Bathrooms were an afterthought in many pre-'80s houses. They're often small, dark, and cramped. If you're planning a bathroom remodeling project, you may not have the space to expand the bathroom's square footage, but look below for some ideas about how to make a small bathroom look and feel bigger.
Glass: Glass shower enclosures can make a small bathroom feel bigger since you can see from one side of the room to the other. Also think about widening a window or installing a skylight to create a feeling of openness and allow more natural light. Remember you can incorporate the time-honored tradition of using mirrors to make a space feel more expansive.
Sinks: If you can hang the sink and vanity on the wall, it will help give the room a cleaner look. Ensure you have storage space somewhere so the sink doesn't end up cluttered with toiletries. Many manufacturers also offer extra-small sinks or ones designed to fit into corners.
Toilets: Although most toilets are a standard size, some are designed for smaller spaces. The closer to the wall a toilet is, the less space it uses. Also, look at toilets with a lower tank that occupy less space.
Baths and Showers: Some manufacturers make bathtubs designed for a small space but you may have to do without the Jacuzzi features. You can cheat a little by raising the tub's rim height since a higher rim will give the bather a more pleasurable soak. Showers fit more easily into a small space and some are designed for very cramped quarters.
Other Tricks: White and light-colored paint can make a room feel bigger. If you're going to install shelves, try to place them so you can see straight through to the wall. This helps give a feeling of space.
Joaquin Erazo, Jr. is the senior vice president of marketing and public relations at Case Design/Remodeling, Inc. Find a bathroom remodeling company near you now!
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(c) 2010 Joaquin Erazo, Jr