If you’re considering taking out a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)for remodeling, now may be the time to do it. The economy is steadily recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic, and interest rates have hit as low as 3% in some cases. It’s also the perfect time of year to cross some renovation to-dos off your list. Winter is coming; get to those upgrades you’ve been putting off soyour inner…

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Bathroom designs need items to complete their majestic looks. Pedestal Sinks may be just what you need to upgrade your bathroom design style! They can come in all shapes and sizes, in various styles and colors, filled with lush materials and intense inspirations. Take a deep dive in this fantastic list and find out what Pedestal Sink could completely change your Bathroom designs!

See Also: Modern Luxury Bathroom Ideas and Golden Bathrooms: A List

BATHROOM DESIGNS THAT AMAZE

This beautiful irregular shaped piece is carved from the finest marble selection out there!

Continue reading Pedestal Sinks: Modern Bathroom Designs To Upgrade Your Decor at Maison Valentina Blog.

Malluvia Innenarchitektur is an interior design studio in Munich, which stands on the essence of things and for the holistic effect of the design. In rooms that tell stories. Interior design with an unmistakable character. Full of sense, flair, and individuality. And above all, full of love for detail.

See also: Master Bathroom Ideas: Grand Designs That Amaze

Malluvia Innenarchitektur

Malluvia was foundend by Marcella Breugl, an interior designer.

Continue reading Malluvia Innenarchitektur- Bathroom Inspirations at Maison Valentina Blog.

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Since 2005, SurePods has led the way in prefabricated bathroom pod manufacturing. With the ability to deliver better quality, faster build times and easier project management throughout the entire design-build process, pods are increasingly replacing traditional bathroom construction across North America. To meet this growing demand, we recently opened the doors to our new SurePods West facility, which is centrally located in Phoenix, Arizona.

To understand more about the facility’s benefits, we sat down with Matt Gaskin, Assistant General Manager at SurePods West.

SurePods: How do you think opening a new SurePods prefabricated bathroom pod facility in the greater Arizona area will impact the industry?

Gaskin: “The West Coast is a huge market within the construction industry. We’ve always been able to service the area, but we’re now local to the market and a part of the community. This means we’re able to employ people with regional insight and experience and utilize their skills to build bathrooms that meet local challenges like seismic codes and the laydown constraints of tight metro sites.

Our facility’s central location also makes it possible to simplify bathroom pod shipping, which is huge when you consider the exorbitant cost to transport goods of any kind across the country right now. For example, instead of shipping pods over 2,500 miles from Florida to California, we only need to move the pods 350 or so miles. When you consider how close Arizona is to high-volume commercial build areas, it becomes a real time and cost saver.”

SurePods: Is there any difference in the problems SurePods is solving on the West Coast vs. East Coast?

Gaskin: “The challenges in the construction industry remain largely the same across the county. Customers nationwide are facing high-cost labor markets, complex jobsite challenges, skilled labor shortages and ongoing market disruptions. All of this means it’s never been more important to accelerate construction schedules and enable building teams to do more with less. That’s where ease of access to prefab bathrooms come into play.

Our SurePods West facility makes it possible for us to now come alongside customers west of the Rockies and streamline the prefab process from start to finish. With quick access to the facility and modular units, team members can easily collaborate in the pre-con phase, check on the pods and better coordinate quick, just-in-time delivery. This helps eliminate days of onsite labor and schedule compression toward the end of projects.

And with this new facility, we’ll be able to maintain the same quality and accuracy that SurePods is known for all while increasing our production as a whole by about 33%.”

SurePods: Can you speak to why you believe in increasing access to modular bathrooms?

Gaskin: “Though it’s still gaining acceptance within the construction industry, we can’t ignore the possibilities of modular building any longer. It’s solving immediate construction challenges. We’re seeing this firsthand at SurePods. We aren’t building basic bathrooms anymore. We’re working hand-in-hand with design teams to fabricate and build bathrooms that require a great deal of creativity all while consolidating more than 10 construction trades into one product. Modular bathrooms are simplifying one of the most headache inducing parts of the commercial construction process. This helps keep projects moving when skilled local labor is unavailable and also simplifies jobsite sequencing. It’s not an alternative construction method, it’s a progressive construction method.

With nearly 20 years of experience, we’ve also learned how to refine what we do and do it with the goal of providing the highest quality achievable. We’re now looking ahead at how we can combine what we’ve learned with other prefab systems and create even more turn-key solutions—the sky’s truly the limit.”

SurePods: What advice do you have for those on the West Coast thinking of using prefab methods for an upcoming project?

Gaskin: “With any prefab project, it’s important to get involved as early as possible. This makes it possible to identify and adjust improvable design aspects, build-in efficiencies, lock material pricing and accelerate scheduling. In many ways, the sooner you get involved, the sooner you’re going to see returns.”

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Does A Bath Or Shower Help Or Hinder Your Home’s Value?

The bath vs shower debate is one we’ve waded into with full force recently, in an attempt to decipher which the majority of the public prefer, and the various benefits either provide.

