Bathroom Contractors Portland ME

With Expert: Joan Kohn
Joan Kohn is host of HGTV's "Kitchen Design" and "Bed & Bath Design" and author of "It's Your Kitchen" and the just released "It's Your Bed & Bath."

Q. We just moved into a larger home and now my husband, myself and my kids each have our own bathroom. It's such a luxury I'm not quite sure how to make the most of it. Can you make some suggestions?

A. How exciting that you now have a room to personalize for each member of the family! Here are some tips on how to make the most of your intimate spaces. Men want bells and whistles, like TV's imbedded behind the mirror, sound systems, saunas and workout areas. They like to pamper themselves with fine towels and elegant grooming tools, such as silver shaving sets. They get excited about a refrigerator drawer snacks or even a mini-kitchen with a coffee maker. They want bathrooms with a sense of import and legacy and so are impressed by the architectural potential of the bathroom.

Women want luxury and a décor that blends with the bedroom -- but they crave efficiency, too. In general women are the main caregivers and they like the bathroom to take care of them. They like to express their own style in this intimate room and to use powder rooms as little design laboratories for expression. Kids want to define their own territory and have their private storage area clearly identified. The like personal expression thr...