The modern bathroom is so much more than a utilitarian spot. It’s a place to relax (think home spa) and a fun way to use form and function to impress your guests and up the quality of your life. Designers and contractors reported recently on the hottest bath design trends to Wall St. Journal home advisors:

Showers and baths – Whirlpool bath tubs in a variety of sizes are becoming more popular each year. For shower lovers, the news is dual shower heads for doubling the fun or ‘rain’ shower heads that provide a rain forest-like experience.

Vanities – Changing the vanity is the quickest way to give your bathroom a bold new look. Vanities today come in varied materials from marble to ceramic, glass and more – and all the rage these days are vessel sinks, with basins that sit on top of (instead of being recessed into) the counter top.

Mirrors – Modern bathroom mirrors are another easy way to bring personality into your bath. You can find mirrors in an infinite variety of shapes and sizes, framed in anything you like from leather to snakeskin to colorful mosaic tile. The latest innovation? Fog-free mirrors to hasten your morning routine.

Floors – Ceramic tile, stone, and traditional porcelain continue to be popular choices. But laminate wood flooring is gaining in popularity – and the newest trend is electrically heated flooring to keep your feet warm on those cold winter mornings.

Lighting – Traditional vanity lighting above the mirror is useful when you’re shaving or getting ready to go out.  But lighting designs have come a long way. Consider using recessed or spot lighting to highlight certain features of your bathroom and give the place an airy feel – and dimmers are useful when you want to take a nice, long soak.