Dear Leanne: We are going to be renovating our master bathroom this spring and wanted your thoughts on the latest bathroom trends. We currently have a walk-in shower that has tiled walls with a regular sized opaque door. The tiles need to be replaced as some have fallen off. What do you recommend for wall tiles? Also, should we use the same tile on the floor as we do for the walls?

A: It sounds as though this is a great time to start fresh. The two most common renovation projects that homeowners do are kitchens and bathrooms. Typically, they are the most utilized rooms in a home, so it would make sense that they also need to be given a facelift from time to time. They are also the most-photographed renovation projects as they show such transformation potential.

Although you may be tackling this project purely from an esthetic perspective, I am curious as to why the tiles may be falling off. Although there may be many reasons why, the big concern is whether you have moisture hitting the drywall behind the tile. A humid bathroom is a perfect home for mould to thrive in. Even if the loose tiles are on the outside of the shower, you may have some adhesion problems occurring and moisture can get in, causing major damage.

My first thought is totally gut this room and start fresh. Remove any divider walls surrounding the shower and replace with tempered glass walls. This opens up the space visually, making your bathroom appear larger.

Since the glass walls are not as thick as a tiled wall, you will also gain actual space in the shower area. The glass walls allow available light to enter the shower cavity, making the space safer and inviting.

The various shower fixtures that are available can make this space a complete spa, right inside your home. Shower heads that are positioned in the centre of the ceiling offer a gentle and relaxing steam or an invigorating pulse, depending on how aggressive you like to start your day. Seeing the gleaming chrome fixtures through the glass walls offers a fresh, clean ambience of stylized simplicity.

If you are someone who enjoys soaking in a relaxing pool of warm water, consider adding a soaker tub to your plan. These popular tubs have a retro feel to their design but they are all about modern comfort. The walls of the tub are deeper, however, so users need to take care in getting in and out of these units.

Vanities can date a bathroom quickly. If you are considering changing your vanity, I suggest a timeless design that is both functional and visually appealing.

If your space allows, install a double sink into this bathroom. It is a practical element that you will appreciate now and can be a great selling feature down the road.

When it comes to deciding on sink and vanity designs, there are many to choose from. Pedestal sinks can be beautiful, but they do not offer practical storage. Although they are stunning in a powder room, in a master bath you need a functional vanity with storage.

There are many beautiful designs to select from that look like custom-crafted furniture. Your sink options can include under-mount, drop-in or on-the-counter vessel styles. If you do opt for pedestal sinks, look for secondary storage units that will hold your bathroom supplies and toiletries.

When it comes to tiles, floor tiles shouldn't be the same as wall tiles, which are thinner in design. Floor tiles, on the other hand can be applied to the walls; however, tile finishes must be taken into consideration for best application.

For walls, choose a tile surface that is glazed for easy cleaning. Flooring tiles need to be more durable and not highly glazed. Glazing will make these tiles more slippery and potentially dangerous.

If you are planning to do this project yourself, talk to a tile expert to help you with the proper tile selection for the application.

Selecting colours for your bathroom is a personal option. However, the most popular tones are taken from the neutral palette as they complement brighter accessories that can be changed easily over time. White remains the No. 1 bathroom colour due to its fresh and clean image, but that shouldn't limit your colour options.

Many people successfully complete quality bathroom renovations themselves, but this is a project that you do want to do correctly. Get expert advice to ensure you have proper moisture-barrier installation, appropriate grout and tile applications as well as electrical and plumbing systems installed to code.

If you suspect that the current design was not done by professionals, consult with the experts as you do not want to unknowingly cover up some bad or potentially dangerous design problems.

Leanne Brownoff is an Edmonton interior design consultant who welcomes your questions at leannebrownoff.com. Answers will be featured in her column, as high volumes prevent individual email responses. Also follow her at twitter.com/LeanneBrownoff.