The latest trends in bathroom

The most prevalent bathroom trend is simple enough bigger and better.

Size:The best way to maximize is sometimes simply to de-clutter. Today's bathrooms are equipped with more than just the traditional bath and sink. As homeowners increase the size of their bathrooms, they are experimenting with armoires for storage, music or television and chaise lounges for reading and relaxing. Vintage furniture is also making a splash in the bathroom. Homeowners are using vintage pieces as vanities or for more decorative purposes such as a towel rack or sitting chairs. Many manufacturers are creating fixtures that look and feel like furniture. For example, the American Standard Enfield Suite showcases a freestanding tub large enough for two encased in a wood frame.

Materials:

Combining different materials is another hot design trend. Everything from glass, chrome and china can be found in baths across the country. Glass and chrome are popular materials emerging in today's bathroom fixtures.American Standard's Dune Console Lavatory combines a number of materials, including marble, wenge finish wood drawers, chrome frames and a glass shelf to provide artistic flair. Believe it or not, stainless steel also is making its way into the bath. Designers are incorporating stainless steel in everything from the sink to the medicine chest to the bathtub to shower walls.

Feeling:

Today's homeowner is looking to make the bath more comfortable, stylish and personal by using fixtures with more than one function. One popular trend is the separate shower and bath. A separate bath provides more flexibility in choosing a tub -- whether a free-standing bath or a relaxing whirlpool.The Striata and Carnivale above-counter basins by Porcher are great examples. The Striata is a fused-glass basin in jewel tones that turns the bathroom into a showcase. The Carnivale, crafted of brilliant artisan-made glass, blends striking designs with bold colors creating the ultimate fixture.

Color:

The latest color trends are running the gamut. Natural colors are the most versatile, but designers are incorporating some bolder colors such as red and blue as well as deep forest and emerald green and terra cotta and rust. These colors are used in everything from the paint to the sink to decorative tiles.