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10 Reasons That Why Steel Stairs Are Best Option Than Concrete

By
James
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Steel Stairs

Stairs are an essential part of any multi-story building. If they aren’t properly installed, disaster can strike at any time. That’s why builders and designers consider many factors when constructing different stairs like steel stairs or concrete stairs for industrial and commercial facilities, where safety is of utmost importance. And as the client, you also have to take the necessary measures to ensure that you’re spending your money on quality materials, reliable services, and a suitable design you can afford.

One way to make sure that you’re picking the perfect material for stairs is to compare them. This way, you can make a list of your top choices and weigh your options before making a final decision. To start with, here are several reasons steel stairs are superior to concrete stairs for industrial and commercial settings:

1. Steel Is More Versatile and Convenient 

Steel Is More Versatile and Convenient 

The versatility of steel allows it to use for straight and spiral staircases alike. It’s also possible to create more intricate designs with it because steel has malleable properties that concrete doesn’t. Concrete has to be molded in specific ways and reinforced to increase its strength.

If you don’t want your steel stairs to be built from scratch, there are prefab steel stairs you can choose from and purchase immediately for your needs. These are especially convenient because setting them up is easier and quicker than having custom stairs made. Moreover, going for them is a great way to ensure that the stairs in your establishment are safe and comply with current building codes and standards.

2. Steel Is Stronger Than Concrete 

Steel is an incredibly strong material that can handle all kinds of climates and even natural calamities. This is why it’s commonly used as the framework for numerous types of buildings and structures. As a material for stairs, its durability allows for more safety because it’ll stay resilient even when subjected to heavy foot traffic.

“It’s also a lot less bulky compared to wood and can be used as part of a minimalist design, which works really well in modern buildings,” comments James Durr of commercial property sales experts Property Solvers.

3. Steel Lasts Longer Than Concrete 

Because of its immense strength, steel lasts much longer than concrete. What’s more, concrete tends to crack, especially if the stairs aren’t well made. Since concrete stairs require reinforcement, this also means they take longer to install. And the process involved is meticulous as any mistake could lead to an unstable or poorly built structure.

Another downside to concrete is that it tends to chip away easily, making it look old and worn down quickly. That isn’t a problem you have to worry about with steel, so it’s a better choice even for outdoor stairs.

4. Steel Is an Overall Better Investment 

Steel lasts longer, is easier to install, and can handle a beating, so you can expect to get your money’s worth if you go for steel stairs. Meanwhile, concrete tends to be finicky and will require so much work for what it’s worth.

It would also be disappointing to find that the concrete stairs you’ve invested in weren’t constructed well and have incurred signs of cracking and damage within a short period. Steel stairs can look brand-new even after years of use.

5. Steel Is Great for Commercial Applications

Steel Is Great for Commercial Applications

Many commercial buildings are now adopting modern architectural designs, and steel allows for a sleek aesthetic that’s suitable even for industrial structures. So steel stairs will make an excellent addition to a commercial building not just for its durability but also for its appearance. And because it’s space-saving, you’ll be able to maximize the use of your establishment. 

6. Concrete Tends to Be Bulky and Takes Up a Lot of Space 

Even if concrete can modify to take on a particular look or style, it can come off as bulky. It’s possible for the steps to be thinner than usual, but some worry about whether thinner concrete stairs will be strong enough.

In open spaces, concrete stairs would work because there’d be enough room to install them. However, they might look overwhelming in a facility with a lot of equipment, and they’re not the most suitable choice when other available materials like steel naturally take up less space.

7. Steel Can Be Corrosion-Resistant 

You may be thinking that steel will corrode over time. That would’ve been a valid concern a long time ago, but these days, it’s no longer an issue because certain alloys are corrosion-resistant. Stainless steel is one of the top choices for stairs because it can withstand rusting. So even if you’re planning to have the stairs installed outside the facility, you won’t have to worry about them corroding or losing their structural integrity.

The finish options you can choose for steel stairs also protect them from corrosion. Powder coating and hot-dip galvanization (HDG) are two excellent examples of corrosion-resistant finishes.

8. Concrete Is Not Environmentally Friendly 

One big disadvantage of concrete is that it’s not good for the environment. Mixing concrete requires all kinds of machinery, which means that it contributes to emissions. On the other hand, steel is more eco-friendly because it can recycle and use to create other products or structures.

9. Steel Is Easier to Maintain 

Most people prefer stairs that are easy to maintain such that they require less frequent cleaning and fewer repairs. When it comes to steel stairs, you likely won’t have to deal with a lot of damage given how durable they are. And to keep them clean, the most you’ll have to do is a quick wipe down from time to time.

10. Steel Is Easier to Customize

Steel Is Easier to Customize

You may be surprised to know that steel stairs combined with fiberglass grating for sale are easy to customize to match your requirements. For example, you need narrow stairs to fit a hallway or a small area in your office, or you want something more compact than the stairs you already have so you can increase the available space in your industrial facility.

For such purposes, look for a fabricator or company that specializes in steel stairs. They’ll take a look at your needs and come up with a design that would match the specifications you’re looking for.

Conclusion 

Installing stairs requires proper planning, and choosing the materials for them will determine whether the finished structure is safe, sturdy, and long-lasting. Steel is one of the best choices for its strength and longevity, unlike concrete that can crack and chip away.

Furthermore, steel is versatile and convenient, which makes construction and maintenance so much easier. And in terms of design, steel is far sleeker, less bulky, and highly customizable. So no matter what industry you’re part of, you can benefit from having steel stairs in your facility.

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St. Andrews Girl’s Hostel – A Modern Touch to the Traditional Architecture

By
James
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St. Andrews Girl's Hostel

Project Name: St. Andrews Girls Hostel

Architect Firm: Zero Energy Design Lab

Location: Gurugram-Delhi, India

Total Area: 25,000 sq. ft.

Built Year: 2020

St. Andrews Girls Hostel in New Delhi, India, is one of the best architectures designed and built by a recognized firm Zero Energy Design Lab. It has an appealing and eminent exterior facade. The hollow concrete tint of the block bricks is one of the most attractive features of the building. It makes it worth the investment, hard work, and efforts behind the ultimate result. 

St. Andrews Institute of Technology and Management

The St. Andrew Institute of Technology and Management in Gurugram came up with this concept of a unique hostel collaborating with the Zero Energy Design Lab architecture firm in Delhi, India. The entire planning of the project, right from designing to implementation of the plans to the final result, has the primary objective of natural sustainability. 

The hostel block design and the building were completed in the year 2020. The designing and building of the St. Andrews Girls Hostel traverse the compilation of the concept and sustainability all in one architecture. 

