It is a little overwhelming to start. You have the functionality aspect of planning the bathroom and then the fixtures/look aspect. I definitely find it less exciting to research the functionality options but that usually ends up being where I wished I spent more time. For the functional - some of the things I think I remember is making a decision - do you want your vanity standard at I think 30 inches (this is our hall bath) our taller at 34 1/2 (our masterbath), or even taller at 36". The 34 1/2 is definitely more comfortable for me than when I use the 30" tall vanity in the hall. Someone else made the point of working around the pipes with the drawer so you can gain more storage. I wasn't able to get that in the cabinet line and every time I see the false drawers I think of what can't be stored there. You may also want to think, where else can you get more storage. In one case - had a niche build in the wall and added a glass shelf - this it the side wall that is next to the vanity. With the fan - someone mentioned making sure it vents properly thru the roof. In addition to that, you may want to see if a skylight is possible and how much it would cost. I wasn't a big skylight person (worried it would leak), but now I love having the extra light in the bathroom and extra ventilation. Not sure if you decided on a grab bar for the shower. Also if you are going with a shower niche (they have the plastic molds that can be tiled into the shower - I think that is easier for contractors to work with, but it is defined sizes) For the fixtures - I used faucetdirect with no problem and did a lot of online shopping. Where I had problems was with the valves and drains and I am not sure if that was because I didn't utilize the sales people enough or that you had to be familiar with my setup specifically to know which product. In one case, the drain wasn't quite right even though it was recommended to go with the tub. The contractor made it work. In another, luckily my contractor told me to order the pop-up drain for the sink. That's another one that doesn't necessarily match for me online. Since my faucet controls were in the wall, I needed the popup drain in the sink. With the valves, in a custom shower, I didn't do my homework on the 1/2 inch versus 3/4 inch and that I needed a transfer valve to switch between the handheld and the main shower. Last thing - I think the tile from HD or Lowes is fine. Tile can get pricey and that is where I wish I had found something that looked nice but was less expensive. If you do want to splurge on something - maybe look into the Benjamin Moore Bath and Spa line paint. It is made for bathrooms and has a matte finish.

I've been following the posts and just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone. I feel ten times better reading this thread. Such good points here and encouragement! Merry ann: I like older homes as well! I doubt I'll ever have this thing I have so far seen mostly on television or read about here: the master suite. LOL. I know they exist in old homes--just not in my price range in NYC! Corkie: Thanks for empathizing! My tub, sink and toilet are sort of a darker beige, with the toilet seat an off-white. I have thought of putting in a new white sink and toilet, and reglazing the tub. The shower and wall tile is actually not half-bad: a very neutral beige. The floor also isn't bad (brown 4 by 4 tiles with off-white diamond insets), but it's such a small room that maybe instead of replacing cracked tiles we might think about updating there with new, lighter tile; that wouldn't be such a big deal and the agent thought that was maybe the single improvement worth making. There is a light soffit over the sink with a florescent light. We've talked about getting rid of that and putting in a new wall-mounted fixture over the sink. (The agent thinks we can just leave the soffit.) If we can keep the changes small and inexpensive, without TOO much disruption, might do it. I have to say I was surprised the agent said not to really do anything, so this makes me think twice about the advice on those TV shows you're all talking about, too! Chasezone: When we repainted the medicine cabinet white and replaced the knobs with "poreclain" knobs, that made a HUGE difference, all for about $5. We're lucky that we already got rid of the wallpaper when we moved in! Roselvr: I hear you about # of baths. It really hasn't been so bad for two adults and a small child; only recently has having just one bathroom become more of an issue, now that my toddler also needs the toilet! In the end, we may limit the updating to decluttering, cleaning, a fresh shower curtain and window treatment, and new floor tile. Depending on cost of those things, then we might do new light fixtures. May not bother with replacing the sink and toilet and reglazing the tub, though I should add the sink is part of a huge wood vanity with faux "marble" countertop; that vanity covers up a radiator, too, so if we replaced the vanity with a smaller one, we'd have an exposed radiator unless we covered that with something else, too. Cosmikat: Thanks for the reminder that there as many different buyers as there are houses! To everyone, thank you again for your words of wisdom.

I would also add rock wool insulation.

I believe the difference in color is too great with the white and brown. Why? 3 reasons 1. The products that are cemented to the building you will not redo anytime soon. Messy , dirty, expensive and just not worth the trouble  2. When you add a product to the building structure. Windows , floors they must last a long time. Durability, wear and tear, and STYLE. All equal a story of when the home was designed.  The look over a period of time 10 years + and the home will become "out of date" Needs a face lift . 3. The homes we admire, the Museums, Churches, Libraries, Opera House have one common thread. At a glance they are timeless. Built in 1940, 1990 etc  The crystal clear item is not seen  For this reason I would not go "trendy". Generally our first choice is the right one. Simple and elegant  How do you change this ad time moves on. Color Bedroom a change of bedspread. Bathroom towels become a dark navy or  deep forest green. Yellow for spring  Paint a wall blue, hang a piece of art  The change is simple and your money well spent for resale  Take a moment to do another board  Remove the brown and replace with a neutral. Try an Odegard runner - There are so many options  Enjoy