Tips for Furnishing Your Bath

We spend so little time in our homes these days that it's important to make every second count. Your bath should be just as comfortable as any other room in your house. A cushioned chair, some soft lighting, and a pair of curtain panels are a great start.

Designed for Relaxing
Donna Outlaw created her Louisville, Kentucky, master bath to be an oasis. All the functional components are tucked into their own nooks and don't interrupt the view out the glass doors.

Cool travertine floors coordinate beautifully with walls painted in Sea Sand, a Porter Paints color. You can't have an oasis without sand.

Panels Make It Posh
The gold linen panels that flank the French doors hang just above floor level. Puddling in the bath is unavoidable, but it shouldn't be your draperies that do it. Go for breathable options such as cotton or linen; avoid high-maintenance silk.

Seating Placement
Donna took advantage of her great space by adding a teak chaise longue. Teak is highly tolerant of moisture, so it's a smart choice here.

With a bath this beautiful, being all dressed up with no place to go doesn't seem like a bad thing.

Try These Plush Touches

• No room for a chaise? Try a chair or even a small ottoman. No matter the size, a place to sit is always great when getting ready.
• Use inexpensive whatnot shelves to display framed photos, perfumes, or other toiletries. Larger shelves are ideal for tucking away towels.
• Hang an inverted parasol as your ceiling fixture to add softness and diffused light.
• Make your bath a gallery with prints or paintings. Don't worry about the moisture; exhaust fans are the key. Fans vary in wattage based on the square footage of the room for which they're intended. Be sure to measure your room and read the label before you buy yours.

"Tips for Furnishing Your Bath" is from the October 2007 issue of Southern Living.