Designers recommend buying an extra matching shower curtain and making a simple valance out of it.

If you want something even simpler than a shade or valance, papering your windows is also an inexpensive option. Another product, called Gallery Glass lets you make a window pattern that mimics stained glass with a self-adhesive. It looks similar to a real stained glass window at a fraction of the price.

If you’re on a tight budget, but want something with a cottage feel, what about putting hinges on beautiful picture frames (or building your own frames) and using a staple gun to attach lace or a synthetic fabric to them. Voila, you’ve got shutters.

Rolling, simple white towels in a basket, will help you achieve a spa like feeling. Delicate soaps, arranged in a pretty soap dish can also help you dress up your bathroom. Add a new shower curtain, rugs and fresh paint, and you’ve transformed your old, grungy bathroom!

All of these ideas are easy, inexpensive ways to add some designer touches to your bathroom. Soon, you’ll love the feel of your space, and will never want to leave!

• Stop using your oven. Instead of using your oven everyday, consider using your microwave or grilling outside this summer.
• Upgrade your thermostat. If you are still using a manual thermostat to adjust the air conditioning in your home, consider replacing with an automatic one that can be programmed to keep your home warmer when you are not home.
• Close your shades. When leaving your home, or in times of the day when the sun is at its hottest, pull your window treatments closed to block out warm rays.
  Start fanning. Using a ceiling fan to move air around in your home instead of air conditioning can give a much needed break to your air conditioning, and save you money.
• Cut your shower time. When taking a shower in your home, turn down the temperature of the hot water to save energy. Decrease the duration of how long you stay in the shower to save on your hot water tank usage.
• Install energy efficient light bulbs. Change out your current incandescent bulbs to more efficient ones, for example: compact fluorescent bulbs use less energy to use as well as emit a brighter light.

The allergy isn’t actually to the mold, but to the seeds or spores of the mold. These tiny particles travel through the air where they can be inhaled and cause irritation. A child will probably have an itchy, runny, congested nose and sneezing. Mold spores can also irritate the lungs, causing asthma symptoms to flare up in children who have asthma.

Inside the house, try to reduce the humidity as much as possible. Central air conditioning is best, particularly if you install a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter. In the bathroom, install a fan or open the window after steamy baths and showers. Avoid carpeting in bathrooms and laundry rooms, and repair any plumbing leaks as quickly as possible. Scrubbing shower stalls with a solution of one ounce of bleach per quart of water at least once a month will also help. If you have an old, moldy tub, consider replacing it with a tub liner. It can be done in a day, and will not mold!

Though large windows are sometimes viewed as a problem area in big, old bathrooms, they can actually be a blessing. Dress the windows with an appropriately elaborate hand. Fabrics or sheets that coordinate with the wall covering are a good solution. Use the same material on shower curtains.

Consider skirting an old-fashioned sink. Hide the ugly. For a whimsical-looking bath, try painting a mural on one or more walls. Most outdated bathrooms suffer from lack of storage space, poor lighting, difficult-to-clean surfaces or worn walls and floors. To add storage, shelves above the toilet are a quick, easy and inexpensive solution.

To improve lighting, rack lighting is a quick and inexpensive way to add light. Be sure not to place the light directly overhead or behind your head when standing at the mirror. This will cast ugly shadows. Attaching period fixtures to the wall flanking the mirror adds charm. Use the maximum wattage on the lamps that the manufacturer allows. All of these tips will add to the charm of your old, vintage bath, without breaking the bank!

Basically a liner is the outer covering, of your bath and shower. Over time, the original liners may become discolored, moldy, cracked, or chipped. New liners are ideal for homeowners who want to modernize their bathroom without a full remodeling project or the hassle of costly bath and shower remodel. Bath liners are great because they fit right over your existing tub or shower stall. The best part is that no demolition or removal is required and they can usually be installed in one day.

Liners are also a great product because they fights bacteria, microbes, and mildew. The color of your acrylic bath or shower liner will never fade and the

stain-resistant surface makes cleaning easier than ever before. Acrylic liners are also extremely durable and have an external fiberglass shell that makes them not only strong but lightweight as well.

with light colors. Large prints and bold stripes tend to overpower a small room. Stick to small prints whether you are painting or wallpapering. Limit your accessories. Less is more.

