EDIT: I see from Cree's spec sheet that the electronic low voltage dimmer the vanity lighting uses is compatible with our recessed lighting, so I can have it all on one switch. That's great news because the cans by the vanity were sort of a workaround. I'm all for reducing the cans. Since everything can go on one switch maybe I can eliminate the two in the vanity area and keep the other two closer to the entrance? In our last house we normally only turned on the light over the tub or shower whenever one of them was in use.

We just finished the layout stage of our basement renovation. Our basement is almost exact the same size as yours so I'm very interested in seeing your progress! We chewed on plans and ideas for more than a year. We only came up with a layout we both feel good with once we finally figured out what we really want to use the basement for and what should be possible in the future. Our house is one bedroom short for our family so we really need a bedroom or sleeping area in the basement. Our house only has one bathroom (one toilet) for 5 people so we need an extra bathroom too. We have an exit to the garden in the basement so we wanted to have some kind of mudroom, laundry and mechanical room needed to stay downstairs too. First we thought of making a bedroom for or oldest son. But the square footage we have to work with is not big and making a bedroom, bathroom, mudroom and mechanical room would divide the space in a lot of little rooms and a hallway which takes in space as well. Furthermore, in this area basements are typically used for recreational functions. So we fear the resale value of our house might decrease with no obvious recreational space down there. We decided to turn the basement into an open concept bedroom/office for ourselves and have the bathroom for ourselves too. This way the basement will be our own little studio, the kids will each have a bedroom and one bathroom upstairs. When the time comes that our kids move out, we can simply take our bed out of the basement and replace it with a couch or two to turn it into a recreation room. I hope this can help in some way! Maybe you too can combine the functions of the rooms you want, like: bathroom/laundry or recreation room/guestroom ? This is roughly the new layout of our basement, the dimensions of stairs and doors are a bit off but you'll get the idea :)

Planning a Bathroom Renovation in the DFW area Creating a spa-like bathroom retreat is all about selecting fixtures that provide the ideal combination of fashion and function. The first step in any bathroom design is to focus on function and determine what you would like to change. What storage are you lacking? What materials are you tired of? What do you wish you had in there that you are lacking? The second step is to think about your dream look. Peruse your favorite designer website, Instagram, Houzz, and Pinterest and save the images you like—even if their bathroom layouts are different than yours. What is common to all your pictures? What finishes are you drawn to? What is the overall style of most of your images? With these ideas in mind, hire an interior designer and contractor to help you price out your dreams. Choosing Bathroom Essentials Whether it is a small powder room or a grand master bathroom, your plumbing fixtures are the essence of function for your space, so choose them wisely. Showers A shower is one of the most-used elements in the bathroom. A luxury shower in a master bath Is more important than a luxury tub these days. When renovating the shower, your contractor should install a waterproof system to prevent against future leaks, and use stain and mildew resistent grout to help things keep looking new. Consider adding a handheld sprayer for cleaning and flexibility Build in recessed niches to hold beauty products Remove bench to increase the visual size of the space Bathtubs Many people enjoy at least an occasional soak in a comfortable bathtub. Tubs come in a wide array of styles, including freestanding, alcove, drop-in, and undermount varieties. In the 1990’s jetted tubs were in vogue, but now freestanding soaker tubs are favored for their cleanliness and simplicity. If you have a luxury shower, maybe storage or a make up vanity would be a better use of that space. Do you take baths frequently? What features in a tub are important to you? Is there something else you can put in that space that would be more valuable for you? Vanities Getting ready for your day starts at the bathroom vanity. This is the largest piece of furniture in any bathroom and one of the primary sources of storage for the space. Custom building your vanity can allow you to customize it to your personal needs. Building in pull outs to tame hair styling equipment is popular, as well as hiding everyday countertop clutter behind towers. What accumulates on your countertops and how could you build a better home for it? What would you like to store in the vanities? How can the style of the vanity add to the look of the room? Countertops Choosing your bathroom countertops requires a little thought as well. Man made quartz countertops have different pros and cons from natural materials like marble, quartzite and granite. Polished, satin or honed finish can add a decorative contrast to your flooring and wall décor. How tidy do you keep your countertops? Do you use hair color or other highly staining materials in your bathroom? Do you like a consistent pattern or a naturally varied look? Hiring a professional who has walked clients through this process dozens of times can be a wise investment in saving you time and money. While the process of a bathroom renovation can seem daunting, it is so worth it in the end! Ann Bridgman www.justthethingdecorating.com www.justthethingdecorating.com

I like both of the leds that ci-lantro posted. We have one horizontal one over a 24" vanity in the standard 5' x 7' guest bathroom, with 10' ceilings, and it lights up the room more than adequately. Yes, there are additional high hats over the tub/shower, but unless someone is using the tub/shower, those lights are never turned on. Edit: PS - I love that tile and yes, fixtures should have square edges, not round.