Hostel Block Plan

The St. Andrews Girls Hostel of the St. Andrews Institute of Technology and Management in Delhi, India, is the new and modern way to sustain the traditional feel. The matter of fact is that even though the plan focuses on the conventional aspects of the exterior facade, it is absolutely practically built. 

St Andrews Girls Hostel Block Plan

The building of the hostel block was ready by 2020. The entire plan is spread over 25,000sq ft. overall. The building is right next to the boy’s hostel. The exterior is designed with a double-layered neutral brick wall from all the ends. The unique solar-thermal comfort of the complete functionality allows the girls residing there to enjoy the surroundings and the open environment, which encourage their free moving. 

The plan has four levels, which altogether can accommodate 130 girls. In total, there are 12 rooms with two beds occupancy on the ground floor with double height receptions, an indoor activity room, and a pantry. Though it is often tough to conceptualize the design and later implement it practically, the entire team was smart enough to make it possible. 

St Andrews Girls Hostel front view

The staircase is the main attraction of the entire architecture as it connects all the four-levels with the main façade. It is not just the connections between the levels, the staircase also turns out to be an interesting, engaging point in the plan. As per the plan, the staircase brick is the main center of allowing the opaque thermal light. 

The interior and exterior plan of the entire architecture has more than sufficient space for moving around. The space allotted around the plan has free and non-restricted access for the girls to enjoy their free time without any fear. 

Hostel Block Design

The design of the plan seems to revise the same conventional methods of implementation. Considering all human comfort with the concept of adaptive environmental comfort, the central concept of Zero Energy Design Lab has ensured to provide the ultimate layout in the St. Andrews Girls Hostel in an orderly manner. Every room and planning is made to maintain the homely vibe of the girls staying there. It even serves the adaptive layering to understand and sustain the traditional architecture with minimum electricity consumption for survival. 

St Andrews Girls Hostel Block Design

The architecture firm has ensured to provide a comfortable and accessible environment to all the girls residing there. The firm has ensured to provide utmost safety and security with a modern style of a traditional layout. The thermal environment varies as you move from the interior to the exteriors of the building. The activity luxuriate is connected to the open terrain. It serves as an access to the space with a peaceful environment for reading or enjoying the surroundings. The interior of the landscape is filled with varieties of plantations to reduce the amount of heat and provide natural cooling. 

The second floor has a spacious terrace on the west façade of the building, which has beautiful morning and evening vibes in the summer days. Space is designed in a way that girls can hang out comfortably during winters as well. They can gather over there and spend hours of their free time enjoying the ambiance and the surroundings. They have the right to re-decorate the space as per their liking and requirements. The design of the building is simple and subtle, keeping the functionality and essential components in mind. 

St Andrews Girls Hostel building

The main attraction or the heart of the building is the staircase that connects all the floors to the central entrance of the building. There are connectors in the stairs that provide space or area to pause by and have chit chats. 

If you look at the plan, every floor, corner, room, and space is planned and designed to have direct access to the environment and allow natural thermal energy within the building. The Zero Energy Design Lab has ensured to provide the maximum freedom, access, and safety for the girls to have a safe and secured stay in the St. Andrews Girls hostel.  

St. Andrews Girls Hostel: Constructional Details

All the floors in the building are connected with concrete and sandstones. The architecture firm has ensured to design a round column, which depicts an appealing physical appearance and enhances the overall look of the building. The tri-column sheer mass tripod configuration provides better sturdy and robust structural steadiness. This is beneficial to offer solid vertical support to the building right from the core of the base. 

St. Andrews Girls Hostel: Constructional Details

The lattice on the crown of the building is designed using the steel spar and cement plank for the roof’s lightweight to avoid any mishap. It results in an excellent layout for the entire look. The overall hostel block plan and design are kept traditional and naturally functional, maintaining the privacy and security of every girl staying there. 

The overall exterior of the building is built with red tint sand bricks and cement. It is a traditional method and yet blends perfectly with the modern style layout at the St. Andrews Girls Hostel. 

The Binary Skin Facade

A semi-absorbent layer is created to regulate and screen the transposition of the interior and the exterior environment with a controlled airflow. All because of the limited space available alongside the northern façade of the hostel block plan, the ventilation is required to maintain the airflow and control the temperature. For this, the Binary Skin Façade is planned and designed. 

St Andrews Girls Binary Skin Facade

The hostel has utilized hollow tint concrete blocks that provide the required gaps between each block. The blocks are placed with an interval of 8 inches in an adjacent manner, which blocks the direct sunlight and only allows the entry of the necessary amount of light.  

With the help of Bernoulli’s Principle, the heat is reduced through the penetrable blocks of the building design. Concerning the solar heat, the blocks are twirled at a definite inclination as per the Insulation Analysis.

St Andrews Girls Hostel

St Andrews Girls Hostel

St Andrews Girls Hostel

Zero Energy Design Lab

Zero Energy Design Lab

Zero Energy Design Lab

Zero Energy Design Lab

Zero Energy Design Lab

Zero Energy Design Lab

Zero Energy Design Lab

Zero Energy Design Lab

The Zero Energy Design Lab has ensured to design a sustainable building structure in a modern style with a traditional concept. The architectural firm has always maintained the same vision in every project they have worked on. The idea of bringing back the classic image with a modern touch is a great way to lead a sustainable life ahead.

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12 Interior Design Ideas for Custom Homes

By
James
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Custom Home

Is there anything more fun than designing your own custom home? You are essentially building a home from scratch, from crafting your dream kitchen to renovating your master bedroom. Every room can be decorated with the theme, style, and accessories that you love. The interior design possibilities in custom homes are simply boundless.

Building your custom home is a huge endeavor, so many people use custom home builders to allocate the work. These professionals will take care of the manual labor and construction work on your behalf. This allows you, the homeowner, to solely focus on the interior design.

If you are looking for design inspiration, here are some ideas to implement in your custom home:

1. Décor Theme

Décor Theme

There are dozens of interior design themes for custom homes. Choose from a modern-contemporary, minimalist, or luxury theme. Or you may prefer a rustic, farmhouse, and eco-friendly vibe. You don’t need to settle on the exact details, but an overarching principle can guide you through decorating the property.

2. Local Brands

Connect with local brands. See if there’s a way to blend in locally-made furniture or to hang meaningful local décor, whether that’s from local artists or photographs of local landmarks. Search out items that represent your community and your identity. The last thing you want with a custom home is a cookie-cutter property.

3. Eco-Friendly Expression

Eco-Friendly Expression

Eco-friendly expression is a popular design idea for custom homes. Try to incorporate some form of natural materials into your home’s design. This could involve using wood or stone somewhere in your home construction or possibly crafting an indoor garden. An effort to have a green design goes a long way in keeping your home cute, trendy, and welcoming.

