A small bathroom can absolutely put a damper on your early mornings and relaxing evenings. It can be difficult to get ready in the morning, hard to find the space for all your toiletries, and tough to share if you have a large family. But this doesn’t have to be the case! There are plenty of ways to make your space more luxurious, functional, and fun. Bonus: Bathroom renovations can give your home value a boost! If you’re thinking about moving, a remodeled small bathroom could be key to getting sellers interested. Here are some great small bathroom remodel ideas you can take advantage of right away.
If you’re opting to remodel your small bathroom, we’re here to help! Give CW Service Pros a call at 972-395-2597.
1. Bathtub, Standing Shower, or a Combo?
Just because you currently have a standalone tub or a large shower in your bathroom doesn’t mean you can’t switch it up! There are pros and cons to both, though, that you should consider.
Showers, for example, take up less space and are much more accessible than bathtubs. But they tend to count for less if you’re looking to increase your home’s value. A tub is generally more sought-after by homebuyers and has the added benefit of being more affordable than a shower. Showers, on the other hand, generally use less water than baths.
Another option is a shower and bathtub combo. It may be a bit more expensive, but it will cover all the bases. You can take a quick shower or relax in the bath, and your home will be more valuable if you decide to sell.
Keep in mind that the combo design can take up more space than a shower alone.
2. Which to Choose: Shower Curtain or Glass Shower Door?
Both a shower curtain and a glass shower door have their pros and cons when it comes to a small bathroom. It can be difficult to choose which is best for your house.
A glass door can absolutely open up the bathroom a bit more and, like a mirror, make the room appear larger than it is. This is especially the case if you opt for minimal hardware. However, swinging glass doors can be tough on bathrooms that have minimal space as they have to open into the room and may not be an option if you just don’t have the space.
Shower curtains can make a room feel tighter. They can act as a sort of pseudo-wall, giving the impression the room is smaller than it is. This is especially the case if you opt for a dark shower curtain. But if you don’t have a space for the swinging glass door, a shower curtain can fit in that tighter area perfectly. This is also a great option if you have a curved bathtub, where design doesn’t allow for a shower door.
When it comes to deciding, carefully weigh the pros and cons to each. You also want to take your bathroom’s design into account before making a final decision, as you don’t want to create a jarring effect.
3. Be Creative with Your Storage
Small bathrooms often have very limited space for storage, even after a remodel. But you need to fit everything in there, from towels to toilet paper. Using space-saving techniques can be a lifesaver. Here are a few great tips to help you get creative with your bathroom storage:
- Use all the space available, including under the sinks, in the closets, behind the doors, over the tub and toilet, and optimizing any shelving you have in the room.
- Place your towel bars, hooks, or racks behind or on the bathroom door
- Use hanging door pouches to hold brushes, makeup, and other small items.
- Set your medicine cabinet and other shelving into the walls.
- Hang a medicine cabinet above the toilet, so you can hang a larger mirror above the sink, helping the room appear larger.
4. Use Effective Patterns and Colors
Just like in other rooms of your house, the patterns and colors you use on everything from hardware to the walls can do a lot to make your bathroom look larger—or smaller—than it actually is.
You can be smart with colors and patterns by cutting down on the details. Decorative tiling, for instance, can make a room feel more crowded than it is. Try keeping the design to a maximum of two colors to ensure the bathroom isn’t too busy. You can also use diagonally placed tile on the floor or add a large-scale pattern, such as a wide stripe, to get a similar effect!
White and gray options should be considered as well. They can add an airy and light feeling to a room, perfect for creating the relaxing atmosphere homeowners usually want in their bathrooms. You can achieve a similar effect by adding art that uses perspective. It adds dimension to the space. But it’s important to choose a piece you won’t mind losing; the humidity in the room will ruin it over time.
5. Add Mirrors
A mirror or two is a must in the bathroom! Whether you’re getting a standalone mirror for above the sink or you want one on your medicine cabinet, these additions can do wonders to making a room seem bigger. They add a sense of openness to the room, but also reflect light to get the desired effect.
6. Pay Attention to Lighting
Lighting and mirrors play together well in all places, but especially in small places. Like patterns and colors, the right lights can make a room appear much larger than it is. You could select lighted medicine cabinets or mirrors, under-cabinet lights, or mounted ceiling lights. All three create that open appearance your bathroom needs. And opting for dimming lights can create an amazing mood when you just want to relax after a tough day at work.
Try to choose wall-mount fixtures over dangling lights, as dangling lights can have the opposite effect on the room, making it feel much more crowded than it actually is. You want the room to remain open as much as possible.
7. Opt for a Compact Toilet
If you’re really tight on space, you can save even more room by opting for a compact toilet. Check out these choices:
- An elongated toilet saves on space by being longer than it is wide. However, their narrowness can be uncomfortable for some. They can also be troublesome if your bathroom doesn’t have the depth needed.
- A toilet with a round front is two to three inches shorter than elongated toilets and can be a great choice if you’re tight on both width and depth.
- A tankless toilet doesn’t need much width, but it does require wall clearance. Tankless toilets are also pretty expensive; some standard models can cost up to $3,000.
- A wall-mounted toilet, like those used in commercial restrooms, is less expensive than a tankless model and great on space—you could end up saving nine inches in length. The drawback is that a wall-mounted bowl can’t hold much weight. With care, however, it can last up to 30 years.
To find the right toilet for your home and space, speak with a professional. They can make sure you understand your options and ensure you’re choosing the best toilet for the space available and your plumbing.
A small bathroom may not physically be much bigger after a remodel, but if you take the right steps, it will certainly feel bigger! Changing up the lighting; opting for the right vanity and faucet; and choosing the correct patterns, colors, and tiling can make all the difference for your bathroom.
Are you planning a bathroom remodel in the near future? Need a new toilet installed? Talk with us! We can ensure your new plumbing is installed correctly and even remove your old pieces! When you’re ready to chat, give us a call at 972-395-2597 to talk about your plans for your bathroom.
