Living Room
Even the formal living room was designed to feel light, casual and comfortable. Unlike many formal living spaces that end up as museum-like showpieces touched by little besides a vacuum, this family actively enjoys the room for entertaining and lingering over cocktails before moving to the family room after dinner. The designer echoed the rustic wood mantle of the family room and propped one of the wife’s finest paintings on it as the focal point.
Make the lip around your tub’s entrance narrow. If you’re planning for a tiled tub surround, make the lip at your tub’s entrance as narrow as possible. When you have to step over a large lip, the gap between your legs gets larger, which can impair balance and increase the chances of falling. A narrow lip will keep your legs closer together as you enter, which will strengthen your balance.
Ensure that the space is well-lit. The better your bathroom lighting is, the less strain on your eyes. You also don’t want to miss any wet spots that can be hidden by shadows. Good lighting comes in many forms, including recessed lighting, vanity lighting, lamps and natural light. You may even consider placing lighting inside an enclosed shower.
Increase the height of your vanity. The standard vanity height is 31½ inches (not including your countertop). This isn’t always high enough for homeowners. Raising the cabinet height to 34½ inches (this will reach standard kitchen counter height, including a 1½ inch countertop) can prevent you from having to hunch over as you’re washing up. There are two exceptions to increasing the vanity height. If you’re more comfortable with the standard vanity height, don’t increase it. Or if you want to make your vanity wheelchair-accessible, choose a counter height of 34 inches maximum, as specified in the American Disabilities Act guidelines.
Peter Zimmerman Architects
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