Reforming the bathroom is necessary and more than required of the owners. As well as being the place where personal business is done (everyone reads the news there too!), baths have become the incredible respite a day spa tour deserves. Simply put, bathrooms are so necessary and more so, renovating them keeps them working for us, especially when it really matters.

However, it’s also time to spice things up and look for unique ways to spruce up the bathroom in the next renovation cycle. Here are some ways to do it:

1. Who says that the bathtub has to be white?

Also, why does it have to be new? A trip to the flea market and other state fairs opens up your horizons when it comes to home pieces that are one-of-a-kind and carry with them the kind of history you can never experience with new items.

And since the price is probably a fraction of what you’d spend if you were shopping at a big box store, there’s a lot more room for you to experiment (read: it’s not that stressful when you’re wrong!). Start with the knobs, shower heads, and door handles. Does it really have to be stainless steel and silver? Find some low-maintenance rose gold and copper knobs to make it happen, despite the stressful odds. Remove the paint too and start going crazy in your bathtub! Color it with striking shades like turquoise or crimson. Sure, the pros at the paint counter can tell you the type of paint to get to avoid chipping.

2. Leave it unfinished

There is a growing trend among homes and hotels about the state of their bathroom. Today, homeowners appreciate the unfinished look that is basically varnished concrete, no paint! Along with a little creativity, exposed cement for the sink countertop makes for a very New York, very modern style that makes your everyday work look really cool. Other than that, it’s also a dream to maintain, as cement finishes are easy to clean and don’t require regular paint jobs.

3. Ample storage space

It really is a wonder that most bathrooms exist with little to no storage. Doing so makes the bathroom look even sloppier and smaller, not thanks to all that clutter. Instead, go ahead and put in some cabinets. Placing a complete piece of furniture as a sink area is not only economical but it is also the current trend in terms of shabby chic-inspired bathrooms.

4. Remember not to have too many blind spots

One word of caution still: too many blind spots in the bathroom, like areas you can’t reach or see, isn’t good. It is the fastest way to invite many pests. Instead, design the bathroom in such a way that all areas can be cleaned and reached with a mop unlike most bathrooms. This makes for a bathroom that is not only avant-garde but also lasts forever.