The functionality, comfort, and style of your

bathroom need not be proportional to its

size. There are a bunch of design ideas that

you can incorporate into a small bathroom to

make the most out of the existing space. The

goal? Maximum impact per square foot plus a

completely satisfying bathroom experience.

There is more to bathroom space than just your scant square footage. You can create the illusion of a bigger bathroom by employing some of these tried-and-tested techniques:

MONOCHROMATIC COLOR SCHEMES

Monochromatic color schemes are effective at expanding the sense of space in a room. A unified palette helps your eyes travel continuously throughout the whole room, while contrast calls attention to divisions and boundaries. Keep in mind that ‘monochrome’ doesn’t mean that you have to limit your palette to shades of white and ho-hum neutrals. If you’d prefer a bold or dark color, go for it. Just remember to keep your color scheme consistent.

There are, however, exceptions to this rule:

PART ONE: THE ILLUSION OF SPACE

- If you want to add visual height to the room, choose a lighter shade for your ceiling.

- If your space is architecturally bland, use a contrasting color for an accent wall, shelves, or windows.

- If you want to even out a long, narrow space, choose a darker shade for the two shorter (farther) walls.

- If you want to elongate or widen your bathroom, use stripes.

MIRRORS

Mirrors reflect light and will help make your small bathroom look bigger and brighter. The trick lies in positioning. What a mirror reflects is just as important as its reflective ability. Mount a mirror in areas where you need visual continuity, e.g. a wall that would reflect a great view of the bathroom interior.

There is one rule of thumb when it comes to bathroom mirrors: bigger is better. Floor-to-ceiling mirrors create more continuity and therefore a better illusion of space than a grouping of smaller mirrors. But if you want to go with a multi-mirror setup, try layering them atop each other to create depth.

MINIMAL VISUAL TRANSITIONS AND OBSTRUCTIONS.

Visual transitions and obstructions are the bane of small bathrooms. This last tip is in the same vein as going monochrome and using large mirrors. Continuity is important.

Below are some of the ways to preserve or maximize continuity:

- Bleed a material (e.g. tile) from one area of your bathroom to the next.

- Use clear instead of textured glass in your shower.

- Extend floor space by replacing floor cabinets with wall shelves and by replacing a large vanity with a pedestal sink.

PART ONE: THE ILLUSION OF SPACE

In a bathroom, square footage isn’t nearly as important as storage space. A small bathroom with strategic storage can be just as functional as a large one. There are a million and one creative storage solutions you can apply in your bathroom without having to spend thousands of dollars on renovations.

Below are some of the best:

PART TWO: MAXIMIZING YOUR AVAILABLE SPACE

- Install pull-out drawers in your vanity or built-in cupboards to make the most of hard-to-reach spaces.

- Use coat hooks instead of towel rods to free up space. If you prefer towel rods, install 3 or more on the back of your door.

- Install a small bookshelf above the door to turn that unused space into a storage area.

- Put the items you need to keep on your counter on a stacked plate rack or tiered tea tray. This will free up counter space but keep your essentials within easy reach.

- Use multiple hanging baskets or your tub headboard to store your bath and shower essentials.

PART TWO: MAXIMIZING YOUR AVAILABLE SPACE

Create vertical storage for small items (e.g. makeup, q-tips, cotton balls) with the help of magnetic boards or strips, spice racks, or mason jars.If your bathroom does double-duty as a laundry room, you’ll need to be doubly strategic about storage. Here are some tips:

If you’re up for a little more intensive remodeling to maximize your bathroom space, consider these design suggestions:

- Use hanging baskets or install pull-out baskets under your folding counter to store laundry.

- Forego the collapsible drying rack for a long, sturdy towel bar mounted under a shelf. You’ll need to use hangers, but you save plenty of horizontal space.

- Think clean. Clean, continuous lines provide an unobstructed view and reduce visual clutter in your small bathroom. Frameless shower enclosures, for instance, can take up less space without making the user feel claustrophobic.

- Use recessed storage. Cabinets and shelves tucked into your walls are a great addition to a bathroom that does not have a lot of floor space.

PART THREE: STRONG FOCAL POINTS

A central design element is a pretty good way of diverting attention away from the fact that your bathroom is lacking in the space department.

Some of the things you can use as your bathroom focal points include a picture window, a large mirror, a bold light fixture, a freestanding tub, a cool vanity, a floral arrangement, an indoor plant, or a collection of candles and soaps. Artwork is also welcome, so long as it doesn’t create too much visual clutter.

ACCOMMODATING THE EYE

Placing your chosen focal point close to the entrance to your bathroom or a source of light helps make sure that the people who enter the space never miss it. There really is no magic formula to focal point placement, but where size is concerned, the closer you will be when viewing it, the smaller your focal point can be.

Our eyes adjust according to the distance from which they view objects. The ciliary muscles contract and reshape our cornea-lens system when we’re focusing on something. This can sometimes trick the brain into thinking that objects that aren’t in focus are farther away, so having an interesting piece right where you can always see it could help you forget that you are in a compact space.

OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER

After choosing which feature of your bathroom to highlight, make sure it really draws the eye with the help of creative lighting and judicious color choices.Keep in mind that you do not have to spend big bucks to create a strong focal point. Play around with the different elements suggested above to see what will work best in your bathroom.

Good luck!

PART THREE: STRONG FOCAL POINTS

Blair Construction L.L.C.

301 Najoles Road, Suite 206,Millersville, Maryland, 21108

888-211-8249(410) 729-0777

BlairGCRoofing.com