| For many homeowners, the bathroom is | | | | tap into steam. Steam showers are watertight, |
| becoming more than just a water closet. It's | | | | can be temperature-controlled, and are |
| becoming a place to relax and unwind after a | | | | approximately the same size as a traditional |
| stressful day. Creative redesigners are taking their | | | | shower. High-end steam showers often come |
| cues from upscale spas and hotels, making their | | | | with an array of features, including voice |
| bathrooms into a luxurious oasis in the home. | | | | activation, massage jets and foot massagers, and |
| These are just a few ways you can bring the | | | | even outlets for an Mp3 player, a radio, or a |
| dayspa into your home. | | | | telephone. |
| Upgrade your sink. Today, redesigning a bathroom | | | | Beautiful tubs. The bathtub is usually the largest |
| is more than just adding a Jacuzzi tub. It's about | | | | piece of furniture in your bathroom--and the right |
| creating a consistent look and little touches of | | | | one can really make a statement. A gorgeous |
| luxury. Many people looking to redesign their | | | | clawfoot tub gives a sense of antique elegance. A |
| bathroom choose to install two sinks in the | | | | Jacuzzi tub gives your bathroom an opulent, |
| master bath. This can add a great sense of space | | | | luxurious ambience. Sunken and elevated tubs give |
| to any bathroom. But today's redesigners are also | | | | a strong sense of style. Some redesigners hang a |
| taking cues from luxury bathrooms in hotels and | | | | pendant light over the bath to transform it from |
| spas. Marble, stone, and even sculptured glass | | | | a utilitarian space into a place to relax and read. |
| sinks add a beautiful accent to any bathroom. | | | | Creative enclosures. You can make a statement |
| When considering a creative sink area, however, | | | | with your shower by installing an attractive |
| make sure you allow as much counter space as | | | | enclosure. Clear glass enclosures give even a small |
| you'll need | | | | bathroom a spacious look. To really add to your |
| Consider lighting. Most of us catch the first glimpse | | | | bathroom's style, look for a shape other than the |
| of ourselves in the bathroom mirror every | | | | traditional sheet of glass between two walls. A |
| morning. If you like what you see, the rest of | | | | round or corner shower enclosure adds a serious |
| your day is just a bit brighter. If you don't, it could | | | | punch to the look of your bathroom. |
| put a damper on the day. But many of us don't | | | | Luxury touches. Opulent bathtubs, creative |
| give much thought to the lighting in the bathroom. | | | | shower enclosures, the right lighting, and designer |
| It needs to be bright enough to allow you to | | | | fixtures can make a big difference in any |
| shave or apply makeup without squinting--but soft | | | | bathroom. But to really bring a sense of luxury |
| enough to flatter your face. Using frosted or | | | | into your bathroom, don't forget the little things. |
| coated glass bulbs can soften white light without | | | | Heated towel rails can really make you feel |
| cutting back on brightness. Consider two sconces | | | | pampered--there's nothing like stepping into a |
| on either side of your mirror, at eye level--this will | | | | warm, soft towel after a nice long soak. |
| even out unflattering shadows you'd get from an | | | | Bathrooms can get chilly in the winter months, so |
| elevated light source. Avoid exposed bulbs, as | | | | add a designer radiator that matches your |
| these provide harsher lighting. | | | | décor. To really pamper yourself, spend a |
| Stylish fixtures. The fixtures in your bathroom | | | | little extra for the softest, fluffiest towels you |
| make a big statement about your style. Chrome, | | | | can find, in a color that complements your |
| aluminum, and stainless steel are all modern | | | | bathroom. |
| mainstays. Many homeowners choose brass for a | | | | Installing a luxury bathroom is the perfect way to |
| more antique look. Whichever style you choose, | | | | pamper yourself. And you don't need a big budget |
| make sure your style is consistent both at the | | | | to bring the spa into your bathroom. A Jacuzzi tub |
| tap and in the shower or bath--mismatched taps | | | | or a steam shower are wonderful additions to |
| can give a bathroom an unfinished look. | | | | any bathroom--but you can give your bathroom a |
| Steam showers. If you really want to transform | | | | spa feel even with a more subtle redesign. Elegant |
| your bathroom into a home luxury spa, consider a | | | | designer taps, heated towel rails, new lighting, and |
| steam shower. It's a self-enclosed unit that uses a | | | | soft towels are all inexpensive ways to make |
| steam generator to convert the water from your | | | | your bathroom an oasis in the home. |