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Not everyone is blessed to have large bathrooms. If you’re someone who lives in an apartment or a building, chances are, your bathroom space is limited. This often leads most owners to really not think about the design of their bathrooms. It simply becomes an afterthought. But as the saying goes “Great things come in small packages”. So instead of having your bathroom design as a mere afterthought, why not take advantage of this opportunity?
This is your opportunity to be a little bit more creative and to think outside the box. They say that a bathroom is a great representation of the owner’s personality. So why not take advantage of this opportunity to make a bold statement? Let your personality shine through your bathroom design and decor. Equipped with the right tips and knowledge, you’ll be able to easily achieve a great bathroom design that does not only look good but is also fully functional. Lucky for you, we made a list of amazing tips and tricks you can use when planning for your small bathroom.
Tip #1 Smart Storage
One of the biggest issues when it comes to small bathrooms is the lack of storage. If only bathrooms have the same amount of storage as kitchens do then the world would be a much better place. However, this is almost never the case. The best workaround for this is to be clever about your storage. When you don’t have the space to accommodate a closet inside your bathroom, the best alternative is to look for bathroom vanities with deep storage. If you can’t find a bathroom vanity with deep storage, you can also go for mirrored medicine cabinets with deep storage.
Tip #2 No Shower Doors
When working with small bathroom spaces, it’s best to avoid elements that you can. This second tip suggests skipping out on shower doors if you can. Shower doors can take up a lot of space. And if you’re working with bathrooms that are about 5-feet wide, then this tip is surely for you. However, if you are worried about water spilling everywhere, then the best compromise for that is a glass shower door. Having a glass shower door can definitely help you keep most of the water in the shower or tub.
Tip #3 No Swinging Doors
In line with tip #2, you can also try to replace your swinging doors with sliding doors. For pieces such as your closet or bathroom vanity, instead of sticking to the traditional swinging doors, you can replace them with sliding doors. As mentioned above, in a tight space, a swinging door can take up a lot of space. By replacing hinges with pocket doors, you will definitely be able to save space.
Tip #4 Make Use of Door Space
In order for a bathroom to be fully functional, you must think about the flow of the bathroom. In order to successfully plan your bathroom design, you have to consider your bathroom routine. What is the sequence of your bathroom routine? Once you have successfully determined that, you now have a framework to work with. However, even if you have a framework to follow, there is still one thing that can ruin the flow of your bathroom. And this is any obstruction in that flow.
In small bathrooms, one of the biggest obstructions is towel bars. In a typical bathroom, towel bars are placed on walls. However, this hack allows you to save space and avoid any obstructions by having your towel bars placed on your bathroom doors. Mounting your towel bars on the door not only saves space but also keeps your towels handy.
Tip #5 Focus on the Lighting
If your dream is to have a huge bathroom but can currently not have that at your home, then do the next best thing which is to create the illusion of a large bathroom. The best way to do this is to focus on getting the right lighting for your space. Having the right lighting gives you the ability to enhance the space of your bathroom. This then creates the illusion making the room appear larger than it actually is. Cove lighting is a great option for this as this gives the illusion of a high ceiling. However, if your bathroom is narrow, try to focus on one wall as this can make the room look more open.
Tip #6 Use Curtains
Another great tip is to place your curtains cleverly. If you’re considering not having a glass door, then a curtain is definitely the better option for you. A curtain moves back and forth and is a great alternative for a glass door. A glass door moves in and out which can take up more space. Take it a step further and opt for shower curtains that look more like drapes. Compared to an average plastic shower curtain, these look more elegant and modern.
Tip #7 Use Big Mirrors
Whether we’re talking about your bathroom or any other room in your home, huge mirrors are a great way of enhancing any space. Having a wall-to-wall mirror will definitely create another illusion of a vast space. In addition to this illusion, it also is extremely practical. When you have a bigger mirror, multiple can use at once.
Tip #8 Round Corners
Having round corners instead of sharp edges can also help you save up on space. On top of that, it also makes your bathroom a lot safer. Bathroom accidents are highly common in the United States. In fact, according to the CDC, thousands of homeowners are injured in their bathrooms annually. With rounded corners, not only are you saving more space, but you’re also saving yourself from hitting these sharp edges in a tight space.
Tip #9 Choose Art Wisely
Aside from mirrors, art can also create the illusion of a bigger space. Most designers would suggest hanging pieces of art that feature landscapes. This can bring another dimension to your bathroom. Whichever painting or art you choose to go with, be sure that it is pleasing to the eyes and something that appeals to you. However, when choosing art, you also have to keep in mind that the bathroom is not the most ideal place to hang great art. It is highly humid and can easily damage art. Art may also be in the form of statement light fixtures. Aside from concave lights, you can also make use of light pieces to highlight and enhance dark and hidden corners.
Tip #10 Use Colors
Most would definitely say that neutral colors work best for bathrooms as they bring in more light and can make the bathroom look more spacious and airy. However, you can always insert pops of color here and there to break the flatness and create layers. One great way of inserting pops of color is the use of colorful vases. You can also use color-coordinated trays or baskets in your bathroom. These would bring your bathroom to life and add more personality to the entire space.
Tip #11 Balance is Everything
As mentioned above, your bathroom should showcase your personality. This is your opportunity to make a bold statement. However, when you’re working with a small space it is best not to overcrowd your bathroom with colors and patterns. You can still be bold while not overdoing it. You can choose different patterns while sticking to a single color palette. This applies as well to your hardware. Ensure that everything is still coordinated. Lastly, be sure that when you’re playing with different textures, that it still matches everything such as your finishing touches.
Tip #12 Natural Lighting
Lighting is key to making any space look bigger but not all bathrooms are blessed to have a great source of natural lighting. However, for those who have windows in their bathrooms, it’d be best for you to work around your windows when you can. Design your bathroom by taking advantage of natural lighting. If you have a vanity in your bathroom where you do your morning skincare routine, makeup, or night skincare routine, place your vanity near the window. If you have the budget or time, you can even install a skylight in your bathroom to get more natural light.
Final Thoughts
Having a small bathroom may look disadvantageous at first but if you really think about it, it’s not that bad. In a way, you are able to spend more on the smaller quantity of pieces that you need to create a great bathroom. It must also be said that the most important thing when building your bathroom is to stick to a plan. You can make slight changes to it as you go but be sure that you stick to the overall theme and color palette that you originally planned. There are a lot of ways you can incorporate your personality into your bathroom space without overcrowding it. If you stray too far from your original plan, your bathroom may look disorganized.