Big Ideas for the World's Smallest Bathrooms

By her own account, Claire's beautiful 19th century Victorian home also has the world's smallest bathroom.

"It's a true water closet," she laughs, taking me down the hall to the tiny loo that was built on the first floor of her home as an afterthought. "The way the house is set up, we can't expand this room without making major structural changes to building," she says, "so we're making do with what we have." She opens a leaded glass door to reveal a room that's decidedly luxurious.
Though a glass door on a bathroom is an unusual choice, it makes perfect sense for this little space.

"I wanted to find ways to bring as much light into the room as possible without building anything new," says Claire. The wood-framed door is inset with a panel of translucent art deco-style glass that allows for privacy while letting additional light into the room. The design in the glass also gives the room an unexpected focal point when the door's closed.

Though far from the smallest bathroom I've ever seen, the room is demure: just big enough for tub, sink, commode and a place to stand. Inside, two large mirrors are installed over the compact pedestal sink and on the opposite wall to make the most of available light. Conscious of creating an illusion of space, Claire says that lighting was the single-most important consideration when she was decorating. The mirrors both reflect light while providing an illusion of depth - a nifty trick in a small room. For versatility, the overhead lights are hooked up to a dimmer, allowing the room to go from sparkling bright to soothing spa with the flick of a switch.

EASY TIPS FOR DECORATING A SMALL BATHROOM
No matter how small your bathroom is, it can still be a luxurious space. Fortunately, many of the changes you can make are also small on the budget:
- Buy the biggest, fluffiest towels you can find and complement these with a single plush rug to step onto when you come out of the tub.

- Clear away clutter and stash the items you have to keep visible in attractive sea grass baskets or beautiful jars.

- Get rid of harsh lights as the main source of light in the room. Lowering the lights or providing a source of alternate lighting like candlelight is the quickest beauty treatment in the world. Install a dimmer switch

- Mirrors are not only a great way to ma ximize a small space, but are perfect in a bathroom. Consider putting mirrors on opposite walls allowing people to see themselves from the front and back at once - perfect for checking the hairdo. The back of a door is also a good spot for a full length mirror.

- For best results in the small room keep the bright colors to a minimum. White is a good default in the bathroom, and a great choice for any small room. Be liberal with it - cabinets and walls will reflect more light when painted white.

- Chrome and stainless steel fixtures, waste baskets, soap dispensers and accessories will give the room a modern look while reflecting more light.

- Giving the room a touch of spa doesn't have to take up a lot of space. Scented candles and soaps will lightly perfume the air without being overpowering. Hang candle holders on the wall to conserve counter space.

Branden Schroeder is an Annapolis MD Real Estate agent specializing in Maryland Green Homes, real estate law and Annapolis Waterfront real estate. www.marylandhomesandproperty.com

Small Bathroom Design Ideas

Like most homeowners you probably wish you had a larger more luxurious bathroom in your home. If adding any more square footage is out of the question there are some design ideas that can make your small bathroom at least look and feel bigger and seem less cramped.

Bathroom remodeling ideas need not be limited to big, luxurious bathrooms that have more generous space and therefore are more able to move around their bathroom fixtures and remodeling plumbing and electrical outlets. Most homes will have small bathrooms and a small bathroom can have a cozy and intimate feel. However too often bathrooms are not looked at as a space where one can spend quality time. As a result many bathrooms are usually just designed to be comfortable and efficient enough.

Regardless of the style you choose to decorate your small bath, it nevertheless will remain a small bath. You can by using by using the right colors and lighting design, create a posh and cozy bathroom retreat.

Theories concerning space enlargement will apply to a bathroom as well as to any other room in your home. For example you might want to consider replacing a large vanity with a more stylish p pedestal sink.

You should cut back on anything that sticks out too much in the bathroom. See if you have any wall shelves, hanging racks, or decorative accessories on the walls that make your bathroom look smaller. Doing this should help make the bathroom feel larger.

You can create the illusion of height in your bathroom through the use of more vertical lines. For instance having bathroom tiles that go all the way to the ceiling or vertical stripes in a wallpaper pattern can also help make a small bathroom seem larger. Lining the edge of your ceiling with a border or a cornice, or even a painted tile around the top of the walls can help to create more visual depth. You can also find that by installing polished tiles and putting up mirrors can result in the area reflecting itself and helping to create the feel of additional square footage for your bathroom.

