Simple ways to give your bathroom a new look and feel

According to the “Remodeling” magazine’s 2011-12 “Cost vs. Value Report,” which compares the average cost for 35 popular remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale, homeowners can expect to spend upward of $52,000 on an upscale bathroom remodel. That makes a bathroom remodel one of the more expensive home improvement projects a homeowner can undertake.

• Install a new shower. One of the best ways to give a bathroom a new look is to replace the traditional tub and showerhead with a bigger, more airy shower. Instead of the tub and slide glass, choose a hinged door with heavier glass, replacing the bathtub entirely.

• Add windows and a skylight. Many bathrooms, particularly those in older homes, sorely lack adequate lighting. Adding some extra windows and a skylight can give a bathroom an entirely new look, even if you don’t replace any of the existing features or fixtures.

• Replace old tiles. Many homeowners cite their bathroom’s tiles as the feature they would most like to change.