Your bathroom might be small but never underestimate its importance. Your family needs a functional space with plenty of storage. So, how can you maximize storage space during the remodeling process?
Rethink the Sink
A floating vanity or a pedestal sink, without cabinets beneath, not only saves floor space but also looks smaller than a sink perched on vanity cabinets. Still, want to use that under-sink space? Put a floating shelf there.
If a bathroom vanity is a top priority, shop for options with curved designs. Transitioning from a rectangular vanity to one with a curved front and sides reduces the cabinets’ footprint while maintaining enclosed storage. Additionally, curved vanities bring a unique, and elegant style!
There’s no rule saying that sinks must align with a bathroom wall. Tucking a triangular vanity into a corner can increase floor space and free up walls for additional storage options.
Let a Shower Extend the Room
Consider swapping out the tub for a floor-to-ceiling shower stall. Stalls with a glass shower door that reach the floor will visually extend the bathroom while building shelves or a shower niche into the walls for soaps and shampoos will increase convenient storage options.
Another option is a shower that forgoes a tub, doors, or a traditional stall floor. Envision a bathroom with a consistent tile floor where on one end, the tile gently slopes down toward a drain creating the shower area at floor level. Add a glass surround on the walls, along with a shower curtain, and you'll have a shower seamlessly integrated into the room itself.
Toilets: Small and On the Wall
Go for wall-mounted toilets—ones without a visible tank or a pedestal—as they save space and make the bathroom appear larger by freeing up floor space. If you prefer a pedestal toilet, look for a “compact toilet” designed to fit better in your small sbathroom.
If the toilet is next to the sink, you can extend the sink countertop over the top of the toilet tank to gain counter space. This not only maximizes your counter but also creates a harmonious and functional design.
Use Overlooked Spaces
Remodeling your small bathroom can buy you more storage in areas like these:
In the wall: Utilize the space between studs by inserting niches of varying sizes. These recessed spaces can be filled with closed cabinets, floating shelves, drawers, or bins.
Above the toilet: Gauge whether the wall allows for recessed niches, shelving, cabinets, or a wall-mounted rack? to optimize storage above the toilet.
Above the door: This is potential storage space that’s out of your way, and can keep less- frequently used items within reach. Consider mounting a high shelf or a cabinet here.
Inside bathroom cabinets: Install pullout shelves inside at different heights. Smoothly rolling pullouts enables easy storage and access to items (of various sizes, such as blow dryers, curling irons, and bottles) easily.
Ask your renovation specialist how you can gain storage while improving the overall aesthetic of your bathroom design.