Of course, many homes will include a bathtub as well as a shower enclosure, often in the form of combination components, and dependent on circumstances, bathroom layout and size, and the number of household habitants.

But can the choice between a bath and a shower fitting actually affect the value of a home? And could the presence, or lack thereof, of either fixture cause potential buyers to look elsewhere?

In this blog, we’ll examine which types of profiles view bathtubs as an essential home vice and vice versa with showers. And ultimately whether baths or showers really can play a significant role in altering the value of a house…

Do We Prefer Baths Or Showers?

Somewhat of a sweeping question, perhaps. But our recent research does show a clear trend to back up the general findings already pertaining to the subject.

That being, the vast majority of the UK public would generally favour the shorter, more efficient cleansing means of showering, as opposed to the longer and more drawn-out bathing process. Indeed, 77% of participants selected shower when answering our recent social media poll on which they would prefer to take.

But with that said, is it wise to sacrifice the presence of a bathtub within a home altogether, even if it might only be used scarcely? Or is it an undeniable staple of the British psyche that people feel a bathroom should have a bath?

Of course, if you sit within the 4% of Brits who admit to enjoying taking a bath at all, then you’re bound to see a bathtub as an essential fixture, and might choose to make a freestanding bathtub the focal point of your bathroom area, for example.

The addition of any type of bath would have a positive effect on the saleability of the property though, regardless of how often it will or won’t be used.

Is A Bathtub An Essential Bathroom Fixture?

As the term actually signifies, a bathroom has traditionally been centered around a bathtub itself, and classic bathrooms will still retain a freestanding bath as a centrepiece.

Despite the indulgence in a morning and evening bath now evidently being  a thing of the past for the vast majority, the bathtub is still rightly viewed as a symbolic bathroom lynchpin. And one that many will ever be reluctant to be without, at least for optional use when the mood takes.

What can tend to be the case though, is that space (or lack thereof) may dictate that a bulky tub is simply an unfeasible option in a compact bathroom. And in such instances, many will decide to opt for a space-saving shower enclosure as opposed to a sizeable component they might rarely make use of.

As such, a bathtub can’t strictly be considered to be a completely essential bathroom fixture, as modern bathrooms can comfortably exist in their absence.

But one of the main sticking points relates simply to the title of this article, and the perception of many that properties without a bathtub are less attractive to potential buyers.

Buildings without baths can prove tougher for estate agents to market effectively. And some people will outright eliminate options from their potential property portfolio if there’s no bathtub. So in effect, lower demand, and a house taking longer to sell, can eventually spiral into a lower house price point, lending weight to the popular perception that exists.

However, several extenuating influences will be at play in this regard, as we’ll explain further…

Will A Bathtub Actually Affect The Value Of My Home?

This is a loaded question, and the answer is circumstantial and dependent on a whole host of factors.

Firstly, the profile of any potential property buyers will have a huge influence. If you could be selling to a family with young children, for example, it is likely they’ll see a bathtub as an absolutely integral element.

Alternatively, you might find that a single person shopping properties has little to no interest in a bath, and would only see the inclusion of one as an added bonus. Essentially, it wouldn’t influence the decision enough to encourage lower offers on the home.

And on the flip side entirely, a unique and contemporary bathroom setting in the absence of a bathtub could actually serve to enhance the aura, and thus the value, of a home.

In reference to this, think about the ultra-modern stylings of a wet room, which represent the height of luxury and are perfect for introducing a spa-like vibe to a home. Practically any bathroom area can be transformed into a walk-in shower room, and there’s plenty of insight into various design nuances in our blog, How To Introduce Small Wet Room Ideas To Your Home.

All in all though, perhaps the size and layout of the bathroom space will play a bigger role in bolstering the value of a home than the actual presence of a bathtub. Of course, if space allows for it, any potential buyer could always add a bath should they desire one, and might even prefer the chance to select a design of their choosing.

If you do have nagging doubts before contemplating selling your home though, you could always add a bathtub before listing the property. You’ll be able to source a good quality tub at a cost lower than the differential value someone views a house with and without a bathtub as.

Do I Have To Choose Between A Bath And A Shower Enclosure?

You don’t have to make a straight-up choice between a bathtub and a shower enclosure. There is the possibility to compromise with a shower bath, which are available in straight, L-shaped and P-shaped designs.

Many bathtub models can also be modified with the addition of shower screens, with several also boasting a profile that sees one end larger than the other – such components are primed for the attachment of a shower system.

As a result, you’ll have the best of both worlds in a competent shower, as well as a bathtub that any potential future buyers of your property might just deem a necessity.

Plus, depending on the size of the house and the bathroom(s) within it, the scope might exist to go in a completely different direction with each of the spaces. Obviously, this will only be the case for a home with multiple bathrooms or an additional en suite. But a home featuring a compact wet room and a sizeable, freestanding tub-filled bathroom would sure to be sought after without any fears or doubts about resale value.

Building A Bathroom For Your Preferences And Requirements

As much as the bathtub factor might play heavily on your mind ahead of any potential house sale, your bathroom should be designed with the preferences and requirements of the current inhabitants in mind, of course.

