How to Remodel a Galley Size Bathroom

Remodel your galley sized bathroom to create an illusion of more space.

It's time to remodel your galley sized--small and narrow--bathroom. Remodeling your bathroom does not necessitate replacing the bathtub, shower or sink. Removing unnecessary items and designing for the space constitutes a remodel, as well. When selecting items to incorporate in your galley sized bathroom, select light colored items, as light colors make a room look and feel larger. Incorporate minimal dark accent items in the room.

Things You'll Need

• Ceiling paint
• Interior paint
• Ceiling molding
• Paintbrush
• Paint tray
• Paint roller
• Plastic
• Ceiling trim
• Finishing nails
• Hammer
• Curtains
• Glass shower door or glass-walled shower (optional)
• Wall-mount vanity (optional)
• Linen cabinet (optional)
• Space-saving toilet (optional)

Instructions

1. Remove all removable items from your bathroom and take inventory of your items. Select six of your favorite items to incorporate in your bathroom remodel. Cluttering a galley sized bathroom makes the room feel and look small.

2. Lay plastic over your vanity, floor and toilet. This prevents ceiling paint from splattering on those items, which could cause you to replace them.

3. Paint the ceiling white in your bathroom. A white ceiling creates an illusion of a bright, large room.

4. Paint the walls in your bathroom a light paint color. Allow the paint to dry before moving on to the next step.

5. Measure your bathroom ceiling with your tape measure by measuring each wall. Bring the measurements with you to a home improvement center and select white ceiling trim for the bathroom. Have a store employee cut your bathroom ceiling trim to your measurements.

6. Install your bathroom ceiling trim. Have a helper hold a piece of the ceiling trim in place and secure by nailing the trim to the wall with finishing nails and your hammer. This creates an illusion of greater depth in the ceiling and bathroom.

7. Replace your decorative accent items in your bathroom. Select a maximum of six items for the bathroom. This prevents the bathroom from becoming cluttered.

8. Hang light, sheer curtains as your bathroom window treatment. Sheer curtains allow the natural sunlight to enter the bathroom causing it to look and feel larger. They also add a decorative touch the room.

9. Remove your bathtub, if you have one, and install a glass-walled shower according to the manufacturer's instructions. Installing a shower in place of your bathtub saves space in a small bathroom. Shut off the water in the bathroom at the main water supply and disconnect the plumbing from the bathtub before removing it, as this prevents accidental flooding. Alternately, install a glass shower door on your bathtub to add an illusion of space.

10. Remove the vanity in your galley sized bathroom and install a wall-mount vanity. A wall-mount vanity increases the floor space in the bathroom and uses the same plumbing as your current vanity.

11. Incorporate a narrow linen cabinet in your bathroom for storage. Store your toiletries and bathroom items in the cabinet to prevent visible clutter.

12. Replace your traditional sized toilet with a smaller toilet, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Toilets come in a large variety of sizes, colors and shapes. A smaller toilet increases the space in your galley-sized bathroom.

References

• A Bathroom Guide: Design For Small Bathrooms
• This Old House: Big Help for Small Bathrooms