Small Bathroom Designs - Ideas that Will Freshen Up Your Home
There has never been a better time to take advantage of small bathroom designs to help you learn to love the home you’re in. By applying some simple and cost effective ideas you can remodel a cramped little bathroom into a space you can't just live with, but enjoy. Whether you are going for a full blown remodel or a simple redecorating job, reviving your bathroom can increase the value of your property and make your entire house feel refreshed.
Design Ideas: Kiss It
While 'keep it simple, stupid' sounds like old news, it is critical when dealing with a small bathroom design and renovation. From the floor plan to wall solutions, less is more. Your best bet is to sketch out your design ideas before you make any big decisions. Layout a floor plan that incorporates the least possible furniture and accessories. Avoid designs with vanities and other items that protrude. You want to keep as much open floor space as possible. Luckily, there are many low profile space saving versions of the fixtures you will need. These are available at most do it yourself stores as well as decorator supply houses.
The planning phase of any remodeling job is the perfect time to address questions regarding budget and labor. If you will need professional help to implement your small bathroom design, the planning phase is the best time to contact professionals. This will help you answer key questions such as whether or not it will be necessary to move plumbing, tear down walls or make other structural changes.
Fixtures: Corner Showers And Cabinets Are Your Friends
Clearly the most popular trend in small bathroom designs is substituting a corner shower instead of a bathtub. It’s easy to understand why since the normally underutilized bathtub takes up more than its fair share of real estate. Today’s designs show plenty of clear glass shower doors since they give a brighter more open feeling. If you really can’t live without a tub, then go for the smallest one possible and consider a clear glass enclosure instead of a curtain. Corner vanities are also a trend that help to make the most of the space while preserving storage capacity. For traditional cabinets, hanging them above the vanity or above the commode helps to keep the floor clear and maximize unused territory. If storage or counter space is not an issue, a pedestal sink is a good alternative to a traditional vanity.
Decor Ideas: Color And Reflection
Conventional wisdom in current small bathroom design says keep colors neutral and add bold colors sparingly for contrast. Following this makeover scheme is always a safe bet. Bright soft colors from floor to ceiling will make your room feel larger. Pastels nearly always work well. That doesn’t mean you have to decorate in pink or blue, but stick with warm muted tones in soft colors. Tiles can be used to accentuate the look you are going for. Colors that are complementary but contrasting are a good choice if you are little more daring. You can still retain the illusion of space with bold splashes of color against gentle tones but get a more modern look. Keep in mind that dark rooms look smaller so choose your colors carefully. Mirrors, particularly full length mirrors, will add depth to your room and reflect light. Lighting can greatly improve the look of any room as a brightly lit room almost always feels larger. Natural lighting is your best solution but if a window or skylight is not practical, light fixtures can do the job.
You can use strategically placed artwork to give the feeling of a bright window. If you really want to go all out, a painted mural is ideal. The point is to combine your use of mirrors with minimal art to reinforce the feeling that your room is larger than it actually is. The trick is to retain some open wall space while accenting your overall look. If you have a question about whether or not a picture might be too much, skip it. Remember, less is more.
How to Plan and Design Bathrooms - A complete guide on Bathroom Design, ranging from simple to luxury installations. |
Last Words Of Advice
You’ve labored over small bathroom designs, you prepped and painted, installed and hung. Your renovation is complete. When it’s time to put everything you need back in place to make this a working bathroom, stop right there. Make sure you don’t overload your brand new lavatory with odds and ends that will create a cluttered look. Even the best makeover can be spoiled by too much bric-a-brac. You will also need to develop a plan for keeping your shiny new room uncluttered and free of extraneous items. A monthly sweep through the room should do the trick. Now all that’s left is to enjoy the fruits of our small bathroom design ideas and your own labor.
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