WRITTEN BY SARAH WALKER CARON
The bathrooms of my childhood all had sunny windows and space for plush bathmats, plenty of storage, and good lighting. But when I began looking for a home several years back, I was surprised to find teeny tiny half-baths in several of the Bangor houses I toured.
In fact, the home I purchased has one. At about 3 feet 6 inches by 4 feet, my bathroom is narrow with room only for a teeny corner sink and a toilet. But after living in my house for several years, I am finally seeing it for what it is: opportunity.
Employing some creativity and strategic planning, it’s entirely possible to transform confined spaces into havens of style and comfort. Here’s how.
Choose Fixtures Wisely
If you are considering changing out fixtures, look for ones designed for small spaces such as corner or half-size sinks that can be mounted. Pedestal sinks can also fit well in a small space. This will maximize the legroom in the bathroom and keep it from feeling cramped. Also, be sure that faucets are appropriately petite so the spray doesn’t overcome the small sink.
Maximize Lighting
Many small bathrooms are also windowless. Without natural lighting, electric lighting is crucial. My tiny bathroom has a bright recessed overhead light that
offers all around good illumination. If yours doesn’t, consider finding an overhead light that will. Also, choose your lightbulbs wisely. Ones that mimic natural light can make the space feel fresher.
Take Your Time Choosing Paint
What’s the best paint color for a tiny bathroom? Only you can decide that. Take your time with this choice — it’s a bit like Goldilocks finding her perfect bowl of
porridge. For me, it took a half-dozen trips to the paint store, many paint chips, and a few paint samples to find just the right color for my bathroom. As one paint
expert told me, it’s all personal preference — but don’t go too dark. In the end, my perfect shade was a medium green with a hint of blue. The advice here? Don’t make a snap decision. Bring home paint chips, tape them up on the wall, and experience them in the lighting and space of your bathroom. Only then can you be sure of which shade is right for you.
Go Vertical for Your Storage
While you might not have a lot of square footage in your tiny bathroom, you likely have vertical space just waiting to be efficiently used. Storage fixtures come in many sizes, so decide how much storage you need and seek out taller furniture that will maximize space without crowding it. And don’t discount more flexible solutions such as floating shelves, which can be coupled with cute baskets or boxes to also create a storage solution in a small space.
Give the Space Personality with Plants and Art
Early on in our bathroom redecorating process, I knew that live plants weren’t feasible in the windowless space. However, a well-crafted fake plant could add that hint of greenery I wanted. When selecting a fake plant, be sure to consider where you will place it and look at it from that angle. Art on the walls can also bring the space together. Aim for interesting pieces that will bring you joy when you see them. But, as with anything else in a small space, make sure you choose a size appropriate for the space.
Mirror, Mirror?
Reflective surfaces can make a small room feel bigger and brighter. When you choose a mirror or mirrors for the space, consider how much wall space you have for it. You want it to be large enough to be useful but not so large it makes the bathroom feel like a mirrored room.
When It Comes to Accessories, Less is More
Finally, when choosing accessories for the space, don’t go overboard. This is a case where less really is more — leaving the space uncluttered will make it feel larger. For instance, if no one will be brushing their teeth in your tiny, windowless bathroom, skip storage accessories for toothbrushes.
