Bathroom Style Fix-Up With Fixtures

When it comes to self expression, there's no place like home. We all want our homes to be comfortable and reflect our personal styles. But as our tastes evolve, we can't deny the urge to redecorate. It's not always possible or desirable to start over from scratch. Setting a budget can help you decide what to keep and what to get rid of, and how to mix and match the new with the old.

This is especially true in the bathroom, where a clean-slate approach can be particularly cost-effective. However, focusing on just one or two of your bathroom's most functional fixtures -toilet, bathtub or sink - can provide a stylish face-lift within your budget. Upgraded bathrooms also deliver one of the best returns on your home renovation investment.

Toilets

Replacing the toilet can be an economic way to freshen up the bathroom. There's much more to this hard-working fixture than meets the eye. Recent innovations both inside and outside the toilet have revolutionized this basic bathroom fixture, making it more stylish and more efficient. For example, Porcher's Veneto II, a stylishly understated toilet that complements most other fixture designs, is built with the company's powerful, water-saving Champion Flushing System. This makes the Veneto II virtually clog- and maintenance-free and ideal for busy and/or large households.

Choosing the best toilet begins with your available space. Toilet bowls come in round or elongated shapes: round bowls fit into more compact spaces, while elongated bowl fronts require a little more room. Other factors depend on your personal preferences: one-piece (a seamless design that's a little easier to clean) or two-piece (separate tank and bowl fitted together during installation); mounting treatment (floor or wall); type of flushing system providing standard or high-efficiency water consumption; size (height, width, and depth can vary widely); and additional features such as built-in bidets or heated seats.

Bathtubs

The same decision-making applies to finding the perfect bathtub, which can come in an array of styles, sizes and materials. With tubs, comfort matters. So, test the tub the way you would a mattress: either sit down on it or recline in it. Do your research ahead of time: resolve how much space you have or want (single or double version); if you want a hydrotherapy experience (water jets or air jets, soft jets or hard jets); where you'll place the tub (three-wall alcove or corner, for example); and general style (drop in, freestanding or claw foot).

You can also consider your preferred placement of drain, and placement and mounting of faucets. A multi-function possibility, such as Porcher's L'Expression bathtub, provides you with added flexibility. The L'Expression tub, a sleek molded vessel, is designed to hold more than the usual amount of water while saving floor space; it also features a spacious toiletry deck and built-in towel bar.

Sinks

For high visual impact with a minimum of construction fuss, consider replacing an existing sink with an above-counter basin and/or a new counter surface. The popular above-counter style adds a splash of sophistication to one of the most visible fixtures in your bathroom. The Como Above-Counter basin from Porcher, for example, combines generous proportions with classic modern geometry, as well as a palette of colors and finishes to suit just about every taste. By adding a vanity sink, you also gain storage and lose clutter. Upgrading wall, floor or counter surfaces with new ceramic tiles, stone, glass mosaics or teak is another cost-effective way to breathe new life into an old bathroom. Still another option is replacing faucets, which gives an instant face-lift with little time and money.

In bath decor today, almost anything goes thanks to endless resources in products, materials, and professionals. Once you set your priorities, and your budget, you can find the right stuff to create your private water world -- and to express your personal style perfectly in the bath of your dreams.