Today’s modern showers are large walk-in affairs with his-and-her shower heads and multiple water jets. As pleasant as they may be to stand in, they use a lot of water.

To accommodate all that water usage, you may need to increase the size of your water lines from a half-inch to three-quarters. You may even need a new water heater with higher water capacity.

While these changes are doable, be aware that they’ll add thousands to the cost of your remodel.

Imagine taking a hot shower in your newly remodeled bathroom, then having to run into the hallway to grab a towel. Alternatively, consider what it would be like to walk into your gorgeous bathroom—and immediately notice rolls of toilet paper sitting out in plain sight.

For some homeowners, they don’t have to imagine these scenarios. They’re living them right now, because they forgot about storage when designing their new bathroom.

Don’t be like them. Instead, think about all of the items you’ll want to store in your bathroom—minimally, towels, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and toilet paper—then make sure you create enough storage space so you can easily stash them out of sight.

Someone  is going to have to clean the beautiful bathroom you design. If it’s you, you’ll definitely want to consider your design very carefully. You can make things really easy on yourself with your design, or you can make things very, very hard. 

That’s why we suggest creating a bathroom that’s easy to clean by using:

• Wall-Mounted Toilets and Faucets.

Because toilets and faucets are attached to the wall, there’s nothing to clean behind—making mopping and sink cleanup a breeze.

• Colored Grout.

White grout quickly gives bathrooms a dingy appearance. A light gray grout, on the other hand, will hide stains easily. If you want a more dramatic look, you could also opt for black grout.

• Sealed Surfaces.

Cracks and seams in your countertop give dirt and grime plenty of places to hide. Keep cleaning easy by choosing a countertop with a non-porous surface.

• Flooring.

Standing water allows mold to flourish. Prevent that problem by creating a bathroom with a gently sloping floor.

Bathroom lighting is tricky, due to the room’s small size and the way mirrors bounce light around the room. So, for the most flattering results, you’ll definitely want to carefully think through your bathroom lighting.

In particular, lighting designer Thomas Paterson recommends:

• A Glowing Ceiling Light.

A simple glowing ceiling light in the center of a light-colored bathroom will move a lot of light around, improving the room’s overall ambience.

• Well-Positioned Downlights.

If you decide to use downlights, make sure you position them around the sides of your bathroom, rather than in the middle.

You’ll also want to avoid putting them directly overhead of where someone will be standing when looking into the mirror—that just creates an unappealing, “funhouse” look. Instead, position downlights on the ceiling, so they’re close to the mirror and aimed in its direction. 

• Vertical Fluorescent Light Fixtures.

By placing vertical fluorescent light fixtures with a warm bulb next to the mirror, you can create an appealing, glamorous look in your bathroom.

You might have the nicest toilet on the block. However, even if your toilet’s a work of art, what occurs on it is not.

For that reason, we suggest you disguise your toilet, using use one of the following techniques:

• Install a Partition.

A low wall, full wall, or screen is a great way to keep the toilet out of sight.

• Create a Bathroom Within the Bathroom.

If you have the space for it, consider putting a wall and doors between the toilet and the rest of the bathroom.

• Hide It.

Part of the bathroom is blocked off when the bathroom door swings open. Take advantage of that by situating the toilet behind the door, so it’s not immediately in sight when someone enters the room.

• Camouflage Your Toilet.

By making your toilet similar in color and appearance to other elements in the room, you can do a great job of minimizing its visibility.

• Use a Focal Point.

Direct the gaze away from the toilet by creating a focal point with a soaking tub, a large picture window, or a shower feature wall.

Bathrooms get steamy, and unfortunately, warm, wet air makes it easy for mold and mildew to flourish. Plus, the presence of moisture can spell disaster for your bathroom, damaging walls, floors, fixtures, the ceiling, and its entry door.

Avoid that scenario by making sure to include a bathroom fan, so your bathroom is kept well-ventilated.

Because wet flooring gets slippery, you’re at greater risk of falling in the bathroom. So, before getting your heart set on a specific tile, first look into slip-resistant flooring—especially if the elderly or small children will be using the bathroom.

Your best bet for slip-resistant flooring is rubber. Rubber never gets slippery, even when it’s wet. Plus, if someone should fall, rubber will cushion the blow.

Another good choice for the bathroom is vinyl flooring, because it’s slip-resistant,  easy to maintain, and highly versatile. For instance, you can get vinyl that resembles wood, ceramic tile, and other types of flooring … allowing you to experience the benefits of vinyl, while still enjoying the look you want.

Ceramic tile can be slippery or not, depending on the type you get. If you choose to go with ceramic, look for tile that’s certified slip-resistant by the ADA..