Looking at my bathroom, I thought there were a few different options I could go for that would not take much effort but would make the bathroom feel like new. The first things that I noticed about the bathroom were the bath, toilet and sink as they had started to look dated and past their prime. However I soon changed my mind about getting a new fitted bathroom as these were out of my price range and I could always grab a brush and some bleach to get them clean. When I looked at the tiles around the shower and bath and realised that I could easily re-tile the walls. It then occurred to me that I could probably do the same with the floor in order to create a visual effect for the whole bathroom layout.

The bathroom tiles on the wall were stained and garish so I headed out to my local DIY shop in search of new wall and floor tiles. I decided on going for some ceramic floor tiles in black and white so I could create a chequered effect on the floor. I then decided to co-ordinate this with black and white marble tiles for the walls around the bath and sink. Instead of going for a check effect I decided to go for blocks of black ceramic tiles amongst the white ceramic tiles.

The shop assistant at the bathroom tiles section of the store was very helpful and gave me some excellent advice on laying my floor tiles and bathroom wall tiles without damaging the surface underneath. He also told me the best tile adhesive for each of these jobs and gave me a few hints and tips for using it.

A couple of weeks later and my bathroom has been reinvigorated with life, giving my bathroom a lighter and more contemporary look without needing to hire in someone else to do it. I am so happy with how my bathroom now looks that I have already started looking into taking on my kitchen with my trusty trowel and some ceramic tiles.

For many businesses and organisations it can be a really difficult time with most banks changing their risk assessment levels. I wouldn’t recommend cutting your marketing budget as this is one of the worst things a business could do. You need to take advantage of the fact that other businesses will be suffering too. Not a very ethical thought but it is true, as many organisations will try and limit their out goings, however stopping advertising is a bad idea as it allows other companies to take position over you. If you are finding it hard to manage and justify your marketing budget then the best thing to do is to seek help. A marketing consultancy will be able to help you get the most of your marketing budget and it does not matter what type of business sector you are in you will be able to find the right consultant for you. If your business or organisation has strict ethics and ethical guidelines then you will be able to find an ethical marketing consultant, so you do not have to use a ruthless marketing consultancy.

Property is a business sector that has been hit hard by the recession, with house prices falling dramatically at an alarming rate. This is why if you are still paying a mortgage, it might be worth trying paying off large amounts to clear your debt more quickly. If you already own your house or businesses building out right then you may as well look to make home improvements. Making improvements to your property will help to increase its value, which will put you into a stronger position when the economy settles down. It is easy to make simple home improvements yourself with out having to spend an arm and a leg. Re-tiling floors and walls can make a huge difference to a property as floor tiles can make a world of difference. By using the right sort of kitchen wall tiles can make a dark room appear lighter and cleaner.

It’s all in the Preparation

The room needs to be properly prepared in advance when you are laying new bathroom tiles. The surface where you intend to lay the bathroom tiles needs to be both clean and smooth to enable you to get the tiles laid straight and even. A light sander taken over the surface, then a thorough cleaning and drying of the area will result in a professional look and the tiles will be well set.

You should also ensure that before you start you have around 15% more tiles than you need. This way, if you have any unexpected breakages or simply need more tiles than you think due to cutting out and around the walls and other items, you are not going to run out of bathroom tiles. It doesn’t matter if you have a few left over at the end of the job – they will always come in handy at some time in the future if any of the tiles you have used become cracked or discolored and need replacing.

The Right Adhesive

The adhesive you use can make the difference between a job well done and one that is “just okay” and for this reason you should be careful to get the right one. If you are placing bathroom tiles around the bath, shower or basin areas the adhesive will need to be of a waterproof nature. If you do not use a waterproof one you are sure to encounter many problems later on when the bathroom tiles crumble away from the wall due to all of the moisture getting in behind them. Remember the smallest crack will allow water in but the risk of this happening can so easily be taken care of by the use of the right adhesive.

How to Grout

Similar to adhesive, grouting if not done properly, can lead to numerous problems. Allow the bathroom tiles to set for 24 hours prior to grouting around and in-between the tiles. Spread the grout mixture evenly by using a squeegee or sponge and concentrate on doing small areas at a time. Ensure the grout has reached all the parts it should by running a dowel lightly over it and remove any excess grout as you go as it is much more difficult to get rid of it when it has been allowed to dry and set.

Selecting The Type

Personal preference and design elements play a role in knowing which tile choice will get the job done. One of the best tile choices in terms of bathroom projects is ceramic. This non-porous tile is also slip resistant. Maintenance is a breeze as they can virtually be wiped off with a damp cloth or sponge.

