A bathroom remodel can help you ring in the New Year in style and increase the value of your home. Your bathroom isn’t just a place to get ready in the morning, it’s a place to relax and unwind after a long day at work. Follow these five bathroom renovating trends of 2013 and you can find yourself in an open, relaxing environment in no time.

Trend #1 Large, open showers 2013 is all about the larger shower! A larger, open shower feels and looks more luxurious than a soaking tub or small stand-up shower. Larger showers are also more practical and look better in smaller spaces. Trend #2 Lighting Natural light is great in all rooms, but it can be especially difficult to find in a bathroom. If you do have an existing window in your bathroom, you can increase the natural light by enlarging it. If you don’t, consider adding one. It’s also beneficial to add other sources of light that can bring personality to your bathroom. For instance, hanging a unique lighting fixture can make a huge difference in the look and feel of your bathroom. Trend #3 New hardware Replacing old hardware is a very simple fix. From door knobs, to shower heads, replacing each one can create a new look and feel to your bathroom. The trending colors of this year are dark, rich colors like charcoal and brown. You should stay away from gold hardware since this color tends to look dated. Trend #4 Add electronics As the trends in technology advance, so do the trends in bathroom remodeling. We’re spending more time in our bathrooms and we’re seeing more and more people adding electronics like wall-mounted TV’s and high end music systems in their bathrooms. Why not enjoy your favorite show while soaking in the tub or hit the high note while singing in the shower? Trend #5 Fit your bathroom to your needs

Baby boomers are getting older and their safety concerns in the bathroom are growing. Grab bars can be implemented into your bathroom design to make getting in and out of the tub easier. This trend is much more appealing with new designs to blend grab bars into the look and feel of the bathroom. In addition to grab bars, walk-in tubs are becoming a growing trend in 2013. Walk-in tubs are practical for people who have trouble getting in and out of the bathtub even with grab bars.

As you can see, bathrooms are no longer just a place to clean up or get ready. Instead, they’re a luxurious place for relaxation and comfort. So, if it’s time to remodel your bathroom, keep these trends in mind because they not only add to the look and feel of your home, they also add value to your home. We’ve just begun 2013 and it’s a great time to consider remodeling your existing bathroom so you can enjoy it for the rest of the year!