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Should we choose an over-counter, under-counter, integrated or pedestal basin ?
Let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of these basins and see which features are what we want most.
The bathroom is sometimes a dirty space, which is not easy to clean and take care of. The dampness, dirt, and bacteria can easily breed. Well, there may be cockroaches and spiders...
To keep the bathroom clean and tidy, the two most important points are: easy to tidy up and keep it dry.
If you choose basins based on these two points, let's analyze them one by one.
Basin Style
Above Counter Basin (Always Beautiful)
I stayed in a hotel once. The bathroom design was very creative. There are two wash basins. One is a normal under-counter basin, and the other is an above-counter basin with excellent artistic sense.
I use the under-counter basin for washing, but I always glance at the above-counter basin like a work of art.
Almost all such beautiful above counter basins can become an installation art in the home. For those who are pursuing art decoration, you can consider buying an above counter basin.
Under Counter Basin (Practical)
The embedded under counter basin and the "invisible" shape make the wash area look more refined and simple. This is probably a basin that many families use more often.
The basin connected with the countertop (Easy to Install)
The countertop and the basin are integrally formed, which saves a lot of trouble for cleaning. Because it is a modular grouping mode, the installation has zero pressure.
Semi-hanging Basin (Saving Space)
A semi-hanging basin is suitable for some customers, if we want to leave a little more space.
Pedestal Basin (Long Legs)
Especially suitable for use in small spaces.
Cylindrical Basin (Artistic Sense)
The cylindrical basin can be disassembled. Because it is straight-through, it is not easy to block. The disadvantage is that there is no countertop for placing bathroom accessories.
The selection of the basin also needs to be decided according to the specific design plan, such as shape, color matching, size and so on.
Finally, in order to keep this space dry and clean, we need to use a dry towel to wipe off the water in time, ventilate as much time as possible every day, and so on. Although it may seem troublesome, once you develop a habit, it will naturally be a lot easier .
The home is inseparable from the support of basic hardware. Don't underestimate the basic hardware. Their technological content and technical barriers are higher than you can imagine.
Of course, the difference in quality and price is even more surprising.
Basic hardware generally includes: hinges, damper, sliding rails, etc. Put it simple, all the hardware components that enable the cabinet and the pull basket to achieve the functions of opening, sliding, and staying.
Hinges
The most used is the hinge. It not only needs to connect the cabinet body and the door panel accurately, but also bear the weight of the door panel alone. And all doors must be kept neatly arranged. Otherwise, it may loosen and fall after a period of time.
Sliding Rails
In the design of the entire drawer, the most important accessory is the sliding rail. Due to the special environment of the kitchen, even if the low-quality sliding rail feels good in the short term, it will be difficult to push and pull after a longer time.
Damper
The damper is matched with the sliding rail and the hinge. The damper has two most important functions. One is to improve the precision of the hardware, and the other is shock absorption.
Flip up Door Support: First of all, it is sturdy and has no shaking, the surface is smooth and the workmanship is fine. And it is smooth and quiet in use.
In addition, damper and rebound depend on whether the force is uniform, and if there is no load, test whether it can be smooth and quiet under load, and whether there is obvious friction and jamming.
Considering the frequency of use, be sure to choose a big brand. The good ones can last for decades, and the poor ones will have quality problems in three to five years.
Now we will introduce the international brands of kitchen hardware products and their characteristics.
GRASS of Austria is one of the largest hardware vendors in the world, focusing on the development of furniture hardware, just like their slogan: Let the opening and closing of furniture become the most comfortable experience.
Their products are mainly comfortable to use. The best product is the sliding rail system. Others include hinges and upturn supports.
Salice of Italy is a veritable king of hinges, and the world's first modern furniture hinge was made by them.
In the European high-end furniture market, it is in a "monopoly" position. The top cabinets in Germany and Italy almost all use Salice's hinges.
Expensive and good.
No need OEM service from other factories. 100% of the spare parts are all from Europe. Surface treatment and rich colors are also a major feature.
Hettich in Germany is like a furniture hardware store, with a multi-faceted product line, which is still a little different from the two above.
Many people think of them as expensive, solid materials and excellent performance.
