Here are some simple ideas for making a small bathroom feel larger without expending money on an extensive bathroom enlargement.

1. Paint the walls in a light color. Pale, cool and soft colors are best for rooms that have small ceilings or tight walls. Do not opt for bright or loud colors, as these tend to make rooms look even smaller than they are. Whites, neutrals and pale pastel tones are ideal, especially for bathrooms.

2. The color of the bathroom floor should also be light. If you have a dark floor and it cannot be replaced, consider covering the dark color with a lighter colored floor mat.

3. Bathroom tiles look best when they are large, because this creates a feeling of space.

4. Provide adequate storage space, because clutter makes small bathrooms appear even smaller.

5. Avoid pedestal sinks because they do not offer any form of storage space. They may look cool, but in small bathrooms they are simply unsuitable.

6. Use only a single large mirror in the bathroom. It will add depth by reflecting light.

7. Use counter-top lamps or wall sconce lighting, skylights or large windows to light the bathroom. These lighting options add the appearance of more space and do not require much space of their own.

8. Your shower screens should be clear rather than an opaque color, because the clear screen gives a feeling of additional space. Fully frameless shower screens are preferable because they do not create any visual barriers in an already tight space.

9. Keep your bathroom as neat and clean as you can, because dirty and cluttered bathrooms tend to look even smaller than they are and this is the opposite of what you are trying to accomplish!

Most of these ideas are highly affordable, especially if you do them yourself. A simple paint job is doable by most of us, and with some simple instructions (which you will find on remodel.net) you can learn to hang a mirror and install a light fixture. Go for it – that new look is there waiting for you.

Bathroom Remodel

Finding a skilled contractor is critical to for any major bathroom remodeling job. The good news is that, from Los Angeles to New York and Atlanta to Chicago, bathroom remodeling contractors are working hard to help you realize your goals. Even in a down economy, a professionally done bathroom remodel can pay considerable dividends, not just in the added luxury and comfort it brings you and your family, but in the financial benefits a new bathroom can deliver to a home’s resale value. Read our tips on choosing a contractor for more information on this important stage of your project.

Bringing Bathroom Remodeling Ideas to Life

Once you’ve decided to get serious about perfecting your powder room, you’ll need to formulate a plan for your contractors, carpenters and plumbers to execute. To get started, browse through your favorite magazines, ask your friends for their insight, or attend a local home show to get an idea of what you’d like your bathroom remodeling plans to look like. After deciding which ideas are worth further exploration, decide which elements of your bathroom you’d like to modify. Structural consequences can have a drastic effect on homeowners final decisions.

There are two ways to approach this part of the planning process. One is to decide up front what plumbing fixtures (tubs, showers, toilets, sinks) you plan to move or replace and then ask your architect to draft the plans based on your selections for these items, designing your bathroom remodel so that all of the fixtures you choose fit perfectly. The upside is that you will have the bathroom that you always wanted. The downside is that this could mean moving walls and plumbing supply and both are very costly.

The second option is to ask your designer or contractor to simply tell you what your fixture choices will be dimension-wise based on leaving your existing plumbing as is. The limitation with the latter option is that you would have to choose bath tubs, cabinets, showers, etc. that work within the existing space constraints. The up side is that you will save a lot of money by not moving your existing plumbing sources.

Thinking Practically

Perhaps you would much rather have a large walk-in shower and are not concerned with a bath tub at all. Or, maybe you’re considering a Jacuzzi tub with a slightly smaller walk-in shower. Think about the needs of the people who will use the master bathroom.

If you bathe your children in your master bathroom, it probably isn’t wise to eliminate your bath tub. If you and your spouse don’t ever plan on taking long baths and would much rather optimize the art of creative showering concepts, then get rid of that tub and focus on creating your dream shower for two.

An alternative to bathing infants in a full bathtub is to use the bathroom sink, replacing separate hot and cold water taps with a “joystick” tap on the left and a kitchen vegetable sprayer on the right. It’s a huge timesaver for cleaning up kids who are often only dirty in the diaper area.

Homeowners often complain about the lack of cabinet space in their bathrooms. When working with your architect or designer, be sure to mention the need for extra storage if it applies to your family. There are all sorts of creative ways to incorporate tons of added storage without compromising the integrity of your new master bathroom design. The goal is simple: add all the elements you know you would use, and eliminate those you would not.

Freeing Up Space

Most people would say that they want to feel the essence of increased space in their new bathroom. Nine times out of ten, homeowners today are looking for bathroom remodeling with hopes to “open up” the space that’s already there. This is best achieved with lots of glass and mirrors. This design concept creates the illusion that there are fewer divisions in the bathroom making it feel larger.

Today, many couples are undergoing master bathroom remodeling in order to make the bathroom more functional for two people to share, literally. With such a vast amount of dual-income households, it is very common for a couple to need use of the bathroom simultaneously so that everyone can get where they need to go in the morning.

Heated flooring, dual and quadruple shower heads, wall mounted televisions, theater sound, and lighting concepts with dimming options are also very popular choices.

As far as plumbing hardware and electrical fixtures are concerned, oil rubbed bronze, brushed nickel and bronze are the trendy thing to do. Brass has pretty much come and gone and chrome is on its way out.

If you are having difficulty tying everything together, consider using some of your budget and investing in an interior designer. Many of them are equipped with an impressive amount of knowledge and experience. Using a designer can help you rest assure that you have chosen logical and aesthetically pleasing choices for your master bathroom creation.

A new bathroom starts with a call to a licensed bathroom remodeling contractor in your area.