9 Decor Trends to Ditch ASAP!

Purchasing an outdated house is one of the easiest ways for a do-it-yourself savvy buyer to build sweat equity. It can often be hard to see beyond the stained carpet and outdated kitchens, but if you can imagine what the space could look like with a little TLC and a few DIY projects, you will be in a really great position for making the big investment of buying a house.

There are many common outdated features you will find in older homes. You'd be surprised how many homeowners have been too lazy to remove shag carpets, wood paneling, and tacky wallpapers. Luckily, most of these home decor faux pas can be tackled by anyone with a moderate level of do-it-yourself skills.

If you just bought a way outdated home or your guilty of letting your home decor go out of style, don't stress. We're here to tell you which 10 trends need to go immediately, so you don't have any excuses left for leaving them be! And of course, we make some simple suggestions for updating your space accordingly.

1. Sponge Painting

While this trend was originally intended to add a bit of dimension and character to a room, it was never one of those trends that looked like it was done by a professional. While we always advocate doing as many updates to your home as you can by yourself, we also suggest doing it in a way that makes it look like it was done by a professional. This will add the most value in the end.

Luckily this outdated trend is an easy fix. Choose a color that suits your design style and the room's existing decor, and simply cover it up with a couple of coats of new paint.

2. Oak Kitchen Cabinets

Ditching old oak cabinets may not be an easy fix DIY project, but it will definitely update your space in a way that you probably can't even picture.

Get creative here. If you can afford it, buy some cabinets and do the remodel yourself. If you're looking for something with a lower budget, try painting two-tone kitchen cabinets, which are very trendy this year. Consider painting the bottom cabinets navy blue and the upper cabinets white. Want to stick to a traditional update? White cabinets are still popular and are a great way to brighten up a space that lacks a lot of natural light.

3. Disproportionate Wall Art

Everyone loves a good focal point, and a gallery wall is a great way to do that. You really can't go wrong here with the actual pieces you use: art, pictures, mirrors, faux animal heads, arrows, and the list goes on and on. Where you can go wrong is using too much of the wall space or too little.

If you have a big wall, make sure you use up enough space on the wall that makes sense. A bonus for decorating like this is that you can easily incorporate your personality into your home by using photos of your favorite vacation, art drawn by your kids, or a quirky mirror to match your eclectic style.

4. Plastic Vertical Blinds

This trend was popular a few decades ago, and while these blinds get the job done, there are much better design choices to use on these big windows and doors. And lucky for you, this is an easy fix.

Simply swap the blinds out for sheer curtains, or if you like something more dramatic, try a more luxurious, navy blue, velvet curtain.

5. Cheap Brass Hardware

While brass is making a bit of a comeback, be sure to avoid the shiny, cheap looking brass hardware.

This is an easy way to make a big difference in the room; simply swap out that faucet for another finish - nickel, iron, and chrome are all great choices, depending on your decor.

6. Carpet in the Bathroom

This is one trend that never should have happened, but since it did you should remove it immediately. No excuses.

If you love the warmth it provides, consider installing underfloor radiant heating and putting in a neutral tile that you will enjoy for years to come.

7. Fake Plants

While this seems like a good option for those of us who lack a green thumb, you lose on two counts. One, you aren't fooling anyone that it is actually a real plant, and two, you aren't getting the most important benefit of having plants in your house: added oxygen!

If you are worried about keeping your plants alive, ask someone at your nearest nursery which plants require the least amount of care. Surely you can water a plant once or twice a month! Besides, succulents and cacti are both very trendy right now, and they are almost foolproof for people without green thumbs!

8. Pot Rack over Kitchen Island

While this idea serves a practical purpose, it is one that should be left firmly in the 90s. The favored trend in this decade is to have things clean and clutter free.

Try organizing your pots and pans in your cabinets with one of the many helpful organizers on the market today. This allows you to keep the airspace over your island completely free or available to add a pendant light or two.

9. Wallpaper Border

Wallpaper border was once a way to add a touch of character to any space. The modern equivalent is removable wallpaper. While this might sound counter-intuitive, if you have ever had to remove wallpaper you will understand the importance of installing something that you can easily remove down the road when you want to switch things up.

There are many different patterns and colors that you can use to bring this bit of character to your space. Want to really jazz it up? Install wainscoting on the lower portion of the wall and the removable wallpaper on just the upper portion of the wall. This will keep your space from becoming too "busy,' while brightening it up with some nice white molding.

POP BY SANITANA TOILET DESIGN

8 Easy Tips for Bathroom Maintenance

Regular bathroom maintenance is an essential part of housekeeping. It will save you a considerable amount of money over the long run because you can avoid problems related to plumbing, leaks, mold, and mildew. Some easy tips for regular bathroom maintenance are listed below.

Ensure That the Grout and Sealant Are Intact

The grout and sealant around the tiles over a bathtub or in a shower cubicle require frequent inspection. Due to the constant exposure to heat and moisture, the grout often wears or cracks. Ensure that the grout is intact and free of mold or mildew. To clean mold, mildew, or grout stains, use oxygen bleach. If you find any evidence of missing grout, you must clean the area, dry it, and apply new grout.

Look for Leaking Spouts or Pipes

Leaks around a pipe or spout must be remedied as soon as they are detected. If left unattended, they could progressively become worse and cause problems such as moisture accumulation behind the walls and underneath the floor. Contact a plumber if you are unsure of the extent of the leak.

Look for Signs of Leaks Around the Bathtub and Toilet

The toilet and the bathtub must be securely caulked to the bathroom floor; otherwise, these fixtures will leak. Ensure that the toilet flush works properly and that there are no blockages.

