Ideas for Better Bathrooms (08)

All About Bathroom Lighting
Like the rest of the house, the bathroom reflects consumer's changing lifestyles. More spacious and multifunctional, these once utilitarian water closets have become glamour havens—private retreats designed for relaxation, escape and self-indulgence. Whether built new or recently remodeled, today's more complex bathrooms demand intricate lighting solutions. Task lighting must be bright enough to do its job, but work well with indirect accent lighting designed to soften the room's ambience by providing a warm glow. Lighting fixtures and finishes must complement, rather than compete with plumbing accessories, tile, paint and wallpaper. Currently, nickel owns the top spot in bathroom finishes, followed closely by chrome and brass. New technology has added options as well. Fiber optics, with its remote light source, can create twinkling star effects when inset into bathroom ceilings. Halogen bulbs with their variety of sizes allow manufacturers to design more ornate light fixtures. Unusual light sources like wall sconces, skylights, and lamps perched on a table, vanity or bathroom island provide an unexpected touch. Shower lights brighten up enclosed stalls. Reading lamps by the toilet provide more focused light. Single sconces on either side of the mirror remain popular.

Transform a Bathroom
Tips for bathroom décor are here. It could be as simple as coordinating your colors. Too many colors can produce a chaotic atmosphere so matching the dominant tones throughout the room will create a more streamlined, calming environment. For example, if your fixtures are yellow, echo that color with accents such as towels, curtains or even decorative tiles. Get rid of blocky cabinets and replace with a graceful fixture that will add an elegant decoration to your room. Something like a baroque basin pedestal made from a delicate hammered bronze or pewter turns a piece of furniture into bathroom sculpture.

Bathroom Decorating Tips
When your bathroom cabinets are busting at the seams and your shelves are spilling over, it's time to get organized. Topics include mirrors, decorative bottles, bathroom art, wall shelves, hanging art, hanging racks, installing pedestal sinks, installing tile, painting stripes, curtains, towels, tissue box holders, towel warmers, sink skirts, scones and lamps and painting bathroom murals.