How to Design a Small Spaced Bathroom

The key to designing any small space is to make the most of every available square inch, whether horizontal or vertical. A bathroom should be functional as well as beautiful with as much storage space as possible in its small dimensions. With the careful choosing of fixtures and accessories even a small bathroom can have the character and conveniences of a larger space.

Instructions

1. Decide where you'll put the largest fixture first. For most bathrooms, this is a shower or bathtub. A glass shower enclosure will take up less visual space and make the room appear larger.

2. Choose a toilet with a small footprint and profile. Place it where the door will not open onto it, either blocking it or bumping it.

3. Select your sink. A pedestal sink works well in small spaces but offers no storage. Consider a small vanity that has some open space as well as a drawer or shelf.

4. Choose light colors for the paint and any tile you're using. Darker colors tend to swallow up the space and make a room feel cozier, something you don't need in a small bathroom.

5. Use the space above the toilet by hanging a cabinet or shelving unit on the wall or using a free-standing storage unit that is designed to fit around the toilet.

6. Install some recessed shelving into the wall opposite the sink to give you more storage space. Open shelving helps the room appear larger.

7. Choose a medicine cabinet as your mirror to offer more storage. Today's cabinets go beyond the old-fashioned metal ones, with appealing designs and larger mirrors.

8. If possible, install a skylight or window to make the room brighter and airier. Choose streamlined lighting fixtures, and use the brightest bulbs you can.

9. Tame your clutter. Crowding the bathroom with unnecessary items will only make it appear smaller.

References

• Designing small bathrooms