Remodeling a Small Bathroom

A large master bathroom with an over-sized shower, his and hers vanities, heated floors, and a rainfall showerhead sounds great, but many homeowners are limited by space and budget. Having a small bathroom does not mean you can't make it grand. Follow our tips below to get the most out of your small bathroom.  

STORAGE

Use built-in shelving or tall linen cabinets. Expanding up instead of out provides tons of storage without taking up too much square footage. 

If possible, add recessed shelving. Recessed shelving creates storage without taking up any square footage and it can be added in the shower area or on the bathroom walls. Bonus: Add lighting for extra wow-factor 









PAINT/COLOR 

Use solid colors. Busy patterns and extreme contrasts can overpower and seemingly shrink a small space.

Paint the walls and ceiling the same color. Painting the ceiling a different color can make the ceiling appear lower than it is. 

Going all white creates the illusion of a bigger bathroom. 












TILE


Larger tiles in lighter colors are great for a smaller bathroom








SHOWERS

Glass showers and/or bathtubs are key! The glass acts as a window giving the perception of more space. Sliding glass doors are preferable since swinging doors require more space.

Remove any walls within the bathroom. Many bathrooms built in the 90's and early 2000's have walls that divide the shower and bathtub area, removing the wall and replacing it with glass will open up the space. Notice the two bathrooms below, while they are practically the same size, using a glass wall in the second bathroom (along with other small bathroom tricks), makes it appear much larger and more inviting. 

A corner or neo-angled corner shower are great space-savers










FIXTURES



Choose the right vanity for your space. This depends on how small your bathroom is. If it's really tiny, a pedestal sink may be the best option for you. Using a floating vanity can make the room appear larger by leaving open floor space (add lights underneath to create the illusion of even more space). If storage is a problem in your bathroom you may need the extra space a regular vanity provides.  a larger vanity with a linen cabinet that extends to the ceiling may be the best option for you. 





















Add a mirror or two. When placing your mirror, choose a focal point and angle your mirror toward it to give the illusion of depth. Mirrors reflect both natural and artificial light, making a room brighter during the day and at night. They also bounce light deep into the corners of a room, making it appear larger than it is. Adding a mirror to the back of your bathroom door is another great trick to use. 














Towel racks or hooks on the back of the bathroom door add extra hanging space.

Pocket doors are a great space-saver. If feasible, use a pocket door in the bathroom entry and for any closets in your bathroom. A pocket entry door with frosted glass is also a great idea since the glass will let light in from the adjacent room without compromising your privacy. 

Add light fixtures. The more light the better. Light reflects off of the ceiling, mirrors, and walls making a small space appear larger. 







Use a compact elongated toilet. It provides most of the comfort of a traditional elongated toilet but takes up the space of a round toilet bowl. It features an oval shape and has a larger feel than a round bowl despite being roughly the same size. 





If it's within your budget, a skylight is a great way to open up a small space. Skylights start at $200 and the installation varies greatly depending on the size of the unit and the complexity of the install (is there a steep roof, etc.). When properly installed, an energy-efficient skylight can also help minimize your heating, cooling, and lighting costs. 

Believe it or not, there are some perks to having a smaller bathroom. Adding luxury to a smaller space is easier and costs less. Imagine adding luxury tile to the floor of a small bathroom versus a big one, think of the square footage difference and the cost per square foot you're saving!

Remember, just because your bathroom is small, does not mean it cannot be grand. Use some or all of the tips above to transform your bathroom today. Need Help? Call Heiston Kitchen and Bath at 571-221-5493!