One of the most important rooms in modern custom homes is the bathroom. This is the space where we prepare for the day and relax at the end of it. That is why bathrooms are probably the most renovated rooms by home builders in Calgary. And it turns out the main reason for this type of renovation is size: Let’s face it, there are few things worse than a small, unfunctional bathroom.
In some cases, the homeowner has the possibility of tearing down the original bathroom and building a new one from scratch. But what if you have a small bathroom which size you can’t change for one reason or another? Do you have to settle with a space that you feel is too small and uncomfortable for your needs? Of course, you don’t! As Calgary inner city home builders, at Sunset Homes, we know that working around a small bathroom can be daunting but we assure you it is not impossible at all.
In fact, if you can’t change the size of your small bathroom, you can make it feel bigger with some eye-tricking hacks. Today we bring you a list of design tips that can help you make the most of a small bathroom without losing your mind or wasting too much money. Also, you can check out our Calgary Custom Home Builder Tips to Make your Bathroom Renovations Simple.
Create an Efficient Layout
The first problem of a small bathroom is usually the fact that it is not functional. Many homeowners believe that this is the only possible result of a reduced size. But the truth is that spaces don't need to be large to function well. Rather, they need to have the proper layout and distribution.
As experienced Calgary custom home builders, we suggest you take out all movable elements from your bathroom and start visualizing how you could better distribute all items in a way they work better as a whole, use web apps to have a better idea of your options, and create inspiration boards in tools such as Pinterest.
Don’t Forget the Essentials
As we all know, even if you have a small bathroom, there are some elements that really need to be shoved in there. Of course, we are referring to the toilet, sink, and shower or bathing area. On top of it, a space devoted to towels in use and toilet paper must also be taken into account.
The best way to tackle the challenge of including all these essentials in a harmonious way is to turn to Calgary custom home builders that can offer you the best options to reconfigure the space. Take into account that the reconfiguration of a bathroom should be done by certified professionals and that an interior designer can offer you fresh and trendy ideas especially adapted to your needs.
Plan your Bathtub and Shower Area Carefully
When renovating any bathroom ―not only a small one― one of the first questions that your chosen Calgary home builder will ask is whether you want a shower, a bathtub, or both. But when it comes to tiny spaces, sometimes the hard reality is that you may not have both, at least separately.
What you could do is to go for a two-in-one area that combines both elements with a tub that sits inside the shower. Another hack to gain tub space is to go for more deepness instead of more width. Finally, for visual effects, consider skipping the shower door and going with a glass panel, and extending your shower tile up to the ceiling.
Include Clever Storage Options
We all know that storage is essential in any functional home. Space for towels, toilet paper, makeup, extra bar soaps, medicines, and basically anything you need to include to make your bathroom a dream one is a huge plus. One of the biggest challenges of a small bathroom is precisely where to store all these much-needed elements.
Maybe you can’t include a corner towel cabinet in a reduced space but you can think outside the box with over-the-toilet shelving units, shelves with towel bars, over the door storage, or cute baskets under the sink. If you are dealing with a children’s bathroom, you can also ask your Calgary home builder to install rust-resistant steel cubes with a galvanized finish in vibrant colors that will add a fun touch to the space while keeping things neat.
Get Creative with your Vanity and Sink
One of the elements that take most space in a bathroom is the vanity and sink combo. And being realistic, regardless of the storage space they offer, sometimes the visual bulk they produce is not worth it. In small bathrooms, here is where creativity is much appreciated. One of the hot trends right now among Calgary infill home builders is to go for trough sinks because they are both stylish and let you free floor space for foot traffic or storage.
In our experience as Calgary inner city home builders, we know how beautiful and useful double sinks can be. But if you have a really small bathroom, maybe the best way to approach this challenge is to consider a single sink that increases counter space and that is long enough to let two people get ready simultaneously. You can also select a vanity with one shelf to store all your needed products. Other visual hacks include installing a wall-mounted faucet, choosing a floating vanity, and preferring round vanities and sinks over square ones.
Keep Things Light and Minimal
One of the best pieces of advice we can offer you after many years as custom home builders in Calgary is to keep things simple. It may seem obvious but it is always good to remark that light colors and large-scale patterns help to open spaces considerably. So if you have a small bathroom, consider a soft palette and clear elements such as glass containers for storage. You may also want to start thinking vertically rather than horizontally in order to minimize visual obstructions and create a feeling of effortless flow and space.
Another good idea, where possible, is to add a large mirror surface to trick the eye and make the space look bigger. On top of it, mirrors can give you a luxury touch that is always welcome in a good bathroom. Finally, try to avoid blocking windows as natural light is essential for cramped spaces as it provides a feeling of cleanliness and tranquility.
If you are planning your new home check out our Custom Home Builder Tips to Design the Perfect Master Bathroom and these Four Myths About Bathroom Design
Ready for a major renovation or to build your new family home? Contact Sunset Homes today! We will prepare a class 3 estimate for your project, and provide you with the right tools for every step of the custom home building process.
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Too Long Didn’t Read (TLDR)
When it comes to small bathrooms which size can’t be expanded, there are some design tips that can help you make the most of the space. It is all about being as creative as possible when it comes to layout, storage for bathroom essentials, bathtub, shower, vanity, and sink.
