Make the bathroom yours

The bathroom is probably the most functional room in a home. Most people don’t spend a lot of time there, but it is an important room nonetheless. When considering making changes to a bathroom design, it is important to mesh the functional and aesthetic elements of the bath.

If you’re single and living in an apartment, it may not be the time to invest heavily in fixtures or furnishings for the bath or undertake a major remodeling. However, you shouldn’t neglect the bathroom. Keeping it clean is the most important aspect of having an inviting bathroom, but you should also consider adding personal touches like candles, plants or personal photos. This is particularly important when you live in a rented apartment with carbon-copy bathrooms. Personal touches will reduce a sterile feel and will make whatever time you spend in the bathroom more enjoyable because it will feel like your room.

As you put down roots and buy your own home, the bathroom becomes a more important place. You should think about long-term investments in the right kind of shower or bathtub that will meet your needs. The bathroom has become a spot of luxury for many. Whirlpool jets and walk-in showers are more common now than ever, and many people have a separate shower and bath. The double sink-one for each person in a couple-is a good idea for those that have distinctly different bathroom habits.

Not everyone has these luxuries, but it only takes a few minor adjustments to add depth and dimension to a bath. A faux finish, applied with a purchased kit or created with sponges, can create a distinct atmosphere in the bathroom and is very much in fashion. Even a new coat of paint with decorative patterns or stripes can add elegance to a bathroom. You might want to consider draping fabrics to create a sense of opulence. Separating the space can also help to make the room appear larger. Remember that elegance and luxury are often associated with simplicity.

It is important to have an integrated bathroom theme. Many retail stores sell towel racks, toothbrush holders, soap trays and many other accessories for the bathroom that share a particular color scheme or theme. You don’t want to overaccessorize the bathroom because this traditionally small space can get crowded quickly. Choose a few select accent items to bring out the feeling you desire. Another advantage of a few items is that, when they are changed, you can create a new and different feeling in the same space.

Lighting is an important consideration when thinking about the bathroom because it is important for both function and mood. It is important to have good task lighting around mirrors for personal grooming, like shaving or make-up application, but lighting in the rest of the room can be geared toward the aesthetic. You don’t want harsh or glaring lights through most of the bathroom. Warm ambient lights work best to create that feeling of opulence.

Whatever choices you make, they should be yours.

Do your best to create a bathroom that you want to spend time in.