Minimalist design can open up cramped rooms, making them feel more spacious. This style is characterized by clean lines and no clutter, making it perfect for small homes and apartments.
Purchase multifunctional furniture like ottomans with storage or coffee tables that come with shelves. This will help maximize space by allowing you to repurpose a room for different uses.
For San Jose apartments, ASL Remodeling advises maximizing space with compact fixtures, light colors, and strategic storage. Use mirrors to enhance brightness and illusion of space. Consider walk-in showers for a modern touch.
1. Create a Walk-In Shower
Unlike tubs, which have enclosures that take up space, walk-in showers eliminate the need for a bulky tub. This allows for a more efficient use of floor space, particularly in small bathrooms.
Walk-in showers with glass doors and minimal framing let natural light in, elongating the room and making it feel larger. This style of shower is also a good choice for older homes with old-fashioned tubs that aren’t in working condition, as they can be converted into a walk-in shower.
Add a shower bench or other seating area to make it easier to get out of the bath and dry off. This prevents you from having to drag wet towels around the bathroom and helps you relax after your shower.
If you want to add seating but don’t have enough floor space, consider a corner ledge or shelf. This can be used to store items that normally sit on the bathroom counter, like a scale or a box of toilet paper.
2. Design for Vertical Space
In small spaces, every bit of storage helps. Installing wall-mounted shelves to hold extra towels, toilet paper and other supplies is a smart way to make the room feel bigger without adding bulky cabinets or chopping up floor space.
A ladder-style shelf unit also provides storage without taking up valuable floor real estate. Blogger Jennifer Lifford created this functional storage solution in her bathroom by leaning a wooden ladder against the wall and hanging wire baskets on its rungs, reports Clean & Scentible.
For even more space-saving storage, add a ledge above your sink or tub for frequently used items like hair tools and cosmetics. You can also use the back of your cabinet doors to hang tiered or stackable units to hold a variety of items.
Using vertical storage throughout your bathroom can trick the eye and create the feeling of greater spaciousness. A mirror hung high can also have this effect.
Floating wood shelving and cabinets touch the ceiling in this Paris bathroom from Space Factory, creating the illusion of a taller room.
3. Create a Bench or Sitting Area
Even though seating isn’t always possible in a small bathroom, there are still ways to make the room more comfortable without making the space feel too cramped.
For example, if your bathroom has a window it might be nice to put a bench underneath it so you can enjoy the view and relax comfortably. A bench like this can also serve as a great place to set towels and bath products.
You can even go all out and add a seat that runs the length of your shower stall to provide an extra spot for relaxing and getting ready. This is a great option for homeowners who want to maximize the value of their homes as it increases bathroom resale potential.
If your bathroom doesn’t have a window, consider adding a little sitting area by the tub instead. This will give you a comfy spot to relax and unwind after a long day. You can also use this spot to display some of your favorite decorative items.
4. Create a Storage Area
If your bathroom is lacking in storage space, install narrow shelves, racks and ledges to increase space for towels, toiletries and other items.
Alternatively, hang a bar chart above the toilet to hold extra rolls of toilet paper, jars of cotton balls and Q-tips, and other household necessities. Stack a wooden ladder on a wall to lean towels and washcloths against for a cozy, rustic look.
Another smart solution is a recessed medicine cabinet that tucks away lotions, potions and other items, allowing your countertops to stay clear for a more spacious feel. You can also add a towel bar that swings out to hang towels or robes for easy reach.
Finally, consider a hidden tank toilet to hide the water tank behind the wall for a more streamlined look. This can help maximize floor space in small bathrooms and complement a contemporary design.
