Remodeling a compact bathroom to appear more spacious and functional doesn’t necessarily mean expanding your home’s physical footprint. Often, space constraints, zoning regulations, budget limitations, or even the desire to keep the original structure intact make it impractical to increase the square footage of your bathroom. However, you can achieve remarkable transformations through thoughtful fixture choices, clever storage solutions, lighting, color schemes, and styling. Let’s explore five brilliant small bathroom remodeling ideas that can give your space a fresh and customized look.
Elevate the Ceiling Height
You might be surprised to discover that a small bathroom can exude a sense of spaciousness. Even a bathroom as small as 50 square feet, like the one measuring 5 feet in width and 10 feet in length, can appear surprisingly roomy. The secret lies in the high ceiling, which creates an illusion of extra space. While cathedral ceilings may not suit every room, they work wonders in smaller bathrooms, where energy loss due to excessive height is minimal.
For a contemporary twist, consider a double sink setup supported by a cantilevered bathroom counter. Cantilevers are a clever structural method that allows an item to be supported from just one side, eliminating the need for additional support posts or columns.
Rethink the Bathtub
Modern bathtubs have evolved beyond the dull, space-consuming structures of the past. Instead of tucking a standard wall-mounted tub into a corner, consider making the tub the focal point of your bathroom. A double-ended tub with centrally located fixtures can serve as a stunning centerpiece. At night, you can relax on one side and stargaze through a skylight, while during the day, you can recline in the opposite direction, basking in the natural light streaming through the windows. Keep the bathroom decor minimal to enhance the sense of space, incorporating only essential elements like a wall cabinet and generously sized windows.
Strategic Mirror Placement
Mirrors in a bathroom serve more than just the practical purpose of reflection. They can visually expand the space and amplify available light, creating the illusion of a larger bathroom. When placing a bathtub against a wall, which might lead to the bather facing a blank surface, solve this issue by adding a mirror that allows bathers to view the open space behind them while bathing. Mirrors work best when paired with lighter-colored walls to maximize brightness. If you have tiled walls, consider painting them rather than replacing them, especially in low-impact areas like tile surrounds or backsplashes.
Conceal the Toilet Tank and Pedestal
Wall-hung toilets present a sleek and minimalist aesthetic that saves space. The key to their efficiency lies in the absence of two space-consuming elements: the tank and the pedestal. The tank is cleverly built into the spaces between the wall studs and concealed by the wall finish. Additionally, wall-hung toilets lack a floor base, further reducing their visual and physical footprint. While these toilets may be pricier than their floor-mounted counterparts, the reclaimed space in a small bathroom can be well worth the investment. Professional installation is often required, but the result is a space-efficient and stylish toilet solution.
Unlock Hidden Space with a Medicine Cabinet
Gone are the days of old, creaky, and rusty medicine cabinets. Modern medicine cabinets are designed with spacious interiors, high-quality wood, tempered glass, and flush integration into the bathroom wall. Consider a contemporary medicine cabinet made of dark wood, offering multiple shelves and sleek, linear styling. To save even more space, opt for a recessed medicine cabinet with shelf compartments that sit within the wall, leaving only the mirror visible on the surface. This approach maximizes storage and enhances the bathroom’s overall aesthetics.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, small bathroom remodeling is a creative endeavor that focuses on making the most of limited space. By elevating the ceiling, choosing the right fixtures, placing mirrors strategically, concealing the toilet tank and pedestal, and incorporating modern medicine cabinets, you can transform your small bathroom into a stylish and functional oasis.