Small Bathroom – Decorating Tips
Small bathrooms have their own challenges when it comes to decorating. The design layout for a small bathroom is the first challenge. Space is limited, so you can't use it lavishly. Very small bathroom design calls for small furnishings, and few of them.
Small bathrooms demand decorating tips that differ from those for larger rooms. Decorating ideas for a small bathroom need not be limited to miniaturized versions of those for massive bathroom, though. Think about the following small bathroom decorating tips.
Small Bathroom Decorating Tips
If you are remodeling a small bathroom, these small bathroom decorating tips will help you make the most of your space. Take time to plan before you start remodeling or redecorating. Layout and decorating ideas are important and easy plans are needed to make them work well.
1. Floor: Use large, light-colored tile on the floor. White or very light beige or gray floor will give a small bathroom the illusion of space.
2. Walls: Select light colors for the walls. They need not be white or beige, but dark colors in a small bathroom will make the walls “close in” on you.
3. Sinks: Look for small, surround mounted sinks without vanities. These permit more of your floor to show. More visible floor space makes a small bathroom appear larger.
4. Cabinets: Select cabinets that can be set into the wall. Cabinet doors or open shelves should be flush with the surround surface. Smooth, unbroken surround surfaces make a small bathroom appear longer and wider. Any compartment doors should be painted to match the surround color.
5. Mirrors: Hang massive mirrors. Mirrors reflect space, and make a small bathroom seem almost double the size. Think about a massive mirror above the sink, and one or more additional mirrors.
6. Bathtub: Your small bathroom might have a bathtub. Replacing it with a clear-glass-door shower stall will free space. Or select a small, extra deep Asian style bathtub. This comes in a near-square that frees space beside the tub for your surround sink. The tub is massive enough for small children. Older kids and adults can use as a soaking tub. Add a shower and curtain for rush times.
7. Accessories: RV suppliers sell great accessories for small bathrooms. Over-the-door towel bars hold multiple towels in a small space. Tissue box holders in clear acrylic mount on the wall, as do toothbrush and tumbler holders. Make a checklist of what is used in the small bathrooms of RV’s.
8. Pictures and Plants: One of the most important small bathroom decorating tips is to use photos and plants. Pictures or prints mounted in “floating” clear frames can establish a decorating theme for a small bathroom. Two or three photos of sandpipers on a beach, for example, can establish the use of sandy beige on the walls. Towels can be sandy beige with a border of marine blue. A shower curtain can carry through the theme. A green plant, live or silk, can be hung in a corner. Use a light-colored basket for an airy look.
Tips for Organizing Bathroom Cabinets
These tips for organizing bathroom cabinets will help keep your small bathroom looking great.
Reduce clutter by reducing container size. Shampoo, lotions, etc. are more economical in massive sizes, but do not place them in your compartment that way. Invest in small travel-sized bottles. Small bottles take less space, and are easier to handle. Fill with lotions and shampoos, and hold in small bathroom cabinets. Store larger containers elsewhere.
Alternatively, attach a soap-shampoo-conditioner dispenser to the bath/shower wall. This frees the small bathroom compartment of several items.
Store cotton swabs and cotton balls in small stacking containers with lids. For multiple lipsticks, use a holder – some offer up to 24 compartments.
As noted above, online RV suppliers offer solutions and tips for organizing bathroom cabinets.
Small Bathroom – Decorating Tips
© 2007, Anna Hart. Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about small bathrooms at http://www.easybathroomremodeling.com. Anna has posted several articles on that site about bathroom decorating. If you want to learn more about small bathroom decorating tips, visit Anna now.
Bathroom Ideas: How to Choose Vanity Cabinets, Faucets, Mirrors
Before you start your remodel project, you want to develop a plan that includes a detailed layout with measurements. This is needed to ensure all of your fixtures will fit as planned.
If you are working with a small budget, then you might want to use your existing plumbing layout. If moving the plumbing will create more useable space, then think about it, though keep in mind it can be expensive.
Bathroom Vanity Cabinets
The simplest way to update a bathroom on a budget is by replacing the vanity. There are many one-of-a-kind vanities to select from, including contemporary styles with flat panel doors and drawers and stylish chrome faucets, to traditional furniture style pieces that can add character to any remodel project.
