(BPT) — With Americans working longer hours than ever before, most homeowners yearn for a luxurious place to relax and unwind at the end of a hectic day. This is likely why the bathroom is the most requested home renovation project, according to the National Association of Homebuilders.
However, between work, family and other household tasks, homeowners may have difficulty finding the time (or the budget) for home improvement projects. Luckily, you can dramatically improve the look and functionality of your bathroom — all without breaking the bank or calling a contractor.
Here are five fast fixes for a fabulous bath all less than $100.
Extra elbow room in the shower
Have you ever wondered why a hotel shower seems so spacious? Chances are it had a curved shower rod. Now, you can bring that luxury into your own bath. Moen offers several versions, including the new Tension Curved Shower Rod that adds up to 5.5 inches of extra elbow room — without using elbow grease.
It’s affordable and installs in three easy steps without any tools, drilling or assembly. Just expand the rod to your desired length, add tension, and snap on the decorative covers and you’re done. You’ll be amazed at the difference changing out a shower rod will make to the space. Plus, the Tension Curved Shower Rod is available in three popular finishes — chrome, brushed nickel and old world bronze — to perfectly coordinate with any decor.
Sensational showerheads
Now that you have more room to relax in the shower, is your current showerhead offering a sensational experience? If not, don’t settle for a subpar spray — upgrading your showerhead is simple. Just unscrew your current showerhead; wrap some plumber’s tape around the arm; and screw on the new showerhead. A rainshower is an excellent choice to provide quality coverage — and many options are available at affordable prices.
Stylish, safe and savvy
If the bathroom is the room to retreat for relaxation, you want it to be safe. Unfortunately, water creates slick, wet surfaces and statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that roughly 234,000 injuries occur annually in the bathroom.
Luckily, adding peace of mind can be simple, and brands such as Moen Home Care continue to expand their bath safety selections to ensure that a safe bath is also a beautiful bath. The Banbury collection of grab bars and hand grips not only provides a sturdy grip when getting into or out of the bath or shower, but also the style and finish to perfectly match the rest of the bath.
Worried about installing a grab bar? No need, with Moen’s SecureMount System, you are able to mount grab bars securely both with and without studs.
Admirable accessories
In addition to being a relaxing retreat, the bathroom is host to many activities — which means it also needs to store a lot of stuff. Adding simple storage solutions, such as hooks, towel bars, towel rings and shelves can add some sanity and style to your bath. Luckily many of these solutions are extremely inexpensive.
“For less than $100 and an hour’s time, you can refresh your bath with new accessories,” said Tim Bitterman, director of marketing, Moen Accessories. “And, today’s accessories add a bit of function with their flair — from pivoting paper holders that make changing the roll simple and quick, to decorative glass shelves to keep toiletries off the counter.”
Pamper yourself
Adding luxury to your bath doesn’t always have to involve the home improvement store. New, plush cotton towels and memory foam bath mats can give your room a spa-like feel. The towels will envelop you in comfort while your feet sink into the plush bath mats on the floor.
Don’t forget to engage all your senses — not just sight — with soothing new lotions and soaps. There are hundreds to choose from and they can easily transport you to a vacation state of mind.
With a few inexpensive, simple projects you too can have a fabulous and relaxing bathroom. For more bathroom ideas, visit www.moen.com or call 800-BUY-MOEN.
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