Design Ideas for a Small Bathroom

If you are considering design ideas for a small bathroom there are a few key components to think about that will ensure your room is functional, beautiful, and maximizes the existing floor space. Because a small bathroom still needs to contain all of the elements of a larger bath you need to carefully choose the fixtures, tiles, colors, lighting, sinks, countertops, and so on.

One of the more fun ways to enliven a small bathroom is to use vivid colors and funky, patterned wallpaper. You might think that too much color or pattern in a small space would make it feel closed in or overdone, but think of your space like a jewel box and give it some pop. Consider colors like red, yellow, blue, green or orange and keep your accessories to a minimum.

There are so many incredible new wallpapers on the market that will provide visual interest to a diminutive bath or powder room. Contrary to popular belief, a neutral, safe paper won’t make your room feel larger, it will just feel more boring. Instead, try an oversized floral, or a metallic stripe for maximum impact.

Use lots of mirrors and reflective, shiny surfaces to help create a greater sense of space. Large, expansive mirrors give the illusion of more square footage, so consider installing a ceiling-high piece to create maximum visual capacity in the room.

Metallic surfaces, such as glimmering mosaic tiles or shiny wallpaper reflect light and add to the impression of depth and extra square footage.

If your small bathroom has an outdated bathtub, consider remodeling and replacing the tub with a shower. Removing a large, cumbersome bathtub can add a couple of extra, and very welcome, square feet to the floorplan of your room.

Already have a shower installed? Consider a glass enclosure, or sliding glass doors so you can see from one end of the room to the other. Opaque doors or a shower curtain serve as a visual barrier, so the glass will immediately give the illusion of more space

Many homeowners make the mistake of installing a small pedestal sink in their powder room or bathroom. Unfortunately, this style of sink (while good looking) does not allow for necessary storage underneath. Instead consider installing a:

• Floating vanity
• Cabinet with a drop-in sink
• Wall-hung sink

Any of these options will provide room for helpful storage space. Another great idea for storage is a recessed 8-inch deep bath cabinet above the vanity to hold items that you would normally keep on display on a countertop.

When decorating a small bathroom, lighting is one of your most important assets. Ideally you want to use a combination of task-specific, ambient and natural lighting. For example, multiple recessed fixtures in the ceiling are invisible and help disperse the lighting throughout the room instead of focusing it all on one point.

In addition to overhead lighting, consider installing sconces to flank the vanity mirror, or multi-bulb theatrical strips. Also be sure to include a fixture above the tub or shower.

Natural lighting, if you can access it, is ideal. If you can, add a skylight, glass blocks, or transom windows. A window can also act as a ventilation system to help disperse damaging moisture.

If you don’t have window ventilation, consider a ducted exhaust fan to remove the heat and condensation that trap moisture and ultimately cause mold and mildew.

Below are a few more key suggestions to consider when designing a small bathroom.

• Install a pocket door instead of a hinged door, which will save space when the door swings open and shut
• Instead of a set of closed cabinets install open shelving, which visually maintains an sight line that is free from boundaries
• Cut out any accessories that might clutter the space, such as large decorations or collections
• The most important thing to remember when thinking about design ideas for a small bathroom? Have fun. It is a small space. If you screw up the color or the wallpaper, it won’t take much time or money to redo it. Let your wildest imagination come to life

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