4. Flooring Type

Even in a custom home, space is limited. The type of flooring you put in a home is up to you, but remember it serves both a function and also interacts with your décor theme. Some homeowners may opt for an area rug to cover certain square footage.

This will help to designate common areas. It also remedies the drawbacks of hard floors, such as having a fluffy rug beside the master bed to comfortably set your toes on after a night’s rest.

5. Work-From-Home Office

Work-From-Home Office

With more people working remotely today than ever before, it doesn’t hurt to have a work-from-home office at the ready complete with all the bells and whistles. A relatively new custom home trademark, an executive-style office can add a lot of resale value to your property as well. This office is also great for the numerous entrepreneurs with side hustles going on.

6. Privacy of a Master Bedroom

Open-concept is a fine style for a dining room, kitchen, and living room. In a custom home, most homeowners will want a master bedroom to be fairly private. This has to be considered in the context of the layout. You may also want a bathroom attached as well. Bedrooms don’t come with much of a rulebook, allowing you to personalize it in many ways.

7. Doors and Windows

Your door and windows are underrated décor opportunities. How you dress a window, for example, can say a lot about what type of home you have. The type of door you choose also impacts perception. You can opt to go fairly standard with these choices to save on cost. Alternatively, choose something that speaks to you and the theme you’ve decided on for your custom home.

8. Maximize Your Kitchen

Maximize Your Kitchen

It’s also the one room other than the bathroom where redesigning it after the fact isn’t a possibility. Ensure you have enough countertop space, enough storage, and a nice kitchen island with some seating around it. As much as your dining room is, a kitchen is a gathering space for family and friends.

9. Enjoy the View

Don’t just focus on inside your custom home. Your lot may have some unique features or topography to look at. Consider how to feature that. Floor-to-ceiling windows and/or facing a living room out towards beautiful scenery can add a nice focal point. If you’re planning an outdoor deck, this may also be something to consider in mapping out what rooms go where.

10. Lighting Your Rooms

Lights are divided into two categories – general, necessary light to see what you’re doing, and then accent lighting. Accent lighting is to highlight the architecture or features in a room or surrounding your property. Add to this the wide array of fixtures, lamps, and outlets. There are many possibilities to choose from here in how to light your custom home.

11. Wallpaper a Single Wall

Wallpaper a Single Wall

Custom homes can be filled with lots of luxury items, unique décor, and top-quality furniture but sometimes, it’s a simple color or pattern that has the biggest impact on a room’s tone. In large spaces like living rooms, you can create a unique atmosphere by wallpapering a single wall. If wallpaper isn’t your style, try a mural or custom artwork.

12. Plan for the Future

The ultimate home for you in your 20s isn’t going to be the same as what you will want for your dream home in your 50s. Tastes change and need change. People have families, causing priorities to migrate. Though you may not be able to predict your future, give some thought to what it looks like. If growing your family is a possibility, you need the bedrooms and space to do that in, as an example.

In case you missed it!

Plunge Into Summer- Why You Need a Plunge Pool

By
James
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0
Plunge pool

A Guide to Landscaping Around Your PoolOh, the beauty of summer and all it entails. It is time to enjoy moments in the sun, with outdoor frolics, summer BBQs, and a host of other activities. Be it a plunge pool, an underground pool, whether you are in Sydney or Melbourne, pools can make for a good time with friends. The season encourages you to step out and seek maximum fun and enjoyment whenever and wherever you can find it.

Swimming pools are synonymous with summertime. They are the ultimate feature for time well spent outdoors. They come in varying shapes, sizes, and designs to suit even the most discerning tastes. However, one of most homeowners’ primary concerns when choosing a pool is whether the available space is sufficient. A swimming pool and its associated components can take up more room than you have available in the backyard. How can you remedy this problem without having to surrender all the design aspects on your wishlist?

The answer lies in a plunge pool.

What Is a Plunge Pool?

Plunge Pool

At its core, a plunge pool is a compact swimming pool. Its size dimensions make it only slightly larger than a spa in most cases. While the horizontal measurements may be confined to a certain degree, the depth of a plunge pool can go from 1.2 meters and beyond. Thus, they are also referred to as dipping pools.

A plunge pool provides you with the chance to have a swimming pool even if your backyard is large enough to accommodate a regular-sized one. To avoid sacrificing your lawn or landscaping, you may also elect to fit a plunge pool in a small enclosed area.

Like larger swimming pools, plunge pools are classified into types: in-ground types and above-ground types. They also utilize the same equipment, including pumps and filters. The only difference, in this case, lies in how space is created to accommodate the hardware.

Why Would You Need a Plunge Pool?

They Do Not Take Up More Space

They Do Not Take Up More Space

Consider your yard. Have you found yourself lamenting the fact that you don’t have enough room for a swimming pool? Perhaps your backyard is large enough, but you like the landscaping so much that you are unwilling to dig up a considerable chunk of it to fit a pool. Whatever the case may be, a plunge pool eliminates the question of the size of available space.

You can choose to install it wherever you feel it will be best suited. Some standard placement options include alongside a patio or tucked in by the fence. It may even be a novel addition to an enclosed space somewhere in the house that was otherwise unused and wasted.

They Are Ideal Exercise Aids

You no longer need to have a large Olympic-sized swimming pool to get sufficient exercise from swimming. Plunge pools have become viable alternatives for fitness purposes. They are ideal for low-impact exercise, which allows you to attain the results of a strenuous workout without risking excessive joint damage.

Furthermore, added features like a swim jet system enable you to gain a training platform with provisions for unlimited swimming conditions that allow you to mimic taking laps in a bigger pool.

They Are Great for Entertaining

They Are Great for Entertaining

One of the primary reasons for installing a pool is to have an avenue for entertainment when friends and family are around. In addition, the draw of jumping into a body of water on a hot day is an irresistible prospect.

A plunge pool permits you to create an ideal entertainment area with space for all the most desired things about the pool: a poolside lounging area and water where everyone can play and cool off. Moreover, you can make the plunge pool significantly better by installing jets in the seating areas. Once you turn them on, your pool transforms into a massage pool which fosters more relaxation and delight.

They Enhance Your Outdoor Decor

A plunge pool may be relatively small, but its design can pack quite an aesthetic punch. You may opt to model its layout to compliment the interior of your home or the outdoor surroundings. The plunge pool lends itself well to modern design aesthetics and can be a beautiful addition to your home’s appearance.

