Trickle Down Ergonomics Experienced installers and designers of kitchens and bathrooms can help you determine your needs. More than likely they'll suggest ideas many of us would never think of. For instance, if you suffer from back problems, it may make sense to have waist level cabinets. Or if you or a family member has arthritis, you may decide to install faucets which are sensor activated like those in many public rest rooms.
Faucets and all the other components which are installed in bathrooms come in a wide price range. Though price does not always mirror quality, more often than not it does. If you visit your local hardware store or discount center you can see several different lines of plumbing fixtures. Of course your decision will be based balancing what you want with what you can afford.
One thing to consider is how often you will need to replace a fixture. A leaky faucet can slowly transform into water torture if you are trying to concentrate or sleep. Not only are dripping faucets and running toilets annoying, they also cost a lot of money in city water and waste charges.
There are many stories of people who opt for the least expensive faucets available and need to replace them within the year. Consider if the lifetime of one fixture is known to be three times that of another manufacturer. If it's twice the cost it makes sense to spend the extra money now.
There are many sources and consumers' guides that rate appliances, fixtures and manufacturers. Again, it's worth your time to investigate the options. You may also decide to work with a reputable contractor and/or a kitchen/bath designer who has been referred to you.
Ask Yourself or Another When you are deciding on what type of bathroom fixtures you want in your home consider the following:
Which is better for us: sinks which have a single handled faucet or a faucet which has separate cold and hot valves?
Do we need the storage of a vanity sink or will pedestal sinks look better and work for us?
How high should the sink be?
Is it worth the expense of installing a separate sink for the kids which is lower?
Could we swap out that sink as the children grow?
Do we want the watercloset to be in a separate area like many European homes have?
When we install the shower should we put it on a side of the room that doesn't abut a bedroom?
Will this keep the early risers from waking the slumber bunch or should we relocate the bathroom?
If we're adding a bathroom, is there any way to install it above or below an existing bath or kitchen to keep down plumbing costs?
Do we want a hand shower, a stationary shower head or both?
Do we want to include any fixtures which will make it easier for our handicapped friends or relatives to visit?
In the Hammonds' master bath they chose to have Kohler's Revival grab bar installed next to the tub to insure that no one would slip getting in or out.
What kind of bathroom cabinets do we want? There are several choices of cabinetry for bathrooms. Ideas to consider include deciding on style and who will be using the cabinets. For instance if small children are going to be using this bathroom, you may want to put some cabinets higher up for storage of cleaners and soap. You may also decide to have cabinets with pocket doors or sliders if there isn't a lot of room to open cabinet doors.
What about medicine cabinets? Again the options may seem endless when you begin your search. One idea you may want to consider was offered by Buckminster Fuller when he was working on his Dymaxion bathroom. He designed his cabinets to have mirrors on the inside in order to keep them from fogging during showers. Some companies offer mirrors which have de-foggers. The Hammonds chose unique mirrors from Kohler which they had installed in the master bathroom.
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