The colder months of the years require you to get your home ready for the winter season. This is especially important for a bathroom environment. Because a bathroom is generally used first thing in the morning and right before you go to bed, it is crucial that the environment is as comfortable as possible. Dealing with the cold weather can often be difficult for a bathroom design. Especially if you do not take the proper steps to prepare in advance. This guide will go over the most effective ways to make your bathroom warm and cozy through the winter months and the cold weather.
Check Over Your Bathroom
One of the most efficient and effective ways to keep your bathroom warm through the winter is to get prepared for it ahead of time. There are several ways you can do this. First of all, clean your bathroom down. Make sure all of your fixtures and accessories are working properly and efficiently. This is incredibly important to do before anything else. The last thing you want to encounter is a cold bathroom with dysfunctional fixtures. Check your main bathroom fixtures such as your toilet, bathtub, shower, bathroom sinks and any type of faucet or tub filler you may have. In addition, you should also check the smaller areas of your bathroom. This is to make sure they are also in working order and up to regulations.
Preheat Your Bathroom
Once the colder months begin to approach, get in the habit of heating your bathroom before you use it. There are several easy ways to do this in order to achieve a comfortable bathroom experience every time you need to use it. For example, let the sun into your bathroom through a window. This may seem small, but it can make your bathroom warmer by a few degrees. It can often make a big difference. Not to mention, this is a great cost efficient way to increase the temperature of your design. You should also make sure that your bathroom is dry before every use. For example, if you constantly have wet surfaces or linens in your design, the air will get colder and less comfortable. This can be avoided by simply wiping down surfaces and washing your towels or cloths regularly.
Another way to preheat your bathroom is by the use of artificial heat sources. These heat sources have pros and cons. Both of which should be considered before implementing any of them. Products such as space heaters work wonderfully in a bathroom if you need a quick source of heat. Heated floors are also incredible for heating a bathroom. Especially if you hate cold feet on your bathroom floor. These are both convenient and quick heating methods. However, you do have to be conscious of how often you use them. If used very frequently, your electric bill can get quite high without you noticing. If this isn’t a concern for you, artificial heating options are incredibly beneficial.
Towel Warmers
Towel warmers are some of the most effective ways to improve the warmth of a bathroom design through the winter months. A warm towel will make you feel much more comfortable in your bathroom. Especially after using the shower or bathtub. Because towel bars are already an essential bathroom accessory, it would benefit your bathroom design to keep a heated towel bar in your bathroom year round. Of course, a heated towel bar will not need to be on all the time. This a great investment not only for winter, but for all other months as well. A warm towel will boost comfort no matter what time of the year it is.
Another reason why towel warmers should be considered is because they can come in a number of different forms in order to fit perfectly into your bathroom design. For example, one of the most common forms of a towel warmer comes in the form of a heated towel bar. Heated towel bars are incredibly versatile and can be kept in your bathroom design all year long. Another great option is a heated towel rack. This will be a great option if you need to heat multiple towel bars at once. You can also incorporate a dedicated towel warmer. This is usually some type of container with a lid that you can put your towel in to warm them up until they are needed.
Keep Towels Available
It is crucial for both warmth and comfort that towels are always available and accessible to you. This will inevitably lead to a comfortable environment in which you do not need to worry about staying as warm as possible. First and foremost, make sure you have your towels available next to your bathtub or shower area. This is incredibly important. It is often the coldest when you are getting out of either of these areas. As soon as the water turns off or you step out of the bathtub, a warm towel will keep you warm and comfortable.
In addition, you should always have a hand towel available as well. This is not quite as important as the inclusion of bath towels. However, it can definitely boost your overall comfort. A warm hand towel will be great for everyday use. Especially in the colder months. Wash your hands with warm water and soap. Then dry them with a warm towel. In general, keep your towels available, dry and accessible. Enjoy the increased comfort level of your bathroom environment.
Rugs and Carpets
One of the best ways to keep your floor warm in the winter is through the inclusion of rugs or carpets. Before you decide on which ones you should include, there are a few things to note. First of all, do not cover your entire bathroom floor with carpet. This will most likely keep your bathroom more moist and the smell good gradually gets uncomfortable. You should also make sure the rugs or carpets you incorporate are bathroom friendly. This includes rugs and carpets that are water resistant and can thrive in your wet bathroom environment.
