The trend in the designing of new homes and remodelling projects today is to surround the occupant in comfort and convenience. This is no more evident than in the master suite. The master suite is the place where the homeowner can design an oasis of comfort and luxury.

In small bathrooms the installation of large, floor-to-ceiling windows will allow light to flood into the room, creating an illusion of space and airiness. Another alternative is the construction of walls using glass bricks. Glass bricks can be used in place of standard windows, especially where extra privacy is needed without losing natural light. Clear glass shower doors are the best option to expand space. They let you see into a shower, making the room feel bigger. Look too, for window designs to welcome sunlight yet protect privacy. Skylights, clerestory windows, and glass block are all options that maintain privacy. Glass also makes a dramatic, light-transmitting interior wall. Other room-brightening options include frosted glass, ribbed glass, or stained-glass panels.

Simple touches add the most drama to a room. Less is best when putting the final touches to your master suite. A vase with a single flower stem makes a more elegant statement than a whole shelf full of knickknacks. This approach also serves to create a room that appears spacious and roomy.

To save on costs when designing a new, or renovating an existing bathroom, don't go to the expense of tiling every wall and floor. Modern bathrooms leave tiling to splash backs and feature walls. This can drastically reduce on remodelling costs. Bold colour or muted tones can be used to add your own personal style to bathroom walls. Panelling and moulding can be fitted to create a cottage or country style bathroom.

A very economical option for bathroom floors is to lay down a concrete screed tinted with natural oxide pigments. There are also specialist floor products that create a total ´wet-room´ look for bathrooms. Maintaining an unbroken sweep of floor is also a good way to stretch visual space. But bulky components can make this a difficult task. If possible, use pedestal or console sinks rather than a vanity. Or fool the eye with cabinetry that ´floats´ by using a wall-mounted vanity rather than a model that sits on the floor.

For a sleek, clean look, keep storage flush with walls whenever possible. Narrow, built-in shelving can easily corral collectibles - from picture frames to perfume bottles. Deeper built-ins - shelves, drawers, and cabinets tucked into a niche or nook - are ideal for linens.

Mirrors stretch space by reproducing it. Mirroring the long wall of a narrow bath, for example, can change the proportion of a room and make it seem wider. Be sure to place mirrors so they reflect the bath's assets - whether that's a wall hanging, a panoramic view, or the widest room angle. Two mirrors positioned opposite each other create the illusion of a never-ending room. Also, a clear-glass shower door may prove to be a better space stretcher than a patterned shower curtain that stops the eye.

Remember - DIY doesn't have to mean settling for second-best. Its easy to install your own unique designer bathtub with a little savvy.