Small Master Bathroom Makeover

Small master bathroom makeover is easy when broken down into a step by step plan.

Make a list of all of the changes you want to include in your makeover. At this point, include everything you'd like to make over. There will be time later to consider budget.

Divide your bathroom into sections and decide what you’d like to change.

Sink and Countertop:

• Replace sink only
• Replace sink and cabinet
• Replace sink, cabinet, countertop, and mirror
• Replace sink, cabinet and medicine cabinet
• Note any other changes needed or desired

Toilet:

• Create a separate toilet area
• Replace toilet with new one

Shower or Tub Considerations:

• Replace shower/tub combination
• Replace tub with new shower stall
• Caulk existing tub
• Refinish existing tub
• Replace tub surround

Closet:

(If you don’t have a closet or don’t have room to create one, skip this category.)

• Build small closet
• Remove closet to open up bathroom for bigger cabinet area
• Reorganize existing closet and add shelving

Flooring:

• Wood
• Vinyl - Patterns shouldn’t be too small or too big.
• Ceramic, glass or marble tile
• Cork or other unique material

Ventilation and Heat Lamp:

• Assure good ventilation by installing a new system
• Add heat lamp to existing system

Walls:

• Wallpaper. Go with a small pattern, but be careful of one too busy. Avoid most stripes.
• Paint. Choose a light color for the walls

Lighting:

• Don’t select oversized lighting fixtures
• Consider adding additional lighting. Adequate lighting is vital for a small bathroom.

Doors:

• Replace worn doors and hardware
• Install a pocket door to save space

Windows:

• Having natural light in a bathroom makes it appear larger.
• If you’d like a window over the tub or in the shower stall consider using glass bricks which create privacy but afford more light
• Blinds or Roman shades are nice window treatments.
• Overusing curtain or drapery will make the bathroom appear smaller

Now that you know what you want, it’s time to estimate the total cost. Select bath fixtures, lights, flooring, paint or wallpaper, and other materials you’ll need. Depending on costs and budget, you’ll either move ahead or begin to eliminate and substitute items for lower cost selections.

Now that you have made all of the important choices and satisfied the constraints of your budget, you’re ready to create a plan of action.

Decide if you will tackle this project yourself or if you need to hire a contractor and plumber. If you are highly skilled and able to do the installations and makeover yourself, then you can save a lot of money.

This is the part where most people err on the wrong side and don’t anticipate the time it will truly take to complete the project. Take a good estimate of the time needed and then add at least twenty-four hours to the total. This typically will give you more than enough time to handle any setbacks, obstacles or unexpected issues that can arise during a remodeling job. By allowing for a lenient timetable, your bathroom makeover will be less stressful.

If your bathroom is getting a complete overhaul, then you’ll need to remove all of the fixtures, flooring and light fixtures.

If you are only changing out part of the bathroom, it’s best to remove all of the items being replaced first. Once everything is removed and the debris is cleaned up, you’ll have a good workspace.

Set the cabinet and sink as well as the tub. Next paint or wallpaper the walls, and then install the flooring. If you have a contractor doing the job, s/he will handle this work for you. It’s your job to check behind the workers to be sure you're getting what you want and you're paying for.

There are some design elements you can add to your small bathroom to give the illusion it’s bigger.

• Use light colors. A light-colored bathroom will appear larger than a dark-colored one will.
• Choose light fixtures and cabinets that are in scale with the space. Crowding a space to its fullest capacity only emphasizes it’s too small. Be mindful of your space when making selections.
• Mirrors. A full length mirror on the bathroom door will help create the illusion of space. A mirror over the sink is essential. Be careful not to over do this design element or you’ll end up with a funhouse effect of too many reflections.
• Lighting. Have good lighting so the bathroom will appear bright and inviting.
• Be consistent. You want your design to be consistent and flow from one area or fixture to the other. Don’t mix and match sink and tub faucet designs. Keep uniformity with these and towel racks or bars. If your theme is polished brass, don’t install chrome towel racks.
• Shower curtains. These need to be unobtrusive in the space. A solid light colored shower curtain that matches the walls will keep the space open and light.
• Towels and bathmats. Matching colors will keep the feel of design flow.

Don’t forget the accent touches that can make your bathroom pop. Keep these small and minimal. Only add two or three to carry out the color scheme and overall design theme from one side of the room to the other.

You can add:

• Series of matching miniature pictures
• Same color frames
• Small bouquet of flowers
• Colored glass stones in a vase
• Matching tissue holder, soap tray and toothbrush holder

Whatever you choose to do with your small master bathroom makeover, make sure it reflects your personal design style so you’ll enjoy it for a long time.

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• Common Themes for Teenage Bedrooms
• Designing for Small Spaces
• Basics of Color Design
• Asian Style Interior Design

• Drapery Patterns
• Using Cork Board in Interior Design
• Bathroom Decorating Ideas
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