8 Steps to the perfect bathroom

1. Think Function- A bathroom, like the kitchen, is one of the hardest-working spaces in the home. If it's not functional, everybody suffers. Keep all of its functions in mind - it's a workstation for preparing for the day ahead and a refuge for resting and recovering from the hectic day - when choosing the sink, tub, shower, toilet and other pieces. Consider what other functions you can incorporate into the bath with a little clever planning; perhaps you'd like a seat in the shower, a steam room or storage for linens.

2. Map the Space- Plumbing considerations will impact where you place showers and tubs. Yet, you also need to think like an industrial engineer when making a bathroom floor plan. Walk the space with your contractor and imagine the tasks required to get ready for the day. Consider the length of your arm's reach. How far away do you want the soap dishes to be? Do you want to store objects in a vanity and, if so, would you mind bending over to retrieve them? The objects used most often, as a rule of thumb, should be closest at hand.

3. Choose Color and Motif- How do you want to feel when you're in the bathroom? Is it a formal space (consider a black-and-white scheme) or a casual area (try neutrals)? The motifs associated with baths often are water oriented. Seashells, boats, piers, blue coloration and sandy beach colors are frequently used. But it's OK to think outside of the box. Choose a motif that relates to the area in which you live (city or country?), a style of architecture (classic 18th-century English or New England cottage?), or a style that you're personally attached to (bohemian or Asian?).

4. Know Your Surfaces- When selecting products for the bath, such as tile or marble, be sure that you know the inherent qualities and the drawbacks of each material. Will the marble or tile stand up to heavy wear? (Watch out for veins in marble, which often indicate weak points.) Do you want a polished marble floor or a natural marble? Shiny floors may not be very slip-resistant; natural materials may have a pitted surface that is more slip-resistant, but also more likely to collect residue

5. Add Drama With Fixtures-Plumbing fixtures are the jewels of the bathroom because they're metallic and can add a dramatic effect to any space, just as jewelry can to an outfit. There are a plethora of finishes and styles offered by today's manufacturers, from brass to stainless and all metals in between. Keep in mind your motif and maintenance as you choose your bathroom fixtures. Elaborate gold fixtures probably won't jive with a beach-inspired bathroom and may also require more cleaning than you are up for.

6. Be careful With Lighting -Choosing the correct lighting is critical in the bathroom where mirrors are present and mood is important. Consider the appropriate task lighting for sink and shower areas. Keep in mind that fluorescent lighting casts a bluish light as opposed to the yellowish radiance of incandescent bulbs. And, combine blue wall paint and blue-hued fluorescent lighting and you may look like Frankenstein's bride in the mirror.

7. Mix Soft and Hard- Use dashes of fabric and other softer goods to reduce the inherent harshness of many bathroom materials. Anything from towels and shower curtains to window treatments and pieces upholstered in terry cloth can bring a soft touch to a hard space.

8. Naturally Aromatic Tablescape- Don't forget to incorporate plants and greenery in the bathroom. The asymmetrical nature of growing things (in design lingo this is called fractal) will help offset the square edges of the tiles or marble.