The bathroom used to be the place in the home that was simply intended for carrying out very specific functions.
It was not a place where you lingered -- you stayed there as long as necessary and no longer.
The concept of bathrooms is now changing dramatically, and many people are aiming to make their bathroom a place where they can actually enjoy spending time.
More And More Features For example, at one time a bathroom simply contained the basic fixtures that were necessary for carrying out the required functions.
Nowadays, in order to make bathrooms more pleasant places to be, more and more fixtures are being installed, and most of these will be electrical items.
These might include jacuzzis, different types of heating solutions, and even entertainment systems.
One difficulty with this, of course, is that the traditional bathroom contained few, if any, electrical outlets, as these had always been considered too dangerous.
Now, however, it is possible to install sockets at suitable places in the bathroom -- these of course will be specific types of socket which are compliant with safety regulations.
These must only be installed by a qualified person.
Enhance Your Enjoyment Assuming you have sufficient outlets, there is really very little limit on how you can transform your bathroom space.
It is even possible to install an entertainment system, including a waterproof TV -- which will be resistant to steam as well as water -- and MP3 speakers, mirrors and radios actually built into the walls.
Do not be tempted to use your ordinary TV or radio with an extension lead -- the system must be specially designed for bathroom use in order to be safe.
If a bathroom entertainment system is a bit beyond your requirements, or your means, there are still plenty of other ideas for enhancing your enjoyment of this essential room.
Steam-resistant heated mirrors, or heated towel rails, are simple ideas which can make a big difference, or you can now have a completely separate set of lighting around the vanity area.
More and more people are now installing electric showers, which are very useful because they provide hot water at any time of day or night.
Lifestyle Choice The idea of a bathroom as a purely utility area for basic functions is very much in the past.
The bathroom can be as important a part of your lifestyle choices as your living room, kitchen or bedroom.
Just remember to call on a qualified electrician to make sure the transformation is carried out correctly and safely.