Your ultimate bathroom design incorporates a super-soaker whirlpool tub, marble floors and antique brass finishes. Ultimately, though, your checkbook says modesty is the best policy ... for now.

Until your financial position puts you in a better position to create that ultimate bathroom, you may wish to consider one or more of the following to bridge the gap.

• New cabinet hardware -- Dress up a bathroom or change the tone with a wide variety of vanity hardware. Match design themes and update with a porcelain or brass pull. They are priced from $2 for the brass knobs or pulls found at home improvement stores to $25 for hand-painted designs found at specialty stores.

• Towel bars, etc. -- Tired of the conventional chrome towel bars of the 1970s? Add a decorative touch with the design and styles that reflect today’s lifestyle. Whether it be through a kitchen and bath shop or a department store catalogue, the options are virtually unlimited.

• New or refinished vanity doors – Instead of buying and installing a new vanity, why not repainted or refinished the vanity door(s)? Depending on the decor, you can add color to the vanity door through painting, antiquing or other interesting techniques. Then use a new shower curtain, drapes or towel ensemble, to complete the ensemble.

• New lighting fixtures -- Achieve a softer look or add more light with one of the many lighting options that can replace the brass bar with four exposed light bulbs. While new lighting will require some electrical work, the process generally is very easy. And the project will be only as expensive as your taste and selection in lighting.

• Incorporating Artwork -- As the bathroom takes on more of a design focus, artwork is taking center stage. Photographs, colored glass bottles, and bowls all fit the bill. Another interesting consideration is an antique furniture piece that will serve as cabinetry and a place to either display artwork or store colognes, soaps, and bath towels.

• Incorporating Furniture – Add some furniture touches to the bathroom, with ornate cabinetry, console tables with table legs, and ornate molding. Be careful not to add too much in a small room. And, be aware of how moisture might affect the furniture.

• Shelves -- Decorative shelves, made of glass, stainless steel or wood, can be an inexpensive way to create a more visually appealing atmosphere in the bathroom while opening up counter and cabinet space. Perfume bottles, lotions and other bathroom items often come in beautiful bottles and packaging that make them too pretty to hide away. These display shelves generally are 3-4 inches deep and 12 to 24 inches long. Just big enough to create a focal point and clear up some counter space.