With that being said, the proper rugs and carpets can greatly increase the warmth and comfort of your bathroom area. A great place to start is right in front of your shower or bathtub. A rug right outside of these areas will be great for staying warm as soon as you step out of your warm shower. You should also have a rug or carpet in front of your bathroom vanity. Because many individuals spend a decent amount of time at their bathroom vanity, a comfortable rug or carpet will keep you warm while you go through your routine. Other than those two areas, include a rug or carpet where you see fit.
Warm Colors
If you have cool or neutral colors in your bathroom, you may be missing out on some increased warmth and feel in the environment. Warm colors are incredibly beneficial to a bathroom design in the winter because of the atmospheric change they can bring into the design. If you do think you need a change, you will most likely have colors such as blue, green, purple or white as your current bathroom color. Of course, you may have other cool colors as well, so if you do, consider changing them up to a warmer tone.
The warmer colors you should consider include yellow, red, orange and other similar colors. These colors radiate warmth and comfort, making them perfect for a bathroom in the winter. These colors will work anywhere in your bathroom, so if you do not necessarily feel like painting your wall, you can simply implement them into bathroom accessories or decor. This will work especially well if you have a neutrally colored wall. Warm colors will work all year round, so do not be afraid to change your wall colors to something warmer.
Space Heaters
For an immediate and direct increase of warmth in your bathroom, consider a space heater. Depending on the size of your bathroom, the size and number of space heaters that you should incorporate will vary. If you are trying to heat a large master bathroom, consider either a large bathroom space heater or two smaller ones at different locations in the design. It is generally recommended that you incorporate one high quality space heater in order to heat your bathroom however. This is mainly because a single high quality space heater will be more energy efficient and quicker to heat your bathroom.
If you are working with a smaller bathroom design, you can incorporate a smaller space heater designed for smaller spaces. This way, your space heater will be out of the way so it isn’t taking up too much space in your design. This is an important thing to consider in a large bathroom design as well. You do not want your space heater to take up too much space, but you should still make sure that your bathroom is properly heated. Most space heaters are placed on the floor, so this should be easy enough for most bathroom designs.
Check Your Fans
Proper ventilation is incredibly important for not only the warmth of your bathroom design, but also the overall health and quality as well. Many bathrooms have some type of ceiling fan to help deal with excessive condensation in order to keep the bathroom clear of moisture. If this is the case for you, make sure it is working properly before it gets too cold. A properly functioning fan will help your bathroom become a much more comfortable environment that will be much easier to maintain and use.
If you do not have any ventilation on your ceiling in the form of a fan, there are other types of fans you can use that can still work. Consider smaller floor or countertop fans in order to provide your space with some extra ventilation. One thing you shouldn't do regularly is opening windows. This is especially important if you live in colder climates. You want a great combination of both warmth and ventilation in your bathroom design in order to create a comfortable environment.
Warm Lighting
A great selection of warm lighting is incredibly important for the overall warmth of your bathroom in the winter. First of all, lighting is extremely crucial for warmth, though it may not seem like it. High quality bathroom lighting can increase the temperature of a bathroom by a few degrees, which can often make the difference between a cold and warm bathroom environment. The type of light bulbs you can incorporate will also matter. For example, LED lights are energy efficient but do not produce much heat. Incandescent light bulbs are not as efficient as LED lights but they give off more heat.
With that being said, you need to choose the type of lighting that you think will work the best for your specific design. LED lights are more efficient, and they are generally the most common types of lights to incorporate into your design. Energy efficiency is one of the most important elements of a bathroom design, so they are the favorite in this sense. Light in general is one of the most important elements of a bathroom design for both warmth and accessibility, so it is crucial you choose the lighting that is the most effective for your bathroom design.
Heated Flooring
If you are struggling with overall bathroom warmth, and you also plan on going through a major bathroom renovation, heated floors should be one of the first things to consider. The inclusion of a heated floor is one of the most luxurious options when deciding on how to heat your bathroom as a whole. If you have the means to incorporate a heated floor, it will allow your bathroom environment to be heated from the ground up, which will heat the bathroom up as a whole, not just the floor. In addition, heated floors can be adjusted to extremely precise temperatures.
