by Erin Sheffield

Created on: June 30, 2008   Last Updated: July 15, 2008

The home improvement trend has finally worked its way through the whole house and has come to roost in the lowliest of rooms: the bathroom. "Today's bathrooms are all about luxury and excess" host Meredith Viera said during a bathroom renovation segment on the Today show. According to the American standard Bathroom Habits Survey, most Americans would be willing to spend between $2500 and $7500 on a bathroom remodel. There are also 30% of Americans that would be willing to spend over $10,000 to create the bathroom of their dreams. The highest end of the renovation spectrum goes far beyond vessel sinks, fireplaces, and marble tiled showers. Here are a few luxuries you might not find in your average bath.

Manufacturers like Jacuzzi, Dacor and Home Spa have created towel warming drawers with custom doors that blend with you cabinetry choice. The warming drawers will heat up your towels (or PJs) so that you can cocoon yourself in toasty warmth after leaving the bath. These drawers can cost anywhere from $900 to $1800 each.

While you're at it, if your towels are going to be warmed, you may as well have the floors heated too. Marble tile floors may look wonderful but they are a bit cold on the feet. Electric radiant flooring takes care of this problem by running beneath the tile and heating not only the floors but also the whole bathroom.

You can keep connected to the outside world while soaking in your tub with a waterproof touch screen monitor like the one made by visiPad. This multimedia device will keep you connected to your email, the internet, and your telephone while also playing DVDs and CDs. To go along with the multimedia screen, TileVision makes a waterproof 23" LCD TV that doubles as a mirror. It comes in black, silver, or mirror and costs about $3700.

Another option in multitasking while bathing is the ProSun Tanning Shower. It is a bronzing system that will give you a great all over tan while you get squeaky clean. This addition to your shower costs about $9000 and is a waterproof unit that installs in your existing shower wall.

If you are looking for a touch of whimsy in your luxury bath, LED lights just might be something to look into. Current trends have LED lights in the ceiling, in countertops, tile, and even in door handles. Brighthandle makes an item called the Alpha Handle. The handle glows green when the bathroom is unoccupied and red when in use.

The luxury bath trend does not stop when leaving the home. In a recent episode of the BBC series Top Gear, a luxury RV by Volkner Mobile was shown. It has a large tiled bath and a LED faucet that turns from blue to red indicating the temperature of the water. The worlds most expensive RV by Featherlight Luxury Coaches ($2.5 million) features a one of a kind glass sink and countertop of fused glass by Seattle artist Mark Ditzler.

The average American bath has certainly evolved from the humble water closets of the early 20th century. Who knows where they will go from here.

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