Today's bathroom accessories,
not just towel bars and shower curtain rods anymore.
When it comes to bathroom accessories the choices are virtually limitless. Gone are the days of old when the only decision that had to made was "chrome or brass".
The problem with having so many decisions is "where do I begin!!!"
When I am designing a bathroom whether it is a remodel or new construction, whether it is for a toothbrush holder or a heated towel warmer the first place I start is with a finish. The finish for your bathroom will set the tone for all of the other standard bathroom fixtures.
Some of the most popular finishes today are satin nickel, pewter and oil rubbed bronze. While personal preference plays an important role it is also important to think a little more long term as well. If you are planning to sell the home in just a few years it may not make a lot of sense to invest in the hand rubbed bronze shower rod and toothbrush holders. Although, if you are planning to stay in the house for quite some time, towel warmers, bathroom grab bars, a curved shower rod and bathroom shelving might be things to think about. All of these items are finish dependent.
When it comes to the budget you can't really beat good old chrome for all of the standard bathroom fixtures. Chrome's ready availability and simple timeless style make it the choice when it comes to getting good discount bathroom accessories. Several reputable companies deal in discount bathroom accessories right over the internet without the need to use that precious time and gas running all over the place.
If style trumps budget for your bathroom remodeling project, pewter or satin nickel are both excellent choices. The difficulty with these finishes arises when changing between manufacturers of bathroom accessories. For instance one maker of shower curtain rods may have a different idea of what pewter means than another maker of towel shelves. To remedy this, many manufacturers offer sets of standard bathroom fixtures and bathroom remodeling supplies.
If the latest fashion is what you're after then oil rubbed bronze may be just the look you're after. Oil rubbed bronze is quickly becoming a very popular choice for all sorts of accessories even shower racks and bathroom shelving. This finish may not have the time tested allure of chrome or nickel, but as an accent for today's earthy palette it just can't be beat.
After the finish is selected it is time to look at function. When thinking about accessories remember to think about who will be using this bathroom. If this is a kids bathroom obviously durability will be more of an issue than if your designing a luxury bathroom suite. Also think scale, a small bathroom will need smaller fixtures and accessories than large modern bathroom.
When thinking about function, remember also, that it's not just about the towel bars and toilet paper holders anymore. All of your bathroom's accessories can have that "designer" touch whether your looking at bathroom vanity mirrors, towel shelves or even a safety bar.
To sum up, selecting your accessories can be a chore or an adventure.
The difference between the two is the preparation you put in.
Happy hunting!
