Bathroom design is becoming more sophisticated, softer and increasingly elegant. Here are some great ways to add beauty, comfort and storage to bathrooms.

Pedestal sinks are admired for their style and forgiven for their lack of storage space. The one in this bath prompted a wall of storage that rivals any vanity-bound sink. Glass-front cabinets flank the sink. Each cabinet features a narrow section that angles toward the wall, avoiding a squared-off look and adding inches of open shelving within reach of the sink. The half-wall that houses the plumbing is topped with a narrow ledge for additional display space.

Limited wall space led to some ingenious solutions in this bath. The space below an original bedroom window in this converted bath was ideal for the vanity. A traditional window in this space wouldn't have offered the necessary privacy, so waffle-pattern glass blocks were chosen to fill the old window's space. A framed mirror hangs from screw eyes in the top of the window frame to make the vanity entirely practical.

This bathroom features a chrome rod mounted to the vanity front to keep towels handy. Other storage includes a bench-height ledge in the shower for toiletries (not in picture) and vanity drawers equipped with electrical outlets so appliances can be easily operated but tucked away after use.

Create Storage Space Look to underutilized areas for storage space in a small bathroom. For example, a built in slot under the tub can hold sponges, soaps, and cleaning equipment.

Think Light When designing your bathroom remodeling, don't let lighting become an afterthought. It's important to include it into your design from the beginning and choose your fixtures with care. Careful halogen lighting can help turn a previously plain-Jane bath into something out of the ordinary.

So go ahead and renovate your bathroom, for it’s a room too.