JEAN: Continuing our thoughts on remodeling bathrooms, let’s talk about lighting. Most baths have either sconces on each side of the mirror over the sinks, or lights above (usually strip or recessed).
The older I get, the more I like to have both. Those shadows (or wrinkles?) aren’t nearly as pronounced with lighting from different directions, and it’s just easier to see. Another remedy is to place a small table lamp on the vanity. Of course, I would always have an additional center room ceiling light-- or better yet, a small chandelier. It’s not the room to skimp on light. And who doesn’t need all the help we can get?

RICHARD: We? Don’t throw me under that bus! A small expense when resurfacing bathroom floors is radiant heat. Most good tile layers can install it, along with a timer/thermostat. That enables you to set it to turn on just before you wake up, and off when you leave. Also, look into pebble stones for the floor. They give a bath a great spa look, and the slightly uneven small stones feel amazing under your feet.

JEAN: Speaking of heat, another great addition to a bathroom is an electric heated towel rack. You can buy them either hard or soft wired. Add a soft wired one that just plugs in to an existing bath. Purchase one to either attach to the wall or to stand freely. A cleaner look, if the bath is under construction, is to hard wire one to a standard electrical box. Then you don’t have electrical cords to deal with or try to conceal. A warm towel feels so luxurious to me.

RICHARD: I have been shopping hundreds of freestanding vanities and have some preferences and thoughts. I don’t like a vessel sink unless it’s for a half bath. Lots of form and not much function. I prefer the faucet coming out of the wall, but somebody had better know what they are doing. I like drawers much better than doors, and I think the cabinet needs some legs to not feel so bulky. I love the vintage metal bases, but once again, not much function. And I hate to see hundreds of “beauty” products on the counter. Put them away and pretend it all comes naturally.