Updating your bathroom design involves more than just deciding what color to paint the walls. A redesign means that you can swap out the layout and make room for a separate shower and more storage units. The first step is to plan the design as with kitchens, your local supplier will run off a computer-generated plan based on the bathroom's dimensions and your particular requirements.

If you're sticking with the same layout, it is important to make sure that you have accurate measurements for your bathroom, so that you know exactly what will fit in the space. Any time you have to adjust the plumbing or location of outlets, it is going to increase the overall cost. In some cases, this can not be avoided, but whenever possible try to maintain the location of the plumbing and electrical.

If you are modifying the room, first decide on the correct place for the bath and/or shower. Once the shower/tub are planned you can work out how to use the remaining space which, in modern bathrooms, may be quite limited. Storage is usually limited in the bathroom, so choosing a bathroom vanity with storage is important. If your bathroom is spacious you may also keep clean towels and your linen basket in there.

Choosing the bath and basin can be a time-consuming task. Even if you're not opting for something like a jaccuzzi spa or indoor hot tub, bath tubs come in all shapes and sizes standard oblong, rolltop bath, corner, curved, wider at one end than the other and colours. While there are a wide range of colors available, it is usually recommended that you install a white tub or shower to ensure a neutral pallete for resale value.

Plumbing fixtures, too, come in a bewildering array of styles ? choose a design that will complement your bathroom. Before making your final decision on your bathroom it is helpful to check your plans with your plumber to see if there are any potential snags with the designs you have picked. When it comes to decoration, remember to use or specify, if someone else is doing the work grout that is resistant to steam and water. Similarly, choose paint and wallpaper that will stand up to heat and steam look in the ever-expanding ?kitchen and bathroom' ranges. Pale colors brighten a small bathroom, especially one with no natural daylight but it's fun to experiment with color. Using a large mirror across one wall, especially the wall opposite the window, will help make a small bathroom look and feel much bigger and lighter.

Flooring is another aspect of the bathroom that comes in all types of material and color, but avoid carpet which is impractical and unhygienic in the bathroom. If you're installing a shower, you also have a couple of options such as a steam shower, waterfall shower, or the traditional.

While most people don't consider it when designing your new bathroom, you may also want to ensure that your water heater can provide enough water and water pressure for your new bathroom. Even the nicest bathroom won't be enjoyable if there isn't enough water pressure!