“Research shows that many homeowners don’t like clutter in the bathroom and seek storage at their fingertips,” says Steve Bissell, president of Robern, a Kohler company and leader in bath storage solutions.

For an innovative storage option, Robern has designed a new mirrored cabinet for people who want storage along with the aesthetics of a seamless mirror.

The Uplift cabinet isn’t like the standard medicine cabinet over the vanity that opens out and may block your access to the sink. The seamless mirror lifts upward, with a position-hold feature allowing it to stay partly open while you access everything inside. It is deep enough to safely contain medicine bottles, toiletries and a small radio and has an optional mount for an LCD TV. Interior lights and outlets for up to six electronic devices make the Uplift cabinet perfect for bathroom storage so you can have all those items you need at your fingertips. And, they aren’t cluttering the countertop anymore.

If you need additional storage space in the bathroom, try rolling shelves or pull-out baskets that can hide in the cabinets under the sink. You can include one basket for each family member and, since they pull out, you don’t have to crawl on the floor to reach a bottle way in the back of a cabinet.

If you don’t have cabinets under your sink, there are many options for creative storage including bins and baskets to hold items like extra toilet paper, perfumes and colognes or hair-styling accessories. Depending on how tight space is, you can put a cabinet above the toilet, or find a stand-up container to fit between the toilet and the vanity. Another option is to find containers that work well on top of the vanity, allowing you to keep items within close reach.

In the shower, don’t trip on loose bottles of shampoo, conditioner and soap. Find an organizer that fits over the shower head or attaches to the shower wall with suction cups so you can get those items off the sides of the bath or the floor. If you have more than one person using the shower, consider getting each family member a separate organizer.

To keep your outlets uncluttered, make your nightlight part of the vanity mirror. The Uplift cabinet has an interior light to illuminate items stored inside and an optional nightlight along the handle that allows you to see well enough to move about the bathroom safely.

“Sometimes the most inspired ideas are the simplest,” Bissell says.

Repair broken floor tiles/install new tiles
To spruce up the bathroom or kitchen, repair broken tiles and install new ones. Try using the Dremel Multi-Max Oscillating Tool for best results. Insert a grout blade into the oscillating tool and orient the blade on the tool so you can best access all four sides of the broken tile. For hard set grout, use the maximum speed; softer and less-set grout can be worked at a medium speed. Keep the blade at a right angle to the floor, being careful not to knick the remaining good tile. Remove all the old tile and dust.

Continue working away remaining grout. Remove the remaining thin set material with a diamond coated accessory. Attach the sanding pad and diamond paper. With the sander flat to the floor, work away any old material, dusting several times throughout. Removing the excess material will allow the new tile to sit flush with the other tiles already in place. Once the surface is clean to the subfloor, remove any dust with a wet sponge. Finally, affix and grout new tile into place.

Refinish kitchen or bathroom cabinets
Refinishing cabinets in a kitchen or bathroom is an inexpensive way to update the look of the whole room. Detach all of the drawers and doors and store them in a clean, dry place. Inspect the cabinets for any damage, and repair with wood putty or by sanding. Then, wash cabinets to remove any dirt that has accumulated over time. In order to make the next step, sanding, as effortless as possible, use an oscillating tool with sanding pad and sand paper. 120 wood sandpaper is usually recommended. While sanding on medium speed, keep the sanding pad flat to the wood. Always move the pad in the direction of the grain. Finally, paint or stain the cabinets.

Tile grout
Removing and replacing tile grout is a small renovation project that pays big dividends in appearance and most homeowners find the project simple enough to do on their own. One of the primary reasons people replace grout is because of mold accumulation. The first step is to remove the existing grout material. Invest in an inexpensive power tool equipped with an attachment designed specifically for quick grout removal such as a rotary tool with a grout removal blade which will grind the old grout away in a matter of minutes. Then, thoroughly clean the areas where the existing grout was removed before adding the new grout between tiles. Remember to follow the grout manufacturer’s directions for a clean and thorough job.

Remove old caulk
Removing old sealing caulk from around a sink or bathtub is a simple way to refresh a room. Begin by lining caulk with masking tape to reduce the risk of scratching the porcelain or tile. For easy removal, use an oscillating tool with a flexible scraper blade. Set the tool at a low speed and insert the blade in between the wall and the caulk. Make sure that the screw head does not make contact with the surface during the scraping process by holding the tool at an angle to the blade. Work the line between the sink and the lower edge of the caulk and peel away the remaining caulk. When all the caulk is removed, wipe the area with rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining residue and remove the tape.

To re-caulk, line the seam with fresh tape. Hold the nozzle of your caulking gun toward the joint about 45 degrees out from it. Apply steady pressure to the trigger while moving the gun at a smooth speed along the length of the seam.

These questions, and many others, should be at the top of your list when you start mapping out your next bathroom project. Luckily, many manufacturers have made it easier in recent years for you to answer those questions in a painless, affordable way.

“We’ve created several full bathroom suites of fixtures and faucets,” says Jennifer Lee from Danze, Inc. “The elements of each collection were literally made for each other.”

So what should you look for when you’re planning your next bath or powder room project? Here are a few things to consider when choosing the critical elements:

Sink and vanity – Choices are abundant when it comes to the sink area of a bathroom. For those smaller footprint powder rooms, or where storage isn’t as critical, consider a pedestal sink. If a pedestal doesn’t match your taste or function needs, furniture-style vanities can have a significant impact on a room’s decor and add extra storage.

