Budget-wise Bathroom Facelifts Tired of your bathroom but can’t spend a fortune on remodeling? Good news! There’s a variety of simple, budget-conscious things homeowners can do to customize the space, making it personal and unique. From painting the walls your favorite color to replacing a shower curtain with a sleek shower door, the possibilities are endless. Stephanie Herzfeld, associate editor of Kitchen and Bath Business (K&BB) magazine and leading authority in bathroom trends, offers the following suggestions for revitalizing your bathroom without breaking the bank: Crowning Touch Decorative crown molding is an inexpensive and great way to add interest to the space and give your bathroom cabinetry a high-end, custom look. Let it Rain Wash away daily stress by investing in a new rain-effect showerhead. Available from nearly all manufacturers at all price points, they come in many cool designs and feel great. “There are a multitude of new design options in the shower head category, including pan, sunflower, and rain heads,” says Steve Baker of Crescent Baths and Kitchens. “Lingering under these extra large heads offer more of a relaxing rain bath effect than a powerful jet force of pulsating water.” According to Jim Battista, showroom manager of Splash! Kitchen and Bath in Cranberry Township, “Most customers buying a shower inquire about the larger showerheads. Our showroom features a display with five or six different options, as well as a working showerhead.” Accessorize! Consider adding accessories like towel racks and rings, shelves, and mirrors in decorative frames. These items can be found everywhere from D-I-Y Big Box retailers to one-stop shopping resources like Target. They finish the look of the bathroom and add polish whether you’re on a shoestring or carte blanche budget. When deciding on the look of your accessories, Battista reports that rustic and earth tone colors are very popular and that an old world look and Tuscan seem to be prevalent themes. “The basic white bathroom is nearly extinct,” says Bill Pecora of Excel Glass. “Color is a powerful element in accessorizing a bathroom and can add a pop of personality and uniqueness to the space." Pamper Yourself Indulge yourself by adding big, fluffy, thick towels in vibrant colors to your bathroom. They add a splash of color (and are easy and inexpensive enough to discard when you tire of their hues) and provide a taste of spa-like luxury for you and your guests. Faucet Finish Consider installing a new sink faucet in a finish other than chrome. Break out of the traditional mold and check out brushed and aged finishes with a patina. Most faucet companies offer a palette of finish options these days and a lavatory faucet in something other than common chrome will really set the bathroom apart. Battista reports that in Pittsburgh, oil-rubbed bronze, brushed nickel and satin nickel fixture finishes are in high demand, and he believes that brushed nickel will be in style for quite awhile. www.deltafaucet.com Shower Power Think about replacing your existing shower doors or curtain with clear or patterned glass designs. Updated shower doors, available with metallic trims to match your fixtures, will add new life to the bathroom. Basco, the nation's largest and most reliable provider of handcrafted custom shower doors and enclosures, offers customized shower doors at every price for every homeowner. “With 15 different glass options, 13 different finishes and 600 unique doors, there are 117,000 different possibilities,” reports George W. Rohde, president of Basco. “Whether you want to upgrade from a standard shower curtain and rod, or transform your bathroom into a luxury spa getaway, Basco has the perfect solution.” To find the right shower enclosure for your room, visit www.bascoshowerdoor.com