I can still remember my best friend's bathroom. I was only about eight years old, but I remember that his family kept a copy of the Reader's Digest on the back of the toilet, probably on a doily. I loved reading the silly jokes during my every so often trip to their bathroom. That was my introduction to bathroom decoration and accessories.

Today the market of bathroom decorating has exploded, but few of us take time to consider how to make our bathrooms more comfortable beyond that token copy of the Reader's Digest. After all, you're going to have to visit that room several times a day, so why not use it as just one more canvas for your creative palate to paint on. Even more than that, consider what kind of statement a well decorated bathroom makes to visitors. Everyone cares about their kitchen and living room, but those who take the time to make their bathroom appealing will demonstrate their genuine care for their home overall. So consider what you can do to make your bathroom an appealing place to spend time.

Start out with looking around the rest of your house. What you've done in different rooms in the house many times can apply to the bathroom as well. For example, every living room has some kind of low table to hold magazines or books. Why not put something like that in the bathroom? After all, I loved my Reader's Digest and everyone could use a good yarn to distract them from their real purpose in the john.

On the same token, when you come across a great idea for the bathroom in your decorating research, know that you can many times apply the same idea to your house. Do you like that cobalt blue tile in the bathroom? Why not try it in your kitchen instead of the dull white tiles? Why should we settle for the mundane in one room when we can apply the same creative ideas to all rooms?

Bathroom decorating ideas can stretch all across the room, from top to bottom. Consider the flooring and using decorative tiles, carpeted areas, or flashy linoleum. The tiles on the sink can match or contrast with the tiles on the floor for effect. Besides just this hardware, a variety of other elements exist. Consider how you want your soap to look. Do you want to use a fancy soft soap dispenser, or maybe you want to consider one of the many creative soap dishes available on the market. Maybe you want to even make your own soap dish. Consider fashioning one out of clay in your desired shape to work with the rest of the bathroom decor.

Consider what will make you and your guests feel relaxed. For example, relaxing pictures across from the toilet can create a serene environment overall.

Don't forget to decorate your bathroom. It can be the crowning glory of your home.