Then there is Blum in Austria, which is more like a cabinet hardware store. The main product is hinges, which is still far from Salice. Most professional cabinet brands use Blum's hinges. Blum is the most well-known hinge company in China.
Finally, let us talk about the German KESSEBOHMER, which is smaller than the above ones. It focuses on the cabinet hardware. The design and craftsmanship are excellent. The selection of materials is strict and the workmanship is fine.
And there also is Hafele. Hafele is almost like an international distribution center for hardware accessories. The product line is rich, covering construction, furniture, cabinets and other fields. Most products are from global procurement and OEM factory. Hafele can be called Carrefour in the hardware industry.
The ranking of domestic hardware brands has changed considerably. The more famous ones are DTC and HIGOLD.
DTC mainly has a large output. The domestic output in China is the first. It is also among the best in the world. The main products are connectors, hinges and slide rails.
HIGOLD, the latecomer, takes the lead. Focusing on functional hardware. Product advantages are function and design.
In 2021 the U.S. kitchen and bathroom market is expected to reach $158.6 billion.
The United States is the world's largest importer of kitchen and bathroom products. For exporters of kitchen and bathroom products, the US market is very important. In January 2021, the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) released the "2021 Market Outlook Report". The report shows that the U.S. kitchen and bathroom industry will continue to grow, and the overall expenditure on kitchen and bathroom projects will increase in the coming year.
The industry predicts that after the overall decline of 5.9% in the U.S. kitchen and bathroom industry in 2020, it will reach 158.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, an increase of 16.6%, and an increase of 9% in 2018 and 1% in 2019. At the same time, it is expected that the growth of new houses will exceed 22%, while the renovation project will increase by 10%. High-end and mid-range projects are expected to lead, both of which are expected to increase by 20% than last year.
U. S. homeowners believe that the kitchen and bathroom area are twice as important as other spaces in the house. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of the kitchen is particularly prominent. 70% of homeowners believe that the kitchen is extremely important, compared to the previous proportion 64%.
With people's renewed attention to these family areas, the industry expects that large-scale interior renovation projects, including kitchen renovations, will usher in a new round of changes. This year may see a shift from the DIY in 2020 to the need for professional installers for kitchens and bathrooms. Many of these projects were delayed during the pandemic due to the risk of installation personnel carrying virus.
The report pointed out some motivations and inspirations to continue to promote the renovation project:
Although large-scale and more professional projects are planned to increase this year, saving money (attention 25%), project execution in leisure time (attention 23%), and health and safety issues (22%) are the main reasons for the increase in DIY.
Residents said that improving the aesthetics of the house was the main motivation for renovating the bathroom (16%) and kitchen (15%), followed by maximizing the quality and durability, and increasing the value of the house.
Houseowners pursuing cost-effectiveness and maximizing the use of existing budgets focus on renewing cabinets (52% of projects), plumbing (43% of projects), smart home products (57% of projects), and water purification systems (54% of projects) .
Family income and family member structure both affect the cost of kitchen renovation. "Mature families", that is, families with members over 45 years old and no children, have the highest percentage of upgrades to advanced functions in the kitchen.
Google search and social media are the main sources of inspiration for kitchen and bathroom renovations. Most owners stated that they rely on more than one source for inspiration. Young single homeowners or couples tend to rely more on Google and Instagram, while adults over 45 prefer to know what the other families did.
Economic factors that may affect renovation activities include:
1. A 10% increase in the operating rate of single-family housing in 2020 will drive a 17% increase in new residential building materials in 2021.
2. Of the total expenditure on residential kitchens and bathrooms, new houses accounted for 57%, reaching US$90 billion; residential renovations accounted for 43%, reaching US$68.6 billion.
3. Mortgage interest rates, which are about 1% lower than 2020, will continue to drive the home buying boom.
4. As the US houses for sale hit a record low, the price of stock houses will usher in price increase, which will indirectly promote house renovation rather than purchase of new houses.
5. The research report predicts that, driven by supply shortage and potential demand, total house prices will appreciate by about 31% between 2020 and 2023.
Let there be a lot of things outside, leave a corner quietly in the room.
Under the dim sky, admire the bright moon.
