Industrial Chic

Today’s washrooms are boring! If you’re like me, you’re tired of your clinical white bathroom? Metals no matter which kind, add dynamism to any bath scheme. When we think of alloys, the color silver usually comes to mind but there is a lot more to this shimmering surfacing material than the typical culprits. These basic elements come in a rich variety of finishes from elegant bronze, to glittering gold. And while precious metals may be a tad extravagant for your typical remodeling budget, stainless steel and luminous aluminum are brilliant finishes you can easily afford to include in your decorating plan. Consequentially if you have a very modest expense account you don’t have to eat up your whole budget by buying the real thing. There are many different alternatives from metal leaf products to spray paints you can apply to all kinds of eagerly waiting surfaces to add glimmer to the space.

Choosing Finishes

A word to the wise though, with all those shiny finishes, fervent little fingerprints have a tendency of marring all that glam, so if your pint-sized rascals enjoy touching everything in their path you may want to buy finishes that hide their wayward palm-prints. One solution is to purchase age worn bronze or copper finishes but if all that yellow tinge is a bit too much to handle, then brushed chrome or stainless steel will still allow you to flash some style without having to aimlessly follow your kids around with a bottle of Windex and a cleaning rag in order to keep your sanity.

Maintenance

Not only is this tempered material hygienic and is well suited for washrooms, cleaning metal surfaces is a breeze, while special creams can be purchase to keep stainless steel and other alloys looking sparkling new, for the most part, all you need is hot water and a little detergent to effectively maintain your surfaces.

The Key to Success

More and more home decorators have come to recognize the versatility of metal in its most practical forms. The key to successfully using this surfacing material is to use it in a way that will complement and enhance your bathing space. These metallic compounds provide much of the light enhancing properties of glass, but in a more subdue way and can be effectively used to brighten up your lavatory and visually expand the space. If you want a material that is durable and water resistant then look no further than these basic alloys to beautify your bathroom.

Common Finishes

The most common finishes are polishing or burnishing for a less glossy sheen. For a more customizable look, the surfaces can be etched or sandblasted for texture. Another way to add texture is to hammer the material for a decorative look. You can even purchase patterned sheets to add a subtle decorative touch to your rooms design. A more creative way to employ metal in your washroom is to cut out metal flashing (normally used as a roofing compound) into flat or sculptured shapes that can be used on your walls to enhance the space.

Types of Alloys

Gold, silver, copper, brass, aluminum, galvanized and stainless steel have all found their way into the contemporary decorator’s palette. These surfacing materials can all be finished or applied in a variety of ways to suit just about any sort of space. From brushed stainless steel tiles to expansive metal paneling for cabinet doors and floors, these metallic compounds can make a lasting impact by provide a professional looking backdrop that goes well with other chrome fixtures in your bathing area.

Attractive Flooring

Aluminum floors don’t rust and are a good choice for damp areas. For a practical non slip surface, metal treadplate tiles have raised textured patterns for a smart effective flooring design. And as an added bonus, metals generally conduct heat well so having under floor heating will almost guarantee an even distribution of warmth on those cold tippy-toe mornings. The one downside to floors made of this material is that if you’re wearing shoes, it [...]