Letting your walls remain a neutral color like white or grey helps to create an impression of more space. Plus, if you draw the eye upwards, the room will look taller; so add a border around the ceiling to create more vertical depth. Also, installing polished tiles and hanging mirrors lets the area reflect itself, thereby creating the feel of additional square footage.
Lighting is a necessary component in creating an illusion of more space. One way to do this is to combine the mirrors with the lighting fixtures and the color. It is important to make sure that the lighting is spaced out correctly. You should have a strip of light bulbs installed above your main mirror.

Yet another good idea for those with small bathrooms is to replace the bathtub with an upscale shower design. This could be a glass cubicle with mirrors inside or an angled shower enclosure, what is usually called a quadrant corner shower unit.

James Mahoney is the author of many bathroom design articles and has a site about bathroom design ideas and trends at Bathroom Designers Ideas.com.
James Mahoney is the owner of Kitchen Designers Idea.com. Learn about today's kitchen design ideas by visiting his site at http://www.kitchendesignersideas.com.
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Small Bathroom Design

Designing a bathroom in a small space can be quite a challenge but you can still have a workable bathroom in a small space.

The trick to a small bathroom design is try and utilize every square centimeter of space effectively without cluttering the space up and making it uncomfortable to be in.

Choose your fittings wisely and don't just opt for a cheap bathroom suite, these suites will often not be suitable for the smaller bathroom.

A great space saving idea is the so called closet bathroom suites. These suites are designed specifically for your space saving needs. The toilet and basin will be in a wedge shape, this will allow them to be fitted in the corner of the bathroom and saving the space that would otherwise be wasted in the corners.

In the smaller bathroom there is no doubt about what will cause the major headache. There is no way of getting around the fact that a bath will take up a lot of space. If you can physically fit a standard size bath in then you will have no option but to stick with a shower unit. This is often a compromise that most people will be happy to accept and can make the space look modern and stylish, this is the option most young professionals will prefer.

The family home however will need a bath. There are only a few options available if there is not physically enough space for a standard bath. The first option is to gain some space from somewhere, from another adjoining room in the house or to extend the room. Both these options can be expensive and out of reach for many home owners. Another option is to move the bathroom to another location in the home. Again this can be an expensive project and will cause inconvenience to the home owner.

A cheaper and more convenient option is to buy a smaller than standard bath, they are available obviously at an extra cost. A corner bath is often seen as a luxury but contrary to popular belief they are not that expensive and a corner bath will take up less space length wise than a standard bath.

The small bathroom isn't the end of the world and can be a workable space.

Mchenry owns and runs a DIY tool shop that sells everything you will need for your Bathroom design small or large.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=McHenry_Kay
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Italian Bathroom Design

Basing the concept of history with today's tasteful blend of old and new is something to look forward to. More than just a room to wash up and apply some makeup or after shave, bathrooms stemmed from Italian ideas never grow old.

Towel racks, door knobs and even a soap tray is meant to be eye pleasing to them, as Italian bathroom design revolves on using brass and polished metals to give an appearance of wealth, unless the said articles are actually molded gold. But cheaper alternatives would inspire any amateur home décor to spruce up the bathroom with designs that gives off an aura of ancient scenic beauty and Roman simplicity. Bathtubs may come in just about all shapes and sizes, but with some water jet-propelled ones like Jacuzzis are also introduced. Most of the bathtubs can be either ceramic or simply brass-types. And shower booths are also noted, can be made of clear glass or just an enclosed space with a blurred glass pane for a bit of privacy while showering.

Ceramics have been one of the basic elements when it comes to the design, setting tile after tile of light colors that gives the bathroom an appearance of warmth, despite of setting the cold water faucet by accident. Though a toilet is a toilet, women tend to be a bit more lavish as modern bidets makes toilet usage more pleasurable and hygienic for them. Floor mats can be used, but bleached mahogany is a better material to use as footboards that doesn't let the bather feel cold once they step into the bathroom. The idea of heated floors is basically American, and this would cause too much moisture to retain, thus tarnishing the brass bit by bit.

In some cases, hanging small pictures of landscapes and flora will bring an added scenic look when it comes to the design. For most it may be just simple replicas from Monet and the like since most Italians appreciate the arts. Probably a small picture of wine and grapes would be good for that added touch.

There are various designs, tiles, and even fixtures for anyone who wish to turn a bathroom into a living piece of history, and this is more than just reading the paper while doing their business. Cleanliness, a sense of style and the uniqueness of ancient history, Italian bathroom design is a piece of artwork that can be well appreciated by anyone.

