Designing Small Bathrooms

Here are some great design ideas to make a small bathroom appear larger without sacrificing aesthetics, comfort and functionality.

One of the simplest ways to make a small bathroom appear larger is to choose light colors for the décor of your bathroom. If you want to add some bright, bold colors to your small bathroom, you should reserve those colors for accents only, otherwise your bathroom will appear much smaller and cramped. If you prefer to wallpaper your walls, avoid using large prints or busy patterns. To create an airy feel or create an open space chose a very subtle pattern or better yet keep the largest wall in your bathroom free from any pattern at all.

Choosing light colors for your bathroom flooring will aid in making your bathroom appear more open and roomier. Some of the more popular colors for bathroom floors are tans, light grays and light blues. By incorporating light colors on your walls and floors, you will have created the basis for a light colored décor that will give your small bathroom design the appearance of a much larger space.

Another great small bathroom design is using a pedestal sink rather than a traditional vanity. Today's pedestal sinks come in a wide range of styles, colors and materials to match any bathroom décor. By installing a pedestal sink your bathroom can gain an extra 10 percent of valuable floor space.

When it comes to lighting your small bathroom, be sure to choose fixtures that give off a lot light but don't take up too much space, like recessed lighting. And use higher wattage bulbs whenever possible. By making your bathroom brighter and more inviting you will create the illusion of a wider space. If possible, try and increase the amount of natural light that comes into your bathroom by using a large horizontal window or skylight.

Try to limit the amount of items that you have in your bathroom, because they can easily clutter your bathroom and detract from your design. Keep decorative items to a minimum and items such as storage shelves and hampers can easily be moved elsewhere. You can store most of your bathroom items, like extra towels, health & beauty supplies and paper products in a small storage cabinet in the hallway or a hall closet.

Don't overlook the value of mirrors, they are not only essential in a bathroom design, but adding extra mirrors can add depth to your bathroom and work as reflectors to capture available light and make the room brighter.

By incorporating most of these ideas into your small bathroom design, you will be creating a bathroom that is big on style and functionality.