There’s always the opportunity to add a bathtub at a later date or remodel the space slightly before putting the property on the market, if not having a bath remains a major concern when the time comes to sell up. More than likely, you can complete such an upgrade for far cheaper than the potential differential value the absence of a bath could have on the home.

And if you would like any further help and advice regarding the buying and installing of bathtubs or showers, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Big Bathroom Shop team. You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below, or contact us via FacebookInstagram or Twitter.

The post Bath Or Shower? Can They Affect Your Property’s Value? written by John Klee appeared first on Big Bathroom Shop.

Master Bathroom ideas are always welcome, given the enormity of their importance in one’s home, for they are the ones that will generate a unique oasis in one’s home that will provide the needed sanctuary to shield one’s mind from the dark problems that try to overcome it. To help you improve your home by creating the perfect oasis, we have gathered some of the best ideas for a luxurious master bathroom design!

Continue reading Master Bathroom Ideas: Grand Designs That Amaze at Maison Valentina Blog.

The choice of taking a bath or a shower should depend on your own personal requirements and hygiene priorities – so, it’s really up to you.

But which is better for you? A shower or a bath? 

We posted some social media polls and did some internet “digging” to find the answers to these questions and more.

You may or may not be shocked to discover that our audience loves a good shower!

But is that the best way to keep clean? We decided to find out!

#TeamBath

#TeamShower

@sophies.home.life

@oakappledecor

Is It Better To Take A Shower Or A Bath?

It’s a tough question.

After all, it depends what you’re trying to achieve and how you define “better”. 

Want to relax? You’ll probably take a bath, right? 

But is a shower ever as relaxing as a bubble bath? That’s what we’re asking. 

Are baths better or worse for your health than a refreshing and invigorating shower? 

Is there one method of getting clean that’s more beneficial? 

Well, sort of, we guess…

Both baths and showers have their own health benefits and lead to the same outcome – getting clean. 

So let’s explore the benefits of both to find out which is best!

Is A Shower Or A Bath Better At Getting You Clean?

Taking a shower will get you cleaner than a bath can. 

Is that obvious? We’re pretty sure you knew that. But it’s true.

Why? Well…

In a shower, water mixes with soap or your favourite shower gel and helps to break up the oils, dirt and sweat that’s accumulated on your skin.

Water hits your body evenly in a shower and washes the dirt away from you and down the drain.

In a bath, some of us can’t get the idea of “sitting in our own filth” out of our heads – and in a bath, that’s pretty much what you do.

So, if you want to be as clean as possible, you should definitely be opting to take a shower over a bath.

Can A Bath Be More Beneficial Than A Shower?

The short answer is, yes, in terms of your health and well-being a bath is better than a shower. 

Showers may be better at cleaning you than a bath can be, but that does not mean that a beautiful bath time isn’t good for you too. 

Baths can help to exfoliate your skin, stimulate your nervous system and are great at helping you to relax. 

In fact, a Japanese study discovered that the health benefits of taking a warm bath far outweigh those of taking a shower. 

The research delved into the benefits of taking a hot bath compared to taking a shower, and asked people to report back on their physical and mental well-being after each.

Although showering is the most common way of getting ourselves clean, according to the results of the study, the benefits of a hot bath should not be underplayed.

It found that people who bathed more often than they showered were more inclined to feel happy in themselves, had a better nights sleep and suffered less with stress and anxiety. 

But, the study didn’t stop there. 

It also found that taking a bath helped improve a person’s metabolic rate too – meaning people who take regular baths could be onto a weightloss idea that many of us shower lovers have missed!

It stated that baths are great for your heart rate and can be beneficial for people with heart conditions and physical disabilities and that baths can help to give your entire musculoskeletal system a recharge; alleviating the stress in your joints and muscles.

So, can a bath be more beneficial than a shower? 

Yes!

In relieving pain, reducing stress, and perhaps helping you to lose weight – while still keeping you clean – they win, this round.

Other Advantages Of A Bath Over A Shower

A standard bath, filled with water is one thing, but there are several variations on the bath time theme that perhaps you haven’t considered. 

Sure, hot baths do a good job of relaxing you, but you can approach a bath in several different ways – each of which offers a little extra than a shower can. 

Baths can be a great delivery system for all sorts of ingredients that are good for your health too.

Check out these “alternative” bath ideas and you’ll be milking up bathtime like Cleopatra in no time.

Oatmeal Baths

Oatmeal baths have been used to treat a range of incurable skin ailments for a long time. 

One such skin condition – that doesn’t have a cure – is Eczema, and an oatmeal bath can be great at reducing the swelling and itchiness caused by it.

Check out our helpful article on Oatmeal baths and how they can be of benefit to you!

romatherapy Baths

Essential oils have long been known to help relax and calm your mind and body and a few drops in a steaming hot bath can soothe tired muscles and chill you out. 

Eucalyptus and Lavender are the two most common essential oils used at bath time, but you wouldn’t go wrong with Camomile or Lemon oil either.

Milk Baths

You may have heard how Cleopatra kept herself looking young by bathing in Ass’s milk to cleanse her skin and give herself a radiant glow. 

