What's the one room that we head to before we start our day, end our day, or, when we simply need a little private time? If you said the bathroom you're correct. The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the home, yet it is often left outdated and more utilitarian than beautiful. Treating yourself to a beautiful bathroom can be one of the best things that you can do for yourself.

First, decide whether a major bathroom renovation fits your needs and budget, or if a cosmetic makeover is more fitting. If a renovation is in the plan, a visit to your favorite plumbing store should be the first step. Today, bathrooms are all about luxury and home spa - look for showers complete with audio equipment (now you won't have to sing alone), steam units and multi spray jets. Tubs are not only jetted and ergonomically correct but will also include chromatherpy lights. (Coloured lights – remember our colour psychology notes?) When it comes to sinks, think above-the-counter bowls in china or glass. Today's sinks look as beautiful and decorative as any bowl that would have sat on our mother's dining room table as a centerpiece. Tap into something new: faucets and taps can be wall mounted or counter mounted. Again, we have been blessed by an ever-expanding selection of styles and finishes. Counter surface options include granite, glass, tile, concrete, solid surface and laminate. Personally, I believe you deserve the best, so opt for granite. Be sure to plan for a makeup area complete with lights and drawers designed to hold makeup and creams.

You always hear movie stars talk about lighting. Do you know why? Lighting can make or break us, visually speaking. Bathroom lighting should be on a dimmer switch for those long soaks in a bubble bath when we desire minimal or romantic lighting. You may even consider hanging a chandelier from a centre fixture. This is a great touch for our inner divas, and it adds a glamorous feel to the bathroom. Around the sink and makeup area we need bright light that mimics daylight – choose your bulbs and the type of lighting carefully. If you have room on the counter surface include a candlestick lamp as a purely decorative touch. Today, the bathroom is decorated like our more public spaces. Even the cabinetry resembles furniture (millwork details, bowed fronts, feet) as opposed to basic storage units. I always try to include at least one piece of furniture, such as an upholstered bench or chair. I also include a ceiling mounted television set, a clock and a stereo system.

On the walls, plan for skin-flattering (not green) hues, patterns and artwork. There are a great many new, textured wallpapers – remember that texture adds character, warmth and pattern. Or you can plan to faux finish the walls yourself – perhaps with a faux cheetah pattern, wide strips or a colour-wash. You may also decide to tile the walls with ceramic, granite or marble tiles. If you share this private space be sure to balance masculine and feminine treatments, for example if the tiles are a soft shade of pink add handsome chocolate brown accents with a bath mat or towels.

There are lots of options depending on your budget.

Because it is usually a small space, even an expensive finish is affordable because of the small quantity that is required. Be sure to include the ceiling in your wall finishes. Hopefully you will be able to spend lots of time gazing up at that fifth wall while relaxing in your tub. Consider a ceiling finished in gold, silver or copper leaf, complete with a ceiling medallion and central light fixture. If you are short on storage space hang a shelf approximately a foot (30 cm) down from the ceiling along all available wall space. Now you can store rolled towels and misc. items in attractive metal bins, rattan baskets or decorative boxes and jars along the shelf. On the floor lay the most toe soothing and luxurious feeling mats you can afford. Keep your counters minimally decorated with a few select items. Plants love to live in this watery space – perhaps you have room for a fragrant orchid to sit on the edge of the tub or the countertop. Treat yourself – you'll never regret making over this personal, but oh-so-soothing space.

Bath Salt’s

3 1/4 cups Coarse Sea Salt

1 ½ cups Epsom Salt

¾ cup Baking Soda

12 drops Peppermint Essential Oil for revitalization  or 12 drops lavender for relaxation

Mix salts, baking soda and essential oil into large mixing bowl.  Stir to mix well.  Add 1 to 3 heaping spoonfuls into running bath water, sit, soak and relax. Enjoy!

Feng Shui for Tranquility

Water is one of the five basic elements of Feng Shui.  Bring water into your home with tabletop fountains and aquariums as the sound of water moving is therapeutic and will promote relaxed, easy going feelings and clear thinking. 

Clutter Therapy

‘Stuff’ causes chaos, and chaos causes stress.  Most of our rooms are home to twenty percent too much stuff. Perform a little clutter therapy on your living-room by removing ‘stuff’, anything that you don’t love or that does not belong in this room should be relocated or given away.

Colour Notes

If your goal is too make a space appear larger, remember to avoid contrast between the walls and your baseboards, crown molding and any other trim work in the room.  Again, these trims can be painted to match your wall colour or a shade or two lighter or darker than your walls to avoid or to minimize strong contrasts.