Bath Room Remodel Ideas for Small Bathrooms

A bathroom remodel can add value to your home and make it more comfortable to use on a daily basis. After all, people will spend more time in the bathroom than they realize. The larger a family is, the truer that will be. Thus, your bathroom needs to do double and sometimes triple duty. But what if your bathroom is super small? What options do you have then? More than you might imagine actually. Here are some of our ideas:

Use Wall Space Wisely

When you are dealing with a small space, the amount of square footage you have is incredibly limited. Instead of spreading things out like some people might consider how you can wisely use your wall space. For example, in the small bathroom, you may want to mount your toilet paper roll on the wall, instead of using a stand on the ground.

Instead of filling your wall space with knickknacks or even paintings, hang things that are either functional or will make the room appear larger. For example, a large mirror is a reflective surface that allows for more light and makes the area feel more expansive. Likewise, installing a mirrored medicine cabinet will provide you with storage and a reflective surface at the same time.

Install Built-Ins

Installing built-in shelving in your bathroom is smart regardless of how big it is. The difference is that small spaces require the shelving to have limited depth. However, think about what you actually need to store in your bathroom and you will see that you really do not need deep shelves for most of those things.

Hand towels, wash cloths, soap, makeup, and shampoo are all naturally very narrow anyway. Installing deep shelving is a waste when it comes to these particular items. The only difference is your large bath towels will need to be rolled instead of folded.

Switch to a Pedestal Sink

After installing the built-in storage, there is no need for a vanity underneath the sink. Switching to a pedestal sink as part of your bathroom remodel will give you more floor space and make your small bathroom appear to be open. Plus, they look incredibly nice from a design perspective, making it an all-around win. As an alternative to pedestal sinks, you can get a farmhouse-style one that has two legs. A farmhouse-style sink allows you to put baskets underneath for storing things while still creating an open and airy feel.

Purchase a Narrower Toilet

Consider the size of the family to determine whether or not you truly need a larger toilet. The size of the toilet may not be a problem for most people. However, by purchasing a toilet that is more in line with what your needs are, you can effectively save space while helping people remain comfortable.

Install a Custom Tile Shower

If you want to add a shower but do not feel that you have enough room, we can look at your space to determine if a custom tile shower will fit. With a tile shower, we can make it in any dimension. Thus, there are possibilities outside of what you would require with a pre-made shower stall.

Get more ideas for your bathroom remodel by calling and scheduling an in-home consultation.

Bath Room Remodel: An Adventurous Undertaking

A bath room remodel is one of the most adventurous, and most exciting, undertakings that you can take in your home. It is right up there rivaling a kitchen remodel in terms of excitement and the creative process. However, it comes with a lot of responsibility and pressure to make an informed decision as you realize that you need to determine what the right design is for your lifestyle, how to stay well within your budget, and ensuring that you maximize the return on any investment you are going to make.  When it comes to a bath room remodel, whether the remodel is a large remodel or a small remodel, it should  always be carefully and thoughtfully planned with the functionality of multiple users in mind. The bath room you want to create needs to be a beautiful, spacious, space efficient, and functional space.  One of the best things you can do if you are planning a bath room remodel is to hire a professional contractor to look at the plans, go over to the designs, and give you an estimate so that you know that you have a professional doing the job for you. There are also some common blunders that you should be on the look out for which will help make your project smooth and seamless leaving you with a beautiful bath room remodel.

One of the most common mistakes that people make when they are getting a bath room remodel done is believing in the concept that bigger is always better. The reality is bigger isn't always better, better is better. It is a common misconception that you are required to have an exceptionally large bath room service area. Regardless of whether you are designing a large master bath room in your dream home or just trying to figure out a way to squeeze an extra bath room into your family home, it is important to take into consideration the size of the bath room, the functionality it serves, and efficiently plan out the size of the utilities. That amazingly large tub could look beautiful on the showroom floor, but it could also reduce the space and footprint of your bath room so significantly that the bath room could appear cramped and tight, reducing your enjoyment of the space.  A bath room remodel, it is important to remember, is as much about functionality and spaciousness as it is about aesthetics.

Two important considerations that you that you need to think about when designing your bath room remodel are the view in and the view out.  When it comes to the view out, you should always remember that nobody wants to be in a dark, dank bath room with bad circulation. The bath room needs to be a bright and airy space and so you need to make sure that you place your bath room on an outside wall where you can easily put in windows. If windows are not an option, you should consider  installing skylights which will give you the same fresh air and natural light that will make the space feel more relaxing. With regard to a view in, when you are doing a bath room remodel you need to make sure that the bath room is located in a way that it does not offer a direct view in from the home's public rooms.  Public rooms include kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms.  Essentially it is important to remember that a bath room is a private space, and so you should make sure that it does not have a clear view of these public spaces.

