Little else seems more appealing to a hardworking professional than lounging in a spa-like master bathroom after a long day at work. For this reason, Americans pour anywhere between $10,000 and $45,000 into their bathroom remodeling escapades. Though this figure may seem quite indulgent, when carried out intelligently, a bathroom remodel can significantly increase the resale value of a home, hence making it a sound investment.

Below, we’ll discuss three of the most popular bathroom remodeling ideas.

Shower Remodels

Gone are the days of premade plastic shower kits; luxurious shower remodels are all the rage in the United States. And, amongst the most coveted remodeling upgrades are sprawling, heavy glass door enclosures, and unique shower spraying systems and elaborate tile work.

The most common color schemes are in the tan and aqua families. However, a standard white subway tile has been a go-to choice for decades. Mosaic tile, Venetian tile, marble tile and ceramic tile are surely the most coveted choices of material.

In hopes of saving a few hundred dollars, many home owners decide to go for a lower grade tile in the shower, such as white ceramic and throughout and just one ,thick stripe of mosaic or marble tile in order to increase the visual impact of the tile work.

Vanity Upgrades

Vanities have come a long way since the boxy builder grade all-in-one vanities that were once the norm. Savvy homeowners are doing away with the cabinet portion of a vanity altogether and creating a makeshift vanity using old vintage dressers. Distressed dressers with a crackle finish or sleek modern ensembles with brushed nickel hardware are also popular choices.

Vessel sinks, large art-deco bowls and other shapely works of art are now the norm for sinks. Of course, no vanity remodel is complete without the accompaniment of granite or marble slabs as the gleaming countertop. Slabs of these premium stones are most common. However, if budgeting issues are a concern, using remnants of granite or marble as tile for the countertop is also a cost-effective alternative.

Separated Restroom

Master bathrooms are often shared between man and wife. And, in order to maximize the usability of the bathroom for both parties, the current trend is to separate the toilet area from the rest of the vanity, shower and Jacuzzi area by enclosing it in a stall of sorts in a small room within the bathroom.

The stall is a simple addition consisting of just framework and a few sheets of drywall. Costs would be minimized if the construction of the stall would be in a corner of the room, as it would require less overall construction. It is also important to take into account whether this is a practical solution for your bathroom, as the plumbing will need to be moved if the toilet must be relocated.

Generally, a 5×5 area is more than sufficient. However, if you have less square footage to work with, it would do just fine.

If you are hoping to create a luxurious bathroom within your home, simply follow the American trends listed above. Though the typical budget is often $10,000 to $40,000, you can minimize the costs by taking on some of the work yourself.