Print off the "Analyze Your Bathroom " Worksheet here Think about it and fill it out at your leisure. This should give you some idea about the multiple activities carried on in the room, and some new ideas about what you would like to incorporate in this area. Once this sheet is filled out, you will have a better understanding about what your needs are, and you are well on your way to planning your bathroom decorating scheme.

Zoning is the latest trend when updating or building bathrooms

When thinking of your bathroom decorating plans consider ways to separate different areas of the room. Placing toilets, bidets, or vanities in a private, separated area makes them feel more user-friendly, while making you feel more protected and less exposed. Here are a few ideas for creating some private space between areas:

• Decorative screens
• Curtains
• Glass bricks
• Bead screening
• Half wall dividers
• or even be completely separated by doors.

Another advantage to zoning is that the room can be shared and used by more than one person at a time. If the family is large and time is limited, any extra time that can be gleaned in the morning rush is appreciated by all concerned.

If new fixtures are in the budget, comparison shop

Be sure to check out the new high-tech fixtures available today. If you haven't shopped for new bathroom fixtures in the last ten or even five years, do yourself a favor and take some time to look around. You will be amazed at what is available at a reasonable cost. Check out some of the items below:

• Saunas
• Steam baths
• Whirlpools
• Hot tubs
• Tanning booths
• Environmental booths (if you don't know what these are, I know you haven't been shopping in this area for the last five years!)
• Bidets
• Molded tubs, soft tubs, tubs that open so you can walk in

All of theses fixtures and more are available to everyone in every price range. Think about incorporating one or more or these fixtures if you are doing major renovations. An addition of just one of these items can give an incredible sense of luxury in your bathroom decorating scheme. Items that once were out of reach for the average homeowner are now affordable due to modern manufacturing methods.

Make the most of a small bathroom

If your home is an older model built when bathrooms were much smaller, how to make the most of your space is most likely one of the priorities of your bathroom decorating project.

One of the easiest ways to give the illusion of a larger room is the generous use of mirrors. Reflections of the outdoors or other walls enhance the sense of being in a larger area. If your window faces a brick wall or other uninviting view, or if it is on a dark side of the house, consider painting it with glass paint that will let the light in and then hang a mirror in front of it.

A glass shower or tub enclosure will add to the openness of a small bathroom. Corner shower stalls and sinks free up some additional floor space.

Rather than mounting shelves and medicine cabinets on the wall, consider shelves built into the walls between the studs to make the room look more spacious.

Using light colored paint, paper, and tile surfaces in your bathroom decorating will help to visually expand the space. If it is the master bathroom, carrying the same color scheme into the bath from the bedroom will also make the space seem larger.

Efficient storage should be considered in your bathroom decorating plan

An overstuffed medicine cabinet or cluttered sink counter can be irritating and a hindrance to starting the day off in a stress free environment.

Go through the cabinets, drawers, and under the sink storage. If you are like most people, there are probably items in these areas you haven't used in years.

Throw out that $40.00 bottle of perfume that smelled great on your best friend, but made you smell like skunk cabbage. Get rid of the marvelous creams that were going to make you look 10 years younger, but needed 10 years worth of applying to work. Old medicines, half-filled shampoo bottles you'll never finish, and dirty bent Q-tips are of no use to anyone. Visit this site for a wonderful selection of cosmetics and beauty products from around the world.

Once this is done, you'll find you've eliminated half of your clutter. Now as part of your bathroom decorating ideas, start thinking of efficient and decorative storage solutions. Here is a list of storage ideas:

• Keep small items separated with draw dividers
• Hang a shower caddy in your shower or over the rim of the tub
• Hang clothing hooks on the back of the bathroom door
• Mount an antique corner cupboard in an unused niche
• Place baskets on the toilet ledge to hold small items or soaps
• Use wire baskets under the sink area to keep items organized
• Use open shelving over the toilet area for towels and linens
• Use heated towel racks for an added touch of luxury
• Large floor baskets can contain towels and facecloths,loofahs and sponges

There are no limits to the way bathroom decorating ideas can be carried out. Don't limit your shopping to bath supply stores. Bookcases, bamboo shelving, small bureaus and desks can all be used for storage.

A bathroom doesn't have to be large or elaborate to have a welcoming, relaxing ambiance. Details that are well thought out and developed with care can make your bathroom special and a restful haven of peace and relaxation.

Greenery is always a welcome touch

Green plants fit naturally into your bathroom decorating ideas. Ferns thrive in the humidity of the bathroom, as do philodendrons, coleus, pothos, and begonias. With water handy for watering and the damp warm atmosphere, even brown thumb gardeners can enjoy the serenity of green growing plants in the bathroom.

If you have a larger bathroom, a sumptuous touch to your bathroom decor is a comfortable upholstered chair where you can relax, surrounded by greenery, while you wait for the tub to fill or the face masque to dry.

Look for ideas in books, magazines, and the Internet

There is an abundance of decorating books and magazines available. Check out your local library or the Internet for more ideas. When looking at the pictures, don't look at the whole room. Look for a new way to use accessories, or what type of containers you might like to use for holding all your makeup brushes. Look at how mirrors and art are used as wall decorations. Notice how towels are stored, and what type of lighting is utilized.