They Are Easy to Maintain

Unlike larger pools, plunge pools do not require much effort to keep up with care and maintenance. Due to their size, there isn’t as much debris in the water at any given time. This difference shrinks the need for cleaning to shorter sessions that require nothing more than a scoop net or a manual vacuum.

Despair is no more about your desire to have a pool suited to your limited space. Contact your local pool builder to explore the range of plunge pool designs available. With a new plunge pool, you will be well on your way towards creating wonderful memories for years to come.

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How to Save Money on Pool Maintenance

By
James
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Save Money on Pool Maintenances

Installing a swimming pool on your property is a classic way of enhancing the aesthetics of a home and its value. But moving on, you will need to provide regular pool maintenance. This job may be handled by the homeowner or a professional pool cleaning service. It’s not just about removing rotten leaves from the water. Some of the typical activities in pool maintenance include scrubbing residues off pool walls, vacuuming the pool, optimizing the circulation system, and regulating chemical levels. If you’re looking for excellent guidance on pool cleaning and save money on pool maintenance accessories, you can check out All About Pools.

Basics of Pool Maintenance

Regular pool maintenance allows you to detect (and eliminate) problems early and keep your swimming pool in top form. Pool water needs to be kept clean, perfect, and balanced. Neglecting the pool water may give rise to harmful contaminants and subsequently cause structural damages. One of the areas that require extensive care is the walls of the pool.

Scrub off the residues, molds, and algae to ensure that the water is pure. Quality pool maintenance enhances pool circulation and minimizes the proliferation of contaminants. It’s important to get as much information as you can about pool maintenance and create a schedule to make things easy.

Saving Money on Pool Maintenance

If you’re not careful, pool maintenance may rack up huge bills and put a dent in your finances. The following are some of the tips for minimizing pool maintenance costs:

1. Minimize Water Loss

The common way that pools lose water is through evaporation. If your swimming pool keeps releasing too much water, the costs of refilling the swimming pool can quickly add up to a huge amount. And so, invest in a solar pool cover to minimize evaporation. Also, ensure that leaks are repaired on time.

2. Regular Maintenance

Regular Maintenance pool

Providing regular maintenance not only preserves the efficiency of your pool but also makes the actual maintenance processes easy. Neglecting your pool may lead to serious damages that might require you to spend way more on repairs than you would have in maintenance. Neglecting your swimming pool not only causes structural damages but can also lead to the existence of harmful contaminants.

3. Shut Off Idle Water Features

Different water features serve different functions. For instance, spillover spas are a decorative feature; bubblers are for shooting bubbles, and waterfalls improve aesthetics. But leaving these water features running at all times can rack up the water expense. Learn to close idle water features.

4. Avoid Over-Cleaning

Maintaining pool cleanliness is a priority. However, when you do overdo it, it can become a needless resource drain. If you have automatic cleaners, make sure they are not running daily. Also, make sure that you’re not constantly adding chemicals, as this can prove to be expensive.

5. Minimize the Temperature of Your Heater

In cold seasons, swimming pool heaters can enable you to swim with relative comfort. But then you have to keep in mind that the more you raise the heater’s temperature, the greater the cost. And so, if you need to use a swimming pool heater, ensure that you lower the temperature or you can also install a pool enclosure that prevents cool winter winds from entering the pool area and would let you take a dip in the hot pool water.

6. Use Baking Soda

Use Baking SodaPool Maintenance

One of the critical things in swimming pool maintenance is stabilizing the levels of alkalinity. Instead of using an alkalinity booster, you can use baking soda. Baking soda is cheaper than alkalinity minerals and is proven to be just as effective at regulating alkalinity. But then you need to apply baking soda in small amounts to avoid the development of a cloudy appearance.

7. Improve the Surrounding Environment

Improve the Surrounding Environment of pool

You may not transfer your swimming pool to a new location, but you can improve the surrounding environment to conserve resources. For instance, you can invest in a natural wind barrier to minimize water loss through evaporation. Also, you can eliminate pest activity to lessen the risk of structural damage.

8. Don’t Buy Chemicals Excessively

Swimming pool chemicals make the water harmless to swim in. Some of the common swimming pool chemicals include cyanuric acid, alkalinity increaser, and chlorine tablets.

Different types of pools require different types of chemicals, and it’s thus important to invest in just the necessary swimming pool chemicals to avoid wasting money.

9. Maintain Pool Equipment

Ensure that your tools are in tip-top condition. This involves cleaning and replacing the equipment and parts of the pool itself when needed. For example, if your pool is fairly old you may need to look for companies to get any liners or covers replaced. However, there are things you can do yourself. The pool filter will need to be cleaned regularly to avoid the accumulation of debris, and proper handling and storage of pool equipment make for easy pool maintenance.

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Pencil Tower Hotel: Australia’s Thinnest “Pencil” Skyscraper

By
James
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Pencil Tower Hotel

Would you like to stay in the skinniest skyscraper? With only 6 meters in width, this sky-high building will be the skinniest skyscraper in Australia when it is complete. Want to know more about the architectural details and other information about this unique structure? If yes, keep on reading. Let’s see pencil tower hotel.

Pencil Tower Hotel

Pencil Tower Hotel

Project Name: 410 Pitt street/ Pencil Tower Hotel

Architect: Durbach Block Jaggers

Location: 410 Pitt Street, Sydney, Australia

Type: Hotel

Architectural Style: Postmodernism

Building Status: Planned

Recently, Australian architecture studio Durbach Block Jaggers has unveiled a unique structural design of a skyscraper. This building will serve as a boutique hotel, and the most bizarre thing about this structure is that it will only be 6.4 meters wide!

The official name of this project is Pencil Tower Hotel or 410 Pitt street, located in Sydney, Australia. This 100-meter high tower is specifically designed to be the country’s thinnest skyscraper. Pretty impressive, right?

Are you wondering which is the world’s skinniest skyscraper? The answer is 111 West 57th in New York by SHoP Architects. This tower will have a height-to-width ratio of 24:1 and will surely be the skinniest skyscraper in the world when it is completed.

However, today, we’re only going to talk about the skinniest tower in Australia. Let’s know more about the construction process and other aspects of it, such as how the interiors will look when completed and the significant challenges that architects have faced while designing this incredible structure. 

What’s Inside The Pencil Tower Hotel

What’s Inside The Pencil Tower Hotel

The building would rise at 410 Pitt Street with a height-to-width ratio of 16:1. This building will be a Hotel that will have 173 hotel rooms with six suites on each floor. 

The studio described the tower as a “sky scratcher” as it is “too thin to really qualify as a skyscraper.” 

Each floor has six rooms that will have all the amenities and facilities. Plus, there are many additional service areas present in the basement and podium. There is also a cleaning/storeroom on every third hotel floor. 

