Bathroom Remodeling: When Bigger Isn’t Better

We’ve all observed the trend in new homes toward larger, luxurious bathrooms. But what if you live in an older home that you love and a modern, half-acre bathroom is just out of character with the rest of your home? Do you have to live with your current bath “as is?” Or are there things you can do to improve your current bathroom without knocking out walls?

The good news is that even smaller bathrooms can benefit from a well-planned renovation. And—with a little bit of innovation and creativity—can even provide you with a little more space. Can you really add space without increasing the size of the bathroom?

Here are a few ideas that can help you make “something out of nothing” with your bathroom-remodeling project.

Recess Isn’t Just for Kids

You may be able to take advantage of the space between the studs in your bathroom wall and use it for storage space. You could install a second medicine cabinet or even a floor-to-ceiling glass front storage unit in the space between the studs. By recessing the cabinet you won’t lose any floor space—but you can pick up significant storage space. You don’t have to install cabinets or shelving in the recessed space. You may want to simple recess the space and use it to store towels or decorative items that are visible all the time.

When You Sit Down—Look Up

Many bathrooms ignore the space above the toilet. Why let that space go to waste? You can have shelving or small cabinets installed above the toilet without interfering with functionality.

Think Thin

Even if you’re short on space, you can use slender, tall cabinets to get more out of the space you do have. Use your vertical space to put in more drawers that can accommodate smaller items (toiletries, hair dryers, washcloths, makeup). 

Don’t Throw in the Towel

Who says towels have to hang on horizontal racks that take up precious space? Try using an old-fashioned coat rack as a towel rack. You’ll still be able to hang several towels—but take up less wall space doing it.

Don’t Ignore the Back of the Door

When space is at a premium, don’t ignore that back of your bathroom door. Install towel bars, hooks, or even small removable bins to hold things such as shampoo or soap.

Size Is in the Eye of the Beholder

Sometimes visual space is just as important as physical space—particularly in a bathroom. If you replace the tile in your tub area, consider using a light colored tile—and taking the tile past the top of the window (if there is a window in the tub area). That draws the eye up and gives the impression of a taller room.

If bigger isn’t necessarily better for you—or if it just isn’t practical—you can still get plenty of mileage out of a bathroom remodeling project. We’d be happy to share other ideas on how to get the most bang for your buck out of your project.