Talk about the wonderful life with your lover.
Continue the romantic vow of "hold your hand, grow old with you".
Enjoy every inch comfortable cozy time with your heart.
Shakespeare wrote: "There are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people's eyes." There are also a thousand homes in a thousand people's eyes. So what are the home design styles that current couples love? How to create a sense of happiness at home in the two-person world?
Choose Home Style:
01 Simple Style
The world of young people is always simple and beautiful. The simple style is not only the simplification of design elements, but also the serenity, comfort and warmth of a two-person home.
02 Modern Style
Sweet time is always quiet and happy. The modern style pursues the practicality and flexibility of the space. Through the mutual penetration of functional spaces, and the transparency of simple wide areas, it can give romantic couples more practical applicability.
03 Nordic Style
The romantic two-person world is always sweet and warm. The Nordic style with logs and white as the main colors, from layout planning to detailed experience, gives people a simple, fresh and natural feeling. It adds points to sweetness.
Use Decoration Skills:
As a two-person home, it is necessary to clarify the living requirements before decoration design. Do a good job of space planning. Increase the functional area as much as possible, and pay attention to the following two decoration tips:
01 Choose Light And Medium Colors To Extend The Space:
Choose bright colors in an exclusive space suitable for two people to live in. The visual sense will be strong. In terms of color, light tones and intermediate colors should be selected as the basic tone of furniture, bedspreads, sofas, and curtains, supplemented by low chroma space. Extend the space to form a warm home atmosphere.
02 Choose A Uniform Material:
The home for two embraces warmness and brightness. The color of the ground can be used in the color system with strong brightness and low purity. Use pebbles to make its own guiding line. In the flowing atmosphere of light and shadow, feel the quiet time between two people.
Create A Home Style That We Love
01 Living Room:
As the most functional area in the home, the living room can not only meet guests and friends, hold small family gatherings, but also entertain and relax the body and mind. Before decoration, you can use the open design to expand the space in the living room. If you seldom meet guests at home, you can also change the living room to a study room to create a small and flexible two-person world.
02 Bedroom:
One-third of a person’s life is spent in sleep. The bedroom of two people should be kept in a clean and tidy color, interspersed with delicate small objects. Create a romantic and warm atmosphere, so you can feel the pleasure and relax as soon as you enter the room.
03 Kitchen:
Japanese writer Yoshimoto once wrote in "The Kitchen": "In this world, I think my favorite place is the kitchen." The expectation of a better life in the couple's room has been witnessed by the kitchen. Even if the space in the house is small, a small round table can be placed next to the sofa, which is enough to make the most romantic dinner for two people.
04 Bathroom:
As a frequently used area in the home, the bathroom is small, but it is a very important part of the decoration. If the decoration design is not in place, it will affect the happiness of family living. Therefore, before the decoration design, while focusing on individualized and practical design, it is also necessary to control all the details of the bathroom to prevent the lovers' daily life from being affected.
Recommend 1: Black Shower Head and Handle Set
A shower helps you wash away the exhaustion caused by a busy day’s work. While getting rid of the fluctuating water flow, enjoy a new comfortable shower experience. Let your body and mind get a great relaxation and rest. The water flow is smooth and not easy to be blocked, bringing a more hearty shower experience. The unique in-wall waterway design, simple silicone surface, and smooth lines make people feel friendly and comfortable, and also increase the overall beauty and sense of space.
Recommendation 2: Bathtub
At the end of a day's work, go home and soak in a comfortable hot bath. Lazy, relaxed and at ease. But many can't pick a bathtub, and worry about wasting space and interfering with the normal use of other bathroom functions. Don't panic. Aquacubic can help. A variety of product specifications can meet different needs. The soft arc, elegant design, and unique color matching enhance the fashion sense and decorative effect of the entire bathroom. The pure white color satisfies the sense of cleanliness. Enjoy the clean experience easily. When you take a bath, you can enjoy the moment of immersing your body in warm water, relieve fatigue and decompression, which greatly satisfies the lovers' pursuit of high-quality life.
Practical and comfortable household products simplify the steps of life, improve the quality of life, and enhance the sense of happiness in life. Work with Aquacubic to create a sweet and warm home for two people, enjoy the love and care given to each other, and let the love heat up.
