Renovating Small Bathrooms: 12 Ways to Make Your Bathroom Look Bigger

By Harriet Hodgson

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Wish your small bathroom was large and luxurious? Renovating a small bathroom may be easier than you think. These tips will make your old bathroom look new and, best of all, bigger.

1. KEEP THE FOOTPRINT You save big bucks when you keep the existing walls and tub. That does not mean you settle for less. Remove the old tub and replace it with an oval insert or acrylic shower unit.

2. PAINT. Painting a bathroom is the cheapest update. Choose a pale color to reflect light. According to REPAIR-HOME.COM "the best color is definitely off-white." However, pale blues, greens, and tans are also good color choices.

3. WHITE OUT WOODWORK. The Better Homes and Gardens Web site says painting woodwork the same color as the walls will make your woodwork "disappear." This monochromatic design approach will also unify your bathroom.

4. CLEAR THE WAY. De-clutter the space and get rid of frosted shower doors. Then, "the eye will see all the way to the back of the shower wall and the room will feel a lot bigger than it is," notes http://www.homefocused.com.

5. GET TECHNICAL. In the last few years solid surface technology has improved greatly. New
acrylic surfaces allow you to buff away scratches and sand away stains. Some acrylics are mold-proof, a big plus for small bathrooms.

6. BUILD UP. Bathroom designers tell clients to look upwards for extra space. Install extra shelves on top of a cabinet if possible, or a long shelf along one wall. Adding crown molding will draw the eyes upwards and create the illusion of space.

7. DOWNSIZE. Manufacturers are producing smaller tubs, showers, vanities, and lights in response to market demands. These items are small in size and big in style.

8. CHANGE MIRRORS. The Home Focused Web site says "two mirrors placed opposite each other can give the illusion of never-ending space!" Framed mirrors are the trend today. If you can't remove an existing mirror glue a frame around it. You may also hang a long mirror in the bathroom.

9. RE-TILE THE FLOOR. Surprisingly, large floor tiles make a small bathroom look bigger. Choose a textured tile to prevent slipping. Cover the skirt of the bathtub with a smaller version of the floor tile. Lay down an area rug if replacing tile is too costly.

10. USE EVERY INCH. Stick robe hooks and a laundry bag on the back of the bathroom door. Removing cabinet doors also creates the illusion of more space, according to http://www.decoratingyoursmallspace.com.

11. ADD ELEGANCE. One elegant touch -- glass tiles on the vanity, decorative tiles around the tub, a live fern on a stand -- will make the whole bathroom feel elegant. You deserve this elegance.

12. THINK RE-SALE. You never know when you have to move, so think resale as you make your design decisions. Simple lines and neutral colors will appeal to future buyers.

Copyright 2007 by Harriet Hodgson

http://www.harriethodgson.com

Harriet Hodgson has been a freelance nonfiction writer for 28 years. She is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists and the Association for Death Education and Counseling. Her 24th book, "Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief," written with Lois Krahn, MD, is available from http://www.amazon.com A five-star review of the book is posted on Amazon. You will find another review on the American Hospice Foundation Web site under the "School Corner" heading. Hodgson has renovated one bathroom and is about to renovate another.

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