Bathroom and Tile Design Tips

An Industry Professional Can Make a Difference in Bathroom Design

Oct 31, 2009

Lisa Borchetta, a design consultant for Tile Showcase, in Natick, Massachusetts shares her thoughts and advice on kitchen and bathroom design.

Any homeowner looking to undergo a home renovation can benefit from the knowledge and experience of an industry professional. Lisa Borchetta, a design consultant for Tile Showcase in Natick, Massachusetts, specializing in plumbing and tile design, has worked on numerous home renovation projects, learning the insights, tips and trends that can help homeowners make the right decisions.

Lisa has been in the design industry for eight years, and has helped countless homeowners achieve the bathroom or kitchen design of their dreams. As the first step of any project, should be to gather information to help facilitate the decision making process, she her knowledge with homeowners now.

Large format porcelains are the current trend coming out of Europe with finishes that resemble things other then stone - wood, fabric, metal, etc. Also, glass tile in all its various forms and shapes is quite popular.

Here in New England, traditional is always popular though there is a movement here too - toward cleaner, simpler lines. Master baths with separate jetted tubs and multi-function showers are standard these days – where in the past they were more of a luxury item.

That’s a hard one – I would say the neutrals, Earth tones, yellows, tans and gray as well as blues and greens. But it is a very personal choice you get the occasional customer that wants red.

Bathroom Design Trends

What changes in bathroom design trends have you seen over the years, for instance is there an upswing in modern design or the way people go about planning a renovation?

Consumers are more educated about the process then they used to be and more aware of their options. I would say that there is a trend toward simpler, cleaner design, less decorative.

They definitely don’t dominate the market in any way – but there are certainly larger numbers of younger homeowners then there were a few years ago.

Advice to Homeowners and Tips for Home Renovation

It would be hard to pick particular projects since I do them every day – the standouts are often the jobs where the customer is interested in making their own personalized choices and express their individual points of view, for example they may be unafraid to use color or have a clear vision of the final project they want to see.

In your opinion, what is the most important component to a bathroom or kitchen design?

An integrated vision that pairs the separate elements together in a cohesive and thoughtful manner.

Start well in advance, to leave yourself time to research the looks you would like and to be able to have enough time to order the materials you want. Unlike paint - tile, fixtures and faucetry are not easily or quickly “changed-out” so make sure you do not put yourself in a position to have to make decisions due to a time-crunch. Hire competent and experienced contractors who understand what you want and have the experience and expertise to execute your vision.

While bathroom design and trends can vary by location, the method of choosing materials, and the partnership that homeowners and designers make is consistent everywhere. Anyone about to undergo a bathroom or kitchen renovation should be sure to partner up with a design professional, give themselves plenty of time for decisions and orders and let their natural creativity and personal taste show through.

The best home renovation is one that does not need to be repeated shortly thereafter. Be certain of choices, from the professionals worked with, to the fixtures and materials chosen, and enjoy the home renovation for years to come.

The copyright of the article Bathroom and Tile Design Tips in Interior Decorating is owned by Sarabeth Asaff. Permission to republish Bathroom and Tile Design Tips in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.