In China some people say that the struggle in the big city is so hard. Why not go to work in a small town? Is it worth struggling to afford a small apartment for a lifetime? I believe many people will find it worthwhile, because in big cities there are opportunities that cannot be found in small towns. The small apartment is not terrible. We can remodel it. As long as we have a dream, everything is possible. The owner Mr. Zhang who lives in Shanghai, like most ordinary citizens, worked hard all the way from the small hometown and finally settled in Shanghai and bought an apartment of 70 square meters. After having a child, Mr. Zhang took his parents from his hometown. A family of 5 squeezed into a small apartment. There was only one bathroom. Every morning and every evening, they were faced with taking turns to line up to take a bath and wash. They had no patience after some time. So he thought about making another shower room, and he can make the most of the balcony. Looking at the balcony that costs him a lot, only used to pile debris and dry clothes, Mr. Zhang felt it was a pity. He had heard of a case of transforming a balcony into a shower room before, so he wondered why not give it a try. If it fails, it will be dismantled after all. After talking to his wife, Mr. Zhang started serious research. After careful study, he summarized the following points to note:
First of all, it must be waterproof. Due to the special location of the balcony, the back may be the living room or bedroom. Considering that moisture may cause mold and peeling on the back wall, it is recommended that the waterproof layer of the wall where the shower is installed is painted as high as possible. The waterproof coating is generally brushed 2~3 times.
Second, make sure that the ground has a slope. The ground also needs to be waterproofed, and it is also necessary to ensure that the ground has a certain slope so that the sewage from the bath is discharged to the drain and will not flow back to the living room or other places.
Third, strengthen heat preservation. There is a big difference between the balcony shower room and the indoor shower room. Generally, the indoor shower room has only one wall with windows, and it can be kept warm by installing a heating system.
Finally, pay attention to the issue of privacy.
After studying how to install it, the next step is to choose a good shower room. Which products can meet this special demand? Because the balcony shower room is unavoidable from the wind and sun, we must pay attention to its material and anti-rust, anti-corrosion, and anti-fading ability. At the same time, pay attention to whether the frame is strong and stable, and the wall of the shower room must be strong.
After comparison, Mr. Zhang finally chose this shower room. This shower room is based on apartment space. The large apartment frame glass curtain wall, angular and cylindrical surfaces make the entire bathroom space richer.
At the same time, automotive-grade toughened glass has a thickness of 10MM, can withstand 700° high temperature, and has a high strength about 5 times that of ordinary glass, with outstanding impact resistance and thermal stability. In addition, EPM steel mold protection is added, so you don't have to worry about the risk of glass bursting. Even if it breaks, it will still stick to the debris to prevent the glass from splashing and hurting people. You can take a shower without restraint.
The door frame, handle and hinge outside the main body of the shower room are all made of high-quality aluminum alloy, and the surface should also be treated with anti-corrosion, anti-rust and anti-oxidation. In this way, there will be no signs of paint falling off after being exposed to the wind and sun on the balcony, and the structure is relatively strong and not prone to deformation.
In addition, the shower room is installed on the balcony. We will most worry about water will flow everywhere. This shower room has a overflow channel and magnetic tape, which can lock the water in all directions. Don't need to worry about getting the living room wet.
1. Material:
The common faucet materials on the market today are: stainless steel, plastic, brass, zinc alloy faucet, etc.
Brass:
Brass is the most common material for faucet manufacturing. It is made of international standard H59/H62 copper. The casting adopts steel mold for gravity casting, and its wall thickness is uniform, generally 2.5-3.0 mm. The faucet made of brass is characterized by: no rust, durability, anti-oxidation, and sterilization effect on water.
Zinc Alloy:
The density of zinc alloy is lower than that of copper, and the handle is lighter. The surface of zinc alloy is easy to oxidize from the inner wall, and white oxide powder will appear on the surface. The strength is much worse than that of copper. The service life is not long, and the lead content is high. After one to two years, the faucet made of zinc alloy will oxidize and rot.