Make a list of your storage needs; this includes cosmetics, dental care, grooming, small appliances (hairdryers, etc), & cleaning products. Before you buy a vanity, take precise measurements. If installing a pre-built vanity, it is important to measure the maximum granted space and find a vanity that is a few inches smaller. Most vanity measurements include the counter top, which can in most cases be the largest point on the overall cabinet. If the top is made from a solid stone, such as granite or marble, it is very difficult and sometimes impossible to alter the top, even if it is too massive for your space.
Faucets
Faucets can vary widely in price, and this is directly related to the quality. Going with the lowest price isn’t always the ideal option for faucets. The finish on the faucet also determines its price (ie chrome is the least costly and oil rubbed bronze is the most expensive). Also be certain that the faucet comes with ceramic disk vales, which have a longer life cycle.
Mirrors
Size and style are the two factors to think about when purchasing vanity mirrors. You need to have mirrors that are positioned in relationship to the lighting and huge enough to reflect back at you. It is also important that the style and finish compliment your overall design.
Flooring
You want floor material to be resistant to moisture, a hard surface that is easy to clean, and also has some texture so that it is not slippery when wet. Many materials are used now in bathrooms; think about concrete, tile or wood.
Heated flooring is a great element to think about if you are replacing the floor. The ideal place for heated flooring is in the bathroom.
Lighting
This is the most critical component to think about when completing the layout of your bathroom remodel. Things to think about include:
Is there any natural light in the bathroom? Adding windows or skylights can be expensive.
Ceiling Lights: the most cost effective and efficient light source is recessed can lights; adding a chandelier or pendant lights can add elegance to your design. Ceiling lights are most commonly complemented by vanity lights.
Vanity Lights: these are the two to four bulb fixtures you install above the mirror.
Decorative Lighting: such as sconce lights, generally these are installed on the side of the mirror.
Bathroom Ideas: How to Select Vanity Cabinets, Faucets, Mirrors
Julia from Uniquevanities.com shares some easy affordable bathroom design ideas for the do it yourselfer (DIY). Maybe you cant afford a major bathroom remodel, but these ideas will definitely make your bathroom a more enjoyable space in your home.
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Remodel a Small Bathroom
When you begin calling around to contractors to get a quote on remodeling your “small bathroom,” you might be surprised by the small number of responses you receive. On the other hand, you might get a massive response from contractors who think you have a small, swift project. The key to successfully remodeling a small bathroom is to think creatively and to think primarily about space.
There are enough types and styles of fixtures and accessories acquirable this day to enable you to have a fully-functional, even luxurious small bathroom. There are also abundant ideas about how to use limited spaces to the maximum. If you are willing to think creatively about how you use space, design and color, a small bathroom can actually “feel” spacious and luxurious.
To remodel small bathroom spaces for maximum spaciousness and functionality, you must first learn to think small.
§ Choose either a tub or a shower; if you choose a tub, choose one that is smaller but deeper.
§ Choose a taller but more compact toilet
§ Eliminate cabinets and vanities
§ Choose a sleek pedestal sink or a surround mounted sink – the smaller the better
§ Use towel rings rather than rods wherever possible
Next find ways to position items so as to use the smallest amount of space within the room:
§ Put in a behind-the-mirror compartment for toiletries
§ Cut a niche or two into the surround for decorative items or such things as towels, etc.
§ Use small shelves under the sink (attached to the wall) for towels, washcloths, etc.
§ Consider recessed into the way shallow cabinets instead of deep free-standing ones
§ Add shelves above the toilet for decorative items or for storage
§ The less you have protruding from the walls, the larger the space will look
Now use color, design and light to make the room look bigger.
§ Use lighter and brighter colors or cool colors
§ Use vertical stripes (wallpaper or paint) to draw the eye upward and create the feeling of spaciousness
§ Choose a cover design with a vertical pull
§ Add a border at the top of the walls
§ Use larger, unframed mirrors to reflect light
§ Don’t use dark or bulky fabrics for curtains
§ Use only a valence-type curtain at windows
§ Use glass block or other types of windows and don’t use curtains, blinds or shades
§ Position light fixtures where they will reflect the most light from mirrors and other items
§ Use very few small decorative items
§ Use a tube light to brighten the room with sunlight
§ Use a clear glass tub or shower enclosure
Finally, add the luxury of a home spa:
§ Choose a whirlpool or spa tub
§ Install a multiple-head shower massage and steam insert for the shower
§ Use fogless mirrors
§ Install radiant heat in the floor
§ Buy a tub with an in-line heater to keep the water warm longer and save energy
§ Add an instant water heater if the bathroom is some distance from the water heater
§ Add sound board to contain sounds
With these tips you should be healthy to make design decisions and purchasing choices that will grant you to remodel a small bathroom that feels larger and offers all the comforts and pleasures of a larger room.
