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The bathroom is one of my favorite rooms to redo. Because it is usually a small room, you don't have to do a lot to make a dramatic change. There are so many different decorating motifs available, or you can create your own.

Start with a new coat of paint. Latex paint is easy to clean up when you're done, and it is also easy to keep clean. Choose a color that's a little off-shade from the usual. For instance, instead of pink choose rose. Or, instead of plain blue, have the store mix a little pink into it to give it a purplish hue. Study the paint cards at the store and pick a shade you don't see very often. Paint the trim a contrasting color.

If you don't like to paint, there's wallpaper. There is a huge selection of patterns. Picking out the wallpaper could turn out to be the hardest part of the project. Be sure to choose a pattern that is not overwhelming. Large florals or bright colors will make the room look smaller. The smaller the print and the softer the color, the roomier it will look. Wallpaper trim around the tops of painted walls is a nice touch, also.

There are also tiles you can get for the bathroom walls. There are plastic tiles and ceramic tiles. The plastic ones are cheaper and are quite attractive. Most walls I've seen with these are only tiled halfway up, with the top half painted or papered. The ceramic tiles are usually used around the bathtub or sinks. If you have a surplus/salvage store in your area, you can get either type a lot cheaper than retail.

A new shower curtain always brightens up a bathroom. If you have a window, too, a matching or contrasting curtain helps a lot. You can find a huge selection of shower curtain hangers, or hooks, in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. There are even hookless shower curtains available now that are less apt to tear.

What about the floor? Does it need replaced? If you have a tile floor that is looking not-so-good, do you want to take it up and put down new tile? Or do you want to put down a pretty carpet? There are stick-on floor tiles that are very pretty and easy to install. Some inexpensive carpet will cover the old floor nicely if you don't want to tear it up. A single piece of linoleum is also a pretty option. The combination of a tile floor and area rugs is a good idea for large and small bathrooms.

A bathroom has to have mirrors. If you have a small bathroom, a mirror above the sink may be all you have. Will a larger mirror fit there? How about turning a square mirror sideways, making a diamond? Attach a long mirror to the back of the door. Look to see where mirrors might add light to the room.

A big problem with bathrooms, especially in older houses, is the lack of space to put all the little things you use every day. This includes make-up, shaving cream, razors, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, brushes, deodorant, etc. A small shelf near the sink, or mounted to the inside of the door under the sink, can hold many of these articles. I also like the shelves that fit above the toilet tank.

Add a picture or clock on the wall, maybe a magazine rack, a new light fixture, or tissue holder. It really doesn't take a lot to spruce up a dull bathroom.

The main thing is to just have fun with it!

Learn more about this author, Rebecca Foster.
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