UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS

It’s a wash

Bathrooms are often overlooked when it comes to decorating because they can be among the smallest spaces in a home and, functionally, people do not stay in them for long.

Most bathrooms have a standard sterile look: all white walls, toilets and sinks with a basic white floor tile pattern and a simple rug. The only pop of color one can find in a bathroom is on the shower curtain. But bathrooms do not need to look so plain. A bit of creativity and color changes can make a bathroom appear spacious and clean.

Contractor Johnny Lee of Guam Home Creators shared an example of a master bathroom he renovated, which is a stark contrast to the typical white bathroom. For the walls, Lee installed brown and white ceramic panels that resemble wooden planks. The sink rests over the cabinet, making it seem like a fountain, and just under a wide, circular mirror with overhead lighting. For a modern touch, Lee installed an automatic toilet. And the shower is encased by glass doors, opposite of a ceramic bathtub that can fit two people.

“Rain-down showers are requested a lot these days, too,” Lee said.

While this may seem like an expensive endeavor, this helps prove that with the right material, a bathroom may even overshadow other parts of the home. Still, for those who are on a budget, something as simple as adding a bright-colored rug with a matching shower curtain can liven things up. Toilet seat covers can help tone down the abundance of white space in the room. Wash clothes hanging on rails or folded and on the sink can serve as accents. For lighting, standard fluorescent lights are great for visibility. Lights with warmer tones can add a cozy feel to the bathroom.

Cleanliness is an important part of decorating a bathroom, too, especially if the space is primarily white. It is easy to spot when an area is dirty when it’s on top of a white surface. As a space with running water, mold and mildew are sure to make an appearance without proper care.

“Thoroughly wiping (a surface) to remove the mold with a mild detergent is usually sufficient unless the material is porous like gypsum board and ceiling tiles,” said John M. Fernandez, an industrial hygienist with Industrial Hygiene Professionals Inc.

Sinks and toilets should be scrubbed down periodically so they can continue to have that nice shine. p