But is there any truth to the milk bath myth? 

Well, yes. 

The benefits of a milk bath can vary based on the type of milk you choose, and these days there are several options to choose from.

From coconut milk that is filled with lauric acid – which features in many skin care products – to buttermilk that’s a great anti-wrinkle solution, there are several milks you can use in a soothing bath.

Sitz Bath

This is a slightly more medical type of bath than any of the others above, and is often prescribed to new mums to help soothe issues arising from childbirth. 

A Sitz bath is a warm and shallow bath that is used to cleanse the perineum – that’s the little bit of flesh between your bum and your genitals – and they’re great at soothing itchiness and irritation caused by hemorrhoids too. 

There are kits that you can buy to use while sitting on the loo, or you can create one in your bathtub at home by putting about 4-6 centimetres of warm water in the bath and lowering your rear end over the side and into the water. 

With a Sitz bath, you only want to put your bottom in the bathtub and avoid getting anything but your bum wet. 

Sit(z) there for a few minutes to cleanse the area before patting (not rubbing) yourself dry to soothe the perineum. 

dvantages Of A Shower Over A Bath

So it’s pretty clear from the research we’ve found that baths have an advantage over showers in terms of relaxing you and offering a couple of medicinal uses too.

But surely showers have their own benefits too, right? 

Well, yes, and they are many and varied and shouldn’t be overlooked.

We take both hot and cold showers depending on our mood and the type of day we’re experiencing, and there are benefits to both. 

A hot shower will produce heat and steam – elements that will soothe muscles and help to release toxins in your skin. 

Colder showers can help to boost your immune system and even burn fat (which means I am taking cold showers from now on!).

Go From Hot TO Cold To Stay Healthy

This amazing study highlighted that people who took hot-to-cold showers were invariably healthier than those that did not. 

It showed that starting with hot water showers and decreasing the temperature resulted in the adults in the study taking fewer sick days off work over the course of a 12 month period. 

This is a sort of “response conditioning” that was designed to determine if repeated exposure to cold showers – over a 30 day period – had any sort of cumulative impact on a person’s wellness and health state. 

Though only a small study, it would suggest that hot-to-cold showers are more beneficial if you want to stay healthy!

Check out our guide to learn more about the benefits of hot and cold showers.

Take A Shower To Save Your Skin (And Your Hair!)

A shower will help to improve blood circulation under the skin.

This process is known as vasoconstriction and it controls how blood is distributed throughout your body.

A cold shower can stimulate the blood flow in your scalp – improving the look and feel of your hair and perhaps help with reducing baldness. 

It is this same process that helps to give your skin a “glowing” look, so is definitely something to consider before a night out or an important job interview – as a cold shower could help you look your best!

Cold Showers & The “Feel Good” Factor

It has been suggested that showers that start off at a moderate temperature – before being reduced to freezing cold – can help to wake up your nervous system and stimulate natural endorphins.

This approach has been prescribed for people suffering with depression and is notable for its simplicity – in that anyone with a shower can give it a try, and see if it has a positive impact on their mental health and well-being!

Should I Take A Bath Or A Shower?

As with all personal hygiene – and as the name suggests – it is your own personal preference that should determine if you take a bath or a shower. 

But, if you’re looking to relax, ease daily fatigue and perhaps treat chronic pain, you should probably take a bath for all three. 

For more effective daily cleansing of the skin – and for additional health benefits – a shower may be a better option.

Showers can also give you an immune-system boost and prevent a range of ailments if you switch from hot to cold for the last few minutes of your daily routine.

Which Team Are You On – #TeamBath or #TeamShower?

Tell us about your bath or shower routine in the comments below and follow our Instagram account to hear stories from people in both #TeamBath and #TeamShower camps to discover what the UK population prefers!

The post The Bath Vs Shower Debate – Which Is Best? written by John Lawless appeared first on Big Bathroom Shop.

What are the benefits of oatmeal baths? – we answer all there is to know about oatmeal, how it helps skin and even expert commentary on why oatmeal helps to relieve skin conditions.

What Are Oatmeal Baths?

Oatmeal has been used for skin care purposes since the Roman times. Today, oatmeal can be found in many organic skincare creams and bath soaps, including the world-famous Aveeno products.

It’s one of the best home remedies for irritated skin!

How Does Oatmeal Help Itchy Skin?

The benefits of oatmeal baths for skin conditions are quite amazing.

So, if you’re a sufferer of skin conditions such as eczema, dry skin or psoriasis. Then we are here to answer your skin care prayers!

There’s not many things in life that come close to the discomfort of itchy, sore skin that nothing can sooth or take the edge off. That is until we discovered the surprising effects of an Oatmeal bath.

What Are Oatmeal Baths Good For?

The top skin conditions that oatmeal baths have proven to relieve:

EczemaPsoriasisSunburnSevere Dry SkinDermatitisChicken PoxHivesInsect Bites

What Kind of Oatmeal Do You Use In An Oatmeal Bath?

The oats you put into an oatmeal bath are not the same oats you use in your morning porridge. Colloidal oats should be used in an oatmeal bath and can be found in your local supermarket, pharmacy, or health store.

