10 tips for small bathrooms
Since we live and work in a Jacksonville's historic Avondale / Riverside neighborhood, it shouldn't be surprising that one of our most common requests is to remodel or "create" a small bathroom. At this point I consider myself an expert on the subject, so if you are looking to pull a bathroom out of thin "space" here are a few tips:
1. White and Light! I can't say it enough - white makes a room look bigger. So if you want to give a bathroom the feeling of a little more space, use white a lot! Weather its floor tiles or bead board, keep it clean. And if white is not your thing, then choose light, bright colors. Light colors enliven a space while dark muted colors make it feel small.
2. Keep your toilet small and simple! Steer away from an elongated toilet in small spaces. They only take up space and most derrieres can do without the extra room. Chances are you grew up sitting on a toilet that was pretty small! There are some great round toilets in every style.
3. Storage, the sky is the limit! Need a linen closet but don't have the extra space, think again. In our area most of our clients have ceiling heights around 9 or 10 feet. If this is the case for you, then one of our favorite tricks is to add storage over the bath / shower area. Since these areas really don't need to be over 7'6, our clients are able to get quite a bit of storage from this under-utilized area, which means a lot of extra space for towels, toilet paper and of course, bath accessories. Also, consider doing a built-in medicine cabinet. It will give you extra storage for your every day items without encroaching upon your much needed space.
4. Wonderboard: do it once, do it right! Don't make the mistake of trying to patch up what you've got, this can not only lead to cracking tiles but serious mold growth. Whether it's plaster, gypsum board or something else it's really just best to rip everything out and start from the studs. Use a product like Wonderboard which is moisture-resistant and has a high-flexural strength.
5. Smaller is Bigger! When selecting tiles for a small bathroom stay away from tiles that are larger than 6". Large tiles will make the room feel claustrophobic while small tiles will make your bathroom feel bigger.
6. Plumbing wall! When possible, place your toilet, sink, and shower or tub along one wall to reduce plumbing costs and give your bathroom a clean, organized look.
7. The illusion of space! Frameless glass shower doors allow you to maximize space and will give your bathroom an uncluttered feel. By eliminating the break in space caused by shower walls and curtains, they have the much desired result of giving your bathroom the illusion of endless space. Large mirrors can make a small bathroom seem bright and spacious. Place a mirror on the long wall of your bathroom, over your vanity and toilet, and your bathroom will instantly look wider.
8. Doors! If there is no other reason to draw plans before you start building, do it for door swings. Since bathroom doors typically swing in, they can take up a large amount of space. Make sure your door swing does not interfere with your other fixtures, i.e. your toilet, sink, or tub/shower. If your space is really tight, think about using a pocket door instead.
9. Lighting: Be sure to install multiple lighting fixtures in order to avoid shadows and to create a bright space. Recessed lighting provides invisible ambient light while wall scones give you task specific lighting needed for shaving and applying make up. Consider installing a light in your shower or bathtub area to brighten up that space as well. Bathroom lighting should be bright, uniform, and glare-free.
10. Ventilation: Proper ventilation will prevent moisture from getting trapped in the bathroom, which can lead to mold and mildew growth. Choose an exhaust fan according to the cubic feet per minute of air it moves. To find how out much you need, divide the cubic footage of the room by 7.5. Look for a fan that generates 6.5 sones or less of noise. (source: This Old House)