Upgrading bathrooms can be fun once you know how to do it. It's great when you see the finished work and know that you made all the choices yourself, and it looks fantastic. Everyone who has an old bathroom that hasn't been redone in a while, wants to have one that is both luxurious and more efficient than it is right now. From a low-flow toilet to a new spa tub, you can change your old bathroom for a new one.

For many up-graders, the cabinets are their first line of focus. They change the style and color to suit whatever plan they have in mind for the overall look and feel of their bathroom. Then they move to the tiles. It's amazing what a change of tile color or texture can do for an old bathroom. And once you get down to changing out your old hardware, you'll already feel like you have a new room.

One of the most vital points to stay focused on when changing out a bathroom is lighting. Bathrooms should be full of bright light. That's why, if you can, you should consider adding another window. In some houses in the bathroom you can put in a skylight or roof window. Whatever you can do to add light to the bathroom will be a plus when it's all finished and ready for use.

These have been around for a while, but they still make for some great looks in a bathroom, and the thing I'm talking about is the glass block wall. I've seen some beautiful glass block walls that really picked up what used to be quite a boring little bathroom schematic. You can find them in assorted shapes and styles for any look or any feel you have in mind for your bathroom.

Once you get to the hardware, you're going to be pleasantly surprised at how much difference it makes. From the sink to the tub and the shower, when these are put in and all compliment each other, it's like painting on a canvas and adding the leaves to the trees. They really set the rest of the room off. So put some thought into what type and style of faucets you choose, as well as any grab bars and towel racks.

Last but not least, you're going to need a new toilet. You can't have a true bathroom makeover without a new toilet. These, too, come in different types and styles. You can also get them in just about any color you can think of. There are many with new ways of flushing, but lots of them still use the old chain-pull style. These are usually high back tanks, although you can get them with the tank sitting behind the base of the toilet as well.

When you go toilet shopping, focus on the quietness of the one you're going to buy. You want it to be as quiet as it can be. And pay close attention to how much it uses water. The best toilet to get is the one that uses less water. You'd be surprised how much savings on the bill this will be over the course of the years. And you have options in the area of style as well, from Country to Victorian, or Contemporary to Traditional. There's surely one to fit your needs.

Upgrading bathrooms can be fun, especially once you begin to see your ideas take shape. It can really be a rewarding undertaking with many benefits at the finish. Not only does it upgrade your bathroom, but it makes the house worth more as well. You can be really artistic when upgrading your bathroom, using things like mirrors and little decorative wall mounts. It's totally up to you and your artistic freedom. After all, when you think about it, you're going to spend a big part of your life in your bathroom, so why not make it as good as you can.

Annie Deakin is a journalist, fashion and furniture expert and editor at mydeco.com and is currently very impressed by the great range of bathroom cabinets, daybed and round dining tables.