Asian Bathroom Design

For most homes, Asian bathroom design consists of lights, mainly overhead lamps and sconce that add a unique flare. Although fluorescent lamps are part of the lighting fixtures, they often use soft-glow types that give off a cooler light rather than incandescent bulbs.

The main layout for the bathroom was inspired from most American and European designs, added to a more Asian flair that would call their own. Screens and more vibrant colors when it comes to the floor tiles and walls gives off an optical illusion of having more room. Although some Asian bathroom designs would resemble a 4-star hotel in terms of modern elegance, the very essence of the design is simply derived from nature. Some flora is introduced, while waterproof wallpaper with bamboo prints give color to the walls. This can also include wood tiles and mahogany from other Asian countries for the counter top and a small armoire.

The main shower area and tub are designed depending on the country of origin, which can be circular like the Japanese or wide like the Chinese. Of course the rich would introduce a small above-ground pool for the main purpose of soaking in hot water, as well as lavish it off with some orchids to create a more natural look. With the mixture of both modern and classic, most modern jet-streamed tubs are placed in a central location, according to the feng shui belief that the center is the very heart that revolves around everything.

Simple fixtures, mainly of faucets, shower heads and booths may sometimes be imported, while designs from local bathroom designers are inspired by using the available floor space of a typical Asian home. This is well suited for small bathrooms that upon entering would have everything within arm's reach without too much clutter. For the wall to place a mirror to, they can be large, considering the vanity of most Asians and how they can be conscious about their looks.

Decoration is revolved mainly of plants, with some wood for frames and screens and a large portion is concentrated simply for the floor. Tiles sold in Asia have several patterns, which custom made ones can be ordered like that of a jigsaw puzzle, to create a mosaic effect.

Although a number of American homes may have a touch of European and American styles, the Asian bathroom décor is becoming a big hit, considering the need to have a bathroom with all the necessary items and fixtures without walking too much. The Asian bathroom design is for those with small homes, yet emphasizes mainly on the bathroom as the centerpiece.

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Bathroom Design Ideas - Decisions, Decisions!

Regardless of any bathroom design ideas you have, the real deciding factor is the kind of bathroom you have already. There are plenty of features you might like but that doesn't mean they will be suitable for your bathroom.

So when it comes to your bathroom design brief, make sure the features and style you choose fits in with the bathroom itself. Designing a small bathroom is obviously a challenge but the same can be said for a larger space. Bathroom design software is widely available these days and many companies will be able to use this in order to give you an idea of how the fixtures, fittings and features will shape up in the space available.

Size and dimensions obviously dictate your choice of bath, shower, toilet and basin, but there are other factors to consider. The space available and the light and shade of the bathroom should also have an effect on the bathroom tile designs and flooring style you choose, and of course colour choice is essential.

The style of your home as a whole can also provide inspiration for bathroom design ideas. And more to the point, your bathroom has to fit in with the interior decoration of the rest of your home. If you have a traditional look to your home, state-of-the-art design might not sit well in your bathroom, no matter how much you covet those modern appliances. Similarly, if you have a very contemporary look to the rest of your living space, a rustic style for your bathroom will be incongruous. But, hey, if it's time to update the whole of your home, feel free to start at the bathroom and work your way from there!

The next point to consider is your lifestyle. You have to vet your bathroom design ideas according to your living situation; a family of four or five will need a completely different bathroom to singles or couples. And let's not forget the older generation - they have a whole set of design criteria of their own, and the choice of bath especially could be key.

We're not finished yet - there are yet more factors to consider. How long do you plan to stay in your home? If you are thinking of putting your property on the market in the next few years then you should steer clear of any idiosyncratic design features that might not appeal to everyone. Try to make your design as clean and neutral as possible. That doesn't mean your bathroom has to be bland; just get the basics right and your bathroom will still be beautiful and highly functional.

However, if you're there for the long term, go for it! Express yourself and design a bathroom that will appeal to your very own style sensibilities. But bear in mind that fads and fashions fade. What looks like the hottest design feature today might look gauche and gaudy tomorrow. There are plenty of design styles and features that have stood the test of time, however, so choose wisely.

But most of all, have fun! Don't look upon your bathroom refurbishment as a trial - making your design ideas a reality can be hugely rewarding and satisfying.

Peter Deville is an interior design expert and contributor of bathroom design ideas to the website http://www.bathroomdesignsite.com/
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