How Can I Make a Small Bathroom Inviting?

A few simple touches can turn a bathroom from sterile to cozy in a flash.

Your bathroom should be fit for royalty, whether it's a closet-sized space in a studio apartment or part of a master suite. Small bathrooms can be just as inviting as their large, spa-like counterparts with a few simple, inexpensive tricks. If you're handy, you can make an even bigger splash.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Scrub everything from the faucet to the grout. Get on your hands and knees to get into the nooks left neglected by the mop. Don't forget the walls. A spotless bathroom can make even the tiniest space more inviting.

2. Toss anything in your drawers and on your shelves that's past its prime, such as expired medicines, the dregs of hair gel and that decade-old bottle of unused body wash. If you haven't used it by now, you never will. Buy baskets, racks and organizers to house whatever survives the culling so it doesn't feel like your bathroom is closing in on you.

3. Install a glass medicine cabinet and mirrors on the walls. Glass will expand your sense of space without the need to knock down walls.

4. Replace dreary shower heads, faucets, door handles and switch plates with new ones in your style. Replace your old toilet seat and cover with something attractive that makes people think of it as the throne it is. While the up-or-down debate has been raging for generations, the answer here is simple: Close the lid for maximum design impact. Add a touch of romance with a few candles or flowers.

5. Paint your walls in bright, bold colors that draw people in. A jazzy red can be overwhelming in a large space but just right in a cozy bathroom. Show no fear.

6. Replace the toilet and sink with something modern and attractive. Old bathrooms can benefit a lot from this face lift. Eco-friendly water-efficient toilets can even save you money in the long run.

7. Change your light bulbs. You'll want soft lighting that's bright enough for shaving and applying makeup but not so bright that it feels antiseptic. Sconces are effective at muting light and directing it where you want it.

Tips & Warnings

• Replacing a toilet or sink requires plumbing skills and can be dangerous for a beginner. Have a professional or experienced amateur tackle the project if you don't have the necessary skills.

References

• Home and Garden Television: Small Bathroom Design
• Remodeling My Space: Small Bathrooms

Resources

• A Bathroom Guide
• Jill Vegas: Speed Decorating