10 tips and advice for bathroom renovation

The bathroom is the place homeowners love to remodel the most, even more than the kitchen. Bathrooms are smaller than kitchens, making the job easier and faster. Plus, the smaller space means less costs: less flooring and paint, fewer cabinets and countertops.

Follow these tips to make your bathroom more attractive while keeping things running smoothly, efficiently and cost-effectively.

Build niches and recesses for extra space

If space is extremely limited, don’t build out, build in.

Built-ins like recessed soap dishes, medicine cabinets, and even toilet paper holders squeeze as much space as possible out of tiny bathrooms. You can even flatten the ceiling light by converting your ceiling light into a recessed light. Build into the walls to create additional storage space.

Bathroom ventilation

According to regulations, all bathrooms must have some form of ventilation, either through a sufficiently large window or through an exhaust fan.

When it comes to bathroom fans, pay attention to both the exhaust capacity (i.e. how many cubic feet of air per minute they can move) and the noise level. Due to the limited space in the bathroom, even a moderately loud bathroom fan can be too loud.

Plants for vibrant color

Plants in the bathroom shouldn’t just be an afterthought. Plants add much-needed color to sterile bathrooms.

Consider adding a floating shelf specifically designed to provide a cozy home for your plants.

Choose the right floor covering

Although solid wood floors give bathrooms a special character, from a practical point of view they are not the best floor covering for bathrooms.

Instead, opt for bathroom flooring that is sturdy enough to withstand the rigors of everyday use. Popular bathroom flooring options include ceramic and porcelain tiles, premium vinyl planks, and vinyl tiles.

Adjust the room size with color

To make a small bathroom appear larger, make sure your color palette is in the white or light color spectrum.

Dark colors make the room seem smaller and claustrophobic. Use white or light-colored fixtures (e.g. the toilet and the bathtub). Think carefully about painting your bathroom ceiling a color other than white or off-white, as this will shrink the space even more.

Bathroom lighting is important

In a room where people need to inspect their hair and face, the lighting is usually very dim and focused on only one point – namely the ceiling light.

At the very least, consider adding additional lighting around the bathroom mirror in the form of wall sconces. However, blinding light is not always desirable.

A very simple device that can add a special mood to your bathroom is a dimmer switch. The dimmer switch is perfect for relaxing late-night baths.

Add free-standing elements

If space allows, many interior designers recommend using a freestanding piece of furniture, such as a decorative chair or cabinet, as a design element.

To make up for this space, you can incorporate other practical elements such as laundry baskets or simply move the laundry basket to another room. Of course, this decorative piece can also serve a practical purpose by serving as a shelf for towels, soap or other small items.

More ways to hang items

Hooks are the easiest way to add space to a bathroom without creating an actual countertop. Hooks can be used for everything from clothes to bathrobes to towels. Place hooks on the back of doors, on the side of cabinets, or on unused sections of wall.

Add more mirrors in the bathroom

When most people think of mirrors in the bathroom, they only think of checking makeup or hair.

But it is also important to view mirrors in the bathroom as design elements that visually expand the space and provide more light in the room. Many homeowners add a secondary mirror above the sink in addition to the primary mirror.

In small bathrooms, you should use large-format mirrors that extend over the entire wall.

Leave space behind the mirrors to allow air circulation and prevent mold growth.

Use wall paneling for protection and appearance

Wall coverings have two important functions. First, it gives an antique look where appropriate and is very easy to install. Secondly, wainscoting has the very valuable function of protecting the lower part of the walls from the inevitable splashes of water that come from the bathtub or shower in bathrooms.

A good coat of oil-based paint will ensure the pearl wall is virtually impervious to moisture. If pearlboard doesn’t stylistically suit your space, consider covering the bottom 16 to 19 inches of the wall in tile. Tiles also fulfill the same purpose, namely to protect the walls from moisture, and offer endless design possibilities.