WHAT'S REALLY "HOT" THIS YEAR IN HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS?

LUXURY BATHS AND SPAS

We're not entirely sure why this is so, after so many years where the hottest thing in home makeover projects was luxury kitchens - but we do think that staying at home more is "in"...and updating/upgrading our nests is sure "in"...and bathroom upgrades are among the best home-improvement investments that can be made in terms of adding resale value...And last, but far from least, let's face it - treating ourselves to luxury items, and to luxurious surroundings never went out of style, and never will!  Here are some of the new "must have" items:

Lots of space...that will let you have your own at-home day spa...

Luxurious, colored or patterned marble - or other fine stones - for countertops, tiles, sinks (his and hers, of course), and tubs...

Hand-painted tiles, moldings and surrounds...

Big shower stalls - also done-up in fine stone or tile - with lots of shower-heads...and maybe steam-jets too...

Big, deep, sunken, or maybe carved tubs, of course...with lots of whirlpool action...and lots of space for your bath toys, soaps and sudsers, candles, wineglasses, etc.

Fine custom cabinetry and moldings...we think it's because so many homeowners saw how these luxury touches could take their kitchens from the mundane, and purely functional, to the sublime...even while making the room much more functional.

Lots of natural light...from bigger-than-ever windows - in frosted, etched or softly tinted stained glass - or in clear glass, if you have the right degree of privacy outside - and maybe from a decorative skylight, to create a truly magical getaway.

Lots of customized lighting too...to set off all your fancy new additions, and to let you create a variety of moods within your private day-spa.

Plenty of plants and flowers...to take advantage of all that light, and the high humidity.

Seating...If you can make room for it, what could be more luxurious than curling up in your robe for a good read, after a long hot soak? Gosh, we're ready to start ripping out our old stuff right away!