Look for Signs of Rot or Decay

Do a regular examination of the floor, wall, and corners of the bathroom. Look for signs of dampness, wetness, and rot on the surfaces. Any such problems must be remedied professionally.

Check for Loose Tiles

If you have a shower enclosure, ensure that the tiles are in place and caulked properly. Also ensure that there are no signs of shifting tiles on the wall or floor. If you see any such signs, remove the tiles and install new ones or reinstall the same tiles. Reapply the grout after removing the debris between the tiles.

Inspect Under the Sink

Look under the sink for leaks and moisture accumulation. Corroded pipes or cracks in the connections cause leaks that can spread to the wood under the counter. It can also damage the foundation. Replace any damaged pipes or connections promptly.

Use Drain Covers

Drain covers are an important defense mechanism because they block the flow of hair, dirt, and other particles that can clog the drains. If you notice that the flow of water has slowed, clean the drain and the covering grill.

Clean the Bathroom Weekly

Clean the bathroom at least once a week. Clean the bathtub, shower enclosure, toilet, wash basin, mirrors, and the floor. While doing so, perform a thorough inspection of all the nooks and crannies. Wash the rugs before they accumulate too much dirt or moisture. Never leave moist clothes or rugs in the bathroom.

ABOUT US

Builders Home Stores Limited was incorporated in January 2006 and commenced full business operations in January 2007. The company is the trading arm of Building Associates Limited (a building services company with specialty in tiling and plumbing)

We are advancing towards being the best solution provider for bathrooms and building fixtures in Nigeria and the rest of West Africa, putting into play factors of quality and value; and at the same time cutting across every class of the economy by meeting the needs and adding value simultaneously, without compromising either.

Our product collections range from economy, medium to high-end luxury sanitary wares which includes bathtubs, hydromassage systems, sauna, steam boxes, hydro-spa, water closets (standing and suspended), wash basins (free standing and furniture combined), plumbing systems, shower enclosures and many more to meet you at the best quality and value.

On quality wise, it is worth knowing that our products are all European Union Certified and covered by the Nigerian SONCAP.

All our products are sourced independent of distributors to enable us pass on the savings to our customers especially for trades and project purposes.

Our bathrooms and building finishing solutions provide a means for QUALITY LIVING to our customers.

At BHS, the comfort and satisfaction of our clients are no longer a matter of privilege but that of obligation.

Thank you as we look forward to you being an integral part of our business.

Give your bathroom a 2016 glamorous update in ten easy steps .

If there’s one thing that everyone can appreciate, it’s a glamorous bathroom. Think sparkling fixtures and luxe materials with a restful polish and you’ve got the makings of a bathroom that oozes glam style. “With glam, there will definitely be a feeling of excess,” says Toronto interior designer Mimi Pineau. “It will be a bit more risqué and over-the-top than creating a purely luxurious interior,” she says.

After years of safe, borderline-sterile bathrooms, interiors dripping with glamour appeal to the many opulence-lovers among us. Although glam style is often thought of as synonymous with Hollywood Regency style, that’s not necessarily always the case: it’s a far broader designation nowadays. The versatility of glam is that it can infuse and overlay many design styles. “Glam style can designed in many ways: modern or retro, luxuriant or minimal,” Mimi says. Retro-style sinks can mingle with crystal chandeliers, clean-lined fixtures can be juxtaposed against an ornate mirror with glittering details. Shine and sparkle are key. “With glam, the decor would most certainly include several reflective or high-gloss surfaces,” including metals, Mimi says.

Here are 10 ways to get the look:
1 Go big at first, and scale back if needed. “I generally plan on a number of dramatic elements, then scale back as needed, to the point where the client feels comfortable, but the space still feels ultra-stylish,” Mimi says.

2 Light fixtures should be dramatic. Forget simple, go for impactful, “be it a chandelier, large scale pendant, or eye-catching sconces.”

3 Dress the walls richly. You need a dramatic colour, wallpaper or sparkly tile. These add immensely to the overall mood and can create a moody jewel-box feel, or depending on the colour scheme, a cooler glam effect, says the Toronto designer.

4 Get curvy and shapely accents. “With glam, I think of accessories and hardware with a feminine frame of mind: curvy or mirrored accent furniture and accessories such as shapely perfume bottles that add interest to the decor.”

5 Avoid white on white … on white. White walls, white fixtures, white towels create a clean, restful and spa-like vibe but they don’t shout glam. Lush jewel-tone hues, ripe pinks, rich creams and even black (think Chanel’s black lacquer cosmetic cases) do.

6 Add metals. Gold still seems daring, but it has been back in style for years now in bathrooms. And the warm tones of brass and copper are coming back in a big way, says Mimi.

7 Luxurious stone is the way to go. In relatively small space like a bathroom, gorgeous natural stone like marble and granite make a splashy, glam impact whether it be for flooring or countertops.

8 Pick a big mirror. “A dramatic mirror as big as the wall space will allow is a must,” Mimi says. Reflective surfaces, shine and sparkle all contribute to glam style, and a big mirror will help you achieve this.

9 Don’t forget the soft touches. In a glamorous bathroom, Mimi says she would display some tactile, softer elements such as very plush towels to contrast with the harder lines of the fixtures and finishes.

10 Remember that glam doesn’t mean gaudy. You’re aiming for a look that’s polished, classy yet alluring. Would a modern-day Audrey Hepburn look at home in the room?  If you’re in doubt, get a second opinion from a fellow glam-lover (or, just check out these glam bathroom decor accessories to get inspired).