How Does an Oatmeal Bath Help Itchy Skin?

So what are the benefits of an oatmeal bath? and how does it actually help itchy skin or other skin conditions?

Well, firstly colloidal oatmeal is used (as we mentioned above). Colloidal oatmeal will relieve irritated skin as it is made from natural oat grain or Avena sativa that is ground into fine powder and acts as a great anti-inflammatory.

Packed with vitamins (specifically vitamin E), minerals, fats and proteins that help heal the skin. Colloidal oatmeal works to bind the skin and create a protective skin barrier to help lock in moisture and reduce inflammation.

Now you understand how Colloidal oatmeal can help the skin and soothe itchiness, it’s time to find out how to make your own oatmeal concoction.

How to Make Your Own Oatmeal?

Make sure you are using uncooked, whole oats that don’t have additives (Don’t be emptying your Quaker-Oats golden syrup into your bath).

Grind the oats up with a blender, food processor or anything you can get your hands on that will turn the oats into a finely ground powder.

Once they have been ground to dust, your oats are ready to be popped into the bath!

What Oatmeal Should I Use For My Child/Baby?

If your child/ baby is suffering with itchy, inflamed skin and you would like to try an oatmeal bath, Itchy Baby Co have a natural baby bath soak that has fantastic reviews.

Younger skin tends to be more sensitive and irritable than adult skin, so using a product with all natural, organic ingredients is a great option.

So, you now have your oats, it’s time to prepare your bath!

Please note, if you have purchased oats from a pharmacy/ health store they should come with instructions, and we would recommend following the directions on the package.

Now, back to the rest of you who purchased oats without a set of instructions…

How To Prepare an Oatmeal Bath to Soothe Itchy Skin?

Firstly, fill your bathtub with warm water (not hot water), remember not to add any soaps or bubble bath as this could cause more irritation to your skin.Pour half a cup of ground oats into the bath.Get in and soak in the oatmeal for around 15 minutes. This will give the skin enough time to absorb the nutrients – don’t soak for too long as your skin will dry out and make itching worse.Rinse off with warm water.Now carefully pat down your body, try your best not to rub as they towel could irritate the sore itchy skin.Finally apply organic, rich in vitamin E moisturiser to lock all the moisture in.

After one oatmeal bath you might notice the benefits; softer, smoother skin. However, it might take a week or so to really notice a significant difference.

Azza Halim, MD explains ‘You can take oatmeal baths twice daily. The oatmeal acts as an emollient and protective moisturizer for dry skin.’

Oatmeal baths are a safe way to take the edge of sore skin conditions. It might seem a tad yucky at first but after reading all of the specialist advice on the benefits of an oatmeal bath, it’s definitely worth a go.

Please note – if your skin feels worse after one oatmeal bath, don’t try it again and and arrange an appointment with your GP.

Say goodbye to harsh, red skin!

The post What Are The Benefits Of Oatmeal Baths? written by Rikki Fothergill appeared first on Big Bathroom Shop.

Hot And Cold Shower Comparison

For many, the idea of a freezing cold shower first thing in the morning is enough to make you shudder, never mind the reality of actually taking one. A hot shower early doors provides the majority of people with the perfect means to kick off their day, and an ideal foundation from which to go about their daily business.

As much as we might love to invigorate our senses with a toasty warm shower, and be far from thrilled at the prospect of a cold shower though, there is plenty of evidence to suggest it is beneficial to mix up our shower routine as it pertains to temperature.

Even if you have horror memories of nipping in and quickly hopping in a cold shower, having been the last in a busy family household to use it, you might not so readily recall how you felt in the aftermath. Or be aware of the numerous health advantages cold showers can provide.

In this blog, we’ll take a look at the associated benefits of both hot and cold showers, exploring the best instances to brave the lower temperatures and much more.

What Are The Main Advantages Of Cold Showers?

There are several advantages to taking a cold shower, including the following…

Invigorating and refreshing to awaken your sensesHelpful in tackling acne, can assist with glowing hair and skinRelieves itchy skinBolsters blood circulationCan enhance weight lossAssists in alleviating muscle soreness after exercise

Cold Shower Wake Up Call

Whilst you may find the sensation unpleasant, a cold early morning shower can have positive physiological, psychological and neurological effects as the temperature ‘shock’ takes hold.

This cold water shock enhances the heart rate, oxygen intake and level of alertness of the shower user, all in all providing a real ‘livener’ to make them feel incredibly refreshed, switched on and ready to attack the day ahead.

Jump in your shower enclosure feeling groggy and unprepared, exit a brand new man or woman that can take on just about anything!

Help Hair And Skin To Shine

Whilst scant scientific evidence exists with regards to the positive effects cold water can have on hair and skin, anecdotal attestation is widely abound.

All sorts of wellness publications and expert sources have long been keen to extoll the virtues of cold water, with its propensity to constrict blood flow a certified consequence. This practice is explained well in this Camille Styles blog. In turn, the constriction of blood assists in giving a healthier tint to the cold showerer’s skin.

