You want to make your small bathroom look as beautiful as the rest of your home, but who has the time or budget for a full remodel? (Read: Space-Saving Ideas for a Small Bathroom Remodel)
But you don't have to tear your bathroom down to the studs in order to create a much nicer space. You also don't need to live with an ugly bathroom if you don't have a lot of money to spend, or even the time to shop around for all new fixtures.
Here are 4 inexpensive ideas that work perfectly in a small bathroom.
Small Bathroom Idea #1: Angled Flooring
A lot of homeowners miss the mark with flooring in a small bath, but it's a relatively inexpensive way to freshen up the room. Tiny tiles seem like the way to go, but the pint-size proportions can sometimes make a diminutive space look even smaller. Ordinary 12-inch tiles aren't right, either, because it takes so few to cover the floor. They can even accentuate what's lacking in square footage.
Small Bathroom Idea #2: Install Bead Board
Call it bead board, beaded board or whatever you like, this charming paneling makes a big difference in a small bathroom. It's easy to install and inexpensive, too. Check out DIY Network‘s simple instructions for the project using large panels instead of tongue-and-groove strips.
In white, bead board makes a small bathroom look larger. White is a classic bathroom color that works in almost any style of home. If white isn't your thing, you can also buy unfinished bead board panels. Then you're free to stain or paint them any color.
Small Bathroom Idea #3: Hang a Statement Mirror Over the Vanity
The typical vanity mirror leaves a lot to be desired. Some homes have an uninspiring medicine cabinet, and many have that wall of glass look that comes from a huge, unframed mirror. That was popular in the 90s, but it looks dated now. A better option is to get rid of the existing mirror and hang one that makes a statement.
A small bathroom is the ideal place to use a fancy mirror that might not work elsewhere in the house. If the one that you love is too small and doesn't look balanced against a larger vanity, you can swap that out, too. Larger home improvement centers have small-scale, all-in-one vanity/sink combinations that have a lot of character. You could also think about a pedestal sink.(Read: Unique Bathroom Sinks with a Waterfall)
Small Bathroom Idea #4: Go for the Gold
Chrome will probably never go out of style completely. But right now, there's a shift back to the warmer look of brass and gold tone bathroom faucets. The brilliant color stands out in a small bathroom, where it might get lost in a larger one. It's a low-cost way to make a big visual change in the space.
If you haven't installed a faucet before, not to worry. It's not as challenging as it looks. There might be a lot of parts and pieces to a new faucet. But most of the unit comes pre-assembled. The rest is a matter of dropping the new faucet into the sink openings and connecting the fittings. This Old House walks you through it.
You've got plenty of options for upgrading a small bath inexpensively. Perhaps one of the biggest things going for you is the fact that a small investment can go a long way. That applies to how much material you'll need for projects such as wall coverings and flooring, and also to the effect that one dramatic change has on the whole room.
Go wild in a small bath. Your budget can likely handle it, and the return you get is more than simple dollars and cents. Every time you walk into that charming new space, you'll be glad you took the time and made the effort.
Don't let your small bath intimidate you! If you don't know where to start, check out our ebook, Low Cost Bathroom Remodeling Tips.
Leave a Reply