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Although it's not front and center, the bathroom is pretty central when it comes to rooms you use in your house. The "powder room" is important, not to mention a room your guests will undoubtedly visit. Therefore, it's crucial you make it a pleasant destination. And with the arrival of spring, it's time to freshen up your bathroom with these easy and affordable tips. 

Whether your walls are papered, painted or white, you can always choose a new color for your linens, bathmat or shower curtains. This creates a fresh, new feel, that not only you, but your guests will enjoy. And remember, darker or patterned towels won't look dirty as fast. 

Castle Grounds Bath Towels, $4.00 - $24.00 anthropologie.com

Adding a small touch like a pretty soap dish can give your bathroom a quaint and calming feel. Keep in mind silver, glass and darker dishes often reveal soap residue more blatantly than lighter, or patterned dishes.  

Savon Soap Dish, $7.95 anthropologie.com

Whether you use liquid or bar soap, give your hands the smell of spring! A fresh, floral soap will remind you of the new season, and that of course summer is just around the corner, while giving your bathroom a new theme. 

Lily of the Valley Triple-Milled Soap, 3 for $17.00  www.crabtree-evelyn.com

Unfortunately, dry skin doesn't go away with the snow and cold winter weather. So complement your new soap with some hand lotion and keep your skin healthy, and your bathroom complete. 

Summer Hill Hand Therapy Cream, $21.00 www.crabtree-evelyn.com

There's nothing worse than walking into a smelly bathroom. Perhaps a close second is a bathroom that tries to smell good, but ends up emanating wafts of cleaning products or musky air fresheners. So, have some scent (get it?): this is one area where you might want to splurge a little bit. Scented sticks give your bathroom (or any room for that matter) a clean, organic feel. If they aren't your thing, a nice candle or dish of potpourri will do the trick. 

Isola Scented Sticks, www.aloraambiance.com

If you haven't updated your bathroom flooring in a while, this is as good a time as any. After a long winter of boots covered with all kinds of snow, slush and mud, get rid of that grimy bathmat that has championed you through winter storms. Give your feet a fresh, soft surface. A bathmat void of stains can make the world of difference. 

Cotton Woven Bath Rugs, $18.99 www.restorationhardware.com