How to Build a Beautiful Bathroom

Candles and mirrors are stylish bathroom decorations.

Building and planning an attractive bathroom can be a make-or-break design chore, and hiring interior designers and contractors can be expensive. Whether you're hiring out or not, if you have the opportunity to participate in the planning of your bathroom layout and design, take full advantage! From the fixture layout down to potpourri baskets, planning the interior can be an exciting opportunity to raise the style and value of your home.

Things You'll Need

• Bathroom fixtures
• Water-resistant paint
• Flooring
• Light fixtures
• Decorations

Instructions

1. Arrange bathroom fixtures in a design that optimizes functionality and space. Crowding fixtures too close together or too far apart can make the space in a bathroom feel awkward or haphazard. The floor plan may be more dependent on the arrangement of the plumbing within the house, so take the size and orientation of the tub, toilet and sink into account when designing the layout.

2. Add decorative tile to the floor and floors. There are a variety of tile colors and designs, so get creative! Many tiles come in preformed mats that are easy to install and that can be arranged according to your taste. Choose a color palette before beginning so your entire bathroom can have a uniform design.

3. Paint the walls with water-resistant paint. Determine the color by coordinating it with the overall style or theme. Successfully designing a beautiful bathroom will depend on synchronization of color, organization, light and decoration. Using water-resistant paint will prevent the color from running when hot steam travels through the room.

4. Install light fixtures that accent the reflectivity of the main mirror. Choose a style and color that will match the hardware in the bathroom. Knob, handle, faucet and shower ring metals should all have a consistent design. Consider adding decorative curtains if your bathroom has a window. Take advantage of as much natural light as possible, because too much artificial light can make a room look yellow and tawdry.

5. Add accent decorations like colored towels, candles, soaps or plants. A single plant can help keep a bathroom fresh and give an accent of natural color to an empty corner.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan out color coordinations beforehand.

• Do not overcrowd the bathroom with decorations. Simplicity is key.

References

• HGTV: Budgeting Your Bathroom Renovation
• About.com Home Renovations: Remodel Your Bathroom