DIY weekend bathroom project
As living spaces generally becoming more compact, there is a need to get more organised. This weekend, create a bathroom that offers you a haven of relaxation. Get organised and rid the bathroom of clutter to truly transform it into a tranquil space where you can daydream.
Homeowners are always on the lookout for value when decorating their homes. With so many inspiring ideas coming from social media sites such as Pinterest, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing between purchasing new products and repurposing existing items.
As a leading supplier of tile and products for a bathroom, we asked Tile Africa’s Retail and Display Coordinator, Liza Watermeyer for her take on recycling and repurposing items to organise and decorate a bathroom. "Using what you already have is no longer considered cheap, it’s chic and places a strong emphasis on the individual and the ambience that they want to create in their homes." advises Liza.
Although upcycling has gone mainstream, it’s nothing new and has its roots in the late 90s where it was also referred to as repurposing. "What’s nice about upcycling is that it’s great to do on a short time span, it can be the perfect weekend DIY project and involve the whole family. This is largely because you don’t need any major remodelling done, although if you are in doubt about anything that you’re doing, especially with regard to plumbing or electronics rather leave it to the professionals," advises Liza.
Remember that while you embark on the ultimate weekend DIY project it’s great to have unique ideas that reflect the personality of the owners of the home.
Vintage chic
Does your bathroom have elements that remind you of times gone by? Exposed copper piping, tin ceilings, period architectural detailing perhaps? One great way to use this to your advantage is to draw on the existing design and make it a feature rather than trying to hide it. Use exposed copper pipes to store light items such as towels. Instead of purchasing another cupboard to store towels, roll them up and stack them on the piping, this creates a rustic look whilst also saving on space in the bathroom.
Give old drawers and cabinets a new lease on life
Instead of tossing out a chest of drawers why not use it in the bathroom as a vanity? Add a coat of paint or varnish and incorporate your existing basin at the top, this will then be a multipurpose unit that caters to storage and offers the functionality of using the basin too. Another option is to invest in a beautiful new free-standing and over-sized basin or trendy tap to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the upcycled vanity.
Jars, baskets & hooks
Repurpose old hooks for hanging towels and add character to a bathroom.
Another take on repurposing products is the use of old door knobs as ‘hooks’ to hang towels on. "Old door knobs can provide a rustic look and also allow you to hang slightly heavier items than towels such as bath robes or laundry bags," Liza explains.
Vintage accessories of yesteryear can also be repurposed; line them up on the side of the bath or on a window sill, or use antique glass jars to store toothbrushes, cotton balls and face cloths or as individual storage pots for each member of the house to store their small personal items used in the bathroom.
Tin buckets and reclaimed timber make for pretty storage containers and can be fitted against the wall.
Before throwing items away, think about whether or not you could use it to store linen and bathroom essentials.
Clever storage
"Having sufficient storage space is one way of getting organised and ridding the bathroom of clutter," says Liza.
Take unique bits and pieces from the home - or salvaged finds - and view them with new eyes, one example of this to use tomato crates as floating racks against the bathroom wall - or an old stepladder for towel storage.
Another area that’s often over looked is the back of bathroom doors. "A towel rail doesn’t necessarily have to be used above the bath or next to the shower. They’re super handy behind the door as additional storage space, especially if you have a large family or live in a commune type environment," she adds. If you’re considering this option, remember to check whether the door will be able to open fully against the wall or alternatively opt for a slender towel rail.
"There are many items that you may have in your home which can be reused, however, it’s best to note that the bathroom is a damp area and that you need to use pieces that are steam and moisture resistant. Be mindful of adding elements that require any electrical work to avoid potential accidents," say Liza.
For more information on Tile Africa visit www.tileafrica.co.za.