12 Absolute Bathroom Must-Haves

What does it take to build a dream bathroom? What is the main bathroom must haves? Use lots of elegant tiles, good quality pieces to reduce the risk of leaks, a hanging light fixture or a streamlined vanity, a good layered lighting scheme, awesome mirrors, a shower stall with a glass door, a comfy tub, storage niches, and medicine cabinets, or in-floor heating. Naturally, they won't all work together in small bathrooms, so it's more a case of picking and choosing the elements that will work best with the style and space you have.

You know, bathrooms are often one of the most overlooked rooms in a house or apartment when it comes to decorating. For the reasons we do not fully understand, some people leave their bathrooms plain when they should really think more about adding some personal touches. Unlike kitchens and bedrooms, bathrooms tend to be cold, inexpressive, and colorless. The nice thing about decorating a bathroom is that furniture and decor items not only add beauty but also add a lot of functionality to space. Here are the essentials to make your bathroom fabulous, in no particular order.

1) Good Lighting

A good flow of natural light will make the space looking fresh and, if your bathroom is smaller, the light will create the illusion of a larger area. Sure, you don't need a chandelier in the bathroom, but when you shower at the end of the day, you need some softer illumination that will help you to unwind. For even a better experience when you're in the mood for a real treat, use some scented candles!

2) Vanity Mirrors

A mirror is usually mounted above a sink and will help to reflect light around, so they are a necessity. If your bathroom already has an outdated mirror, it doesn't mean you have to stick to that one forever. In fact, there is a wide range of options that will help add instant customization. Your mirrors don't have to be plain either - you can select decorative frames, stands, or cabinets that will delight you or your guests.

3) Towel Rings or Bars

When you define a bathroom, you should have a towel ring or bar for your hand towels that match the whole decor. From clean, sparkling chrome towel rings that will match almost any bathroom, you can select one that's more appropriate to your style. No matter if it's a rustic, chic space or mid-century modern bathroom, there's a towel bar for every style. And always have a matching set of towels, however, please don't just pick boring ones.

4) Durable Bath Mat

Get a stylish bath mat to soak up splashed water and wet floors. You don't have to buy anymore a classical cotton bath mat, which by the way, isn't the best choice because of its poor durability. Nowadays you can buy one made of wood, bamboo, polyester, or nylon. Each material has its own characteristics, based on absorbency, color, slip resistance, and durability.

5) Shower Curtains

Be bold and throw away boring and cheap shower curtains, amplify the look of your bathroom with fun graphic prints. People usually buy bathroom sets that include a bath mat, toilet seat cover, and a shower curtain, which is fine. When selecting a separate shower curtain, you might want to choose a color that blends with the whole bath color style, or you can choose one that will stand out on its own.

6) Great Storage

Small bath spaces work hand in hand with creative thinking when it comes to storage space. There are a lot of things you need to be stowed away in your bathroom, and not always in full view. You can opt for a sleek vanity unit under your sink, shower shelves, mirrored wall cabinets, or niches and open shelving within benches. Be creative here - you'll get all the storage you need without ever compromising on style!

7) Shower Upgrades

The shower is often used, so it should have some features that will make the experience even greater. Think about using benches with grab bars for safety, to take a seat. A small bench can add valuable storage if you extend the tub decking. For anyone with mobility issues or injuries, this is a definite must-have. A step-up provides enough height so a standard shower pan can be installed without any structural changes to the floor joists. And a glass enclosure puts your shower in its best light.

8) Modern Heating

All of us hate to wake up in the morning and step onto a cold tile bathroom floor with bare feet. Radiant heating is a nice and elegant solution, far more efficient than forced air. Even better, in-floor radiant heat can be installed either using electric tubes or loops of tubes pumping heated water. A heated towel rail is another must-have bathroom item. These plumbing items are worth a lot in terms of satisfaction, and they look great too.

9) Trash Can

A no brain here, if you consider how much recyclable material gets thrown into the garbage (toilet paper rolls, shampoo bottles, makeup packaging), Every bathroom should have it's own trash can and a mini recycling bin. As usual, don't go after a plain and boring trash can, pick one with a pop of color.

10) Exhaust Solutions

Poor ventilation spell disaster, it can lead to mold, mildew, cracked paints, electrical short circuits, and serious furniture damages. You need to remove excess humidity from baths pretty quickly with proper ventilation. As a result, you'll have better air quality and a clean bathroom that will last for many years.

11) His and Hers Sinks

Man or woman, kid or adult, we feel good to have our own space! When you have a busy lifestyle and need to use the bathroom at the same time, it is a clever idea to have separate sinks. besides, if you add a vanity that accommodates two sinks it will provide enough storage to keep your countertop in a perfect order.

12) Easy Flow

With a big or a small bathroom, the flow of the space will need to be perfect. Creating a smooth and clear entryway and flow through each installation translates into a good vibe. Nobody likes a cramped space and most of all, you do not want to be stopped on the way to the toilet.

Your bathroom should be more than just a place to wash your hands or shower - it should be your very own sanctuary to relax. The design you choose will depend on the amount of space you have, and if you can accommodate all or part of these bathroom must-haves, you won't regret.