It seems as if bathrooms have undergone more radical changes than any other room in the modern home over the past few years. In fact, it's been less than a century since bathrooms were first brought inside of the home, and since that time, their evolution has been ongoing. Modern bathrooms bear little resemblance to their utilitarian counterparts of bygone days.

Modern bathrooms mix elegant, romantic, and dramatic elements that combine to create a relaxing, inviting, and comfortable atmosphere. For instance, you can add soft enchantment to your lighting scheme through the use of chandeliers or lights with dimmer switches to create the exact atmosphere that fits your mood.

Sinks have also become more elegant, and come in an infinite variety of styles and shapes. Whether you hang them from a wall, mount them in a countertop, or allow them to be freestanding on top of a pedestal, your bathroom sink can be both a work of art and a reflection of your lifestyle and taste, setting the mood for your temporary getaway from the cares of the world.

There's even a trend in today's decorating schemes to bring outdoor elements into the bathroom. For instance, bathrooms are enhanced with something as simple as the soothing sounds of a gurgling water fountain or something as elaborate as an atrium garden or even a small stream. At the very least, large windows can allow expansive views of the outdoors, whether it's a panoramic view or a private garden. Adding such elements can blur the line between "indoors" and "outdoors" and can provide a wonderful sense of peace and tranquility.

Tubs and showers have also gone through a considerable evolution. There's an increasing trend toward oversized tubs equipped with spa jets to add a greater sense of relaxation and enjoyment. For taller folks, tubs are also getting longer--some of them are up to 75 inches long! You also have a much wider variety of showers to choose from, including some that combine standard shower heads with pulsating heads, hand showers, and body sprays. Just as with sinks and tubs, your choices are endless, depending upon your taste.

A number of relatively new innovations are also becoming more popular in today's bathrooms, such as towel drawers that can be heated, so you can reach for a warm towel when you step out of the shower on a frosty winter night. Although television has been available in many bathrooms for some time, you can now install a TV behind a special wall-mounted mirror. The mirror looks like any ordinary mirror until the bathroom lights are dimmed and the TV is turned on. Only then can the television be seen--a great way to hide modern technology when it's not in use.

Bathrooms have come an incredibly long way since their introduction into the home, and that trend shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. You're limited only by your imagination and budget.

Copyright 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher