Freshen up retro bathroom tile designs

In a great post over at the Olympican blog, author Mi-Ling explains your options for updating old tiles.

The reader is looking for a way to update his bathroom tile design without ripping out the tiles and putting in new ones. His question is a common one, “Can I just paint over them?”. This, as many of you know, can lead to more trouble down the road. Her best suggestion is to change the grout which would be our suggestion as well.

“Another way to freshen things up is to re-grout the tile. That’s something you can easily do yourself. Just contact your local tile store or home improvement center for advice and product information. The color you select will either pop the colors or tone them down based on your selection.”

Read the full article here

Tip #3 - Figuring costs for your Bathroom Tile Designs

This post is number 3 in a 5 part series about bathroom tile design. You can read the first in the series here.

Tip #3 - Figuring costs for your Bathroom Tile Designs

Prices for bathroom tile designs come in a wide range. You could expect to pay anywhere from $4 per square foot all the way up to $150 per square foot for the best in mosaic tile patters. A couple other things that tend to increase price are complex designs and unique or custom colors. Same goes for unusual shapes, hand-painted designs, textures, reliefs, and large sizes with all increase cost per foot. Simple solid and square tiles are your cheapest bet.

Multiply the cost per section by the number of sections needed and then add in the cost of the trim pieces. Keep in mind that you need to buy some overage as well. If you are not installing the bathroom tiles yourself, add in the cost of installation and materials. We recommend that you have at least 3 separate people give you estimates before you choose. Also be sure to get an understanding of how the professional intends to install the tiles so that you know they are all bidding with the same variables in mind.

Large flat wall areas are the easiest to install and so will cost the least per square foot. If the job is a small bathroom with lots of trim and corners to worry about, the labor cost will go up. If your bathroom tile designs include some very intricate patterns that require cutting and lots of measuring this will also tend to be more. Be very clear with your installation professional about the type of design you are asking them to install.

How to Tile a Bathroom video series

I just wanted to write a little bit about a great bathroom tiling video series we just reviewed. Just got done watching How to Tile a Bathroom and of all the instructional videos I’ve seen, this one is really unique. It was created by a guy who is known industry-wide, Randy Davis. Randy is a really down to earth and has A LOT of experience. If you are reading this blog and you are not already a professional tile installer and are considering doing a tile installation yourself. I urge you to give it a look.

Here’s a little demo of what you can expect. If you’re interested go Randy’s website to see more.

Tip #2 - Purchasing your Bathroom Tile Designs

This post is number 2 in a 5 part series about bathroom tile design. You can read the first in the series here.

Tip # 2 - Purchasing your Bathroom Tile Design

After you’ve selected your bathroom tile designs and are ready to buy it’s important that you buy the right amount of trim and field tile the first time. You don’t want to risk the store not having your same tile designs if you need to go back for more. Bathroom tiles are usually packaged in cartons that contain 20 square feet. The trim is often times sold by the linear foot or by the piece. Measure your selected area a few times to be SURE you get the quantity need correct.
I recommend that you bring your measurements and a drawing or blueprint of the bathroom with you to the tile dealer. The salesperson should be able to use that information to help you buy the right amount. If on the other hand, you are using a professional, have them go to the store and purchase the tiles themselves to avoid any confrontation if things are purchased correctly the first time.

I also advise that you buy 5-10% more than you need. Tiles do break and cuts do go wrong during installation. Also, it’s nice to have extra tiles on hand in the event that a tile breaks or gets damaged in the years to come. If this is your first installation project get even more.

Tip #1 - Selecting your Bathroom Tile Designs

Today we are going to start a 5 part series about installation tips for your bathroom tile designs.

Success with any bathroom tile design project involves both the left and the right brain or both the logical as well as the artistic in a person. In this series we address all aspects of a project for conception to finished product. Whether it’s a large or small project, whether you to the design yourself or hire a designer, and whether you hire a tile setter or install them yourself there are certaing facts you need to think about before you get started…

Tip #1 - Selecting your Bathroom Tile Designs

Selecting the right stone, glass, ceramic tile and choosing the correct pattern or design you must ask yourself the following questions:

• How much is in my budget? (be very realistic about this)
• How much time do I intend to have available for maintenance?
• What are my style tastes?
• Where in particular and I planning on adding bathroom tile?
• What is the style of the rest of the house?

After you have thought through these questions, head to the local tile store and window shop for a while. Talk to the sales person. We very much prefer a full-service tile center to one of the huge home supply stores because the sales people actually know something about what they sell. After you’ve kicked the tile for a little while go ahead and buy a few samples and bring them back to your bathroom. Set them up in areas where you intend to install them and live with them for a few days. How do they look in the light of your bathroom? Do they go with the other fixtures or colors in your bathroom?

You will hopefully be living with this bathroom tile design for quite some time to come to take your time here!

Tags: bathroomtile designs, bathroom tile installation

Is somebody watching me? Most unique bathroom tiles we’ve seen…

Okay, so their website could use some work but there is a company from Michigan that is making tiles to add a bit of humor to your bathroom experience. CeilingPeepers as they are called are bathroom tile designs that make it look like somebody or something is checking up on you. Check out their website here.

I say their website could use some help only because they don’t have any installations to view. You only get to see the illustration that appears on the tiles. Incidentally we really like the one called Eew Guy!

Let us know what you think!

Tags: bathroomtile designs, ceiling tiles