Chances are you’re stuck with your bathroom size. Unless you’re building your house from scratch, are completely remodelling or are building an extension, there’s little you can do to alter the physical dimensions of the space. But while the walls will stay resolutely where they are – which, let’s face it, is what you want from walls – there’s an arsenal of tricks at your disposal to make the most of what you’ve got.
That’s me in the corner
Just like in football, corners in bathrooms are often wasted opportunities. If you’re working with extremely limited space in your bathroom, look into ways to take advantage of the corners. Choose triangular vanities, caddies and shelving that slot neatly into the space. If you’re stuck for a wall long enough to accommodate a bath or have your heart set on a freestanding tub, consider adding one at an angle across one of the corner and then use the space behind for shelving. Triangular sinks can also prove very effective in freeing up some wall space. You can always combine both and have a corner sink with a triangular shelving space above it, fronted by a mirror. Speaking of which…
Mirror in the bathroom
Mirrors are a bathroom essential (where else can you perfect your dance moves in private?) and they can also prove very useful double agents when it comes to maximising space. Mirrored over-sink cabinets are a fantastic space saver and can also be useful for storing items you’d rather weren’t out on display. Another favourite of ours are rotating cabinets that have a full-length mirror on one side and shelves for your toiletries on the other. These can be positioned in tight corners (making sure you leave enough space for it to turn) and save valuable floor space. If you have a window into your bathroom, mirrors can help reflect the light around the room, making it seem bigger, brighter and more spacious.
True Colours
The colour of your walls play an important role in the perception of size in your bathroom, regardless of the actual size of your bathroom. If you’re blessed with ample space, you’ve got more room to manoeuvre here and can experiment with slightly more unconventional colours. But if you want to maximise the appearance of space, stick to light, soft and neutral colours. If you’re a fan of strong, bold colours, limit them to your accessories, towels and decorative objects.
No limits
A useful alternative to a shower enclosure is to do away with barriers completely and convert your bathroom into a wetroom. This can free up a lot of space and if you use the same tiles on the walls and floor, it will give the impression of even more space. There are a lot of things to take into consideration when working out the layout of a wetroom, particularly the placement of ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ areas, but it can be an excellent way to gain back some space in a small bathroom. Read our guide to how to fit a wetroom for more information.
Bath for good?
One of the biggest space hogs in a bathroom is the bath. The standard bath size in the UK is 1700mm long and 700mm wide. That’s a lot of space to give up when it’s at a premium in a small room. If this isn’t your main bathroom then you might want to consider if the room really requires a bath at all. Doing away with it would allow you to gain a lot of valuable space and open up a world of possibilities, including the aforementioned wetroom idea. But if you absolutely must have a bath, there are alternative bath sizes available. Small bath sizes can be around 1200 to 1400mm long, clawing back some space over the average bath size. You can also consider inset or corner baths (see above). If you have a separate bath and shower enclosure, then combining them into an over-bath shower will definitely save space. Consider using a shower screen instead of a shower curtain to create the appearance of a more open room.
Are you looking for ways to make the most out of your bathroom size? Let us know your thoughts on Facebook or Twitter @mirashowers. We’d love to help!