Having lived a good many years in New York City, I can speak to the hardships of having a shoebox-sized living space. What’s worse? A tiny bathroom! My family, a generation before me, had two parents and six children sharing one bathroom! While this may seem outrageous to most, it is daily life for some. How can you best maximize your bathroom space? Read on for some clever and creative tips from your friends at Mr. Plumber.
- Color and Design – Believe it or not, color can provide the illusion of a larger bathroom. Using bright colors and pastels makes the space appear stretched and larger. Using dark colors substantially cuts the appearance of bathroom space. You can also get clever with design. Using vertical stripes (likebat in fashion) can make the room appear larger than life.
- Mirrors – Use large mirrors and frame them for the optical illusion of space. You can also make the mirror or large piece of art the focal point of the bathroom which will draw the eye and create an illusion of more space. Upgrade your bathroom fixtures and you’ve effectively created a wonderful bathroom space.
- Organization – There are loads of products on the market to maximize space: baskets, drawers, bins, etc. Some of my favorites include using a magnet board to organize your makeup and keep it off the vanity/sink area; pulling out cabinets for under-sink easy access; spice racks for organizing cotton balls, swabs and tissues; using coat racks instead of towel rods to maximize wall space; and rolling your towels instead of folding them.
- Pedestal Sinks and Floating Vanities – Large vanities can consume coveted floor space. Using a pedestal sink or floating vanity opens up floor space for more organization and the feeling of being less cramped.
- The Bathroom Door – Using the back of the bathroom door is a great idea for wall space. Install multiple towel racks behind the door to open up the room. Also, you can add shelving above the door, mirror or windows to create more space for storage.
Small spaces are not usually ideal, but, with organization and innovative design, they can carry the theme of your home throughout your entire living space. Don’t feel like you have to live with a bathroom you’re unhappy with, by any means. Try some of the tips above and you may come across some of your own ideas in the process. Best of luck!
