Small Changes with Big Design Differences
Small changes in your bathroom or kitchen can make a big difference in refreshing the busiest room in the house. In the bathroom, older toilets and out-of-date faucets are among the easiest items to replace for a quick face-lift. In the kitchen, new faucets provide a fresher, cleaner look. While these are easy fixes, it's often hard to select the right toilets and faucets -- and even harder if you want to install them yourself.
Can I change out a toilet or put in a new faucet? Sure I can, if the installation doesn't require moving pipes. But just how fast can I change out that toilet or faucet? Even as an interior designer, my time to install depends on my level of do-it-yourself experience and which fixture or fitting I choose. Since my DIY experience is next to zero, I know I need to choose carefully to make these simple changes just that: simple!
Simplify Your Choices
Let's start with toilets. I went shopping today and looked at about 18 different white toilets at a big-box store. It was overwhelming, but I narrowed down my choices based on what features were most important to me: great performance; good value to fit in my budget; longer warranty to provide some peace of mind; and a fixture that's easy to clean and install. Plus, I wanted a design that would blend with my older home's decor. Before you go shopping, do some research and write down the features you want. Make sure you consider the following: performance which is enhanced by the size of the outlet (trapway) and flush valve; type of flushing system or flushing power you need; one piece (which is easier to clean and looks more seamless) or two piece (which is often less expensive); shape of the bowl; and style that best matches your other fixtures. This will help you focus your buying decision.
My top features led me to the American Standard Cadet 3 toilet. It has the latest flushing technology featuring a three-inch flush valve combined with a direct-fed jet to give it better performance and power. (It can actually flush 150 feet of toilet paper!) Its sleek design will blend with any decor, and it comes with a five-year warranty, which is longer than most. The toilet also features an EverClean antimicrobial glaze, which inhibits growth of bacteria, mold and mildew on exposed surfaces. It's a toilet that helps keep itself clean.
Finally, the Cadet 3 features a Speed Connect kit, which saves homeowners up to 30 percent less time to install because some parts are preassembled. I opened the box and looked at the tank. All I had to do was place the tank on the base with the rubber gasket and tighten down the nuts. I could see light at the end of the installation tunnel! Even I could make this easy update to my bathroom. I just need to find the socket wrench my Dad gave me for the holidays.
Consider Product Features
If I can find and install a toilet, I can take on faucets. Again, there is no shortage of choices in all finishes, shapes, sizes and prices. In addition to your budget, think about the functionality and style you need for your bathroom or kitchen.
When it comes to style, avoid pairing a tiny faucet with a bigger sink and vice versa. You'll want to strike a good balance. For functionality, the choice of a one- or two-handled faucet is your personal preference. One handle gives you simpler control of water temperature and volume, while two-handled faucets offer more styles to choose from. Also, make sure your new faucet matches the correct hole drillings in your sink -- especially if you're installing it yourself. Is it a 4-inch center, 8-inch center or single hole?
For my bathroom, I wanted a new faucet with a simple, contemporary design to update my traditional fixtures. I also wanted a finish that's long-lasting and low maintenance. After looking at my priorities -- and the many designs -- I decided on the American Standard One Faucet Collection to refresh my bathroom. Just like the toilet, it features Speed Connect, an exclusive drain design that can be installed without special tools or even plumber's putty. It comes preassembled with one-third the parts of an average faucet, so installation takes about one-third the amount of time.
I picked the chrome finish with the EverClean antimicrobial glaze, which means I won't have to wipe down my faucets every time I use them. Water actually beads up on the faucet handle and spout, so cleanup is just one wipe away. This permanent finish is actually integrated into the faucet surface during manufacturing, not just added on after production.
With more easy-to-install toilets and faucets to choose from today, you can make simple updates to your home that save time and money while adding lots of style. You can also simplify the challenge of finding the best products by narrowing down what's most important to you. Even a novice like me can now do-it-herself!
Can I change out a toilet or put in a new faucet? Sure I can, if the installation doesn't require moving pipes. But just how fast can I change out that toilet or faucet? Even as an interior designer, my time to install depends on my level of do-it-yourself experience and which fixture or fitting I choose. Since my DIY experience is next to zero, I know I need to choose carefully to make these simple changes just that: simple!
Simplify Your Choices
Let's start with toilets. I went shopping today and looked at about 18 different white toilets at a big-box store. It was overwhelming, but I narrowed down my choices based on what features were most important to me: great performance; good value to fit in my budget; longer warranty to provide some peace of mind; and a fixture that's easy to clean and install. Plus, I wanted a design that would blend with my older home's decor. Before you go shopping, do some research and write down the features you want. Make sure you consider the following: performance which is enhanced by the size of the outlet (trapway) and flush valve; type of flushing system or flushing power you need; one piece (which is easier to clean and looks more seamless) or two piece (which is often less expensive); shape of the bowl; and style that best matches your other fixtures. This will help you focus your buying decision.
My top features led me to the American Standard Cadet 3 toilet. It has the latest flushing technology featuring a three-inch flush valve combined with a direct-fed jet to give it better performance and power. (It can actually flush 150 feet of toilet paper!) Its sleek design will blend with any decor, and it comes with a five-year warranty, which is longer than most. The toilet also features an EverClean antimicrobial glaze, which inhibits growth of bacteria, mold and mildew on exposed surfaces. It's a toilet that helps keep itself clean.
Finally, the Cadet 3 features a Speed Connect kit, which saves homeowners up to 30 percent less time to install because some parts are preassembled. I opened the box and looked at the tank. All I had to do was place the tank on the base with the rubber gasket and tighten down the nuts. I could see light at the end of the installation tunnel! Even I could make this easy update to my bathroom. I just need to find the socket wrench my Dad gave me for the holidays.
Consider Product Features
If I can find and install a toilet, I can take on faucets. Again, there is no shortage of choices in all finishes, shapes, sizes and prices. In addition to your budget, think about the functionality and style you need for your bathroom or kitchen.
When it comes to style, avoid pairing a tiny faucet with a bigger sink and vice versa. You'll want to strike a good balance. For functionality, the choice of a one- or two-handled faucet is your personal preference. One handle gives you simpler control of water temperature and volume, while two-handled faucets offer more styles to choose from. Also, make sure your new faucet matches the correct hole drillings in your sink -- especially if you're installing it yourself. Is it a 4-inch center, 8-inch center or single hole?
For my bathroom, I wanted a new faucet with a simple, contemporary design to update my traditional fixtures. I also wanted a finish that's long-lasting and low maintenance. After looking at my priorities -- and the many designs -- I decided on the American Standard One Faucet Collection to refresh my bathroom. Just like the toilet, it features Speed Connect, an exclusive drain design that can be installed without special tools or even plumber's putty. It comes preassembled with one-third the parts of an average faucet, so installation takes about one-third the amount of time.
I picked the chrome finish with the EverClean antimicrobial glaze, which means I won't have to wipe down my faucets every time I use them. Water actually beads up on the faucet handle and spout, so cleanup is just one wipe away. This permanent finish is actually integrated into the faucet surface during manufacturing, not just added on after production.
With more easy-to-install toilets and faucets to choose from today, you can make simple updates to your home that save time and money while adding lots of style. You can also simplify the challenge of finding the best products by narrowing down what's most important to you. Even a novice like me can now do-it-herself!
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