Does Size Matter?
When it comes to bathrooms in our homes, conventional wisdom tells us that bigger is most definitely better. Who wouldn’t want a gorgeous walk-in shower, a full soaking tub, double sinks, floor-to-ceiling frosted windows, a relaxation/spa area, and chandeliers all elegantly arranged in a stunning spacious environment? Well, it’s pretty safe to say that we all would, but, unfortunately, the dream of having a bathroom the size of a garage remains just a dream for most of us. However, just because you may not have the square footage or home layout to accommodate an oversized and spacious bathroom, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything to do but settle for small. In fact, there are plenty of steps you can take during your bathroom renovation to best utilize the space and materials you do have to create something spectacular.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at 3 simple concepts and principles you can incorporate in your bathroom remodel that will not only help give you fabulous space, but also make your space fabulous.
1. Be Careful of the Color
Every designer in every medium will tell you that color plays an incredibly important role in our perception of art and space, and that influence goes so far beyond just hues, pigments, and preferences. For the purposes of making our bathrooms feel bigger and more spacious, lighter colors are most certainly the way to go.
Smaller spaces are usually void of an excess of wonderful natural light (more on that later), and lighter colors will help to better reflect the light that is available and give your remodel the powerful illusion of space. Lighter colors also tend to help our moods, and will give you a more positive feeling every time you start your hygiene routine.
That being said, it isn’t just the color that matters, but how we use it as well. When space is tight, continuing color is your friend. That means choosing a color you love and using it all over the walls, ceilings, and even the floors creating seamless transitions can help have an incredible effect on the perception of depth and space. This passion for congruence should continue into any additional materials or colors you may add to your design like tiles, or accessories like rugs or window curtains.
Tip: When choosing tile, pick a color that fits seamlessly with the color of your walls (or vice versa) to add texture to your design without losing the space created by the color.
2. Unload Your Commode
Let’s face it: most of us don’t use our bathrooms for just the essentials. They too often become storage places for household cleaning items, cat litter boxes, dirty laundry receptacles and more. To truly add space to your existing bathroom size, try nailing down exactly what you need in a bathroom and stick to that for your remodel.
When it comes to the items we do need, there are some alternative options to those traditional fixtures that we can employ to help save space. Instead of a bulky shower/tub combo, try simply opting for a shower stall. Not only will this help save space, but it will also help to give your bathroom a more modern look. Also, be sure to utilize glass doors and walls for your shower stall, as the transparent qualities of glass are stewards of space, and won’t impair your quest for that wide open feel.
For optimal space-freeing, sinks should be given the Olympic champion treatment and be put up on a pedestal. Pedestal sinks take up considerably less space than sinks entrenched in vanities or other cabinetry, and have a timeless look that suits any design esthetic. Plus, storage-less sinks will help de-clutter your bathroom and truly help add to those precious square feet of usable space.
Bulky toilets should be left behind for newer, smaller varieties that have a much more limited footprint. You can even consider a wall-mounted toilet for extra space saving.
Tip: If you’re a fan of the bidet, try ditching the second bowl and simply utilizing one of the many space-saving attachments for your toilet.
3. Let There Be (recessed) Light!
As we said earlier when talking about color, light, especially natural light, is of the utmost importance in smaller spaces. A well-lit bathroom won’t only help your space function its best, it’ll also help to illuminate nasty shadows and angles that reduce the perception of depth and make things in your loo feel too claustrophobic for comfort. Try combatting the claustrophobia by asking your designer to stick to recessed lighting throughout. This un-intrusive style of lighting things up will help ensure even coverage and won’t take up any extra space by hanging down from the ceiling.
More important than light of the electric variety is natural light, and that can only be achieved with windows or skylights. Even a small window will make a huge difference in not only the amount of light that reaches your space, but the perception of the room as well. If it’s in your budget, be sure to include at least one window to the outside in your design – you’ll be glad you did.
Tip: Work with your remodeling specialist to go over the best lighting options for your space. With their experience, they’ll be able to show you the best options to keep your area bright and shiny.
While all of these space-saving tips may be news to you, the talented designers and staff of ReBath know exactly how to take any space, regardless of size, and turn it into a beautiful, functional, and awesome bathroom that will be a feature of your home. Don’t let your bathroom remodel turn into an expensive DIY disaster; hire the pros at ReBath and they’ll help turn your seemingly limited space into unlimited enjoyment. Just because they’ve traditionally been called water closets, doesn’t mean your small bathroom needs to make you feel like you’re really doing your business in one – start planning your remodel today!