The architects explained, “An improbably narrow, six-meter-wide site is envisaged for a 100-meter tower in the downtown area of Sydney near its central station.” They further said, “Our proposal embraces this extraordinary attenuated quality, proposing a ‘column’ tower on a low scale podium.”

As per architects, this ‘Pencil’ tower will stand on a seven-story podium building that will also contain a lobby, rooftop pool, sundeck, cafe, and lounge. The upper three floors will have a spa that opens out onto a projecting balcony. 

All these things can be visible through a large-scale keyhole window. There is also a walled courtyard garden for shared use that overlooks the street.

Another fascinating fact about this structure is that this tower design was a recent winner of the City of Sydney Design Excellence Competition.  Now, the building design has been submitted to planning authorities. 

Pencil Tower Hotel will be the second recent high-profile skinny skyscraper in Australia. The first one is Melbourne’s Collins House, which has a width of just 11.5 m (37.5 ft).  

Construction of Pencil Tower Hotel Sydney

Construction of Pencil Tower Hotel Sydney

The tower would rise on a low-scale podium, and this was explicitly designed to refer to the adjacent facades at street level. 

According to the studio, “The podium references the delicacy and detail of its heritage neighbors, using the language of grand arching brickwork.” 

At the same time, this tower also has a paired-back modern facade clad in marble and metallic materials. The spa on the upper floors is covered by a slender vaulted roof with a tiled ceiling.

The overall design of the structure was designed to simulate the compression and extension of a column. This was done through a continuous abstraction of its three main elements: base, shaft, and capital. 

According to designers, “The capital is joyfully expressed as a flying balcony and shell curves of a rooftop sundeck, pool, and ‘hammam’ spa. The soffit of the curved ceiling is brightly tiled, visible from both the street below and the city beyond.”

Major Challenges Faced by Architects

Major Challenges Faced by Architects

The studio will face many challenges in the construction of the Pencil Tower Hotel. Some of the practical issues are “catastrophic” flooding and construction issues such as the crane will not be able to access the floors above the sixth one.  

That’s why the architects have come up with an idea of installing permanent framework and steel slabs forms for the walls. As this can be easily handled and can be installed without a crane. Also, the floors and walls will then be reinforced. 

The construction of the facade would begin with compressed horizontal screening, and slowly it will transform into exaggerated verticals at the top.  The horizontals will begin to wide from the start, and it will also be complementing the outside frame of the building. This part will be slowly thinning and receding at the height of the tower.

Architects explained the details as, “Each horizontal is at the height of the slab, handrail and door head height. Each floor houses compact hotel rooms, gathering light from the street, rear court, or internal shapely voids. The voids are tiled to reflect light and color into the rooms.” 

As this is a narrow and tall building, it will mostly be constructed without the use of cranes due to the constraints of the site. The six-story podium section will be built using traditional concrete columns and slabs. Whereas the upper floors will be made using steel formwork. These parts of the framework will later become the parts of the permanent structure.

The studio explains the challenges as, “Crane access above level six becomes a challenge given the narrow site.” That’s why most of the parts of the tower will be constructed without a crane. That’s the reason why architects said, “In many ways, the building is handmade.”

Durbach Block Jaggers

The Bottom Line

So, this is all about the Pencil Tower Hotel designed by Durbach Block Jaggers. There is no doubt that this tower is a brilliant example of the emerging trend for skinny skyscrapers. Another tall and skinny skyscraper is the Collins House in Melbourne. It was designed by Bates Smart, which is 184 meters tall and just 11.5 meters wide.

If you want to know more about these types of unique and unusual houses or places located in various parts of the world, read our previous blogs such as Central Park Tower, Rendezvous House in Teton Village, and Healdsburg House in California.  and many more.

I hope you liked this blog about the Pencil Tower Hotel or 410 Pitt street. Don’t forget to share this blog with your family and friends.

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8 Myths Hindering Your Ability to Build a Swimming Pool!

By
James
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0
Build a Swimming Pool

Do you want to build a swimming pool? Then read on, and learn about the eight myths that are holding you back from creating your own plunge pool paradise.

How does it seem to be able to jump freely into the water whenever one wants? To swim long distances without getting sick and tired? Or just have fun jumping into water like a little kid? Exciting, isn’t it?

Building your own swimming pool is an exciting endeavor. However, if you hear these eight myths today about making your own swimming pool, the day might not be so great after all!

  • Cost of Materials Is Too Expensive
  • I Can’t Do It Myself
  • I Don’t Know How To Build A Swimming Pool
  • This Is Too Difficult 
  • This Will Take Too Long
  • My Yard Isn’t Suitable For A Swimming Pool
  • Hiring a Contractor to Build My Swimming Pool Will Be Too Expensive
  • I Can’t Build A Swimming Pool Because I Have a Sloping or Irregularly Shaped Yard

If you believe these myths, then you will never build a swimming pool. These are just some of the many myths that have been told and re-told throughout the years about making your swimming pool.

Let’s take a look at each one and dispel them now!

1. Cost of Materials Is Too Expensive

You could assume that you’ll pay more per gallon because you buy swimming pool supplies in smaller quantities than if you purchased a kit.  In most instances, this is true. But you can still save money in the long run by buying your supplies separately.  

There are numerous advantages to buying swimming pool supplies separately without purchasing a kit. Here is one of them:  When you buy a kit, everything is prepackaged into smaller quantities.  For example, if you want 80 pounds of sand, you must buy the entire kit with all of its supplies (and sometimes those supplies aren’t even used when building a swimming pool).  When you purchase your own materials separately, you can buy precisely what you need in bigger quantities.  

2. I Can’t Do It Myself

I Can't Do It Myself

Oh yes, you can! If you can read this and use a computer, you have all the skills required to build your own swimming pool.  With the help of instructional videos and self-help resources, you should both learn new skills and improve on existing ones while building your swimming pool. 

For example, you can easily cut your learning curve in half with a helpful guide on installing tile step by step!  Building your swimming pool doesn’t need to be as difficult as you think.  

3. I Don’t Know How to Build a Swimming Pool

If you can use a video to watch someone else build a swimming pool, you can benefit from the same videos and information.  There are countless resources available for those who want to learn how to create their swimming pool.  

4. This Is Too Difficult

Not true! Building a swimming pool is hard work, but it’s not difficult. You’ll need to work hard, but that is exactly why you should create your own pool!  When you hire a contractor, there are few guarantees in terms of quality and timeline. 

Most contractors will not guarantee the quality of their work or their price. Meaning if they come out cheaper than expected but perform poorly, then you’re stuck!  When you build your swimming pool, you get exactly what you want and control the entire process.  