Furthermore, a Glamour magazine article suggests that cold water will strengthen your hair cuticles, and as a result, that taking regular cold showers will lead hair to be shinier and significantly less frizzy.

It is also worth noting that in contrast to hot water, cold water will not dry out the sebum layer, which is a naturally formed lubricated barrier which acts as a protective shield for hair and skin. Therefore, frequent exposure to cold water can see hair in particular build strength and general health over the course of time.

Shivering Over Scratching

Neither are exactly favourable sensations, of course. But cold showers can prove an excellent combative measure for those who suffer from itchy skin or related conditions that leave them feeling the urge to scratch.

Stacy Chimento, an American-based dermatology expert, has been quoted by The Healthy as saying, “cool water can help calm down the itchy sensation.” She continued, “cool water helps numb the itching sensations and pacify irritated skin, whereas a hot shower can make the skin even more sensitive.”

So, especially for sufferers of conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, cold showers could be monumentally beneficial.

Boosting Your Blood Flow

As far as health benefits associated with cold showers go, one of the very most poignant is enhanced blood circulation, regularly flagged up by expert health commentators.

The science behind this effect can be explained in how it influences the body at surface level. Basically, once the cold water makes contact with the body, noticeably concerning areas like arms and legs, it will compress blood circulation on the body’s surface.

In turn, the blood pumping throughout deeper tissues will circulate at a more rapid rate to deliver and maintain an optimal body temperature for cold shower users.

That considered, cold showers provide a contrasting reaction to hot showers for those who might be suffering from cardiovascular issues or hypertension. Because cold temperature exposure activates the circulatory system to alleviate inflammation and help to combat cardiovascular diseases.

Cold Shower Weight Loss Assistance

It might not make a massive amount of difference, but speaking from personal experience at least, every little helps when it comes to a bid for losing weight. So this makes for another excellent reason to work a cold shower into your regular routine.

The way that cold water can benefit you from a weight loss perspective lies in the properties of particular fat cells. The likes of brown fat, for instance, can generate heat in burning fat. This occurs when the body becomes exposed to colder temperatures, as it would in a cold shower.

What’s more, these brown fat cells are often found around the shoulders and neck area of the body. Absolutely ideal, especially if you have a modern shower with multiple outlets for targeted coverage.

On average, a 15-minute cold shower will burn 62 calories – that’s worth a full extra Jaffa Cake and then some to the calorie counting dieters!

Sore Muscle Relief

Tying in with the weight loss theme, cold showers can also aid sore muscle recovery in the aftermath of exercise – a perfect vice to remember after an especially tough session at the gym.

Cold water boasts regenerative properties, which allows it to enable your muscles to relax and repair on the back of strenuous activity.

re There Any Disadvantages To Cold Showers?

They are few and far between, certainly so when compared with the benefits, but cold showers can be disadvantageous in some instances.

Mostly, common sense will dictate when not to indulge in a cold shower. For example, if you are already cold, the cooler temperature won’t help you to warm up in any way. In fact, it can have a negative effect in making you become colder still, and ensuring you have a longer wait for your body to warm back up to its ideal temperature.

Similarly so, it is probably best to avoid taking a cold shower if you are feeling unwell. The initial shock of the cold water could have a further detrimental effect on your immune system.

It’s a better idea to ease into cooler showers when you’re in rude health.

Why Do We Tend To Prefer Hot Showers?

So, given the many benefits and scarce drawbacks associated with cold showers, they seem a no-brainer to introduce into a healthy regular schedule.

Why then, in general, do we prefer hot showers?

Well, for a start, the warm water tends to feel nicer and more relaxing as we come into contact with it, rather than causing the initial shock effect that comes to fruition when taking a cold shower.

For many, a hot shower is a key to relaxation, and enables the person to unwind and de-stress before heading to bed and preparing to do it all again tomorrow.

There’s a science behind that notion as well, as hot showers alert the parasympathetic nervous system which is linked to making us tired, making a warm shower an excellent evening practice before bed.

As well as assisting in the relaxation of muscles, hot showers can also help repair skin blemishes and aid in the relief of respiratory problems.

On the latter point, standing in a hot shower enclosure engulfed by steam represents a time-old natural combative effort against colds and coughs. The water’s heat and accompanying steam can help to clear nasal passages, open up airways and loosen phlegm.

And with regards to skin blemishes, hot showers can help to open up the pores of the skin, so you’re able to rid them of any lingering oil or trapped muck.

re There Any Disadvantages To Hot Showers?

Whilst cold showers have been proven to be beneficial from a cardiovascular perspective, hot showers can contrastingly worsen issues in this regard.

They have been known to further enhance the blood pressure of sufferers of high blood pressure, and those with any form of cardiovascular disease are also advised against taking showers that are too hot.

Also, hot showers can lead to irritable, dried out skin. Hot water can damage the keratin cells which reside on the outer-most skin layer – the epidermis. In turn, the disruption caused to these cells curtails them from confining the appropriate moisture required, which creates dry skin.

And particular skin conditions can worsen via excessively hot showers as well. Ailments like eczema and psoriasis can be exacerbated with high temperatures providing the perfect foundation for skin to dry out.

