A bathroom renovation of any size is most cost effective when designed to occupy the same footprint as existing bathroom space. Plumbing is much less expensive when you’re dealing with replacement rather than changes to the plumbing infrastructure. On the other hand, bumping an adjacent wall out to add space is generally inexpensive.
1. Eliminate the unnecessary
Creating the illusion of space helps make your small bathroom renovation look its best. Working on elimination of the unnecessary elements and integration of essential elements in your space harmonizes space perception with functionality.
Seeing through necessary dividers like shower curtains or walls and doors helps to maintain a feeling of expanse. Your bathroom will appear much larger when you install a see-through shower or step up your design with a European-style bathroom, in a room that’s tailored for humidity and wetness. Floors, walls and in some cases the ceiling are surfaced with stone, ceramic or glass tile. As you shower, the water drains over the gently slanted surface into the built-in drain. A curtain, acrylic wall or nothing at all separates the shower area from the rest of the room. A bathroom as small as 5 feet by 6 feet can easily accommodate a pedestal sink, European shower and toilet. Built in wall cupboards or shelves can store bathroom essentials.
2. “Keeping it small” applies to fixtures
Narrow wall shelves leave a small footprint, yet bring the benefits of accessibility to all your toiletry needs. You can store your soaps, shampoos, lotions and towels in plain view, while keeping clutter on your vanity at a minimum.
Sometimes a smaller bathroom fixture can add valuable interior space. Sinks, tubs, showers and toilets are available in smaller-than-standard sizes and with many designs available — for example, low profile toilets make more vertical space available. This can be used for shelving, cabinets, windows or both.
Sink designs can accommodate more storage space below, or with less depth can make more room available for movement when space is at premium. Adding a distinctive feature like a waterfall faucet can take up no space at all. A corner sink can often fit into a very small area.
3. Upscale finishes make your small bathroom grand
Upscale natural finishes bring luxury to the smallest bathrooms. Creating a personal spa in your small bathroom isn’t a problem when you install heated floors, a skylight and natural stone tile from the ceiling to the floor. Your bathroom becomes a peaceful refuge that you can enjoy at any time of the day. Your shower without walls adds to your feeling of spaciousness and light.
Glass tiles are often a preferred material for bathroom countertops, walls and floors. The luster and depth of these ageless tiles offer elegance, unlike almost any other related material. Glass can be cleaner than many other materials because it’s resistant to stains, allergens and mildews. Glass tiles can be wiped clean.
River rock works well for small bathrooms and accent areas. It can be expensive yet it provides dramatic appearance and texture. Materials that complement it are ceramic and porcelain tiles. River rock looks great along shower walls and floors.
In this example, a bathroom features the space enhancing elements of:
- See-through walls
- Natural stone
- River rock flooring
Natural materials add a sumptuous earthy feel to bathing areas. In the above bathroom, dark slate flooring highlights the white fixtures.
4. Daylighting makes your space appear larger and lighter
Daylighting saves energy and creates the ambiance for better bathroom space, opening up the darkest recesses of your area. Bringing daylight to your small bathroom may also be the pick-me-up you need to have a brighter day. It’s an intelligent and low-cost solution to lighting.
Daylighting bathrooms with solar light tubes not only lowers energy consumption, it also brings the pleasing comfort of natural daylight into your home exactly where it’s needed. This lighting technology can bring the gift of daylight to those parts of your home that have no exterior windows or walls.
Bring that bright light into the evening using fixtures that support EcoSmart 14-Watt Daylight CFL light bulbs. These provide accurate color rendition that simulates natural sunlight. These bulbs are suitable for many home lighting uses. They use 75 percent less energy than incandescent equivalents and have a brightness of 800 lumens.
Natural light and materials, minimization of visual barriers and fixture sizes, and maximizing use of your available space will enable you to design an excellent makeover for your small bathroom.
Author Bio: Darryl Crosby is the Marketing Manager of Schedule Fred Inc. A home repair company based in Bethesda, MD that helps homeowners take care of the small projects throughout their bathroom renovations.