It does not matter what size your bathroom is – spacious or cozy, the aesthetic and functional success of a bathroom relies not on size, but on interior design. The right proportions, the correct blend of fixtures, light, and color, and good old smart space planning can improve not only your small bathroom’s look, but more importantly, its usefulness. Here are some interior design ideas for to keep in mind when renovating or building your small bathroom.

How to scale down but still be stylish

Is your bathroom a ‘box’ – as in 45 square feet (roughly 9-foot by 5-foot)? Do not worry – you can still cram in all the fixtures you need (and want) if you scale down. Just because your space is too cozy does not mean you have to be tied down to just the basics (like a bathtub, toilet, and sink).

Proper use of space, both vertical and horizontal, can go a long way. Some things to keep on mind:

• To give the illusion of that there is more floor space than there actually is, get fixtures as close to the walls as possible, and off the floor if you can. Clear and clean surfaces give the illusion of roominess. Stick to pedestal sinks and threshold-less showers if you want your small bathroom to instantly appear larger. Companies like Porcher manufacture wall mounted sinks that you can position at any height. The sinks usually come with towel bars and built in counter areas, which help you save even more room.
• Build suspended cabinets instead of free-standing ones.
• Hug vertical surfaces to create more space.
• Use corners. There are a lot of corner lavatories to choose from. This geometry is great because you can simply slip them neatly into your small bathroom’s underused angles.
• Reduce bathroom accessories that protrude. Towel bars, for example, make the space look even smaller.

Slim down

Go minimalist with fixtures and cabinetry designed to be ‘thin.’ Modern designs are sleek, slim, compact, and very elegant, so they still look expensive and luxurious even when the space is small.

Add color

Do not be afraid to use color in your bathroom just because you are afraid that color may make the space look even smaller. If you really like bright white and pastels, then stick to that, but do not rule out bold choices. Saturated ‘dramatic’ colors such as green, red, and blue can make your bathroom look larger, too – pick a wall and splash on a bold color, for example, and you instantly add depth to your box. If you do not want to paint the walls but still want to splash some bold colors in your bathroom, then choose colored accessories such as framed mirrors.

Afraid of color? You can still add a touch of it ever so subtly by using different materials instead. Mix together fixtures made of glass, wood, ceramic, metals, and stone – they have differing hues but do not ‘jump out’ to get attention.

Add light – a lot of it

A small bathroom (especially if it is windowless) can definitely use good lighting – the right light at the right angles help to create the extra dimensions that your cozy bathroom does not have.

Aside from the basic ceiling fixture for basic lighting, why not add sconces? Such fixtures provide ambient lighting and side lighting. You should also try dropped soffits with wall washers if you want to achieve an atmospheric glow.

Do not be afraid to combine several different lighting fixtures – this way, you can control the light and therefore control the mood in your bathroom. Have dimmer switches installed. If you are lucky enough to have a small bathroom that can accommodate a skylight, then go for it – it is probably one of the most luxurious things you can have done for your small bathroom. A skylight also makes the space look bigger.

Finally, get rid of clutter.

Here’s a clever storage idea: Fit a nice cabinet around studs and plumbing. Not only will this hide ugly pipes – it will also give you more room to store your bathroom supplies so that they are always out of sight. The more de-cluttered your small bathroom is, the bigger it looks.

Tag it:

?