Itchy skin is another potential undesirable side effect of hot showers too, as the lofty temperatures can lead mast cells, featuring histamine, to deposit their matter in the skin to cause it to itch.

Should I Take Hot Or Cold Showers?

There’s numerous benefits and a few disadvantages to both hot and cold showers – so which type should you indulge in with regularity?

Well, whilst the advantages of cold showers seem to outweigh those of their counterparts, we wouldn’t want you to have to stand and suffer if you find a cold shower barely tolerable. Ideally then, you should try to take a lukewarm shower when possible, so you’re getting the best benefits of both whilst enjoying a comfortable showering experience.

Alternatively, you could adopt a ‘contrast shower’ approach, whereby you set the water temperature for as cold as possible for a set period of time, say a minute. Then, you can crank the temperature right up and take a hot shower for a minute, and repeat the process for as long as you wish (between three and five cycles each is recommended).

Contrast showers are advantageous in that the cold shower part of the process will constrict the blood vessels of the user, meaning all the blood will flood to the centre of the body.

Then, the hot shower portion will see the blood vessels open up and blood flood out again, distributed all throughout the organs and muscles of the ‘contrast showerer’. As such, it has an excellent detoxifying effect, and helps with regeneration too.

Some advanced digital showers will even have the facility to set the temperature to automatically shift after a set amount of time to make the contrast shower process more convenient. Our Buyer’s Guide To Modern Showers has more information on these tech-savvy shower systems.

Get In Touch With Big Bathroom Shop

Hopefully, this blog has helped you gain an understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of both hot and cold showers, and how best to work either type into your regular showering routine.

For any further help or information regarding showers, or any other bathroom-related query though, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the friendly team at Big Bathroom Shop.

You can do so by leaving your thoughts on the comments section below, or by contacting us on FacebookInstagram or Twitter.

The post Cold Shower vs Hot Shower – What Are The Benefits? written by John Klee appeared first on Big Bathroom Shop.

Walk In Shower Ideas For A Dream Bathroom Design

The bathroom is very rarely the largest room within a house, and with that considered, it’s understandable that many would consider a redesign process in such a space a touch daunting.

What might prove a simpler solution than you could imagine, however, could come in the implementation of walk in shower ideas. Some of which can actually help maximize space in a compact bathroom, rather than hinder it.

Taking into account colour schemes, tiling options, interior layout and all other design facets, this article will cover an impressive range of walk in shower ideas for bathrooms large and small. See if you stumble across a stunning walk in shower style that can completely transform your bathroom area…

1. Go For Glass Shower Doors

A simple but wholly effective means to create the illusion of extra space is to allow natural light to infiltrate. As such, glass shower doors provide an excellent option as it pertains to walk in showers, if they include any doors at all.

They provide a transparent barrier which has a minimal impact on visual space, and enables light to flood into the bathroom, illuminating the areas that most require it.

For a special aesthetic consideration, explore the possibility of tinted glass shower doors to frame the enclosure. Exuding effortless luxury, this typically more expensive nuanced style can act as a beautiful bathroom centrepiece, whilst still allowing light to flow freely throughout the space.

2. No Bathtub? No Problem

Now, if you are a ‘bath person’, please don’t be offended at such a blasphemous notion. But there really is an argument to be had, especially in more compact bathroom spaces, to proceed without a bathtub in bringing some stunning walk in shower ideas to life.

Most obviously, freestanding baths will tend to dominate the bathroom areas they are fitted within, in terms of both appearance and space.

In the absence of a bath, the scope exists to go whackier, wilder and wider in putting your walk in shower ideas into practice.

You could extend the shower area to span the full length of the rear wall, for instance, to create a bigger and better modern shower space. An idealistic spacious enclosure for a luxurious, spa-like showering experience with full coverage.

3. Select The Right Shower Tray

There’s plenty of variety when it comes to shower trays, so you’ll have lots of flexibility when bringing your perfect walk in shower enclosure to life.

A simple but useful hack is to opt for smaller and longer shower trays as opposed to chunky square designs in order to maximize room.

And shallow pan shower trays are the way to go as well. The lack of depth incorporated by such components allow for the walk in shower enclosure space to open up and remain airy and moveable within.

4. Tip-Top Wall Tile Inspiration

Though they might not be readily associated with smaller bathroom areas, eye-catching statement wall tiles really can work in such spaces. The best idea is to adopt a sparse approach with brightly coloured, adventurous patterns. In turn, you can draw immediate attention to pivotal parts of the bathroom.

Contrasting with a standout bathroom tiling backdrop, a stylish shower wall or splashback will enhance a sense of space, and open up a plethora of design possibilities throughout the area. The main one, of course, can prove to be the introduction of your ideal walk in shower.

5. Work In A Shower Partition Wall

Compact bathrooms will sometimes require a partition within a walk in shower space to prevent water from travelling to areas you don’t want it to – who wants to exit the shower to soaking wet towels draped across the nearby heated towel rail, for instance?

So, instead of a glass shower door, the prospect of a half-wall fitting acting as a walk in shower guard is an appealing alternative prospect.