Plastics:
Plastic faucet has the characteristics of corrosion resistance, aging resistance, no rust, lead-free, non-toxic, odorless, high pressure resistance, light weight, easy construction, and low price. Plastic is not wear resistant.
Stainless Steel:
Now health and environmental protection has gradually become the new themes of modern life. Stainless steel is an internationally recognized healthy material that can be implanted into the human body. Therefore, kitchen and bathroom products with stainless steel as the main material have begun to become popular in European and American countries.
More than 90% of high-end faucets are made of brass. Brass is the most suitable faucet material and has antibacterial effect. Among them, H59 copper is most used. Its lead content is qualified. H62 copper’s lead content is less and more corrosion-resistant. Although stainless steel can be lead-free, but the quality is worse than copper due to the complex process and no antibacterial performance.
2. Faucet Manufacturing Process:
Most of the faucets on the market under $20 are made of sand mold casting, which is commonly referred to as "sand foundry". The internal structure of the valve body metal is loose, and it is easy to form interior defects such as stomata. It may not be found in appearance. However, after a period of use, defects such as water leakage, inadequate sealing and even more severe defects will occur. High-grade faucets usually adopt gravity casting, and the internal structure of the valve body metal is dense. For the same valve body, the weight of the products produced by the two processes is different, and the consumption of materials is also different. The weight difference between gravity casting valve body and sand casting valve body is about 1/4. Therefore, the same product has different prices.
3. Cartridge:
The faucet is turned on and off every day. The cartridge determines the service life of the faucet. At present, ceramic is the most suitable material for home use. The high-end faucet cartridge mostly uses ceramic, which is durable and can be opened and closed for 500000 times without leakage.
4. Water Hose:
The water inlet hose of the high-end faucet adopts pure 304 stainless steel. 304 stainless steel can bear high water pressure and ensure water purity.
5. Aerator:
The aerator of high-end faucet can give users a very comfortable bathing feel. The use of these accessories and materials can ensure the quality of the product. And whether or not to use the NEOPERL aerator is an important factor in judging the quality of the faucet.
6. Surface Technology:
The electroplated surface of high-priced faucets usually has a mirror-like feel. When you press it with your finger, the traces of hand prints will disappear immediately. Moreover, advanced environmental protection electroplating technology can prevent secondary pollution of products and ensure the purity of water.
7. Service Life:
The quality of high-end faucets is still good after 5 years of use, and meet all the national water-saving requirements. The durability, water-saving and environmental protection are its highlight value. Cheap faucets have a very short service life. After two or three months of use, quality issue may occur. And their safety is low.
8. After-sale Warranty:
High-end faucets are produced by professional manufacturers with a comprehensive after-sales service system. No matter the product has an accident or failure, the manufacturer or distributor will be responsible for solving it at any time. The manufacturers that provides higher price products are mostly more qualified, and they are very concerned about sales and reputation generated by each product.
All Aquacubic products that are finished in the production department have to pass their inspection first. There will also be the special inspection personnel to conduct an additional inspection to ensure that every product delivered to consumers is qualified.
How to define accessible luxury?
It is not only a design style,
It is a high-style life philosophy.
It is prosperous in a minimalist place,
Elegance is not complicated, simplicity is not simple.
Accessible luxury is not simple. It has a variety of manifestations.
Warm, light and luxurious, noble and comfortable
A touch of orange brightens the whole space,
Match with gray tile floor and brown wall,
It highlights the high style of the whole space.
Nordic luxury, elegant style.
The main color is gray.
Large light gray marble walls,
Decorate the whole space with a piece of green plants,
With light gray bathroom cabinet,
It's bright and comfortable.
Simple, light and luxurious, elegant and advanced
To simplify, black and white color covers the whole space.
Spacious wall space,
Complete set of black bathroom Shower Faucet,
Not only meet the requirements of storage, but also decorate the bathroom.
A variety of accessible luxury bathrooms,
With unique charm,
More possibilities for home,
Bring luxury and elegant life enjoyment to the customers.
As housing prices continue to rise, the pressure on young people to buy apartments is increasing. In order to be able to buy a new apartment as soon as possible, small-sized housing has become the choice of more young people. In this way, you can own a home of your own without too much financial pressure. Of course, homes can be small, but life must be exquisite. If you want a quality of life and a more comfortable living, you must spend more time and energy on decoration.