Try to create a sense of continuity. Bathrooms are chopped up enough by fixtures, so paint and wallpaper walls and ceiling the same color. When choosing a wallpaper make sure it is a good vinyl, that isn’t pre-pasted. Wallpaper paste is

water based and if the shower isn’t ventilated properly, the vapor may cause the wallpaper to lift from the wall.

Shower curtains can also make a room visually larger. Choose a clear shower curtain with a solid color fabric curtain. And mirrors are another good trick to visually expand your space. A long mirror with plenty of lights increases the visual space. All of these tips won’t break the bank and will make your bathroom appear larger.

Now, let’s talk about bathroom trends. The most prevalent bathroom trend is simple enough, bigger and better. Bathroom remodels remain one of the most common home improvement projects, and there’s no end in sight. These remodels can include knocking out walls to create more space. Bathroom design is about maximizing the use of that space.  Today’s bathrooms are no longer utilitarian, but a showroom of their own.

Bathroom sinks continue to be an accessory that keeps getting updated. The vessel sink can trace its popularity into the residential bathroom from restaurants. The vessel sink sits above the bathroom countertop, can be made from almost any material, and offers unique decorating possibilities.

Electronic faucets are also making their way into the residential bathrooms. Almost everybody has seen and used one of these. For cleanliness, convenience, and efficient water usage, the electronic faucet is becoming the faucet of choice. These advantages make the faucet more than just a fad; it has definitive, practical benefits, including preventing the spread of germs.

If you or your loved one has limited mobility, following a few tips can reduce the risk of falling.

• Use a bath tub rail as you enter or leave the tub. There are many different styles that fit over the tub edge without damaging the tub. Be sure to select the right height and grip style to suit your needs.
• Have grab bars professionally installed wherever they are needed. Grab bars come in a variety of lengths, textures and styles, and will help you balance as you stand or sit, as well as giving you something to hold if you begin to fall.
• Have a professional install a tension pole between the floor and the ceiling in your bathroom. This will give you additional support in the bathroom as you move around.

Finally, if you or a loved one needs additionally help, make sure you ask for it. It may also be a good idea to consider a walk in tub or shower, that makes it easy to get in and out.

There are now several products that are “automatic shower cleaners.“ You simply spray on all your shower surfaces and leave on for five to ten minutes. The cleaner will slowly drip down the wall of your shower, but you can wash it clean with water. This summer stay-clean bathroom tip will keep your shower looking clean without scrubbing or hard work on your part.

Another great product is the Fresh Brush 2 in 1. It was invented to make toilet cleaning easy and lasting. You’ll need to invest in a Starter Kit, which includes a handle, storage hook and two Max pads which clean even tough stains like hard water, lime scale and rust.

In our warm bathrooms, bacteria have a field day. Make sure you find a great disinfectant and spray everything. Disinfect your shower head, toilet bowl and tank, sink, bathtubs and trash cans. Don’t just stop in the bathroom, disinfect everything. This will keep your house smelling great and will keep you and your family from getting sick.

Sometimes the theme of the bathroom might also depend on what kind of colors you would like to have. Did you want the bathroom to look bright or would you rather the bathroom look more neutral? Sprucing up your bathroom doesn’t have to send you to the poor house.

Consider the following ideas for low-cost do it yourself bathroom renovations:

• Install a new shower curtain – mold and mildew resistant vinyl shower curtains are available in countless styles; with infinite color schemes and patterns. Whether a vinyl or fabric shower curtain, a dramatic visual change can be achieved for under $50.

• A decorative shower curtain rod and designer shower curtain with color-coordinated towels combined with strategically placed steam-loving houseplants; to make your bathroom feel like a lush indoor garden. And all for under $100!

• Fresh paint can help bring the bathroom interior design together, without significantly adding to the cost. For an additional $50 – $100, carefully selected colors can be used to establish a base for your bathroom design idea. Don’t be shy about adding color, have fun with it!