Space Saving Bathrooms

Bathrooms have always been one of the smallest rooms in the house, so it’s important to make the most of whatever space you have in the bathroom. Here are some tips to make the smallest of bathrooms seem bigger.

Open up your bathroom with colour and lighting

Pale, soft colour schemes tend to give the illusion of more space. Save the bolder colours for accessories such as towels and rugs but select pastel tones, neutrals, and whites for backgrounds. Without taking up any counter space, you can add extra lighting to open up your bathroom and make it feel warmer.

Recessed can lighting can be installed into the ceiling and focused on any work space. Wall sconces or a countertop lamp will add warmth. More expensive alternatives for bringing more light into the room would be skylights or larger windows.

Reflect on spaciousness

Mirrors not only add light to a room, they also add the illusion of space. If your small bathroom can take it, get a larger mirror to place above the bathroom sink.

The mirror will reflect all the light in the room, and pick up the colour and design. You may also consider a collection of mirrors arranged artistically in the place of one large mirror.

Trade the vanity for a pedestal

While a vanity cabinet provides nice storage under a sink, but takes up lots of floor space in a small bath. Replacing the vanity with a pedestal or wall-mounted sink can be fairly inexpensive. Your bath will definitely feel more open.

Find alternative storage space with a small shelf or organize a nearby linen closet. When you remove the vanity cabinet, you’ll probably have to repair the flooring.

Smaller bath tub

Opt for the new style, smaller bath tub. In a traditional-size bathroom, the bathtub tends to take up quite a bit of room. To give the illusion of more space, you might consider replacing your old tub with a lower-walled bathtub. Look for a 5-foot tub with a flat bottom. They’re perfect for showering, but still deep enough for a pleasant bath.

Don’t forget the door

A sliding door gives more room than a normal hinged door, and can be hidden in an in-wall cavity for a clean look. If you are using a hinged door, don’t clutter your walls with towel racks. Hang them on the back of the door instead.

Get Rid of Any Visual Obstructions

Trade a frosted-glass bath or shower door with a clear glass one. Or eliminate the door altogether and install a shower curtain that can be pushed back to one side when not in use. You’ll be able to see all the way to the back wall. Your eye won’t stop at the door and think that the room is smaller than it is.

Eliminate All Clutter

A clean, neat bathroom always looks larger and more spacious than a cluttered, dirty one! Have only essential must-haves visible and put away everything else. Spend some time organize storage areas in a linen closet or vanity to make the most of what you have.

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