5. This Will Take Too Long

This Will Take Too Long

Building a swimming pool is a long-term commitment that requires hard work. However, if you are committed to making it happen and have hired the right people, you can accomplish something great in a relatively short amount of time.  When you have the expertise of an experienced pool builder on your side, this is no longer true!

6. My Yard Isn’t Suitable for a Swimming Pool

Who says?  If it’s flat and has easy access to electricity, water, and drain/fill, you are all set!  Having a sloping yard or irregularly shaped property is no reason not to build a swimming pool. If you can’t see the potential of your property for building a swimming pool, an expert will be able to assist you in remodeling your landscape to make it possible.  Don’t limit yourself when you don’t have to!

7. Hiring a Contractor to Build My Swimming Pool Will Be Too Expensive

If you hire the right people with experience and adequate resources, it won’t cost you extra.  Most contractors charge based on the volume of work performed, not the number or type of materials used.   If they have enough labor and supplies on hand to meet your project’s demands, there will be no additional costs!  This is a great advantage over buying a kit.  

8. I Can’t Build a Swimming Pool Because I Have a Sloping or Irregularly Shaped Yard

I Can't Build a Swimming Pool Because I Have a Sloping or Irregularly Shaped Yard

You need not let your yard shape dictate what you can and can’t do with it!  Numerous landscaping techniques can make your yard more conducive to installing a swimming pool -just ask someone who knows how!

Whether you want to make small adjustments or a full-scale remodel, as long as your vision is possible, you can have it!  Even if sloping is too much for your liking and budgeting, there are still ways that you can build an above-ground pool in a sloping yard.  

Conclusion

Don’t let these myths restrict you from building a swimming pool.  This is something that can benefit every homeowner and property owner if it’s planned correctly.  There are many advantages to being self-sufficient, and many people do it for hobbies and interests every day.  You can do it too!

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Know All About the Best Deck Paint for Old Wood

By
James
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Best Deck Paint for Old Wood

Painting the old and weary deck is one and the simplest way to improve its beauty, specifically if you have the best deck paint for old wood. The painting procedure is not that difficult and you can  DIY it, which drastically reduces unwanted costs that you may have to pay if you choose the more expensive option for remodeling.

Restoration paint is not similar to an ordinary one. Generally, it is acrylic or a solution of acrylic latex that will dry into a thick layer on your old wooden decks and fill all the cracks in the process. This article includes below the steps for deck painting, best deck stains, and deck paint reviews.

How to Prepare And Apply Best Deck Paint for Old Wood?

Step 1: Wash the Deck:

Wash the Deck: deck paint for old wood

Even if it’s a new deck, you should clean it before applying paint or stain. Deck-cleaning products that you can buy and spray them on using a garden hose dispenser are useful. You can brush them with a utility broom or similar brush and then rinse it off. Moreover, you should consider the following when you wash the deck.

Brighteners:

For non-painted wood decking that is unevenly greyed over time, a cleaner that brightens the wood grain will help you remove stains and discrepancies. If you don’t use them, the old paint may show through a new stain application. These brighteners have a wood-bleaching product to lighten stains and dark splotches.

Deck Cleaners:

You should get an all-purpose deck cleaning solution; it is suitable for washing the deck. It will remove grime, dirt, and debris. If you intend to apply a stain rather than a paint, we recommend you to check and see if the stain manufacturer suggests a specific deck cleaner.

Mould and Mildew:

If any mold is present on your existing deck, use a cleaner with a mildewcide before painting or staining.

Skip the Power Washer:

Power washers are excellent for blowing away dirt and debris. But you should keep in mind that powerful jet water from a high-pressure washer can dig chunks of wood out of decking. After applying the deck-cleaning solution, scrub with a stiff nylon-bristle brush. Use a garden hose containing a jet nozzle to rinse away the cleaning solution, and then allow the deck to dry completely.

Step 2: Sand and Scrape the Deck:

Sand and Scrape the Deck deck paint for old wood

You should remove all loose and peeling paint before repainting the deck. For the best results, you should sand the rough surfaces.

Initiate with a Wire Brush:

You should use sweeping strokes over the painted decking to dislodge loose paint. A wire brush does quick work of getting rid of the loosest paint chips, although it likely will not get all of them.

Follow Up With the Scrapper:

There are two types of paint scrapers, such as:

  • Flat Scrapers
  • Curved Scrapers

Flat scrapers look like putty knives and work by positioning the blade at a low angle along with the decking and give light pushes. This step will help you to lose paint chips and remove them. This method is tried and true, but you should avoid gouging the wood with the blade. The blade on a curved scraper comes with a gentle arc at the end, and it works by pulling rather than pushing.

Don’t Skip the Sanding:

Scraping hardly removes all the paint from the existing deck. After scraping the loose paint, it is likely the wood will have large areas of stuck-on paint. Sanding is necessary to smooth the edges between stuck-on paint and bare wood. Using a power sander hastens the sanding procedure, but it is better to use a sanding sponge if you do not have sandpaper. Before sanding, you should use a hammer and nail set to countersink the nails that are sticking up.

Step 3: Apply the Paint

Apply the Paint deck paint for old wood

Before you open the can of paint or stain, you should apply the painter’s tape to adjacent parts of the house or garage. After following all the above steps, this is a minimal step. The tools you choose for applying the new finish deserve consideration. You should have the following tools:

Roller:

The best tool for new paint is using a paint roller. A roller will speed up the painting process. It will also provide a uniform layer of paint. You can connect the roller handle to an extension pole, making it easy to paint while standing up.

Stain Pads:

These will help you to do quick work of applying stains to non-painted wood decks. Stain pads consist of absorbent material, such as foam, along with the ability to attach an extension pole.

Brushes:

Keep some brushes with you for painting restricted spots, such as when it is time for a paint deck or in spots where the roller cannot fit.

Do not forget about the deck underside. If you can reach it, paint or seal all deck boards’ sides to protect the decking from moisture. It is more vital in regions with high humidity and heavy rains than in arid regions. If you do not seal all sides of the board, moisture may get into the wood and reduce the new paint’s longevity.

How to Buy a Deck of Paint?

To help you to pick the best deck paint, I have listed some of the best collections for deck painting with great deck paint reviews that will help you to select the best paint for you.

Cabot Paints For Decking

Cabot Paints For Decking deck paint for old wood

It is a top-quality product of the Cabot Corporation. The only reason it made it to the list of best paints for decking, especially for old wood is its reputation for restoring worn-out wooden structures. You can get this product in up to more than 51 different colors. Its coverage is remarkable, with about more than 75 square feet with two layers.

