A renovated bathroom adds value to your home, updates its style, and makes it better adapted to your current needs. Renovations are the best time to introduce improvements that will serve you and your family for years to come. If you’re spending money for a bathroom remodel this year, consider making one or several of these essential changes to improve the beauty and functionality. Of course, bathrooms and how we use them have come a long way since the pedestal sink and clawfoot tub days. The kitchen may be the heart of the home, but the bathroom is where most of us start and end our days.

Great Lighting

The first important lighting change should be a dimmer for the main lights. If you like to take baths, you know that baths in full artificial light aren’t very fun. A dimmer will let you set the mood. Include can lighting in shower spaces, which are darker than most people realize. Any vanity area in the bathroom should have recessed fixtures around the mirror to give you the best lighting possible when doing your hair, applying make-up or, shaving, that requires lots of light. A well-lit bathroom is a life- changer.

Shower Essentials

Adding a window in your shower is going to help keep your bathroom clean and free of mold and mildew. The natural ventilation is effective, especially if you leave the bathroom door open after using it. If your favorite place to unwind after a long, tiring day is in the shower – under a steady stream of steaming hot water, of course – then a rainfall showerhead (or rainshower) is a must-have addition to your bathroom. Incorporate a hand held shower head also, which is useful not just for cleaning people of all ages and sizes, but also for cleaning a shower space or tub. Add a heated towel rack to a shower space. They come in a variety of sizes and can be set on a timer, so installation is a breeze and they are easy to use. Warm towels are a great perk. All designers agree that shower updates should include recessed niches. Placing the niches or shelves should take some planning. You want them handy and placed so they are not clearly visible from outside of the shower.

Functional Countertops and Cabinetry

Vanity tops must play the dual role of being durable and capable of standing up to water, soap, cosmetics while serving as an ample work surface for morning rush hour in the bathroom. This is no place for delicate, porous surfaces. At the same time, the vanity top can be a focal point. Quartz countertops are a “no brainer” for bathroom spaces. The material is durable, stain resistant and scratching quartz is practically impossible. A suggestion for the cabinetry is to make the countertops, 36 inches high. With higher bathroom cabinetry, you do not need to bend over, you can enjoy more storage and the room looks taller.