Small Bathroom Renovation Ideas

Small bathroom renovation ideas are typically more extensive than the usual remodeling or redecorating project. A renovation may involve moving a toilet, tub or sink from one area of the room to another to make your small space feel more roomy and efficient. Relocating plumbing fixtures may involve modifying the lines, which requires the assistance of a professional plumbing contractor. Setting your goals at the start of the project will help you define your ideas and determine how much of the work you can complete without professional assistance.

If you don't have the need or the budget to transplant your tub or sink to a more convenient location, you can still free up space and give the room a fresh, updated appearance by replacing your old cabinet sink with a sleek, streamlined pedestal. You may lose a bit of storage space when you install a sink with a slim, elongated pedestal. However, you can compensate for the loss by installing a recessed medicine cabinet, shelf or niche that doesn't take up any square footage in the room.

Small bathroom renovation ideas should focus on making the most of your limited space and making the room as efficient as possible. By improving your lighting scheme, painting walls in pale, neutral bathroom paint colors and adding a large mirror or installing a window, you can easily enlarge the area. Ideas for tile, paint and flooring can add the finishing touches to your small bathroom renovation project and turn an old, out of date bathroom into an attractive, contemporary personal space for family and guests.

Ideas for Tubs and Showers

In a small bathroom, the tub or shower stall may consume more space than any other fixture in the room. If you live in a small townhouse or condo and you only have one small bathroom that you're sharing with one or more family members, it's important to keep these fixtures as clean, up to date and attractive as possible. Taking a shower or bath in a bright, fresh atmosphere can set the tone for your whole day.

Before you commit to any large-scale small bathroom renovation ideas, consider carefully how much work you really need to do. Is a complete renovation necessary, or can the fixtures be improved by simply repairing or refinishing the surfaces? If you have a tiled shower stall that's cracked and out of date, retiling the area with new, clean, modern ceramic or glass squares can make an enormous difference. Rather than removing the entire stall, your ideas for a superficial renovation may save the fixture that you have in place.

A stained bathtub always makes your bathroom looks dirty and unappealing, even when the tub and shower have been thoroughly scrubbed. If your small bathroom renovation ideas include giving your tub a makeover, you can save money by having the tub refinished instead of replaced. Replacing a tub can be a substantial investment, when you factor in all of the costs involved. A fiberglass or porcelain tub can be refinished by a contractor for relatively little money, instantly enhancing your renovation project.

Lighting for Small Bathrooms

As your small bathroom renovation ideas take shape, consider the lighting in the bathroom. A cramped area that's poorly lit will inevitably appear even smaller. When you take the lighting scheme into account in your renovation ideas, you can create the impression of more space with very little extra expense. If your small bathroom renovation ideas extend to ideas for changing the architectural features of the space, consider adding or enlarging the window area to bring in more natural illumination.

Evaluate the lighting around your mirrors when you consider your small bathroom renovation ideas. If your project includes installing new medicine cabinets or mirrors, take the opportunity to install wall sconces or fixtures around the mirrors to make it easier to shave, apply cosmetics or complete other personal grooming tasks. In an area where space is at a premium, the design of your mirror area should be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

To add atmosphere and depth to your personal retreat, enhance your small bathroom renovation ideas with attractive ambient lighting and accent lamps. Light can come from different sources at different times of the day or night. Rather than restricting your illumination to a single overhead fixture, include multiple lamps, lights or sconces in your design.

Creative small bathroom renovation ideas can turn an unappealing facility into an efficient family bath, a powder area for guests or a private sanctuary. Half baths serve important functions in any household, providing extra facilities and storage areas. Make the most of every bath in your home by investing a little time and creativity in designing an area that your family and guests will appreciate and admire.

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