In years gone by, a bathroom was really just a practical room that was used for a specific reason.  Now, bathrooms are more of a retreat, a place where you can go to relax after a long day.  Today, bathrooms run the gamut from slick and chic to ultra modern or even romantic.  How can you update your bathroom so that it is a room your guests will find beautiful and appealing?  Plenty of tips and ideas are offered in this article.

Make a few decisions before you begin

Before you begin to make over your bath, decide what look you are striving for.  Do you want a relaxed atmosphere, or one that is bold and sophisticated?For a relaxing retreat, stick to soft neutral shades such as cream, tan, brown, white and even soft shades of blue or green.  If you love a bold or art deco look, go with bold, vibrant colors to add richness to the room.  Black, red and white are perfect colors for the art deco style of decorating.

Textures keep the theme flowing

If you are installing new flooring in your bath, make sure that you consider the vanity as well.  A stone floor or ceramic tiles often don’t coordinate well with a wood-topped vanity.  You want to keep materials and surfaces in harmony, so go with a vanity top that is made of stone, marble or tile for a completely modern look.

Many times, people forget all about the fixtures and other adornments when updating the bath.  These little things make a huge difference in the final outcome!  Faucets, drawer pulls, cabinet hardware, lighting fixtures and even the mirrors should be brought up-to-date and in line with the style you have chosen.

Add texture to walls

Paint is one of the most versatile tools available for freshening up a room or giving it an entirely new look.  In the bath, consider adding texture to the walls by using paint to sponge, rag roll or stencil the walls.  This will add incredible depth, which gives the room a rich look.  Paint baseboards and other trim a complementary or contrasting shade.

To make your bath appear larger and more spacious, consider hanging an additional mirror on one wall to reflect natural light.  You may want to choose a central theme for your bath, such as a beach or ocean atmosphere.

Once you have completed your floors, vanity, and walls, add further to the appeal with accessories.  Bath towels, window treatments, a bath rug and shower curtain will bring the room together for a complete look.  Depending on the style of decor you have chosen, add a few art pieces inspired by your choice.  If you want a relaxed and soothing atmosphere, accents in bamboo and wicker provide a comfortable touch.

Use your imagination, and don’t be afraid to do what you really like!  It’s your home, so go for any look that will bring you the most relaxation and pleasure at the end of a long, stressful day.  Your bathroom is your haven; make it your own.

We spend a great deal of time in the bathroom, but often fail to dress up the room we use so often!  For many, white walls and few accents leave the room looking like a hospital bath.  We shower, shave and relax the day’s stresses away in the tub, filled with bubbles or scented oils.  Why not make this room look and feel appealing?  This article offers tips and ideas for making your bath more appealing.

Remember, most guests that visit your home will see this room, so make the most of it!  Whether your bathroom is small or spacious, there are many things you can do to give it a fresh new look.

Tips for Small Baths
Do you have a tiny bathroom only big enough for the necessities?  Visually open up the small space by painting walls a light, soft pastel color.  Keep shower curtains, towels and any items that are visible colored in light hues.  If you have shelves or any other object that sticks out from the walls, remove them.  This helps open up straight, clean lines, which leads to a more spacious look.  Consider brighter lighting and additional mirrors to reflect light.

For the floors, keep things light as well.  A light colored linoleum or ceramic tile makes the room appear larger and more spacious.

Have a Large Bath?
With a larger bath, you have more options.  If you want a rich, elegant look, use dramatic color on the walls and add accents.  A rich burgundy wall accented with deep hues of blue and green is beautiful in a bath.  Coordinate your shower curtain, towels and other fabrics with the walls.  Frame your vanity mirror with molding for extra appeal.  Stripes and bold florals work well in a spacious bath.

Floors can be bold and dramatic in larger baths.  Intricately decorated ceramic tile adds even more depth and a rich, warm appeal.

Accents
Whether your bath is small or large, pictures add interest and depth.  In a small bathroom, keep prints light colored, with either metal frames or no frame at all so that things stay light.  Larger bathrooms can handle large pictures with dramatic or embellished frames adding to the rich, bold look.

In small bathrooms, minimize clutter.  The top of the vanity should be left bare, with all necessities such as toothpaste, shaving cream and lotions stored underneath.  This provides a clean, open appearance.  Larger bathrooms look beautiful when decorated with color coordinated candles and plenty of plants.  Candles also help make the room smell wonderful!

Whether your bath is small or large, consider stenciling patterns on the walls, or use a feather duster to create softly edged abstract patterns.  Just remember to keep paint colors light in the small bath.

Don’t ignore your bath!  It is one of the most frequented rooms of your home, and visitors are impressed when you take the time to make this room comfortable and stylish.  Put these tips and ideas to work for you, and your bathroom will be anything but average and dull!