Faucet — This can be one of the most noticeable accessories in the room and one that homeowners and guests interact with the most. Make sure you choose a style and finish that is consistent with the overall decor. A soft brushed nickel or warm oil rub bronze finish can add a distinct detail to the decor. If green options are important to you, explore WaterSense-approved faucets that can reduce water usage by 20 percent, without affecting performance.

Toilet — This is one of the best places to go ‘green’ in your bathroom. High-efficiency toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush, saving two or more gallons of water each use compared to many toilets installed in the 1980s and prior. And, don’t overlook the tank lever. Danze and other manufacturers sell individual tank levers in a variety of styles and finishes so you can literally match every aspect of the room’s decor.

Shower system — Years ago homeowners had a handful of choices for showerheads. Today, there are hundreds of styles, functions, finishes and components that can comprise a home’s shower system. This is a recently discovered area of the bathroom that can really show off your design flair and create a unique retreat.

Bath accessories — Accessories are another important way to share the little detailing that many styles offer in the bathroom. Whether it’s the ornate craftsman look of an old-world towel ring, or the sleek, long lines of a contemporary towel bar, make sure to pair up accessories that match your room’s faucet, sink and other elements.

Storage — Homeowners can’t seem to get enough storage in most bathroom floor plans. Again, choosing a furniture-style vanity can give you extra storage space, as can many well-designed mirrors — which should obviously match the wood, finish and styling of the vanity and other pieces in the room.

“Coordinating bathroom pieces is easier than ever,” adds Lee. “Choosing pieces that are created as part of a collection is definitely a time-saver and a reassuring way to know the design details were taken care of for you.”

Bathroom Remodel

Finding a skilled contractor is critical to for any major bathroom remodeling job. The good news is that, from Los Angeles to New York and Atlanta to Chicago, bathroom remodeling contractors are working hard to help you realize your goals. Even in a down economy, a professionally done bathroom remodel can pay considerable dividends, not just in the added luxury and comfort it brings you and your family, but in the financial benefits a new bathroom can deliver to a home’s resale value. Read our tips on choosing a contractor for more information on this important stage of your project.

Bringing Bathroom Remodeling Ideas to Life

Once you’ve decided to get serious about perfecting your powder room, you’ll need to formulate a plan for your contractors, carpenters and plumbers to execute. To get started, browse through your favorite magazines, ask your friends for their insight, or attend a local home show to get an idea of what you’d like your bathroom remodeling plans to look like. After deciding which ideas are worth further exploration, decide which elements of your bathroom you’d like to modify. Structural consequences can have a drastic effect on homeowners final decisions.

There are two ways to approach this part of the planning process. One is to decide up front what plumbing fixtures (tubs, showers, toilets, sinks) you plan to move or replace and then ask your architect to draft the plans based on your selections for these items, designing your bathroom remodel so that all of the fixtures you choose fit perfectly. The upside is that you will have the bathroom that you always wanted. The downside is that this could mean moving walls and plumbing supply and both are very costly.

The second option is to ask your designer or contractor to simply tell you what your fixture choices will be dimension-wise based on leaving your existing plumbing as is. The limitation with the latter option is that you would have to choose bath tubs, cabinets, showers, etc. that work within the existing space constraints. The up side is that you will save a lot of money by not moving your existing plumbing sources.

Thinking Practically

Perhaps you would much rather have a large walk-in shower and are not concerned with a bath tub at all. Or, maybe you’re considering a Jacuzzi tub with a slightly smaller walk-in shower. Think about the needs of the people who will use the master bathroom.

If you bathe your children in your master bathroom, it probably isn’t wise to eliminate your bath tub. If you and your spouse don’t ever plan on taking long baths and would much rather optimize the art of creative showering concepts, then get rid of that tub and focus on creating your dream shower for two.

An alternative to bathing infants in a full bathtub is to use the bathroom sink, replacing separate hot and cold water taps with a “joystick” tap on the left and a kitchen vegetable sprayer on the right. It’s a huge timesaver for cleaning up kids who are often only dirty in the diaper area.

Homeowners often complain about the lack of cabinet space in their bathrooms. When working with your architect or designer, be sure to mention the need for extra storage if it applies to your family. There are all sorts of creative ways to incorporate tons of added storage without compromising the integrity of your new master bathroom design. The goal is simple: add all the elements you know you would use, and eliminate those you would not.

Freeing Up Space

Most people would say that they want to feel the essence of increased space in their new bathroom. Nine times out of ten, homeowners today are looking for bathroom remodeling with hopes to “open up” the space that’s already there. This is best achieved with lots of glass and mirrors. This design concept creates the illusion that there are fewer divisions in the bathroom making it feel larger.

Today, many couples are undergoing master bathroom remodeling in order to make the bathroom more functional for two people to share, literally. With such a vast amount of dual-income households, it is very common for a couple to need use of the bathroom simultaneously so that everyone can get where they need to go in the morning.

Heated flooring, dual and quadruple shower heads, wall mounted televisions, theater sound, and lighting concepts with dimming options are also very popular choices.

As far as plumbing hardware and electrical fixtures are concerned, oil rubbed bronze, brushed nickel and bronze are the trendy thing to do. Brass has pretty much come and gone and chrome is on its way out.

If you are having difficulty tying everything together, consider using some of your budget and investing in an interior designer. Many of them are equipped with an impressive amount of knowledge and experience. Using a designer can help you rest assure that you have chosen logical and aesthetically pleasing choices for your master bathroom creation.

A new bathroom starts with a call to a licensed bathroom remodeling contractor in your area.