Reclaim Your Limited Bathroom Space With

These 8 TipsEUGENE CHRINIAN

Reclaim Your Limited Bathroom Space With These 8 Tips

• If you find yourself constantly bumping elbows on the cabinets or feeling claustrophobic in your bathroom, perhaps it is time to overhaul the space. Thankfully, there are ways to both create the illusion of a larger bathroom and find somewhere to put all your necessities even in the smallest of rooms. With a few easy remodeling tips, you can bring big concepts into your small bathroom and maximize the limited space.

Nix The Linen Cabinet

• Anything that takes up space on your bathroom walls also makes the entire room look even smaller than it already is. In addition, cabinets that jut out will also create the illusion of a shorter ceiling. Instead, you can opt for a number of space-saving solutions such as embedding shelving into your bathroom wall. Using this method, you can still create a floor-to-ceiling linen closet without closing off the space inside your bathroom. Alternatively, you can install roll-out linen cabinets into the wall that offer the best of both aesthetics and function.

Enhance With Mirrors

• Mirrors are one of the most effective space-opening tools that a designer can use. In the case of small bathrooms, bigger means better. Not only does a large mirror ensure that multiple people can use it at the same time, but it also makes the room look bigger as a whole. However, you don’t need to limit your use of mirrors to the area above your sink. Strategically placing them above the toilet or bathtub can help reflect more light around the room and simulate a larger space. You can also help your bathroom ceilings appear higher by using oval mirrors above your sink area.

Mount Elements To The Wall

• Mounting the various bathroom elements to the wall will help you open up space like never before. Perhaps one of the most popular choices for mounted furnishings is the sink vanity. Try leaving about a foot of space beneath your vanity to make the room’s square footage seem larger. You can further maximize space by installing a mounted vanity that has open shelving units. Another excellent way to open up your bathroom is to install a wall-hung toilet. On these toilets, the tank is hidden inside the wall, which takes up less room. Image courtesy

Adventures of Pam & Frank

| Flickr

Bring In More Light

• Natural light is one of the most important tools that you can use to create the illusion of a larger bathroom. Whenever possible, you should ensure that your bathroom has access to the outside world through large windows or skylights. It’s also easy to help natural light reach every corner of your bathroom by removing obstacles such as thick, opaque shower curtains. You can further enhance the brightness of the room by painting the walls light colors, which will reflect the natural light.

Use Doors To Your Advantage

• Your bathroom door is yet another element that typically takes up a large amount of space as it swings open and shut. However, there are a number of ways in which you can take back this space. For the ultimate room-saving option, you can exchange your traditional door for a pocket door that will nestle inside the wall when opened. If your home does not allow for a pocket door due to wiring or piping, you can hang a sliding barn door instead. Suspended from a track, this type of door slides parallel to the wall outside the bathroom for an attractive space-saving solution. Image courtesy

Nathan Rice | Flickr

Install A Vessel Sink

• A unique option in terms of both style and function, vessel sinks help increase the counter space in a small bathroom. Because the sink sits on top of the counter instead of within it, you will create a little extra room for your toiletries and decorations. In addition, vessel sinks increase your storage because they don’t take up space inside your vanity. You don’t have to stop there, either—you can free up even more counter space by mounting the faucet on the wall so only the sink bowl sits atop the counter.

Use Recessed Spaces

• There are a number of opportunities for you to use recessed wall space to open up your bathroom. You can easily cut out small niches by following the studs in your wall, which may allow for alcoves up to four inches deep. With this method, you can cut either horizontal or vertical spaces to add depth and create small storage areas for medicines, toiletries, or even a vase of flowers.

Image courtesy Michael Coghlan | Flickr

Expand The Space With Glass

• In small bathrooms, the shower usually takes up a sizeable chunk of floor space. As such, you should refrain from using barriers like heavy, dark shower curtains and opaque, matte, or tinted glass to enclose the shower. Instead, make your bathroom seem larger by opting for glass shower doors. If space is too limited for even a full set of glass shower doors, you can install a small glass panel. This will allow for ample room in the shower while preventing water from splashing out.