WARM UP YOUR BATHROOM

Winter Warm Ups: How to Heat Up Your Bathroom Some mornings the thought of crawling out of a warm bed and stepping into a chilly bathroom can make us hit snooze repeatedly. Wouldn’t it be great if your bathroom was toasty for you every morning? With these easy bathroom upgrades that dream can be a reality. Here’s how to heat up your bathroom this winter. Heated Towel Rack Who doesn’t love the feeling of stepping out of the shower into an already warmed towel? Talk about luxury. With a heated towel rack, you can have that warm feeling after every shower. Thanks to the wide variety of sizes and designs, a heated towel rack is a great addition to any bathroom. Heated towel racks come both in wall mounted and freestanding units. Wall mounted units will require the help of an electrician to hard wire the unit into your electrical system. Freestanding units just need to be plugged in and they’re ready to go. Depending on the model you purchase, some heated towel racks can actually help to heat up your bathroom. You can expect to pay anywhere from $250 for basic units up to $1400 or more for luxury models. Heated Floors If you’re already thinking about remodelling your bathroom, consider adding heated floors. While the initial cost can discourage some homeowners from taking this step, once installed, heated floors are actually quite inexpensive to run. They will cost you about as much as three 100w light bulbs. That’s a small price to pay for heated floors every day during cold Canadian winters. Heated floors can be broken down into two types: dry systems and wet systems. Dry systems use a series of electric wires to heat the floor above. Wet systems use hot water pipes to heat up the floor. Both types will help to heat up the entire bathroom much like a radiator would. Keep in mind you will require the help of a pro to install both types of heated floor systems. Heated floors are a great option for any size and style of bathroom because all of the components are hidden. The biggest drawback is the fact that you will have to rip out and replace all of your existing flooring to have the heating elements installed. New Bathtub If you’re a fan of baths, you know the uncomfortable feeling of your bathwater slowly turning from warm and enjoyable to cold and unpleasant. If you’re looking for a way to keep your water warmer for longer, consider upgrading your bathtub. Did you know that certain materials can actually help your tub retain heat? Invest in a tub made from materials like copper, brass, soapstone or volcanic limestone for a bath that stays warmer longer. New Wall Colour If a big bathroom renovation isn’t in the cards for you right now, try warming up your space with a fresh coat of paint. It’s common for bathrooms to be painted either white, grey or beige, which can make them appear colder. Add in some stark white tiles and your bathroom can start to look like an icebox. Consider using paint to help warm up the appearance of your bathroom. Think about what colours make you feel warm. Oranges and reds will help conjure images of a roaring fire, making your winter morning routine feel a little bit toastier. You don’t have to go for bold overpowering hues. Instead, find a softer shade to help to create that warming glow. Depending on the size of your bathroom, changing the wall colour is a relatively quick and inexpensive project. In fact, if you booked your painting project today, it could be done by this weekend. Your Monday morning just got a little easier to handle. Add Natural Elements Another way to help visually warm up your bathroom is to add natural elements. Think about incorporating items like weaved baskets, plants, stones and candles. We’re seeing more and more wood being used in bathrooms for items like shelves, mirrors and countertops. Embrace nature in your space through the use of smaller accessories and art. While these items may not actually make your bathroom feel warmer, the visual trick of layers and textures will make it look cozier. Check Your Windows Even with all of these design updates, there’s no use trying to warm up a room that has cold air constantly blowing into it. Just like the windows in the rest of your home, weather stripping can wear down and tiny gaps can form in the sealant around the window. If your bathroom windows are old and shake with every gust of wind, you should consider updating them before next winter. Think how much easier getting up will be on chilly mornings when you know you’ll be stepping into a comfortably warm bathroom.