, but by taking it through the whole room, the designer has created a beautiful backdrop and unified the space. Similarly, rather than introducing yellow velvet with just a cushion, she’s gone for a striking armchair.
Design rules Remember bigger is better If in doubt, go big. Bigger than you were expecting, bigger than you think is sensible. If you’re a little bit scared by how big it is, it’s probably right. A common mistake is to choose furniture and accessories that are too small and look lost within the space. Rugs, light fittings, mirrors and art will often look better in a larger size, particularly in smaller rooms. In this living room, a large rug pulls the furniture together, creating a more cohesive design. Taken out of context, some of the items are probably larger than you would expect for a room of this size, but once everything’s in place, it makes perfect sense.
Employ a half-wall It might seem a bit old-school, or a short step from a 1970s serving hatch, but a half-wall between a dining area and kitchen retains a visual block from the chaos of cooking when you’re enjoying a meal with family or guests. It also means you can keep the conversation going, rather than feeling as if you’re marooned in another room while you cook and they relax (or vice versa).
Kitchen space50 Be canny with cupboards What happens above your fridge-freezer? It’s easy to pile boxes, vases, once-used juicers and more on top of this kitchen appliance, but it can look messy. So why not formalise this storage spot (and tidy it up) by fitting a closed cupboard above it? Unless you’re very tall, a small set of kitchen steps will encourage you to use it, too.
45 Make your furniture foldable Only have time for a table and chairs when you’re actually using them? Folding versions are a brilliant solution. Choose them in bright colours or nice wood tones and they’ll double up as decorative accessories if you hang them on wall hooks when not in use. Garden furniture suits the purpose perfectly – it can also be much cheaper than indoor furniture.
42 Boost your wall units Depending on the type of cooker hood you have, there may be storage – or simply dead – space above it. Here, the homeowners have added a built-in cupboard topped by open shelves for cookbooks just where you want them. The neat shelves under the cupboards either side, for condiments, spices and mugs, are a smart touch, too.
Kitchen refurb space: tiny breakfast bar
Cissano - artwork in kitchen so that the two spaces an work together
Space savers Wall hung baskets for potatoes
Space saving in kitchen Try a trolley Wine bottles cluttering up your worktop? Turn them into a feature by adding a bar trolley if you have a sliver of unused space. Look out for compact designs, and consider using the bottom part of the trolley to store something different.
Cissano raised wall to hide dishes ...
hanging artwork. What you hang can be less important than how you hang it. Using a height of 150cm as a centre point for most pieces will give a pleasing result – engaging to both the eye and the room.
for cisano
Gallery walls
Gallery wall Choose the right frames… If you’re working with a collection of artwork across themes, using frames of a similar design or style is one way to tie the collection to your home’s style. Tip Reclaimed frames and made-to-order mouldings without glazing can be an inexpensive way to make your artwork stand out.
Fix your panels There are a number of different ways to fix your panelling to the walls, and it mostly depends on the style of panelling you’re using. The most popular and common method is to use glue. Simply apply the glue and use pins to hold the panels in place while they dry. Your supplier should be able to recommend an appropriate adhesive and may also be able to supply it for you. Once the glue is dry, you can remove or countersink the pins. Screws or nails can be used instead, but you’ll need to carefully fill and sand all the holes before painting to create a flawless finish. Paul Gamble says, “Panel rails should be filled and sanded with a two-part filler before you fit your panel moulding, as it makes the task so much easier.”
Wall panelling is a useful and attractive way to conceal services such as pipework and toilet cisterns. Ensure there’s sufficient space behind the panelling and construct the frame using studwork and possibly an additional substrate, such as plywood or MDF, depending on your type of panelling. Don’t forget to include an access panel for servicing and maintenance in the future.
wall panelling
Storage with ladder, including library ladder or folding boat ladder
For new bathroom ...
3.4 panelling to create continuity with the rest of the house ...
full pannelli
panelling
Bathroom. That pelican
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