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When you start calling around to contractors to get a quote on remodeling your “small bathroom,” you might be surprised by the small number of responses you receive. On the other hand, you might get a large response from contractors who think you have a small, quick project. The key to successfully remodeling a small bathroom is to think creatively and to think primarily about space.
There are enough types and styles of fixtures and accessories available today to enable you to have a fully-functional, even luxurious small bathroom. There are also abundant ideas about how to use limited spaces to the maximum. If you are willing to think creatively about how you use space, design and color, a small bathroom can actually “feel” spacious and luxurious.
To remodel small bathroom spaces for maximum spaciousness and functionality, you must first learn to think small.
§Choose either a tub or a shower; if you choose a tub, select one that is smaller but deeper.
§Choose a taller but more compact toilet
§Eliminate cabinets and vanities
§Choose a sleek pedestal sink or a wall mounted sink – the smaller the better
§Use towel rings rather than rods wherever possible
Next find ways to position items so as to use the smallest amount of space within the room:
§Put in a behind-the-mirror cabinet for toiletries
§Cut a niche or two into the wall for decorative items or such things as towels, etc.
§Use small shelves under the sink (attached to the wall) for towels, washcloths, etc.
§Consider recessed into the way shallow cabinets instead of deep free-standing ones
§Add shelves above the toilet for decorative items or for storage
§The less you have protruding from the walls, the bigger the space will look
Now use color, design and light to make the room look bigger.
§Use lighter and brighter colors or cool colors
§Use vertical stripes (wallpaper or paint) to draw the eye upward and create the feeling of
spaciousness
§Choose a wallpaper design with a vertical pull
§Add a border at the top of the walls
§Use larger, unframed mirrors to reflect light
§Don't use dark or bulky fabrics for curtains
§Use only a valence-type curtain at windows
§Use glass block or other types of windows and don't use curtains, blinds or shades
§Position light fixtures where they will reflect the most light from mirrors and other items
§Use very few small decorative items
§Use a tube light to brighten the room with sunlight
§Use a clear glass tub or shower enclosure
Finally, add the luxury of a home spa:
§Choose a whirlpool or spa tub
§Install a multiple-head shower massage and steam insert for the shower
§Use fogless mirrors
§Install radiant heat in the floor
§Buy a tub with an in-line heater to keep the water warm longer and save energy
§Add an instant water heater if the bathroom is some distance from the water heater
§Add sound board to contain sounds
With these tips you should be able to make design decisions and purchasing choices that will allow you to remodel a small bathroom that feels larger and offers all the comforts and pleasures of a larger room.
Copyright 2007 by ABCD Publishing
Not all bathrooms can be lavish spaces with whirlpool tubs and two separate vanities. For some bathrooms, space is at a premium and knocking out walls is not an option, but remodeling must be done. Small bathroom remodeling presents its own complications, but with the right information, a small bathroom-remodeling project can shine.
Before beginning your small bathroom remodeling, design a floor plan that maximizes the room's useable space. Don't be afraid to design up by incorporating free-floating cabinets. Use mirrors to stretch a small bathroom's space, and keep the color scheme simple. Keep a small bathroom bright, fresh, and inviting with coordinated colors and accessories.
Pare down the scale in your bathroom. Big items take up more space in the bathroom and look bulky. Corner sinks are simple and small. These sinks free up visual space below, but don't provide the counter space and cabinet space that a traditional sink provides. Another option is a pedestal sink. These sinks have a more classic design and are free standing. Wall-mounted sinks save space but do not have counter space. Both types of sinks do not provide storage space underneath. Most home-improvement stores stock smaller sinks, or you can custom order one from a cabinet shop for a price.
A simple way to conserve space is to do away with a tub and just use a shower. Smaller tubs, however, are available, although most cannot handle whirlpool faucets. Any tub less than five feet long will probably spill the water sprayed by the whirlpool faucets.
Pick a toilet that can sit close to the wall to conserve space, and the size of the seat and tank design determine just how much space the toilet will use. Also pay attention to the size of the home's original toilet. Older homes have toilets with 10 to 14 inches between the wall and the toilet drain, but newer homes typically have 12 inches. The wrong toilet won't fit. Buying a toilet with a low tank takes up less visual space and compact toilets leave more room, but as with any small bathroom remodeling project, use these suggestions to find a toilet that is both stylish and fits in the room.
Finally, limit what you bring into the bathroom. To save space in a cramped bathroom, for example, it may be best to have a dressing area in a bedroom. Limit the number of accessories -- clutter can easily make a small bathroom look smaller.
Planning a small remodeling may take extra planning, but the resulting clean, beautiful, an uncluttered bathroom will be an inviting space.