How to Redo a Small Basement Bathroom With a Low Ceiling
A basement bathroom with a low ceiling can turn into a cramped, gloomy space faster than any other room in the house. While the architectural limitations and minimal light can present some serious design challenges, the right use of paint, mirrors, storage space and some decorating tips can make your basement bathroom the bright, inviting space you always hoped it would be. Grab a sketchbook and head downstairs to let the design inspiration flow. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Sheer curtains
- Mirrored medicine cabinet
- Decorative mirror or self-adhesive mirror tiles
- Sunken shelving
- Fabric skirt
- Wall sconces
- Floor to ceiling curtains
- Framed pictures
Instructions
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Survey your bathroom and determine if there are any features you want to highlight. While basement bathrooms tend to be cramped, they may have architectural features that give them personality. Make note of these features, such as exposed brick, cinder block walls, bare piping and odd corners and angles. Many times, a little creativity is all you need to turn these so-called flaws into artistic focal points.
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Let in as much natural light as you can. If adding or enlarging a window isn’t an option, at least keep the window space you do have open and unblocked. If you choose to use curtains, stick to light-colored sheer fabrics to help maintain an airy, spacious feel throughout the room.
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Multiply the space with one or more mirrors. This is an age-old trick that works in nearly any room, particularly a small one with limited lighting. Opt for a single, decorative mirror, a wall of self-adhesive mirror tiles or anything in between.
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Make the most of your storage space. In a bathroom where every inch is precious, try creating storage in as many hidden spots as you can. Hang a mirrored medicine cabinet, install sunken shelves above the tub or add a fabric skirt around the sink to make a place for storing cleaning supplies.
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Decorate with whites and pale colors as these serve to open up the room and make it look bigger. If you must incorporate darker colors, limit them to small accents throughout the room.
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Add wall sconces where appropriate. Since wall sconces direct light upward, they create the illusion that the ceiling is higher than it is.
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Keep your bathroom simple and uncluttered. Nothing makes a room feel small and cramped faster than cluttered surfaces. If you want to show off your collection of knick-knacks, save it for an upstairs room with plenty of space.
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Incorporate vertical lines into your décor. This doesn’t mean you have to plaster the room with striped wallpaper. Instead, hang floor to ceiling curtains, hang pictures in columns and choose artwork with strong vertical lines.
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Trick the eyes to make the ceiling appear higher than it is. Use simple techniques, such as removing chair rail molding and hanging art a few inches higher than normal. If the room has baseboards or molding, paint it the same color as the walls to create the perception of height throughout the room.
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References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
