How to Redesign a Small Bathroom

Using plants and small pieces of furniture can make a small bathroom more inviting.

A small bathroom is often called a half-bathroom because it lacks a shower or bathtub. Many times, these bathrooms are located in an area of the home that allows guests easy access. As such, some like to specially design and decorate this bathroom to make it more pleasing for guests.

Instructions

1. Determine your budget for the remodel, and how you're going to fund it. Renovating a smaller bathroom is cheaper than renovating a full bathroom, but the cost of the project will be higher if you install new fixtures as opposed to just repaint the walls, for instance. Decide whether it's best for you to use your savings, credit cards or apply for a personal loan to fund the remodel.

2. Decide on the theme, or style, of the redesign. This provides a guide when choosing the different elements of the project, including the paint scheme, the lighting, how the floor will be re-done, what any new fixtures will look like, and even the type of towels and washcloths you'll purchase for the bathroom.

3. Design the walls of the bathroom. You can do something as basic as repainting them, or you could install a tile backsplash that climbs halfway up the wall. You can also paint stencils on the wall, or hang a wallpaper border to decorate the walls and break up the monotony of a plainly painted wall.

4. Decide on a new surface for the floor. Many bathrooms use tile or stone because of the resistance to water damage, but hardwood flooring is also an option, especially if the bathroom has a country design.

5. Choose new lighting for the bathroom. Again, the overall decor comes into play. For instance, if the bathroom has a warm, country design, you don't want to install harsh fluorescent lighting. If the bathroom has a window, take advantage of the natural light by using blinds or curtains that will let the sunlight shine in.

6. Choose the new fixtures for the bathroom, again following the overarching theme. Older-style faucet handles won't fit in well in a bathroom that has a modern, cutting-edge feel.

Tips & Warnings

• Measure up before you buy

References

• The Family Handyman.com: How to Remodel Your Bathroom Without Destroying It
• Remodeling.com: Ways to Speed the Bath Remodeling Process; Nina Patel; December 9. 2010
• This Old House: Bathrooms