Home Improvement Tips for the Bathroom

Although people don't spend a very high percentage of the day in the bathroom, it nevertheless ranks among one of the top improvements made by homeowners. Unlike the laundry room, which we try to avoid, the bathroom represents a place of refuge from the outside world. Or even from family members, when an occasional break is needed. We can relax in a hot bath or take a cold shower.

In many homes, the master bathroom in particular is designed to look and feel very luxurious. Depending n the size and layout of your bathroom, you may be able to make some of the following improvements.

1. In the master bathroom, include a separate shower stall and garden tub. An oversized garden tub is provided for that rest and relaxation we all look forward to at the end of a long day. If you're in a hurry or just don't feel like taking a bath, having a large and spacious shower stall is the perfect alternative/ If your home has a shower-tub combination unit installed in it, consider installing a separate shower and garden tub instead.

2. For a few hundred dollars more, you can also upgrade your new garden tub by adding jets and a pump. In addition, lavish faucets are readily available to further beautify your new tub. Matching sets for the sink and shower faucets are usually available, too. Oftentimes, a complete line of bathroom accessories such as towel and cup holders can be purchased to match the décor in the bathroom as well.

3. Another improvement you can make in the bathroom is to replace the lighting. Often, the original lighting installed when a house is built is inexpensive strip lighting that looks inexpensive, or cheap. Most of the larger home improvement stores today carry a wide variety of decorative bathroom lighting that looks much nicer than the strip lighting found in many homes. If your bathroom happens to have a vaulted or raised ceiling, you might also consider hanging a ceiling fan with a light kit attached t it. Another option would be to hang a light fixture from the ceiling, possibly even a chandelier, designed to complement the rest of the décor in your bathroom.

4. Another popular feature in new bathrooms is ceramic tile flooring. While ceramic tile has been around for many years, its look and style have a come a long way. The older style ceramic flooring was typically available in just a few of the basic primary colors such as white or green. It was also smaller in size such as either a one-inch tile or four-inch tile. Today's ceramic flooring is available in many beautiful colors, many of which have decorative patterns. In addition, many of the newer styles are larger in size with eight-inch tiles and twelve-inch tiles being quite common.

Although the cost of improving a bathroom can add u quickly, bathrooms continue to remain near the top of the list among homeowners as one of the most preferred home improvements.