Its application is less complex as well; all you need is a nylon brush or a 3/8” roller nap as the substitute. It is best for weathered wood, decks, and porches. But it is better and recommended to use a solid stain on vertical areas like the railings.

Advantages Of Cabot Paints For Decking

  • It has wide uses from decks, concrete, porches, and weathered wood.
  • Ready for use within two days
  • Easily cleaned using soap and water
  • Easy to apply

Disadvantages Of Cabot Paints For Decking

  • Not suitable for vertical surfaces
  • Can peel

Kilz Over Armor

Kilz Over Armor deck paint for old wood

Kilz is a masterclass from Masterchem Industries. It is among the best deck paint for old wood and does a good job on walls, wood surface restoration, and rust prevention.

The Over Armor Resurfacer is on the list due to its excellent reputation. Masterchem’s best-selling acrylic resin paint can be found in smooth and textured finishes for wood and concrete.

The formula will help you to fill the cracks on the wood surfaces, hide imperfections, and give a new uniform look to old and worn-out wood. It is also accessible in several wood stains colors. You should prepare the weathered wood or the cracked horizontal wood surface properly before applying this paint. It is also excellent for vertical surfaces like posts and railings.

Advantages Of Kilz Over Armor

  • It’s an acrylic resin
  • Best for all weather conditions
  • Does not need the priming of the surface
  • A single gallon covers more than 70 square feet of an area
  • Fills and repairs holes and cracks on the surfaces for about ¼ inch
  • Great reviews from users
  • Takes less time to dry and cure

Disadvantages Of Kilz Over Armor

  • Its thick consistency calls for brush only in place of other options such as a roller during application.
  • You should clean the surface before application.

Anvil Deck-A-New

Anvil is one of the most trustworthy and reliable companies that makes some of the top paints for decking and sealants that give the wooden structures a flawless finish. Deck-A-New Resurfacer, one of their best deck paint for old wood, works perfectly to give the structures a new look.

It cures into a slip-free surface, which you can find in two variants: concrete and wood.

Advantages Of Anvil Deck-A-New

  • It is a known top-rated wood resurfacing paint
  • Provides an easy way if you want to repair the wooden and concrete deck
  • It will fill the wood cracks for up to ¼ inch.
  • This paint is 100% Acrylic
  • It is great for all-weather
  • It will not peel in areas with high traffic on decks
  • If you go with a single layer, it will cover an area of 160 square feet per gallon
  • You can easily clean the slip-free textured surface

Disadvantages Of Anvil Deck-A-New

  • It demands priming and cleaning of the surface before you apply.
  • Since Anvil Deck-A-New Resurfacer is not acrylic resin, it is not the best option for a region that experiences extreme weather conditions.

Conclusion 

There you have it; these were the best deck paint for old wood paints that you can use for painting. Make sure that you read all the steps carefully and do not miss any of the above steps, else you may end up making an error. It is better to take the help of someone who knows more than you.

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Know All About Organic House

By
James
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0
Organic House

It may look like something out of Avatar or The Hobbit movie– but no, this is an actual house in Naucalpan, Mexico. The Organic Housewaq is a  brilliant work of architect Javier Senosiain of Arquitectura Organica, renowned for his organic architecture. And while it looks like underground , that’s not quite the case. Let’s see organic house.

We think it is one of the most spectacular properties we have seen. This organic house is intimate, comforting, and cozy, also full of natural light. Moreover, there are stunning views that you can explore through the large oval windows.

When one of Javier’s daughters was studying in kindergarten, the teacher asked her to draw her house. Her drawing showed an undulating green roof with a semi-buried structure. She left out the giant head of the shark overlooking the garden. It led the school to call her mother and the   school psychologist. But, the explanation turned out to be simple: her father is an architect.

What is an Organic House and the Inspiration Behind It?

A Organic House room that has a table and shelves in it

Modelled after the peanut shell shape, the house comprises two cavernous oval spaces connected by a narrow passageway. One house chamber has private areas mainly for night use, while the brighter chamber contains the social areas.

The idea for the house was first conceived and took its inspiration from a peanut shell: two roomy oval spaces with light, connected by a narrow, dimly lit passageway. The concept for this project was based on the elemental functions that a man needs: a place to live and socialize. The house comprises a living room, dining room, kitchen, and another place for sleeping, with a dressing room and bath. Also, the original concept of the house, embodied in two large spaces: diurnal and nocturnal.

A organic house with a water feature in the middle of it

Javier designed this unique home to integrate with nature within the cape seamlessly. He said “The green dune wraps itself within the spaces almost completely, making it look like it is almost invisible. From the outside perspective, all people would see would be grass, bushes, trees, and flowers.” 

What Was the Construction Process of the Organic House?

A person standing in a organic room with a book shelf

The construction process was initiated by placing the frame for the ferrocement over the prepared foundation. It resembles the skateboard park – shaping the wrapper with a metal frame. Iron rods bent into the form of rings placed inside, their height differing from one space to another. Roll the rods into a spiral shape.

Two sheets of chicken wire, interwoven with each other, we’re connected to it, creating the base to pour the concrete. You need to do this process after completing the framework. The ferrocement was pumped via a flexible hose using compressed air and was projected pneumatically onto the chicken wireframe. The great force and impact of the material were extremely compact. Later, the resistance of the cement increases by up to 30%.

A organic house living room with a couch and a book shelf

Javier initiated the process of covering the building with soil after completing the framework. The end product was a shell about 4cm thick, resistant due to its shape, waterproof, and easy to build. Moreover, you need to spray a final 1.9cm layer of polyurethane. It further functions like waterproofing and insulation for the structure.

During the construction process, it was necessary to maintain the continuity of the original design. Therefore, you need a pliable material, much like the modeling clay utilized to make miniature models. Other than meeting the requirement for plasticity, it was sure that this material should meet the requirements that will make it more than sculpting clay. After brief research, it was evident: ferrocement is resistant, pliable, and elastic. This material originates from reinforced concrete and was forgotten for an extended period. This material provided a monolithic sculpture.

What Does the Organic House Look Like?

An aerial view of a organic house lush green park

Although the interior of the house gives the vibes of an underground cave, the house connects well with the lush landscape by a large window. The walls, ceilings, and built-in furnishings have a layering of Ferro-cement with the blend of white cement and marble powder. The living room has a chair in  the shape of a hand that is made by a Mexican artist, popularly known as Pedro Friedeberg and a Bubble chair by Eero Aarnio.

Upon descending a spiraling staircase, you will reach at the first oval chamber where the living, eating, and sleeping areas are. From here, a narrow tunnel leads to the second chamber where the sleeping nooks are.

Is It Dark Inside the House?

