The bathroom is without a doubt one of the most important rooms in the house; one that is frequently used and offers a sanctuary for relaxation. It’s a room that house buyers always like to see looking fresh and up to date, so time or money spent improving it is never a waste. However, if you don’t have the funds for a complete overhaul, there are still changes that can enhance the room. Consider implementing one or more of the following tips, depending on what time and money you have, in order to improve your bathroom.

Lighting

Lighting can set the atmosphere for a room. The bathroom is a room that needs to be lit correctly, offering a soft relaxing ambience for restful bathing but with functional lighting for getting ready in front of the mirror. Lighting is even more important in bathrooms without windows. Consider task lighting above mirrors; you can even get mirrors with built-in LEDs which are a great addition. Do bear in mind before making any electrical changes, that bathroom lighting must adhere to strict regulations so be sure to check these.

Heating

Think carefully about the heating in the bathroom and you could swap something simply functional in creating a feature in the room. If you are completely refitting your bathroom, you could consider underfloor heating but there are a range of contemporary feature radiators which can really bring a modern look to any bathroom, without disrupting too much else in the room. A heated towel rail can look stylish and has the functional purpose of keeping those towels nice and warm for you.

Shower

Nothing beats a shower. A quick blast to wake you up in the morning or leisurely and luxurious at bedtime; it’s so much easier and more practical than a bath. Only, however, if your shower has sufficient pressure. We’ve all experienced showers that are more frustrating than invigorating if the water pressure isn’t there. One thing you can do to improve the situation is to ensure that your shower has an effective pump. There are a variety of pumps from reputable manufacturers which can boost water pressure. Salamander Shower pumps and Stuart Turner shower pumps, for example, can make a significant difference in households with low water pressure problems.

Storage

The easiest thing you can do to improve the look of the bathroom is to keep it clean, and the simplest way to do this is to minimise clutter. Keeping surfaces clear of lots of bottles and paraphernalia will ensure that the bathroom has a minimalist look and this can be achieved by providing adequate storage. Under sink storage units are a great way to get everything out of the way whilst keeping it easily accessible. A contemporary styled wall shelf or shelving unit can be an easy, affordable and effective addition, getting everything out of the way and adding to the style of the room.

Colour

If significant changes to the bathroom are out of the question, perhaps due to lack of time, money or because you live in a rented property, one thing that you can do very easily is to introduce some colour. A new set of coloured towels and a bath mat need not cost a lot, but can really have an effect. A bright colour can liven up a plain white bathroom which could otherwise look clinical and bare, whereas a soft neutral colour can tone down a bathroom with a garish suite or tiles. Pictures on the wall and attractive bottles of coloured bath salts can all enhance the colour scheme.

A flood can cause extensive damage and misery for homeowners, with a lasting and sometimes devastating impact on a property and its occupants. Whilst an insurance policy that covers costs may go some way to mitigating the effects, taking measures to protect against a flood in the first place is the best way to ensure peace of mind.

Any changes that you decide to make can be either temporary or permanent, however, the more you can prepare in advance, the greater the reduction of any risks. It is important to review your current home insurance policy and to notify your insurer, should any changes be made to your home in order to ensure that your policy remains valid. Otherwise, any improvements you make after taking out your policy may not be covered as most offer like-for-like cover which would simply restore your home back to the condition at the inception of the insurance policy.

Preparing your home for flooding

One way to ensure that your home is prepared for potential flooding is to install drainage pumps. These are available in various forms for a range of applications, however, they all will offer a similar benefit to homeowners. Simply put, they can move liquids from one location to another. For domestic properties, drainage pumps are one of the most popular flood defences.

Drainage pumps for domestic properties are usually compact, with the flexibility to be installed in a range of locations. If an area begins to suffer from water ingress, the pump will kick in and automatically move the water to another location, thereby mitigating the devastating threat of flooding.

In some homes, the location of the boiler, and its age may require condensate pumps. These can assist in the removal of the condensation created by heating and air conditioning systems. Some systems can create significant condensation which, if not correctly managed, can create issues with damp or indeed long-term damage through seepage. They can be particularly valuable in installations located some way from the drainage system.

For areas where there is a risk of flash flooding, is worth considering the installation of submersible pumps. These are available in a couple of different forms; those that are suitable for handling dirty wastewater and those that are specifically for clean water. The dirty water submersible pumps are designed for situations where water containing salt and mud and other contaminants may be present. Dirty water models can, of course, handle clean water too, whereas submersible pumps that are only designed for clean water will struggle to handle an occurrence of floodwater containing particulates of any form.

Should you wish to further protect against any potential damage to your home from flooding, the following three tips may prove invaluable:

1.      Changing carpets to ceramic tiles. Floodwater will ruin the carpet and underlay beyond repair, often causing further damage to wooden floorboards underneath. Correctly installed ceramic tiling on the lower levels of your home can help to provide a waterproof barrier and is easily cleaned up after the event.
2.      Relocate electric sockets. Installing sockets at a height of 150cm or more can help to avoid any electrical problems to a home which is subject to flooding.
3.      Install your boiler or ventilation systems upstairs, or at least high above floor level.