Besides ceramic tiles, there are numerous other tiling options available to you, each with their own advantages. Travertine tiles are easy to maintain and provide a clean, consistent look to your bathroom. Granite tiles are very durable and can handle a lot of wear and tear. Slate tiles are perfect for bathroom floors due to the fact that they do not become slippery when wet. You can add a touch of class or elegance to your bathroom by using marble tiles to accentuate your bathroom design. Glass tiles can also be used to add color to your bathroom on the fringe of a tiled wall or as a mosaic.

Deciding On The Look And Feel

The size, shape, and color of tiles must be determined before that first tile is cut and placed anywhere in a bathroom. Large size tiles can create a dramatic end result in a bathroom, providing there is not a great deal of cuts to be made. Medium and small sized tiles are typically reserved for smaller bathroom settings and around areas such as the sink, toilet, and windows.

Tiles can be bought in many different shapes and sizes to suit any bathroom design. Common shapes include squares, hexagons, rectangles, octagons, and triangles. Your choice of color can make a huge difference to the ambiance of your bathroom. White or beige tiles create the feeling of spaciousness. Warm colors promote a welcoming, comfortable feel; while cooler colors promote a more serene, tranquil feel.

Now Decide The Layout

Ensure that you have a clear image in mind of how you would like your bathroom to look. A simple but effective idea would be to use a contrasting grout color to the dominant tile color. This makes each tile stand out, which is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. On the other hand, using the same color grout as the tiles also creates quite a striking effect. Different size and color tiles should only be selected to create a dramatic effect. Too many different shapes and colors might appear gaudy.

A combination of small hexagon tiles and large square tiles is quite popular. As is the practice of accentuating the main tiles using smaller accent tiles as border pieces. Scattering different colored individual tiles randomly amongst the main tiles is also a very attractive and popular design.

Do not hesitate to design your dream bathroom today! Do not be overwhelmed by the vast number of options that are open to you. Bathroom tiles can be found in any shape, size, or color that you can imagine. Your options are infinite!

Tips For Use

If you are looking for a slip-resistant tile finish for your bathroom then unglazed bathroom ceramic tiles are your best bet. Their matte finish and rugged surface texture make them ideal for use in wet areas. The only disadvantage of this type of tile is that the tiles need to be cleaned regularly to avoid staining – the irregular texture tends to absorb oils and dirt easily. Options for you to consider include porcelain tiles, quarry tiles, or terra-cotta tiles.

Be creative with your tile design. To give your bathroom a dramatic look, consider using white or cream colored bathroom ceramic tiles and a colored grout. A popular choice of grout color is blue. Apply a sealant to the grout areas that will have to endure the most wear and tear, e.g. the countertops. This will protect the grout and it also helps to preserve the color of the grout.

If you would prefer a stain proof finish to your bathroom floors or walls, consider glazed bathroom ceramic tiles. These tiles have a glass finish that protects them and makes them very durable. This is done by fusing a layer of glass to the ceramic bathroom tile. The glass endures extreme temperatures in a kiln until it liquefies and hardens to the ceramic tile, creating a smooth, stain proof finish.

Another thing to consider when decorating your bathroom is adding small splashes of color to your bathroom ceramic tiles, or even floor accents. Designing a rectangular decorative pattern in the center of a tiled floor is very appealing. Popular designs include Victorian, Moorish, or Mexican bathroom ceramic tile patterns.

To create an appealing effect for your bathroom, ensure that all your bathroom accessories complement the color and design of your bathroom ceramic tiles. Also ensure that the tiles that you choose are strong enough to endure household cleaners so that they will not have to be replaced regularly.

For a really up to date look the tiles you select should be large – the four by four sized tiles, although once very trendy, are now outdated and considered to be old fashioned. By using a larger tile in a rectangle shape instead of a square you are given the opportunity to mix and match your tiles creating your own unique pattern. When the wall is completely tiled, you should then concentrate on the shower or vanity area, or the deck of your whirlpool tub.

So Many Designs To Choose From

When it comes to decorative bathroom wall tiles the choice of combinations are endless and you are most certain to find a match for the theme you have in mind. Border tiles featuring seashells will create a feeling of life on the ocean waves or hand-painted porcelain and multicolored glass tiles will surround you with sheer luxury.

A matte or rustic finish to the bathroom wall tile is the look of the moment and tumbled marble and honed limestone provides a casual earthy look to your bathroom. These finishes have irregular shapes and a muted appearance unlike the shiny polished stones which were so popular in days gone by.

Natural stones and real granite lend themselves to ceramic patterns and shades such as camel, sage and creams will work really well together to create a soft earthy look. The use of colored glass and metal tiles make for randomly placed accents either on the wall or around the borders.

The secret of using these materials and creating an exciting new look in your bathroom is to blend them all together perfectly. You can put many different shades, color tones and textures together from natural materials to glass and marble and so long as you take a little time to plan your design and ensure the colors work well together, your bathroom will take on a whole new dimension.