Decorating The Bathroom ? Dress Your Mess For Less

The bathroom may be the hardest room to decorate. Its use and nature make the room decorative uninspiring, and its limited size and necessity of function make it difficult to add very much. Further, making a major change to the room's décor generally requires huge sums of money, when you consider the expense of changing tiled floors or walls, or replacing existing fixtures such as showers and sinks. However, there are a few thrifty things you can do to turn your bathroom from an eyesore into a place of decorative elegance.

The first thing you have to do is decide what color range you can use. If the bathroom has existing features such as ceramic tiling or fixtures, you have to choose any other piece you bring in to match those colors that are already there. This is only a slight stifle to your creativity though, as there are an unlimited number of shades and colors you can match up with others. Even if you don't like the original colors of the room, you can always balance them out with opposite colors in your décor.

The easiest way to decorate a bathroom is by using fabric coverings. You can throw carpets down to cover up boring tiles and add some color to the floor. They will also soak up water and help prevent slippage.

If your toilet looks out of date, get a seat cover in a funky color and turn it into an artistic eye catcher. Or go the whole way and get a whole new toilet seat. They are relatively inexpensive, and they allow you to change the look and feel of a fairly permanent piece. Here you will have to find a balance of comfort and style.

Bathrooms are functional areas, and they need to stay organized. Choose your containers with an eye towards color and style, and you will be adding natural décor touches to the room. There are soap dishes, toilet paper rings, and toothbrush boxes which can be purchased in matching sets. Buying items in the same or similar colors will give the bathroom a finished look that shows its appearance was planned with an attention to detail. In a room that is as small as the bathroom, one wrong color can unbalance the whole effect.

Bathroom accessories such as towels and washcloths are only temporary residents of the bathroom, and will be cycled in and out at various intervals. Buying a few matching linen sets allows you to change the look of the bathroom every few days. You can get a set in black for when you're in a dark mood, and a set in red when you're feeling particularly sensual. Always keep an eye on the rest of the colors in the room however, and try not to purchase anything that will clash with the colors already present.

The shower curtain is one of the most important décor pieces that you can easily change in your bathroom. They are prominently displayed, usually taking up a large section of the visual area in a room. This is the piece that can pull the whole bathroom together, so choose it carefully as every other color you bring into the room will have to match with this piece.

When it comes to bathrooms, take what you were given, and make it something that is your own. Play off of the features that are already in the room, balancing out what you don't like and reinforcing what you do. By making small touches you can make the décor of any bathroom fit your style.

Joey Lewitin is an author, artist, and designer of home décor accessories made from imported stone. Original designs from him and other artisans can be seen at Pebblez.com ? Stone Home Décor and Rustic Accessories

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