Elevating Your Bathroom Experience: Top 8 Features for Your Next Remodel

Stephanie Kratz • September 22, 2023

Top 8 Features for Your Next Bathroom Remodel

Remodeling can certainly be expensive, and it's crucial to plan your budget accordingly. However, if there's one room that deserves a budget splurge, it's the primary bathroom.

Besides the potential value it adds to your home, the real reason for indulging in a primary bathroom remodel is for your own enjoyment. Having a private sanctuary where you can unwind and rejuvenate is truly priceless. Here are ten of my favorite features to enhance the comfort, storage, and style of a primary bathroom remodel.

Stunning Backsplash

The vanity backsplash is a prime area to make a stylish statement in any bathroom. A thoughtfully selected backsplash can significantly enhance a bathroom's overall design. Acting as a focal point, it draws the eye and sets the tone for the entire space. The backsplash provides an opportunity to infuse color, texture, and pattern, adding depth and visual interest to the bathroom.

Moreover, it's not merely a decorative element – it also serves a practical purpose by protecting the walls from water damage. Thus, a backsplash bridges the gap between functionality and aesthetics, ensuring your bathroom is both stylish and durable.

Consider adding patterned tiles that extend all the way to the ceiling for an instant touch of drama. The use of mixed metal finishes can add an elegant touch.

Linen Cabinets

Incorporating a linen cabinet within your primary bathroom is not only convenient but also a beloved feature among clients. A linen cabinet in the bathroom is a game-changer when it comes to storage and organization. This feature simplifies the process of storing and accessing your bath essentials such as towels, toiletries, and other items.

The great thing about a linen cabinet is that it helps keep the bathroom clutter-free. Instead of cramming all your possessions into a drawer or leaving them scattered around, you can neatly arrange them in the cabinet. This not only makes your space look tidy but also saves you time when you need to find something quickly. Linen cabinets can also add a touch of elegance to your bathroom, with various designs and finishes available to suit your personal style and complement your décor. There's nothing quite like having fresh and fluffy towels within arm's reach.

There's nothing quite like having fresh and fluffy towels within arm's reach.

Masculine Wooden, Bathroom Vanity with Linen Cabinets

Captivating Lighting

While it's crucial to have functional lighting in a bathroom if you want to go beyond mere functionality, incorporating captivating lighting is essential. The right lighting can really make a difference to the overall atmosphere and feel of the bathroom.

Contemporary, Modern Black and Grey Bathroom with multi-dimensional lighting

Task lighting around mirrors, vanity lights, and pendants are all excellent options for creating a cozy, relaxing environment in the bathroom. Recessed lighting can also be used to create a soft ambient glow throughout the room. Using multiple sources of light is recommended – you don't want the bathroom to be too dark or too bright.

For a luxurious touch, install dimmers so you can adjust the intensity of the lights according to your mood. This way you can create the perfect atmosphere for a long soak in the tub or an early morning shower.

Finally, while we want to set the appropriate mood, LED lighted mirror provides the perfect balance of functionality and aesthetics. LED lights are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and create a clean, modern look.

Modern, Grey Vanity with Contemporary Wall Sconces

Open Shelving

Open shelving isn't limited to kitchens; it's also becoming popular in bathroom remodels. It provides easy access to essentials like cotton balls and swabs. Additionally, open shelving presents an opportunity to create a stylish "shelfie" moment with houseplants and decorative objects.

Open shelves are also a great way to grab attention with interesting textures and materials. Warm wood tones will add an inviting touch of natural warmth, while metal shelving provides modern vibes. To prevent the bathroom from feeling cluttered, consider incorporating clear glass shelves or sleek acrylic ones.

Heated Towel Bars

What could be more luxurious than wrapping yourself in a pre-warmed towel after a bath or shower? Heated towel bars have long been popular in Europe and are now gaining mainstream popularity in the U.S.

Experience the comfort they provide – no more wrapping yourself in a cold towel after you emerge from a warm shower. Heated towel bars also help keep towels dry and mold-free, making them last longer. They are available in both electric and hydronic versions, giving you the opportunity to choose one that best suits your heating needs. Once you've tried them, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them.

