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How to make the most out of a small bathroom

MIKE HOLMES newsroom@herald.ca @Make_it_right

The general rule is that if your home only has one bathroom, you should keep your tub. If you are tight on space but still want a tub, many smaller tubs or mini claw foot tub options exist. It’s great for relaxing or having kids or pets at home.

I get a lot of emails about bathrooms, and at some point, everyone wants to update their bathroom with a renovation. But what if you have a small bathroom? What can you do to make the small bathroom bigger?

For starters, you can work with your contractor to see if you have any extra space, perhaps with a nearby closet or an adjacent room, but please do it right. Hire the pros, especially when it comes to electrical and plumbing, and use quality products, like waterproof uncoupling membrane or underlayment for floor and wall tiles. Most importantly remember to get properly installed exhaust ventilation fans.

It won’t make your bathroom look bigger, but your renovation will last longer and protect you from rot, mould and mildew.

The general rule is that if your home only has one bathroom, you should keep your tub. If you are tight on space but still want a tub, many smaller tubs or mini claw foot tub options exist. It’s great for relaxing or having kids or pets at home.

However, depending on your use and space you may want to consider eliminating your bathtub and replacing it with a curbless glass shower. The continuous floor tiles throughout will help removes the visual separation in the room, creating the illusion of extra space. This is also great for aging in place, and if you are concerned about mobility issues in the future, I recommend adding a shower bench and grab bars. You can also consider a wet area with a linear floor drain instead.

Whether you decide on a shower or a shower/bath combination, consider adding wall niches for toiletries or installing corner or rectangular shelves within the tiled walls.

Stick with neutral paint colours because light colours make rooms appear larger. Use whites, off-whites, light blues, greens and greys. Avoid busy patterns that can be overwhelming, but don’t be afraid to add pops of colour or bold fixtures to make a statement. Accent walls break up the space, making it feel bigger like an area rug does to a floor. Even darker colours on an accent wall will make a room feel more significant.

Ceramic or porcelain tiles are the best option for a bathroom as they are affordable, durable, and available in various colours and patterns. You can even get tiles that mimic marble and hardwood planks without drawbacks. Using larger tiles can create the illusion of a bigger space and elongate the room because there are fewer grout lines. If your budget allows, consider porcelain slabs which provide a clean, no, grout-line finish.

Simple patterned and lighter-coloured tiles with minimal contrasting colours will make a small room appear bigger, but you can still have some fun. Geometric tiles used in a focused area create a focal point and make a room seem bigger.

There are many great lighting options to create the illusion of a bigger space. Consider accent lighting with LED strip lighting under the counter, shelves and cabinets. Vanity wall sconces or a flush mount light on the ceiling are great for brightening up the room and being functional.

Mirrors are an essential element to any bathroom. They are not only functional, but they can make a small bathroom appear larger and brighter. Use every available space, and consider a medicine cabinet with a mirror for additional storage or a mirror with LED lighting.

Finding creative storage solutions are key to maximizing your space in a small bathroom. Add floating shelves or an over-toilet shelving or cabinet unit as a great way to utilize wasted wall space and provide additional storage. Keep things off the floor by using empty wall space and adding shelves and hooks to walls and doors for towels and bathrobes.

Small bathrooms typically call for a smaller bathroom sink or vanity. A pedestal sink takes up less floor space but doesn’t provide any counter space or storage. Wall-mounted sinks or wallmounted console sinks are also good options, as they give the illusion of more space, but they still offer less counter space and no storage, except the crossbars, which become towel racks. A floating vanity is the best option in my opinion as it will help the room appear bigger while providing storage and counter space.

Choose a fixture that complements your small vanity. Consider chrome or polished finishes as they reflect light better than matte finishes. It’s also essential to choose a good quality faucet, made of brass, for example, as they are durable and typically don’t corrode. If you have kids, colour-changing faucets are a great idea, helping them quickly tell when the water is hot or cold to avoid accidents.

Small bathrooms can be challenging. However, these suggestions will help you create a fully functioning space that will serve your home for years.

Homes

en-ca

2023-01-28T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-01-28T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://saltwire.pressreader.com/article/282187950154529

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