A heated floor will be one of the most rewarding ways to increase warmth in your bathroom during the winter, especially when it's cold. When you step out of the shower or walk into your bathroom first thing in the morning, a heated floor will allow for a seamless transition from your main home space to your bathroom. If you want a higher heat, you can always turn up the heat to fit your preferences appropriately. A heated floor in tandem with a beautiful selection of rugs or carpets will make your bathroom incredibly comfortable and as warm as you could possibly want. This will be one of the more expensive options available to you, so budget properly in order to incorporate this luxury feature.
Weather Proof Your Bathroom
This should be something that you do all year round, but it is especially important that you do this in the winter. Weather proofing your bathroom can be done in a number of ways. For example, the first thing you want to do is check your windows. Your bathroom windows should be properly sealed and perfectly functional. When your windows are closed, make sure that you do not feel any type of draft or cool air coming through. If you do, contact a professional to assist in the sealing process or visit your local home improvement store to remedy the problem yourself if you have proper experience.
You should also check the outside of your bathroom in case there are any problems there. This is not a common issue, but it is still recommended that you check just in case. In addition, you should keep emergency supplies ready in case of any power outages. Keep toilet paper, water and other bathroom necessities in your bathroom design in order to stay ready in an emergency. The last thing you need is a struggle to find emergency supplies when the power is out and the lights are off. Go over your bathroom design and see where else you can weather proof your bathroom because every design is different.
Improve Your Shower Head
As an often overlooked improvement to a bathroom design, an improved shower head can be one of the most rewarding and effective additions to a bathroom to help keep you warm in the winter months. The best way to improve your shower head to keep you warm is by incorporating a larger one than you already have. A larger shower head will allow for a more dispersed shower of water, which will in turn allow for more hot water to flow. This should absolutely be considered in your shower, especially if you haven’t upgraded your shower head in several years.
In terms of which shower head you should choose, you have several great options. One of the best shower heads to consider is a rain shower head. A rain shower head will allow the water to flow from directly above you. A wide rain shower head is very common, so it is a reliable and comfortable choice. Another great option to consider is a hand shower system. A hand shower system will allow you to to move the shower head anywhere you want. This is especially effective because you will be able to cover all areas of your body comfortably. In general, you should try to incorporate a shower head that is bigger than the one you currently have. This way, more hot water will reach you more quickly.
Use the Sunlight
The light of the sun is one of the most overlooked elements of heating a bathroom. Although it may not seem like much, the sunlight you allow into your bathroom design can greatly increase the temperature of the area for no cost at all. As long as you have a window in your bathroom design, you can utilize this no-cost source of heat. Especially in the winter months, this can be extremely effective. The sunlight will increase the temperature in your bathroom by several degrees, which is incredibly impactful. Of course, this shouldn’t be the only way to heat your bathroom, but it will absolutely help. In addition, it is a great place to start if you are not sure what to buy in terms of artificial heating.
Seasonal Decor
When it comes to a bathroom design, decor is almost essential for a complete design. With that being said, appropriate winter decor can greatly increase the warm feeling of a bathroom design. Although decor may not directly increase the temperature of your bathroom, they can greatly improve the overall atmosphere. This decor can be essentially anything you want, but in general, it should be in accordance with the overall theme of your bathroom.
If you implement warm colors in your design, consider some warm decor of similar tones. Wall decor is one of the best ways to make your bathroom feel more comfortable in the winter. For example, any DIY decor can work great on a wall. Your decor can be mounted directly on the wall in the form of a clock, painting or photograph. In addition, your decor can be beautifully displayed on a shelf. No matter how you decide to display your beautiful winter decor, it can always help boost the mood of your design.
Plants
If you are really struggling to create a warm atmosphere in your bathroom design, the inclusion of plants can be incredibly impactful. Because luscious green plants are not typically found in nature during winter months, consider incorporating some in your bathroom design. Not only will this boost the mood of your bathroom design, but it will also grant your bathroom design a great connection to nature. Consider adding plants such as aloe vera, ferns or bamboo. These plants are not only incredibly beautiful, but they thrive in a warm bathroom environment. These plants can be placed on shelves, hung from a ceiling or simply placed on a countertop. The inclusion of plants can give your bathroom more of a spring or summer feel, which can make the area a bit more comfortable.