Important Things to Consider Before a Bathroom Remodel

Most homeowners dream of performing a perfect bathroom remodel. When you buy a home, you often become stuck with outdated sinks, faucets, toilets, tiles, and more. You may not mind the current bathroom outfit, but you may feel like it doesn’t suit your particular decoration and design style. Now that you have the opportunity to perform a bathroom remodel, you have several things to consider before you begin. You should also consider hiring someone to perform the work for you to ensure everything is installed professionally and works correctly.

Consideration #1 Dream Big While Being Practical

Dream big and beautifully, but also consider your budget and practical uses of the space. Some of the most beautiful fixtures, sinks, and tubs also make servicing pipes and electric lines a hassle. When you are picking these items out for your bathroom remodel, consider placement and making important wires and pipes accessible to plumbers and electricians. This also goes for fancy add-ons like heated floors and touchless faucets. Heated floors may sound extravagant and wonderful, but are they really worth the cost when you can put that money toward classier fixtures or items that make your bathroom look more pleasing to the sight?

Consideration #2 Be On Guard for Toxic Chemicals and Materials

This consideration is especially important if you are performing a bathroom remodel in an older home. The presence of asbestos is often unknown until a remodel begins, and it can pose serious health risks to those who breathe it in. If you are concerned this could be a possibility in your home, hire a professional who knows how to prepare for toxic materials in advance. You may even need to stay elsewhere while your bathroom is being remodeled if this is a potentiality. You should also be aware that mold and mildew hiding in bathrooms is not uncommon. Not only are mold and mildew stinky and unsightly, but they can also lead to asthma attacks, respiratory problems, and worse health risks if you are exposed to them too long. Prepare yourself and others for these possibilities and hire a professional who is well-equipped to deal with them.

Consideration #3 Make Your Bathroom Convenient to Navigate

It can be tempting to pick out the biggest and most impressive tubs, toilets, and sinks, but also consider how useful they are. You want your bathroom to appear spacious and feel that way, so pick appliances that are easy to get around and provide you with a comfortable atmosphere. Also, keep in mind privacy. If you share a bathroom with someone, you may want to consider investing in toilet or shower spaces that are separate from each other, so you each have your needed privacy.

These are only three of the many considerations you should think about during a bathroom remodel. For an expert’s opinion and suggestions, contact our office. We can help you think of everything you need to get in order and decide on before you start your dream bathroom remodel. 

Make Sure that Your Bathroom Remodel Lives Up to the Demands of Your Family

If you have a large family, your bathroom remodel needs to stand up to the constant wear and tear that it will be receiving.  Bathrooms are one of the most frequently used rooms in the home, and they have a tough job to fulfill.  Your family needs to be able to use the restroom, take showers, brush teeth, get ready in the morning, etc.  Your bathroom even serves as an emergency room when one of your kids cuts their thumb or gets something in their eye.  It serves as the beauty salon when your daughter is getting ready for a dance, or your children have school picture day.  The list goes on and on, but most people don’t think about these things when planning for their remodel.  This is one of the reasons that it pays to work with a professional.  We know how hard your bathroom has to work and can provide solutions that make it more functional while also ensuring that it is beautiful.

What size and space do you need?

If you have the ability to determine the square footage, due to building an extension, for example, that is an excellent opportunity to really build the space that you need.  However, even if we are working within the existing footprint, there are often creative solutions that can be implemented.  It starts, however, with understanding how many people will be using the bathroom and whether or not they will be using it at the same general time.  For example, if your hallway bathroom needs to accommodate three school-aged children, we need to know this.  In theory, you can time showers so that they take them at night, or only one takes a morning shower.  Still, they will need to brush their teeth at the same relative time, brush their hair, and when they are older – do their makeup.  This can lead to massive conflict in the morning.  We can help to ease the tension by creating zones.  

What are zones?

Think about your bathroom like you would the floor plan of a tiny house.  Every area needs to have a function and by arranging the layout correctly, it can become possible for people to be in the room at the same time, without being in each others way. For example, you may not have enough space for two full vanities but you may have space for a shallow counter along an open wall in the back. We can use this space for storage, a counter, electrical outlets, and a mirror.  All of a sudden, this bathroom will have a separate space for doing hair and makeup while someone else is using the sink to brush their teeth.  This is a simple solution but incredibly effective for allowing your bathroom to accommodate several kids at the same time. Simultaneously, this can also work in a smaller master bathroom.   If the space is large enough, we can also create a separate room for the toilet since this is the most effective way of allowing multiple people to use the space at the same time.  The only thing that goes in there is the toilet so that people can continue to use the sink and get ready while someone else is using the facilities.  When we meet with you to discuss your bathroom remodel, we can discuss zones further after looking at your space and gaining an understanding of who needs to use it. 