When planning a remodel, it's important to consider heated towel bars in the early stages to ensure the necessary electrical connections are in place.

Slab Shower Surround

What better way to showcase the stunning veining pattern of natural stone than by using slabs as the walls in your shower? Slabs create a dramatic and graphic look, allowing other features in the space to take a more reserved role.

There are many types of slabs growing in popularity including:

Acrylic
Granite
Quartz
Porcelain
Dekton Slim

Installing slabs in your shower has several benefits and there are two major ones that we'd like to mention.

No Grout

With no grout, it has a sleek profile, seamless appearance, and requires no grout line cleaning. The corners are typically caulked with silicone, resulting in a seamless area. Even the shower floor can be tile-free, as there are shower pan options available in single slabs.

Wow Factor

A slab shower has a remarkable visual impact, capable of transforming a space and adding an air of sophistication not easily achieved with tiled showers. Whether it's a natural granite, porcelain slab, or a material like Dekton Slim, all choices can elegantly redefine your bathroom and make it a stunning centerpiece.

Makeup Area

If you have the space for it, having a designated area for applying makeup is a wonderful feature. This could be a small vanity or desk with ample lighting and storage. A mirror with built-in lights will give you perfect illumination for applying makeup.

Having sufficient space to store your cosmetics, brushes, and other items is essential. Countertop compartments work well for smaller items while drawers can take care of larger ones such as creams, foundations, and applicator tools. Doing your makeup in this designated area will make it easier to organize all your products and accessories.

Beautiful, Traditional Bathroom Vanity with Glass Bubble Chandelier

Stylish Wet Room

At times, there may not be enough room to separate a freestanding tub and a shower. That's where a wet room comes in, offering the best of both worlds. The wet room is essentially enclosed shower with a tiled floor. This design feature can give your bathroom an open and airy feeling, particularly if the walls are kept minimal.

There are many different styles of wet rooms from which you can choose. You could opt for a contemporary style with clean lines and minimalist fixtures or go all out and create a spa-like environment with luxurious tile, stone accents, and steam showers. The choice is yours!

Regardless of the style you choose, make sure to waterproof the walls properly and use non-slip tiles to ensure safety. It's also a good idea to install a ventilation fan for added comfort and convenience.

Modern Wet Room with Dual Showers and an Oversized Bathtub

There are countless ways to elevate your bathroom remodel from functional to fantastic. From thoughtful lighting and open shelving to the luxury of heated towel bars and slab shower surrounds, each feature contributes to creating a space that is not only practical but also promotes relaxation and wellness. Designated makeup areas and stylish wet rooms further optimize the use of space and enhance the overall aesthetic taking your space to the next level.

Remember, the ultimate goal is to design a bathroom that reflects your personal style and meets your needs. With the right planning and design choices, you can turn your bathroom into a spa-like sanctuary right in your home. Ready to start planning your next remodel? Contact Stephanie Kratz Interiors, your award-winning Dallas, TX interior designer.

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The Foundation of Design

By Stephanie Kratz • March 11, 2026

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes Key Takeaways : Use your rug as a "visual island." Keeping furniture legs on the rug prevents a "floating" look and ties the whole room together. Small rugs shrink a room. Choose a large rug that reaches near the walls to instantly expand the space and feel more luxury. Mix textures like plush wool against smooth wood. This "high-touch" contrast adds depth you can actually feel.

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By Stephanie Kratz • March 4, 2026

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By Stephanie Kratz • February 27, 2026

Estimate Read Time: 3 minutes Key Takeaways: Match your indoor floors and colors to the patio. It removes the "visual stop" at the door and makes your entire home feel much larger. Skip the generic furniture sets. Pair organic stone with soft, high-end fabrics to get a curated look that's durable but feels like pure luxury. Go beyond furniture. Use fire, greenery, and soft lighting to turn a basic backyard into a private sanctuary built for decompressing.