KOHLER: Principles of Good Design: Materials: Design Fundamentals: KOHLER Design Center

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MATERIALS

The surfaces in your bath endure more heat, cold and moisture changes than most rooms in your home. There are several appropriate options when it comes to plumbing fixture materials. There is also a variety of preferred materials to consider when selecting the wall and floor coverings, cabinets, countertops, and accessories for your project:

Tile

Tile is one of the most durable surfaces for walls, countertops and floors. The range of colors, sizes, shapes and textures provides an endless array of decorating possibilities.

Wall tile is specifically designed for use on walls, backsplashes, and countertops. The standard unit size is 4-1/4" square. Popular designs are available in octagon or pentagon shapes. Use them with 2" square tile called "accent dots" to form repeat patterns.
Floor tile is crafted of extremely durable material and then glazed to hold up under light to heavy foot traffic.
Special slip-resistant finishes are available for added safety.

Laminates

This attractive, durable material requires little maintenance to keep its original luster. Quality high-pressure laminate is relatively inexpensive and available in a wide range of special patterns, wood-grains, marbles and solid colors. It is one of the most popular surfaces for bathroom vanities.

Beveled mouldings, available in your choice of laminate colors, eliminate the "brown line" you used to see along the edge of a countertop.
Considering a bathroom's moisture, a vanity made from stain- and water-resistant laminate or solid surfacing is a practical choice.

Solid Surfacing

Solid surfacing is more expensive than laminate, but its beauty and durability make it well worth the price. The material offers a seamless surface and excellent stain resistance. Offered in a variety of colors, it can also resemble granite, marble and other natural stone. Because of its unique formulation, it is excellent for wet areas such as showers, bath surrounds and vanity tops.

Natural Stone

Marble, granite and slate represent an opportunity to make your bath truly one-of-a-kind, although these natural materials are among the most expensive you can choose.

Opt for precut stone floor tiles to save on the cost of your project.
Make sure subflooring construction will support the added weight of stone.

Wood

Wood in the bath is both beautiful and versatile. With new urethane factory finishes, wood flooring has become as easy to care for as other floor covering options. For obvious reasons, a vanity made of wood should be treated with a moisture-resistant sealer.

Wallcovering

Wallcoverings are an effective way to personalize your bath. There are endless patterns and colors to suit your budget and style. Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind:

Always choose a vinyl-coated wallcovering for the bathroom. It stands up to moisture best.
Paint is the most economical wall finish. When selecting paint, keep in mind that the higher the gloss, the better the finish withstands moisture.
Pay careful attention to the colors you select. Picking colors that cast unflattering tones on your skin will make applying makeup a problem.
In large bathrooms with many nooks and crannies, unite the space by using coordinated prints or colors on the walls.

Material Preferences Checklist

Use this checklist to narrow your material preferences for the major components of your bath. List those that are important to you or that should be considered in the room design. Add the checklist to your project portfolio.

Cabinets:
___ Laminate
___ Natural wood
Finish: ________

Countertop:
___ Tile
___ Laminate
___ Solid surfacing

Lavatory:
___ Cast Iron
___ Vitreous china
___ Stainless steel
___ Glass

Walls:
___ Tile
___ Laminate
___ Paint
___ Wallcovering

Bath Fixtures:
___ Cast Iron
___ Acrylic
___ Fiberglass

Lighting:
___ Recessed
___ Track
___ Hanging fixtures

Floor:
___ Wood
___ Tile
___ Other: ________

Let There be Light

The right lighting can turn a good bath into a great one. Including lots of windows and, perhaps a skylight, in your new bath ensures plenty of natural light during the day. You'll need several kinds of illumination to keep the bathroom well lit at night.

A ceiling fixture, often installed in combination with a fan and heat lamp, provides ambient or general light.
Plan task lighting for two areas of special concern: near the vanity so you can perform grooming tasks comfortably, and inside the shower enclosure or above the bath.
Light from the sides of a mirror is best for grooming tasks. A single light above the mirror will create shadows on the user's face.
Smooth, shiny surfaces reflect more light.
Include a night light if the bathroom is to be used by children or house guests.

Ventilation

In addition to good lighting, every bathroom needs adequate ventilation to remove moisture. Select a fan based on the cubic feet of space it can ventilate in one minute. If your bathroom falls somewhere between fan sizes, always err on the side of too much power rather than too little.

Install the fan and bathroom lights on separate switches, so they can be used independently.
The fan should be connected to a timer so it can continue to run after you've left the room.
Leave about an inch under the bathroom door to provide sufficient air flow for the fan to draw correctly.