SMALL BATHROOM: HOW TO PLAN A RENOVATION

Design expert David Cruz at MyJobQuote.co.uk is here to tell you everything you need to know. Take a look at the guide below on how to plan a bathroom renovation when you’re limited on space.

Planning & assessment

Before you do any work on your bathroom renovation, it’s important to plan everything out on paper. This lets you change things around as you assess what you need in the bathroom and how to fit it in.

Working to scale is advisable and will give you a much more accurate outline of what the finished room will look like. Think about what you need first rather than what you might want. Once you have made a plan of the essentials, you can work on how to fit some of the ‘wants’ into the space.

It’s important to make and stick to a budget. This keeps you from not only overspending but also trying to fit too much into a small room and ending up with an impractical space.

Bath

When you have a small bathroom, a question you’ll need to ask yourself is, bath or no bath? If a tub is an absolute must, consider a back-to-wall model. While it looks like a freestanding bath, it doesn’t take up as much space or create that awkward-to-clean area between the bath and the wall. Choosing a thin-rim model as opposed to one with thicker sides will be a space saver, too.

If you decide on a shower over a bathtub, to save space, make sure the bath rises vertically at both ends to give you more standing room and avoid sloping ends. Choose porcelain, cast iron or another strong material rather than acrylic, which can flex when you stand in them, leading to the silicone seal breaking over time.

Shower

Plan for a shower with a clear glass panel and a flush-fitting tray or a walk-in shower to maximise space and create the impression of a more expansive area. Consider installing a built-in shower niche or shower shelf, eliminating the need for freestanding storage or space-consuming shower caddies.

When tiling the shelf or niche, use the same tiles as the rest of the wall rather than going for a contrasting colour or style, which will make it stand out. Make sure to measure the height of the bottles that you typically use in the shower to ensure you make the shower niche tall enough to accommodate them.

Toilet

Check the dimensions of the toilet that you’re considering installing, as sizes can vary considerably. If you can, go for a concealed cistern or wall-hung toilet to save space. However, these can be awkward to access if needed, so a compromise is a back-to-wall model. These are typically more space-saving than a close-coupled toilet.

When space is limited, you also need to carefully consider the layout of the bathroom. It’s worth trying to avoid locating the toilet directly opposite the door. While this won’t have a direct space-saving impact, it does offer a more pleasant aesthetic.

Vanity

A wall-mounted vanity will make a bathroom look bigger as you are freeing up floor space. It may be slightly more expensive, but it can be a worthwhile investment in the long term, giving your bathroom a more spacious feel and a modern vibe.

Wall-mounted taps also give you more room in your sink and bath, so consider this space-saving option too. It can also give you the opportunity to have a slimmer vanity in a small bathroom. Another possibility is a vanity on tall legs, which lets you see the floor beneath it, giving the impression of more space and also making it easier to clean underneath.

Storage

Using vertical space is a must in a small bathroom, so plan for wall-mounted storage as part of your renovation. Think about floating shelves, hooks and the back of the bathroom door for some smart storage that doesn’t take up floor space.

A mirrored cabinet above the sink can serve several purposes, providing a necessary function as a reflective surface, helping to bounce light around the space and offering handy storage.

Tiles

Choosing a large format tile for a small bathroom may feel counterintuitive, but it’s a good idea. Larger tiles mean fewer grout lines to break up the visual continuity on the walls and floor. This gives the impression of more space. As well as making the room feel bigger, fewer grout lines also mean less cleaning.

Picking the colour of wall and floor tiles is hugely important in a small bathroom. If you choose contrasting colours for the walls and floor, it can draw attention to the boundaries of the room, visually dividing the bathroom into different sections.

To give the impression of more space, use the same tiles on the walls as you use on the floor. If you have a low ceiling in the bathroom, consider using vertical tiles to draw your eye upward. For narrow bathrooms, use horizontal tiles to make the space look wider.

Mirrors

The mirror in your bathroom plays an important role in bouncing light around and making the room feel more spacious. Just because your bathroom is small, it doesn’t mean your mirror has to be. In fact, by fitting a large mirror, you help to open up the room through reflection and light enhancement.

Lighting

Lighting is an important design element of a bathroom renovation, particularly in a small space. There are plenty of options, including LED mirrors, wall lights and ceiling lights. The style of light fixtures should reflect the design of the bathroom, e.g., modern or traditional and work well with the rest of the décor.

Having lights on either side of your mirror helps to balance out the light coming from the ceiling fixture, which on its own will cast shadows on your face. As the bathroom mirror is used for shaving or applying makeup, it’s important that the lighting is well thought out.

Avoiding clutter

As with any small space, keeping surfaces clear is key. Make sure that you include enough storage and plan the bathroom to minimise what is on show. By incorporating a shower niche, wall-mounted taps or vanity units on legs, you can reduce visual clutter and make even the smallest bathroom look bigger.

 

 

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR… DAVID CRUZ: David Cruz has worked in the plumbing industry for over fifteen years. David has worked on countless domestic and commercial projects as a plumbing expert and gas-safe engineer. David also works closely with MyJobQuote to provide expert plumbing knowledge to homeowners, tradespeople, and news outlets.

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