An aerial view of a lush green park with a Organic House Javier Senosiain

Despite being built underground, the interior contains natural light, permitted by a series of large windows in the curve that frame the luscious green surroundings. Meanwhile, the ventilation is accessible due to the aerodynamic forms of the dwelling that allow air circulation. Echoing the exterior topology, the house furnishings compliment well with the surroundings which facilitates circulation and makes the available area.

Contrary to what you might think, this semi-buried house is a lot sunnier and fuller of light than a traditional house because the windows can be anywhere. The domes allow the light and sun exposure from above. 

A light that is on inside of a tunnel

The grass and the dirt protect the membrane structure from wind, hail, sunlight, and the yearly wet-dry cycle. It helps to prevent dilations and contractions that would cause fissures and lead to humidity.

Is it Hot or Cold in an Organic House?

A Organic House Javier Senosiain in the middle of a grassy area

Like our body, the house temperature remains stable regardless of changes in the weather. The soil works like our skin – a moderator that controls variations in temperature by preventing the cooling and warming effects of the outside weather from rapidly changing the house temperature.

Temperatures inside and outside of the house turn out to be opposite from each other. When the summer arrives, the effect is such that temperatures inside are cool. When the winter comes, temperatures inside the house remain warm.

A organic house made out of plants and rocks

In other words, soil covering the house heats up when winter arrives and cools down when summer arrives. This process maintains a temperature of 18-23° centigrade all year long. The structure of the house helps in keeping the house warm during the winter season and cool in the summer. The evaporation of the plants, trees, and lawn transpiration oxygenates and refreshes the interior, thereby preventing atmospheric dryness, dust infiltration, and pollutants.

You will find a humidity level in the 40-70% range all year long in this microclimate. In other words, the vegetable epidermis functions as a nose that filters dust and maintains stable temperatures and a relatively comfortable humidity level inside. All of these characteristics help keep the inhabitants away from respiratory problems and ailments.

A organic house with a green roof and plants growing on the side of it
A view of a garden through a round window
A man is walking through a maze in a park
Organic House Javier Senosiain bathroom idea
Organic House Javier Senosiain idea
A organic house living room with a couch and a table inside of it
A group of people standing on top of a lush green field
A large metal structure
An aerial view of a organic house in the middle of a lush green area
An aerial view of an organic house
Organic House drawing
A drawing of a Organic House

Conclusion

The organic house is a perfect example of ”organic architecture” that takes its shape from nature and minimizes the environment’s impact. The dune of green wraps itself around the inside spaces completely, making it look like it is almost invisible to the passer-by.

The Mexican architect Javier Sensosiain is also popular for his organic structure; he said, “To walk in the house garden is to walk over the roof of the house without even realizing it,”

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Top 3 Luxurious Bathroom Design Tips for 2025

By
James
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0
Bathroom Design Tips

You may not be wholly aware of this fact, but you spend a minimum of 30 minutes each day in your bathroom, and that doesn’t include using the facilities. Prepping for your day, practicing good hygiene, dressing, and undressing- these are all common tasks done in the relative privacy of a bathroom. Therefore, why wouldn’t you want it to be a welcoming, comfortable space in which you typically greet the day? It is here that you begin to both mentally and physically prepare yourself to take on the rest of the day. No matter the size of your bathroom, these top three bathroom design tips for the year can help you create the luxurious bathroom illusion you’ve always wanted. 

Take Control of Your Lighting

Take Control of Your Lighting

Whether you have a small bathroom or larger ensuite bathroom won’t matter if you can illuminate it to highlight the entirety of the space you do have. First, take advantage of what natural lighting you do have. Use window coverings that provide privacy but still allow light through, or take advantage of carefully placed mirrors to help maximize the effect (more on mirrors later). 

Toss those boring, run-of-the-mill light fixtures and look for luxurious overhead lighting fixtures, such as mini chandeliers, or options that offer multiple bulb sockets such as a semi-flush modern mount that will provide lighting to all corners of your bathroom. For your sink areas that require direct lighting for shaving, makeup applications, and similar- consider low profile or hanging decorative vanity lights that are less conspicuous and don’t create a cluttered effect. 

If you have a large bathroom space, you have the option to add even more lighting solutions. A lounge and dressing area benefits from a wall sconce or tastefully placed wall or tableside lamp. Floor-length mirrors also could use a lighting solution that helps showcase your reflection when you are perfecting your look before heading out for a night on the town.  

Never Underestimate Mirrors

As for mirrors, it’s time to chuck the cookie-cutter wall mounts so many bathroom designs include as standard decorative design.  Mirrors can be used in a multitude of ways to help brighten a room and make it look larger, and where you place them will add a luxurious touch to the overall decor. 

For your typical over-the-sink mirror, instead of a frameless, square, flush-mounted option- choose an oversized, decorative framed mirror in a more exciting shape. Your choices can reflect your decorative style and bring a modern, rustic, or even Victorian flair to space.

How you mount these can also be part of the decor; place the mirror flat against the wall, allow it to lean against the wall from behind the sink, or mount it so it leans out from the top slightly to form a shallow angle from the bottom up. 

You can also easily place full-length mirrors in corners, mount mirrors perpendicular to corner windows, use mirrored cabinets, and place mirrors above tubs. Consider placement to utilize natural lighting, allowing you to take full advantage of these functional choices. 

Create Flow Using Color

Create Flow Using Color

More than anything, you want your bathroom space to flow with the rest of your house concerning its overall design. There is nothing wrong with it having a different look, but take advantage of color and pattern for a seamless transition. 

This is especially important for ensuite bathrooms, and you can use details such as molding, mirror framing, and lighting choices or hardware to help blend the decor from one room to the next. 

You also want to avoid creating bold or dramatic design changes and keep wallpaper or paint limited to accent walls rather than covering all walls. This helps keep a more open space look, and also allows you to better utilize your lighting. When you want a luxurious look, you want to stick with simple and elegant and avoid anything that makes a room seem smaller or cluttered. 

Other Quick Tips

If you have space, time, and budget to do so, consider some of the following ideas for your bathroom space:

  • Vault your ceiling to help with air circulation and give the effect of a larger space. 
  • Install a floor-to-ceiling walk-in shower.
  • Wide or lengthen (or both) your windows. Create a wall to a ceiling effect, or length towards the roofline or floor. 
  • Get rid of built-in vanities to save space and add design. 
  • Don’t tuck tubs along a wall, but rather- make it a centerpiece of the room.
  • Use natural stone and tile accents.

Conclusion

Whether you want to completely overhaul your bathroom space, or simply update it to make it more open and inviting, these are all great tips to take advantage of. They also can be incredibly budget-friendly depending on the choice you decide to make. 

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