Copyright 2007 by ABCD Publishing
Remodel a Small Bathroom
Bathroom Ideas – Consider These 6 Bathroom Design Ideas
Looking for bathroom ideas? You might be researching bathroom design ideas for remodeling an existing bathroom or you might be looking for bathroom ideas for building a new one.
The bathroom design ideas that you use can have a dramatic impact on the appearance and functionality of your bathroom. The bathroom is a room that will be visited often each day and you want this space to be comfortable, usable, appealing and innocuous to be in while fitting into the overall style and decor of your home.
Here are bathroom ideas to think about as you are planning this important room:
1 – Add a Mirror – mirrors on the bathroom walls will give the appearance of windows being there, will reflect light and extend the room. Mirrors can create a sense of openness, making any bathroom appear larger than it really is. Add a medicine compartment with mirror to your bathroom to store grooming supplies, medicine or toiletries. Traditionally, the medicine compartment was located above the vanity or sink, however, you can place it elsewhere in the bathroom if you want.
2 – Create Ample Bathroom Storage – you can't have too much storage space in a bathroom. Use surround space wisely with shelves or built-in cabinets, vanities or cabinets over the commode. Corner shelves are good bathroom ideas choices if you have limited space. Install corner shelves to display ceramics, shampoos, soaps, bath oils and candles. Display corner shelves can be found that are decorative and grant you to use otherwise wasted space.
3 – Use Wicker Baskets – fill wicker baskets with soaps, candles, sponges, bubble baths, and loofahs. You can roll some of your colorful towels and place them in affordable wicker baskets around the bathroom. Keep some of the massive wicker storage baskets with towels near the tub and shower within simple reach.
4 – Carefully Choose the Floor Material – besides the appearance, the bathroom floor should be innocuous to achievement on and water resistant. Rubber flooring, ceramic tile, vinyl and linoleum floors are good choices since these floor materials can be simple to clean, water resistant and innocuous to achievement on.
If you will use natural stone or terra-cotta ceramic tile on your floor, use the kind that has a non-slip finish. Be careful using rugs that can slide on a tiled floor or natural stone floor. Use rugs that have a rubber backing or add rubber backing strips to the rugs.
5 – Plan the Lighting Carefully – bathroom ideas and general lighting can be ceiling lights, surround fixtures or track lighting. Having adequate general lighting means there is enough light for someone to achievement safely through the bathroom. This overall light will distribute itself throughout the entire space, however, general lighting is not adequate for grooming functions.
Task lighting provides light to a specific area where shaving, putting on makeup or other types of grooming take place. Task lighting should be adjustable by using dimmers or controls, and it is ideal to aim this type of lighting at an angle to refrain hot spots or shadows.
The use of natural light can be included in your bathroom ideas by having a window, a surround skylight or a roof skylight to bring in natural light. Having a skylight that can be opened is great because it reduces moisture buildup. Remember that using a combination of different types of bathroom light fixtures carefully put might give your bathroom the ideal results.
6 – Plan for Moisture Control – bathroom ideas should plan for humidity and odors in the room. Use a power ventilator massive enough to do the job. Lingering moisture could become a problem if you do not have a properly-sized ventilating fan to get rid of moisture and odors. Ventilating fans are sized by the cubic feet of air they move in one minute (cfm).
A good ventilation system that can move the air from the bathroom to the outdoors about eight times per hour means that the bathroom will have the moist air removed in 7 or 8 minutes. If you take the length, width and ceiling height of your bathroom and multiply these three numbers, you will have the cubic feet of space for your bathroom.
For example, a bathroom that is 5 feet by 8 feet with an 8 foot high ceiling will have 320 cubic feet of space (5 times 8 times 8 equals 320). A 40 cfm (cubic feet per minute) fan will move the air from inside this bathroom to the outdoors in about 8 minutes (320 divided by 40).
Enjoy gathering bathroom ideas and the planning process, learn as much as you can and use your imagination as you collect and implement your bathroom ideas. Having a comfortable, captivating and functional bathroom that reflects your individualized style means you will have a special place to enjoy for many years to come.
Copyright 2007 InfoSearch Publishing
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