tackling trouble areas Modernize Your Restroom With Easy, Affordable Updates Simple solutions to go from sterile to stylish. By: Lisa Huntting F From hotels and restaurants to office build-ings and dorm rooms, the look of todayʼs commercial restrooms is less industrial and more warm and welcoming — and for good reason. “The décor and cleanliness of the bath-room often becomes the basis of our opin-ion about an entire space,” states Kate Hart, leading home stager/interior designer and owner of Hart & Associates Staging and Design. “Itʼs the same reason why kitchens and bathrooms sell residential homes.” “The opportunity to make a positive impression here should not be over-looked,” continues Hart. “Fortunately, incorporating a clean, modern, home-like feel into a commercial bathroom can be done easily and affordably — without a major renovation.” For the most cost-effective, high-impact updates, efforts should be focused on a few key areas including paint, mirrors, lighting, hardware, accessories and some environmentally-friendly additions. “Anything from blue-grays to brown-grays are very popular today,” explains Gleghorn. Select a glossy paint that will give sheen and is easy to clean. And, donʼt forget to freshen up the trim with a coat of bright white — or get a mod-ern look by painting the trim black. Mirror The mirror is typically a restroomʼs great-est focal point and often remains unframed, unfinished and suffers from de-silvering around the edges over time. For an up-to-date, designer look that is both stylish and practical, simply add a frame. There are a wide variety of framing solu-tions available today, including retro-fit frames that apply directly to the mirror, cov-ering clips and de-silvering in a matter of minutes. Itʼs a simple and affordable way to give a dated mirror new life — without the Before After Paint Paint provides the biggest bang for your buck. Use beiges and pale tones to create a relaxed, spa-like setting or simply paint just one accent wall to add pop and per-sonality. Interior Designer and Project Manager for Design Directions International Amy Gleghorn specializes in hospitality design, spas, country clubs and historic restora-tions and is noting a resurgence in the use of grays as well. With low-cost, aesthetic upgrades, you can transform your restroom from dull and dingy to fresh and invigorating. 36 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • April 2010
CMM – Archives Apr 2010: 36
