Bathroom Renovation Mistakes to Avoid in a Small Space
Renovating a small bathroom is a great way to add space for storage and to make it seem bigger than it really is. A new vanity, shelving and other such features can make the bathroom more functional and a fresh coat of paint can also make it seem larger overall. Note a few mistakes you'll want to avoid, however, when you're ready to do a small bathroom renovation in your home.
Not measuring for clearance
You may measure the space for the size of vanity, new toilet or new shower you want installed, but you need to consider the clearance you need for these items as well. Measure the size of the vanity doors when fully opened, to ensure they will fit in your bathroom and not hit the opposite wall. A larger toilet might seem more comfortable, but is there room between it and the vanity for your wastebasket and other such items? Will your knees get too close to the opposite wall that holds a towel rack or tissue dispenser when you use the new toilet? For your new shower, be sure you've measured for the size of the glass shower screen so you know it won't bump the toilet or sink when opened.
Using small tiles
A mosaic tile for the floor or shower may look very attractive in a magazine, but it often makes a space seem smaller. This is especially true if you choose a busy pattern with lots of colour. A better choice for a small space is a large tile for the floor and shower enclosure. Longer tiles can even make a shower seem wider, so opt for something in a simple pattern or monochrome colour and choose wider or larger tiles.
Not bumping out the walls
When renovating the bathroom, you have the chance to actually bump out the walls for added storage that doesn't interfere with the small space. You may not have thought about doing this and assumed that you could just bring in shelving, but pushing back a wall keeps items out of the way of foot traffic. You may see this being done in shower enclosures, as the tile of the enclosure allows that cutout to be covered and protected and used as a shelf. You can also do the same in the bathroom itself; cut out a part of the wall between the wall studs and cover that with drywall or the same wall covering as you're using in the bathroom. You then have added storage that doesn't get in the way of the bathroom area.
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