Make the Most of a Small Bathroom

You get up every morning and head straight foropen. Take down thick or dark colored shower
the bathroom. It's the first and last place that youcurtains and draperies. Installing clear doors on the
visit every day. If it is cluttered and small, it canshower extends the eye past the bathtub all the
seem cumbersome and depressing. If things areway to the wall, adding about three feet of
hard to find or get to it can be frustrating andspace. Having sheer curtains or a pull-down
make you late for work or other appointmentswindow shade that lets in light can make a big
and obligations. If you are stuck with a smalldifference.
space, follow these tips for getting organized andInstall extra lighting where ever you can. Bad
making the space seem larger than it really is.lighting makes spaces seem small and dreary.
First, the more floor space that is visible, theBright fluorescent bulbs, recessed lighting, sky
bigger the room will feel. Utilize your linen closet.lights and open windows can make all the
Clear out the clutter and get rid of expireddifference. Use light colored paint and bathroom
medicines and make-up. Most of us have aaccessories to brighten up the room. Light blues
drawer stuffed full of old make-up, medicines andand greens are the most pleasing to the eye and
hair accessories. Use plastic containers that yousignal your brain to consider the room an open
can see through and separate your stuff. Put thespace.
make-up that you really use in one container. AllMirrored surfaces also add to the illusion of space.
manicure/pedicure products should go in their ownIf you have a small mirror, replace it with one
container. Medicines can go in their own box, andthat is as big as possible. Add mirrors to other
if you have children, you may want to separatewalls if possible, not just above the sink. A
child and adult medicines. Shaving cream, razorsmirrored medicine cabinet adds space and is also a
and blades, toothbrushes and toothpaste can go inpractical solution for storage. Replace old brass
a box together. Hair-dryer, curling irons and hairdoorknobs, cabinet pulls, toilet paper holders and
accessories can go into their own container asfaucets with bright reflective chrome. Towel rods,
well. Dedicate an eye-level shelf in your linen closetshower curtain rods and hooks reflect light around
for all of these items. Add a shelf if you need to,the room adding to the illusion of space. If you
making extra space. This should get everythinghave a small table in your bathroom, cover it with
off of your counter.a mirrored surface, or replace it with a pedestal
The next step is to get as much as possible offand glass top.
of your floor. Unnecessary rugs, laundry basketsKeep things simple and open, colors light and
and garbage cans can make the space seempatterns subtle. Opening up space in your
smaller than it is. If you have the budget, opt forbathroom can rejuvenate you for the day and
a wall-mounted toilet and pedestal sink. These tworelax you for the night.
things free up floor space and help keep things