Choose a suitable decoration style, choose furniture with a variety of storage functions, make an overall plan for the space, and maximize the use of space. Small apartment houses can also enjoy exquisite and beautiful life! So when we are decorating, how do we make small-sized houses decorated both exquisitely and practically?
01 Principles of small apartment space planning
Although the space is small, the planning can not be less. When planning and designing, first of all we must plan and layout the space in a unified way. According to the family's living needs, different regional functions are clearly planned to meet the needs and quality of the whole family's life. Second, improve space efficiency. The overall layout of the room area should be reasonable. Try to reduce the aisle area and some shared area. For example, some non-load-bearing walls can be knocked down and replaced by glass walls. After meeting the basic functional needs of the family, the principles of economical and practical space decoration should be clarified. Avoid excessive decoration of the space, which not only reduces economic consumption, but also makes the sense of space larger, and also avoids air pollution caused by excessive decoration, which affects health. Finally, because our house is a small apartment, we should make full use of each space, not let go of any corner, and strive to maximize the actual use of space. We can not only make reasonable configuration in terms of plane layout, but also make full use of the facade space. In a limited space, create unlimited possibilities!
02 Five choices to maximize the space of a small apartment
In the specific decoration process of small apartments, first, it is recommended that the main color of the decoration can be white. White can make small apartments simple and generous. Because white visually makes the space more spacious, it also makes the space brighter. Second, if the height of the small apartment is not high enough, you can make good use of the ceiling. The color of the ceiling can be lighter than other walls. The color gap can obviously increase the height of the room and make the space feel larger. Third, to make the sense of space bigger, we must plan every piece of furniture in the room. Let them perform their duties and put them in the right place! And try to choose furniture with storage function, so that each space has a strong storage capacity. Avoid clutter in the room and free up more space for use. Fourth, for small apartments, the mirror is a perfect artifact. Use a mirror to extend your small apartment. For example, a mirror can be installed in the living room, ceiling, porch, and bathroom. The mirror is very practical and has the effect of expanding the vision. The reflected light source of the mirror can also make the room's daylighting stronger and the entire space more clear. Fifth, although the space of small-sized housing is relatively small, there are not few things that should be included in daily life. Therefore, the most important thing for a small apartment is to have a powerful storage function.
03 Tips for storage in different spaces
The storage in the kitchen is cabinets, wall cabinets and workstation, but the workstation in the small apartment kitchens are usually relatively small and can't hold too many things. If you put too many things, you may not have a place to cut vegetables during normal cooking. At this time, you can stick hooks, racks, etc. on the wall to place some items. In the living room, most young people now know that they can use the sofa background wall and the TV background wall for storage. It can not only save space, organize storage items, but also decorate the living room. In fact, the sofa is also a good storage point. Choose a sofa with a drawer cabinet. Although there is not much storage space, you can also put some relatively mini items, such as nail clippers, mobile phone holders, and game workstation. The bedroom is the most storage place for small apartment houses. Choosing a large wardrobe can meet most of the storage needs. Coupled with the combination of the bedside background wall cabinet and the bed bottom cabinet, basically everything can be stored. The bedroom is messy and the scene of clothes everywhere will never appear again. Of course, there is also the bathroom, which is the most frequently used place in daily life, but the space is small, and there are many and miscellaneous things. It is a headache to organize and organize. Therefore, in the early stage of the decoration, the bathroom space must be stored well.
04 Super bathroom storage rules
A small bathroom will need at least a washing area, a shower area, and sometimes even a laundry area, bathing area. The more functions, the more debris. All kinds of toiletries, skin care products, cosmetics, cleaning supplies, basins, dirty clothes, etc. must be piled up in the bathroom. There are always problems in life, but life will also give us some solutions. At this time, we can choose some suitable bathroom products, and then match some small storage pieces. Develop every corner of the bathroom, expand the space, and make the bathroom grow from small to large, clean and tidy!
Aquacubic Has Rich Experience and Passion in Bath and Kitchen Industry. We can provide total solution for apartment projects.