A bench in the shower would be great, and a good thick clear glass frameless door. We just redid our small master bath, and I've been going through the same thing. I wanted my bathroom to feel like a spa, but it was hard because the space is so small. The bench in the shower is big for me, and I think for future buyers down the road for you. Our tile floor has a mat designed in it, that's cool for me. We didn't take down our old tile, but we install ceramic shelves in the corner (4) and that helps it to be more spacious. I like the idea of basket weave tile, but for me it was too expensive, but that's beautiful in a small bath, giving it a nostalgic look. Use that to build your decor...marble looking counters, glass knobs,etc. If you don't do shelves, consider several large niches in the shower for storage (one for you, one for him). I packed in as much storage as I could so that I have a clean uncluttered bathroom....lrg medicine cabinet, toilet topper cabinet, pullout drawers in vanity etc. We also installed a large linen cabinet just outside of our bathroom for towels, hair rollers,etc. I think that the bench in the shower is a big deal esp for us aging baby boomers.

Here's a nice small bathroom that doesn't look utilitarian at all:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2307282/finished-bathroom-classic-carrara-and-subway-tile?n=64

Once again, thank you, thank you! To get a steam shower, is a special equipment needed? Also where does it sit? Behind the wall or anywhere else from where steam is pumped in? Also, does it share plumbing with the regular water lines or has to be plumbed separately?

A thought-out functional design, with quality workmanship and quality finishes and quality fixtures in a style that fits your house. This means as much natural light as possible (skylight if necessary) and a good lighting design with sconces placed around the vanity mirror and a wet area shower light. Storage, as much as can be fitted. If space is scarce, think in-between-studs storage shelves. This helps a bathroom look uncluttered, the first ingredient for a luxurious and relaxed feel. A bench in the shower and - if possible- his and her sink help a bathroom feel generous. Additionally, a great piece of art on a wall can transform a purely functional space into a sophisticated or elegant room.

Good luck!

Like others have mentioned, luxury finishes/materials. Just consider each aspect/addition and kick it up a notch :) And (imo) lighting is everything! Chromatherapy in the shower. Consider a Tapmaster for hands free water at the sink. It keeps the area much cleaner, dryer, saves water and reduces cross contamination. We have them at all our sinks. www.tapmaster.ca No waving your hands, or touching the fixture, no electricity or batteries. Simply hooks into your under counter plumbing. An uber quiet exhaust fan (Panasonic Whisper). And most certainly a Toto Washlet (bidet seat). It replaces your toilet seat and offers variable warm water wash (two rear and one front wash), deodorizer, heated seat, dryer. The ultimate "spa" experience :D Saves trees (if you're into that) by reducing the need for t-paper.

Luxury isn't about technological gadgets or finishes. It's about sustaining whatever mood you're going for, without running into little issues that are annoying, inconvenient, or uncomfortable. In our time, the greatest luxuries are craftsmanship, space, privacy, simplicity, and superb service. These things are generally out of reach of the middle class, which has never really known true luxury. The irony here is spending a lot of cash on elaborate "stuff," and still having to clean the toilets yourself.

Craftsmanship is important. You can get that on a middle class budget. We did in our bathroom remodel. It takes awhile to find someone that you like,but it is important in building & remodeling projects. I would rather put more of my remodel $ into that than into glitzy finishes that will be replaced a few yrs later when tastes change. It's really import to know that the things that you can't see are done properly. A good tile install, etc is noticeable, but a bad one is remembered, and irritates you every day of your life when you take a shower or are in the bathroom. Put your $ where it's important, other things like decor aren't.

Your question could be better answered if you provided the dimensions of the space you want to put the bathroom in. Even better would be a dimensioned drawing showing where the door and any windows were located.

Having to clean vanity faucets and wet counters is annoying to me. Harsh bright lights, when a dim, pleasing light is adequate and desirable is annoying to me. Cleaning my hinder most parts with rough dry t-paper, when warm water is infinitely better, is annoying and uncomfortable to me. Both of these technological items offer superb service :) IMO finishes and fixtures can absolutely be luxe items. And what's "luxe" to one person may not be to others. I didn't get the impression the OP was asking craftsmanship, but I could be wrong.

I'd say go with a rich, dark color ... or all white with some shimmer -- like mother of pearl ... but don't go plain tan or plain 4x4 white square tiles. Use some mirrors to make the room look larger.

I know. I saw a big difference in workmanship when I was interviewing contractors for my own MBTH remodel several months ago. The man that I ultimately picked did a wonderful job, so much better than what I would have expected. I was just pointing that out to OP so that maybe it was something to be aware of.

My mstr bath was small, so we removed the tub, and moved toilet over from under window to expand shower, enclosed toilet, and added a double vanity where tub used to be.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p638/Lindamcdani/Facebook/New%20House%20pics/12309924_10207037575592091_4023475960587988339_o_zpsftju4yss.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p638/Lindamcdani/Facebook/New%20House%20pics/12314446_10207037568711919_6680112382049058475_o_zpsbobai3jm.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p638/Lindamcdani/Facebook/New%20House%20pics/12240342_10207037573512039_2795460897332013669_o_zpsaketpkw6.jpg

Kudzu9, I did not include the floor plan because we are still designing - it's going to be a new build -- but we do not have the leeway to do what we want due to the City's building rules. Ultimately, it will be a small bath no matter what -- even with a 5'x4' shower, double vanity and enclosed WC. That is why, my question was more generic in nature and I have been able to get a few very good suggestions.

For our newly tiled MBTH out tile guy did a mat, a design that made our floor look wonderful and unusual. Something for you to consider homey_bird. At least when you have a small bath, you can add some high end finishes, and they're not as expensive, because of the limited space. Good luck on your new build. We would love to see your finished home.

Beautiful home Linda Doherty. Love the waterfall edge in the kitchen.

We have a very small master bath that we are remodeling and some things my designer is suggesting include: a floating vanity, a single faucet, a neutral color scheme with interesting texture/ marble. Then again, where it in my budget there are some amazing tiles or I'd just just a giant stone slab as a back for the shower or bookends of slabs.

K sissy...Thank you!

My inspiration for our last small master bath remodel was a very high-end hotel bathroom, with neutral finishes, light and shiny surfaces. I still adore it. Light neutral glazed Porcelanosa tile (large rectangles in the frameless shower, large squares laid diagonally on the floor), a furniture-looking vanity in a rich cherry with a matching large mirror, a built-in bench in the shower (which I use all the time), traditional Hansgrohe faucets in polished nickel. I kept all the fixtures in polished nickel, even the knobs on the vanity and the toilet lever. Used a light beige granite remnant for the vanity top and two shelves in the shower niche. A nice painting, soothing sage green walls. It feels like a spa to me when I walk in, even after 8 years. We had a limited budget, but I'm so glad I upgraded the fixtures to the polished nickel - made a world of difference. I did find a few items (like the Ginger grab bar in polished nickel) on eBay.

We're now planning a move and adding a small master bath - I will probably take the same theme with me.

Check out this luxe tiny bathroom before and after.

Simplicity looks easy, but is actually not easy to achieve. Good luck!

Bathroom Renovation · More Info

I like having a train rack for towels above the toilet. It reminds me of a nice hotel with white towels.