By: Caroline Smith

These days bathroom vanities come in an enormous variety of styles, for bathrooms of all different themes. If your bathroom's in need of a makeover, adding a stylish new bathroom vanity set could make work wonders at improving it's appearance. Modern bathroom vanities are not just built to look pretty, they are designed to be functional as well. A vanity unit can be custom built to make the best use of even the smallest bathrooms. For instance, vanities with a built-in base cabinet beneath the sink can provide valuable storage space to keep countertops clutter free, or a specially made unit could be fitted to a spare corner.

There are so many stores selling bathroom vanities online that it's easy to browse a massive selection of designs, all from the comfort of your home or office. The difficulty you might have is choosing which one would be just perfect for your bathroom's image! It helps to have a general idea of the theme of your room. For instance, are your other bathroom fixtures traditional, contemporary or antique in look? Furniture style vanities are very popular, and come with a choice of decorative touches to add a touch of class to any bathroom, from arched skirts to Queen Ann legs. Think about the finish of the wood. Do you prefer glazed, painted or laminated finishes?

Bathroom vanity tops also come in a range of durable and attractive materials, from granite to marble. Don't forget to pay attention to smaller details such as the design of the hardware. Try to coordinate it with your faucets and the handles on your shower doors and bathroom cabinets, for instance. Choices include chrome, copper and brass. The positioning of your bathroom's vanity lights and mirrors is also important, as this can have an influence over the look and feel of the whole room. There are lots of helpful hints and ideas available on the internet to give you inspiration for transforming your bathroom.

Well chosen bathroom vanities can become an attractive centerpiece and focal point of a room, instantly adding style and function without too much expense or effort.

Wish your small bathroom was large and luxurious? Renovating a small bathroom may be easier than you think. These tips will make your old bathroom look new and, best of all, bigger.

1. KEEP THE FOOTPRINT You save big bucks when you keep the existing walls and tub. That does not mean you settle for less. Remove the old tub and replace it with an oval insert or acrylic shower unit.

2. PAINT. Painting a bathroom is the cheapest update. Choose a pale color to reflect light. According to REPAIR-HOME.COM "the best color is definitely off-white." However, pale blues, greens, and tans are also good color choices.

3. WHITE OUT WOODWORK. The Better Homes and Gardens Web site says painting woodwork the same color as the walls will make your woodwork "disappear." This monochromatic design approach will also unify your bathroom.

4. CLEAR THE WAY. De-clutter the space and get rid of frosted shower doors. Then, "the eye will see all the way to the back of the shower wall and the room will feel a lot bigger than it is," notes www.homefocused.com.

5. GET TECHNICAL. In the last few years solid surface technology has improved greatly. New acrylic surfaces allow you to buff away scratches and sand away stains. Some acrylics are mold-proof, a big plus for small bathrooms.

6. BUILD UP. Bathroom designers tell clients to look upwards for extra space. Install extra shelves on top of a cabinet if possible, or a long shelf along one wall. Adding crown molding will draw the eyes upwards and create the illusion of space.

7. DOWNSIZE. Manufacturers are producing smaller tubs, showers, vanities, and lights in response to market demands. These items are small in size and big in style.

8. CHANGE MIRRORS. The Home Focused Web site says "two mirrors placed opposite each other can give the illusion of never-ending space!" Framed mirrors are the trend today. If you can't remove an existing mirror glue a frame around it. You may also hang a long mirror in the bathroom.

9. RE-TILE THE FLOOR. Surprisingly, large floor tiles make a small bathroom look bigger. Choose a textured tile to prevent slipping. Cover the skirt of the bathtub with a smaller version of the floor tile. Lay down an area rug if replacing tile is too costly.

10. USE EVERY INCH. Stick robe hooks and a laundry bag on the back of the bathroom door. Removing cabinet doors also creates the illusion of more space, according to www.decoratingyoursmallspace.com.

11. ADD ELEGANCE. One elegant touch -- glass tiles on the vanity, decorative tiles around the tub, a live fern on a stand -- will make the whole bathroom feel elegant. You deserve this elegance.

12. THINK RE-SALE. You never know when you have to move, so think resale as you make your design decisions. Simple lines and neutral colors will appeal to future buyers.

Copyright 2007 by Harriet Hodgson

Instead of paying through the nose for a designer bathroom why not design it yourself? Designing your bathroom yourself isn't difficult, it could save you a lot of money and it's very satisfying. Here are some ideas that will give you a head start.

Measure your bathroom and draw it to scale

The first thing you should do is measure and draw out your existing bathroom on a sheet of squared paper. Try to be as accurate as you can because every inch might count depending on what you want to get in your new bathroom and how much space you have to play with.

Measure the distance between opposite walls on both sides of the room in case the room is wider at one end than the other. Measure floor to ceiling and the position and size of windows including the depth of the window. Also measure the size, position and shape of any irregularities in the room such as pipework.

Draw plans of your bathroom looking down from the ceiling and looking directly at each wall. When you've finished you should have five drawings on squared paper and a set of measurements to go with it. Take these, together with a tape measure, with you wherever you go because you will need to refer to then often.

Don't start by looking in magazines and bathroom showrooms

Magazines and showrooms are trying to sell you something and they will naturally go out of their way to show things in the most appealing way, which may not always be the most practical or realistic way for you. You will be using these resources of course but leave them until you have a better idea of what it is you want in your new bathroom design.

Use a digital camera

Take a digital camera with you wherever you go and use it to record everything you see. Make a note of what each image is about and carefully file it away on your computer for later reference. You will be amazed how useful this technique can be and most people don't think of doing it.

Visit your friends

Your friends are often the best resource for bathroom remodeling ideas that you have available to you. Go and visit each and every one of your friends and ask them if you can take a good look at their bathroom. Most people are more than happy to oblige especially if they have recently had their bathroom rebuilt.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what they like and what they don't like in their bathroom. Make a note of designs that you like and where you saw them so that you can refer to them later.

Most people will either have remodeled their bathroom in the last few years or know of someone who has. If your friend knows of someone with a new bathroom ask them if they can arrange for you to go and see it. The more you see the better.

Use real estate agents to view bathrooms in houses for sale

Visit the real estate agents in your area and ask them to show you properties with new or nearly new bathrooms. They will be only too pleased to do it for you and you will end up getting a lot of ideas from this. Don't mention to the agent why you are doing it, just tell them that you want to live in a property with a great bathroom.

Some people might feel uneasy doing this but don't be because I think that it's a great way to get fresh ideas to design your new bathroom with and it might be more in the agents interest than you think. I've known people do this and end up buying one of the properties that they viewed because they loved the bathroom and realised that it would be much easier and cost effective to move instead of remodel their own bathroom.

Buy some magazines

Go down to the newsagent and pick up a few magazines on home improvement and bathrooms remodeling. Now that you have an idea of what you are looking for you will be able get most benefit from the articles, adverts and glossy photographs.

Visit showrooms

When you have a good idea of what it is you want and how you want your bathroom to look you can go visit all the showrooms. Look for items that would fit with your ideas and make a note of them. Don't forget to take digital pictures too; they will all help when you come to make buying decisions.

Pick up brochures on home improvement and bathroom remodeling

Always pick up as many brochures as you can find when touring the showrooms. Circle the items that you are interested in and make sure you write down prices and thoughts that you have at the time.

Use the Internet

Last but not least, make full use of the Internet to find product specifications, contractors and ideas on web sites like this one How to get inspiration and plan your bathroom remodeling idea

Have fun remodeling your bathroom.