The implementation of a shower partition wall such as this is beneficial from a privacy perspective, whilst ensuring the bathroom remains open and free. It also offers an ideal foundation component to add the likes of decorative ornaments, shower essentials, and stylish tiles.

6. Corner Showers For Compact Bathrooms

One of the simplest entries on the list, but the space-maximising effectiveness of corner showers cannot be underestimated within a compact bathroom.

The most striking advantages of corner shower enclosures is their minimalist design and practicality, allowing more than adequate room for other essential fittings and fixtures like bathroom vanity units or wall hung toilets in especially modernized settings.

Should you have any concerns that a corner shower won’t provide sufficient space, you could consider a neo-angled walk in shower layout as an alternative choice. This type of design will allow for a wider ‘wingspan’ and eliminate protruding corners that could be present elsewhere.

7. Stick To Size With Fixtures And Fittings

A common mistake that it is easy to make when transforming a bathroom (especially a smaller one) to feature a walk in shower space, is to go too big and bold with accentuating bathroom furniture.

Where room is restricted, you can easily overwhelm the space with the addition of oversized freestanding vanity units, for example. In order to ensure your walk in shower enclosure remains the star of the show, opt for more subtle, minimalist styles such as wall hung vanity units, which will be altogether far less intrusive.

For some layouts, bathroom combination units will be well suited. These incorporate a toilet, basin and vanity unit within a single component to maximise space and deliver streamlined style in the form of some essential fittings.

Our blog, A Buyer’s Guide To Vanity Units, shines the spotlight on a multitude of attractive bath vanities for smaller bathrooms.

8. Introduce Suitable Colours For Smaller Bathrooms

You can avoid hassle and stress by keeping it relatively simple and suitable in drawing up a bathroom colour scheme, again particularly in relation to more compact areas.

Fresh, light clean tones can work wonders in alluding to wider space, whilst a mish-mash of various louder hues can have the opposite effect, leading the bathroom to appear cramped and cluttered.

Standard white shades will give off a spacious, light and airy aura which can be tweaked and enhanced by accompanying complementary colours and textures. Or lighter pastel shades, all the rage in cottagecore bathrooms, are well worth considering as well. What’s more, the Big Bathroom Shop On Trend page can point you in direction of some of the most in-vogue colour options available.

9. Account For Alcove Dimensions

It can often be the case that compact bathrooms accommodate out-of-the-ordinary dimensions and overall shapes. However, it is possible to turn an unwanted alcove or eave into a dream design feature as opposed to an objectionable distraction in connection with walk in showers.

The most obvious solution, if space allows for it, is to install the walk in shower within the alcove area itself, or in a position where the walls can act as natural shower partitions (see point 5).

Also, if there are any roof windows present, these offer an excellent option to oversee a walk in shower, allowing natural light to flood the area and completely open up the bathroom.

10. Laying Down The Tiles

So it’s a touch less of an authoritative sentiment than ‘laying down the law’ might represent, but by following this similarly titled mantra, you can really set the tone for a beautiful walk in shower space to refresh your bathroom.

Imaginative floor tiling patterns within a walk in enclosure are an excellent way to create the illusion of added space. Using block patterns and solid contrasting colours and shapes will help to elasticate the room and make everything appear larger.

You have free reign to go big and bold with walk in shower floor tiles as well. Just because the room they are fitted in might be small doesn’t necessarily mean the tiles themselves has to be as well. Sizeable format tiles are a superb option for minimalist walk in shower bathrooms with subtle, low level grouting providing the neatest finish that will be barely visible.

11. Don’t Neglect The Shower Itself

When implementing a new walk in shower, your primary considerations, most likely, rest with the design of the enclosure itself. And whilst that is appropriate, you should strive not to neglect the actual shower system to fit.

Look to add a shower that lines up with the décor and overall theme of the bathroom area. So for retro or classic style bathrooms, look to traditional showers. Or, in contemporary bathrooms, add a modern shower with a finish reflective of the surrounding interior. There’s plenty of styles to consider in our dedicated blog, A Buyer’s Guide To Modern Showers.

12. Squeeze In Minimalist Storage Solutions

The size and structure of bathroom furniture and vanities can accidentally take up excessive room in a smaller bathroom on occasion, so it could be worth seeking out a nifty alternative storage option if possible.

In-built shelving or small mounted benches could be installed into small alcove areas, for example, to save on floor or wall space and prevent future storage issues for bathroom essentials like shower gels, shampoos, towels and toiletries.

Explore Big Bathroom Shop For Walk In Shower Inspiration

Big Bathroom Shop offer all sorts of walk in shower trays, doors, frames and full enclosure designs to suit any style or bathroom layout.

This guide will have hopefully whet your appetite with some supreme walk in shower ideas to transform a small bathroom, but if you would like any further help or advice, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team.

You can leave your queries in the comments section below, or reach out to us via FacebookInstagram or Twitter.

The post 12 Wonderful Walk In Shower Ideas To Transform A Small Bathroom written by John Klee appeared first on Big Bathroom Shop.