This is hard. Really hard. I suppose a starting point is to think of the rest of your house first, and let that limit your search. But I suspect you already have that in mind.

Looking back over the bathrooms in your life, were there any that really appealed to you? Any where lying back in the bath and looking around made you go "mmmmmm"? Try to remember even hotel bathrooms. My favourite ever was in a hotel. Unfortunately it wouldn't work in my house and it was very wood-panelled and expensive. I said it wasn't easy.

Shall we start a favourite Houzz bathrooms gallery from others here? Or would that just confuse you more?

I have belatedly looked at your ideabook pics. I see creamy colours plus light blue/aqua. Nice. Looking at the two tiles you have there, the one on the left would be the better choice if you want a cosy bathroom, the one on the right if you want an airy bathroom. Can you choose between cosy and airy?

PS (I'm a blabbermouth) remember that you can only have a beautiful bathroom. You can't have every beautiful bathroom.

Hi Phyllis - I am with you- I have about 140 pictures in my idea book for bathrooms...My dear hubby finally made me sit down and go thru them and decide - brown and cream colors or blue beachy colors... Blue and beachy it is! Once decision was made it was easier to look for specific wal tile, vanity, sink top, floor tile, accent tile etc. I even bought an inexpensive shower curtain with the colors I liked, but may end up looking for a nicer one. I think what will drive me crazy too is picking wall paint colors - soft green blue/ sage green/ turquiose? Pick what you feel drawn to and try not to second guess yourself (says the pot to the kettle lol)

Hi Hal.

Set a budget first, that will eliminate looking at items that are too high end for you

Hire a designer, let them come with options and you choose what you like.

Without your input, since you seem to like a lot of things and can't decide, I would go with white. You can then put whatever colors you want, and trade them out periodically to satisfy your desire for lots of options. Of course, the white should be compatible with the other rooms it is near. But you can bring that compatibility in usually with towels and accessories. See if that helps you.

Bespoke is right...if you can afford to you really need to hire a designer. Most times you end of saving money. Even if you hire one on a consulting basis. They will focus you and show you a direction. There is a lot of beautiful product out there but not everything is right for your home!

Yes hire a bath designer by the hour. She can spend some time with you at your home and at Ferguson's. You can show her your idea books. She can show you a lot of stuff via email that is only available to the trades. Once she has an idea of what you want she can do some drawings. She can bring you tile samples and paint colors. She can go with you to the stone yard. She can measure everything. She can help you with the cabinets, hardware and lighting. Huge help and big stress reducer for sure. So worth it. My designer gets discounts everywhere and passes them on to me so she pays for herself.

Wish I could hire a designer. This is a shared cost project between us and the insurance company. We're paying for the extras which insurance doesn't cover. I do like white, bright, clean looking bathrooms. I'm leaning towards white, gray and beige combinations. I've found some plank looking gray tiles that I really like. I went to Floor and Décor and asked for designer help. I asked primarily for porcelain, but she ended up putting together porcelain along with marble and natural stone. I want little to low maintenance and a clean, not busy look that my eyes won't get tired of. Does that make any sense? My choices are getting narrowed down, but I'm afraid my pocketbook doesn't match my taste :(

Your contractor could offer suggestions on what would look good.