Flooring Ideas For Your Bathroom Remodel

If you are planning a bathroom remodel, it is important to select the right flooring material. Bathrooms are naturally a wet and moist area, meaning that some flooring materials will do better in the space than others.  It is also generally a very small space, making it possible to have fun and get creative with the materials you select. Flooring that may be too expensive to use in a large space can make an affordable splash in this room.

Here are some things to consider. 

• Skip the carpet.  Putting carpet in the bathroom may have been popular in the 80s but it is incredibly unsanitary.  Think of your toddler potty training or Grandpa missing the bowl – yuck! Germs that gather around the toilet bowl and on the carpet can be difficult to remove and require constant carpet cleaning.  If anyone other than your neat and tidy self is using this bathroom, skip the carpet to keep the space clean. 
• Don’t use laminate.  Laminate floors that look like wood are an inexpensive way to improve the appearance of your home.  The problem is that this is not a good solution in rooms with potential for leaks. This type of flooring has cracks and a plastic water barrier underneath.  When water gets onto the floor due to showering or a toilet leak, it can seep through the cracks and start to move along the barrier.  In this way, a bathroom leak can spread and create leaks elsewhere.  This makes it a bad flooring solution for your bathroom remodel but an excellent choice for the hallway.
• Try tile.  You can buy tile in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes.  It is an excellent solution for a bathroom floor because it is durable and easy to clean.  Water that falls onto a tile floor will dry without seeping through it, eliminating the risk of water leaks spreading into other rooms or through the ceiling. 
• Go mosaic.  Since the bathroom is such a small space, it is the perfect area to use mosaic tiles.  They are beautiful and can be arranged in an unlimited amount of patterns.  This is a way to show off your artistic side and incorporate a high-end material into your home without spending a ton of money. 
• Glass flooring.  Glass comes in a variety of texture and patterns.  This is a sleek and modern alternative to traditional stone or ceramic tile flooring and is a fun way to update your space.  It is easy to clean and great for wet spaces. 
• Concrete.  If you like the industrial look, try a concrete floor in your bathroom.  You can keep the concrete a natural shade of grey, or you can have it stamped with a fun pattern and colors to match the rest of the space.  

We can help you to select the perfect flooring for your bathroom remodel.  As an expert contractor, we can make your space functional and beautiful at the same time.  To learn more or to get additional design ideas, call and schedule an in-home consultation. 

Bathroom Remodel Ideas for Small Spaces

If you are currently space challenged, your bathroom remodel needs to accomplish a lot in a small footprint. Fortunately, there are many ways to maximize space so that you can get the features you need without a lot of square footage.  The key is to speak with a bathroom expert that knows how to position things along with tricks for packing more into a small space. 

Here are some of our favorite ideas:

• Use a pedestal sink.  If you are remodeling a small powder room, there is typically no need for a lot of storage. This is the space most often used by guests, so install a pedestal sink instead of a traditional vanity.  It will clear up floor space so that the room looks larger than it is. 
• Look to the walls.  Instead of placing things on the floor, use the walls in your bathroom remodel.  For example, toilet paper can be hung on the wall next to the toilet instead of using a stand that is placed onto the floor.  Using a medicine cabinet for your mirror will also create storage on the wall while eliminating the need for a cabinet on the floor.  
• Use a curved shower rod.  This will not take up any additional floor space but will make the interior of the shower feel larger than it is, important for people that don’t like confined spaces. 
• Built-in storage.  A contractor can build cubbies into your wall that can be used for storing towels, toilet paper, and anything else that you may need.  This is an excellent way to gain storage without eating into your floor space.  It can also help you to stay organized and eliminate the need to place towels in a hallway linen closet. 
• Shallow counter and cabinets.  If you aren’t fond of the pedestal sink, you can have custom cabinets created that are more shallow than normal.  A counter can be placed on top to give you the benefits of a bathroom countertop without taking up too much floor space. 
• Hanging lights.  If you are limited on wall space, use hanging lights instead. You can get really creative and use it as a decorative piece as well.  While small, these lights can provide the illumination you need while also enhancing the design of the space. 
• Add texture.  When you have a small space, it is the perfect time to incorporate exotic textures and bright colors.  You can use a small powder room to incorporate your favorite things without feeling like you are going overboard.  For example, use mosaic tiles to cover the walls or your favorite shade of coral.  Since the room is completely confined, you don’t need to worry about it matching the other spaces in your home. 

Whether you are planning a bathroom remodel of an existing space or want to incorporate a new bathroom into your home, small spaces can do the trick without taking needed floor space from other rooms.  For example, an under the stairs bathroom can create a needed powder room without impacting the rest of the house.  To learn more about your options, call Quality Kitchen and Bath today.