Monday, September 22, 2008

Small Bathroom Design Tips

Small bathroom ideas for a bathroom remodeling project maytake some time to assemble, but it can make your small bathroom more pleasant and more functional as well.


List specific items you want in your new bathroom, and some of the problems you want to solve by finding small bathroom ideas.


Determine how much of a remodel you are undertaking. You may want to start fresh and do a full remodel, or maybe your small bathroom will benefit with just a small amount of renovation.
Changes you want to make in your bathroom will depend on how it is used, and who uses it.



Your small bathroom design will vary depending on if it is a main bathroom, or a master bath. Each has it's own needs.


The individual needs and age of users is an important factor. In the case of children, height and usage has to be factored in.


You may wish to give a master bath the feeling of a private sanctuary with special amenities such as a shower with massage jets, or a two person soaking tub. Review carefully what you most want in case that space or budget require making one choice over another.


When selecting color choices for your bathroom walls, floor and surfaces, stay with the lighter tones. Lighter colors will brighten the room and add visual space.


Flooring takes up a lot of space in this smaller room and patterns with a lot of detail should be avoided. Vinyl sheeting in one piece with a simple all over pattern is good, as well as larger tiles. When tiling, use grout that is as close in color to tile as possible for less contrast.


A glass shower door rather than a shower curtain adds visual space. A sliding door on a shower consumes less real space than one that swing out into the room.


Utilize light from a window if possible without sacrificing your privacy. Some bathroom windows are placed high enough not to be a problem. If you must cover your window for privacy, keep the window treatment sleek and simple.


Cabinetry should be kept light as well. Install streamlined cabinetry in light tones, preferably closed. Open shelves attract things such as knick knacks. Better to have your storage closed. This gives a unified look, and the eye travels accross it, adding again to visual space. If you are keeping your old cabinetry, consider sanding and re-staining it if it is dark in color. Stains come in wood tones as well as actual colors.


Use towel rings instead or rods. They consume less space and they give a more elegant look to a small bathroom.


If you are not going to use the current fixtures, consider replacing them with smaller models. Many bathroom fixtures are created with small bathroom design in mind. They are scaled down models that serve the same need while conserving space.


Another small bathroom idea, depending on the shape of your bathroom, is corner fixtures. In some specific situations, utilizing corner space is a good option. There are corner bathtubs, corner toilets, and corner pedestal sinks, as well as corner vanities.


When you have put all your small bathroom ideas together, created your design, and finished your bathroom remodel it is time to enjoy and be proud of your new space. Small spaces need to be kept up on a regular basis. A small mess in a small space takes on larger proportions in the mind's eye. Take just five minutes a day to scan the room and quickly put out of sight those things that may have gotten left laying around.