In terms of money spent bathrooms are the second most remodeled area of the home. More and more homeowners are shedding their 20 – 30 year-old bathroom and opting for a crisp, new décor that will see them well into the next decade. However, the "new" reaches way back to vintage styles.

1. Overall Scheme

Like any other room in your home your bathroom should be organized into a theme so that all the parts match up. For example, if you are in love with a rural Italian theme your remodeling or redecorating motif could include old pottery, chipped-paint items and terra cotta-color tile on the floors and walls. If there is a window, or windows, look for curtains or draperies with an earthy Italian country theme. 

2. The Tub

Large, high-backed, claw-foot tubs are making a return in both porcelain-coated steel and the lighter fiberglass. Because soaking is name of the game for this convenience don't expect to see spa jets in these tubs.

For another pleasurable experience look to soaker tubs, some as big as the ones you see in Japanese movies. But instead of spa jets these tubs have aerators which spill out thousands of tiny bubbles. There are also small, chroma therapeutic lights which cover the spectrum of the rainbow in coloring. You can pre-program these for special scenes which can come on at different times.

3. Showers

Big is beautiful in showers, as well. Clean, large-tile showers match the tile on the floors and walls, tying together the whole bathroom design. For a sense of space the front of the shower and door are tempered glass.

For the adventuresome bathers there are new shower enclosures which include steam heat, rain forest shower heads, built-in audio system and LCD screen and chroma therapeutic lights. But these showers also clean and massage you. Up to 20 jets can be adjusted to fit your body profile so that you get a perfect wash and power body massage. These showers are completely sealed which enables the power ventilating fans to exhaust moisture before it enters the home.

4. Tile Floors

Tile is still the gold standard in bathroom décor and this goes for the walls, shower stall and flooring. A theme can be set up so that all the fixtures blend in with an ancient Tuscan theme, modern European style or any other motif. Most bathroom remodelers look at tile for the floor because of its easy maintenance and longevity.

To go with a tiled bathroom, radiant-heat infloor systems take the chill out of the floor, especially on a winter's morning.. Before the floor is put down strings or mats of radiant wire are attached to the subflooring before the tile goes on. With timing mechanisms, as well as thermostats, the floor can be warm where you want it to be.

Subway tiles are becoming popular, as well. These throwbacks to the Art-Deco era, brick-shaped and set in staggered rows are making a splash in kitchens and baths. Even the old black-and-white motif is popular.

5. Basin Sinks and Fixtures

Basin sinks are available in dozens of materials and styles from soapstone to copper. Even wooden basin sinks (treated and waterproofed) are on the market as homeowners look for different ways to spruce up their bathrooms. Instead of the traditional sink-mounted taps new wall-mounted varieties complete the style. They are designed to fit into the wall to reach over the edge of the basin sink and can be installed at any height that is comfortable for the user. This also keeps the countertops clear of hardware for more space.

Another option for basin sink faucets are the counter-mounted options with a long spout that curls over the basin. This swan-neck design promotes an elegant look an the finishes include brass, nickel and gold.

6. Fixtures

Hand-held showers and fixed body spraying jets add convenience and luxury to any showering experience. The fixtures are designed to fit on an adjustable wall bracket for ease-of-use. It is important to make sure that your bathroom hardware is matched up. This goes hand-in-hand with the motif of the area, just like the flooring and the over all color scheme will provide: These are:

• Sink faucet
• Tub faucet
• Showerhead(s)
• Toilet lever
• Towel bars and toilet paper holders

Brushed nickel, brushed brass and oil-rubbed bronze are popular finishes.

7. Lighting

Instead of dressing rooms on the side of the mirror use decorative sconces. These come in a variety of lens designs and will pull your them together.

An overhead light is also important to light up the area in front of the shower.