Whether you’re remodeling an existing bathroom or customizing one from scratch, there are a lot of options to consider.
Beyond just windows and mirrors, glass is an integral part of any bathroom. To make your bathroom a functional, beautiful space, consider how you can use custom glasswork to enhance your space.
Materials to Elevate Your Bathroom
From ceiling tile to lighting fixtures, how do you choose what materials to use in your bathroom? Depending on the look you’re going for, you could purchase brand new materials, or bring new life to second-hand items. Here are some of the most popular materials to use in a bathroom:
- Porcelain – Porcelain is used for sinks, tile, and toilets. Since porcelain is almost 100% waterproof, it makes a great choice for shower and floor tile. It can withstand a lot of moisture without deteriorating. Porcelain can be more brittle than ceramic tile, but it is more durable overall and can be used in high-traffic areas. It’s a material that can be used both indoors and out, so if you’re dreaming of an outdoor shower, porcelain is a great choice.
- Ceramic – Ceramic is another popular material for bathroom tile, particularly walls. It isn’t as water-resistant as porcelain, so it is best used for walls or floors where there won’t be much direct contact with water. Ceramic is often less expensive than porcelain, and easier to cut and manipulate. It’s best used indoors only, and it comes in a wide variety of textures, patterns, and shapes.
- Natural Stone – Not just for countertops, natural stone is a popular choice for bathrooms. Stone can be used for sinks, shower walls, floors, curbing, shelves, or even capping a pony wall. With unique characteristics in each slab of natural stone, you can easily customize your space to be one-of-a-kind. Types of stone to use in a bathroom include:
- Marble
- Soapstone
- Onyx
- Bluestone
- Granite
- Travertine
- Glass – Custom glasswork can make your bathroom feel bigger, brighter, and more elegant. It can be used for tile, windows, mirrors, sinks, shelves, and even custom glass cabinetry.
How Glass Materials can Enhance Your Bathroom
No matter what square footage you’re working with, you can have the feel of a spacious bathroom thanks to thoughtful design and installation. The experts at Smitty’s Quality Glass can work with you to create custom mirrors, shower enclosures, and other custom glasswork elements for your space.
- Mirrors – To bounce light around your space and make it feel bigger, install custom mirrors. When it comes to a bathroom room, sometimes bigger is better. A frameless mirror can also add to the appearance of space, as it blurs the line between mirror and wall. Be sure you choose a mirror intended for use in bathrooms, as it will better withstand exposure to moisture.
- Windows – Natural light is the most flattering, so allowing it into a bathroom is vital. Consider enlarging existing windows, adding more windows, or customizing your windows with frosted glass. Removing the need for blinds can allow more light into your space and still provide privacy. If you have a bathroom on a top floor, you may wish to install skylights to allow more natural light to flood the space.
- Frameless Shower – A frameless, or glass-enclosed shower can allow the eye to keep traveling around a bathroom, giving even the smallest of spaces the appearance of more room. Smitty’s Glass can help you decide on finishes, including clear or translucent., for your shower.
- Glass Partitions – If you have defined areas of a bathroom, glass dividers or partitions are a good choice to keep the room feeling open. A glass wall can separate a walk-in shower from the vanity, or frosted glass can enclose or shield a toilet from the rest of the room while still letting in light. Glass blocks are another way to section off spaces in a bathroom without making it feel dark or confining.
- Glass Tile – Using glass tile can help reflect light in your bathroom, making it another good choice for creating the appearance of space. It’s a great choice for showers, as it can easily be wiped clean and is waterproof. Like ceramic tile, glass tile comes in a variety of styles, making it easy to find something the fits your aesthetic.
- Color Palette – Sticking to a color palette with minimal contrast can make any room feel bigger. If tile, fixtures, and decor are in a similar color scheme, it creates a visual flow without breaks. This is another way that custom glasswork can increase the feeling of space in a bathroom since glass shelves or custom glass cabinetry allow light to flow freely through the room while still providing storage. Glass is a great neutral to use in a color palette.
Glass is a versatile material for your bathroom and Smitty’s Quality Glass provides the products and services you need for any residential or commercial space.