Bathrooms are undoubtedly one of the most used rooms in any house. But if we’re being real — they often receive the least amount of love and attention than any other space, particularly if they’re on the smaller side. It doesn’t take long before a small bathroom begins to feel cramped, cluttered, and just not very welcoming.
Handling small bathrooms is a challenge for homeowners in cities like Cincinnati, where you have homes ranging from cozy historic houses to shiny new builds. But here’s the thing: Just because you don’t have the square footage, it doesn’t mean that you should overlook your bathroom. Not at all.
Whether you have a small powder room or a full master bath that’s not quite as grand as you’d like, there’s probably a tip or hack in this article for you.
This guide is here to give you some very real, very achievable fixes for it.
Step One: See What You Have
Before you even begin shopping for pretty baskets or new towels, pause for a moment to critically evaluate your space. You want to figure out the following:
- What feels super cramped?
- Which area has the most potential?
- What fixtures or layouts are just not working for you?
Maybe it’s the old clunky vanity, oddly angled walls or a dated tub that makes everything feel smaller than it is. Even the smallest of bathrooms often have hidden potential—you just need to find it.
Yes, there’s so many small things you can totally DIY but at a certain moment, bringing in a pro just makes life easier. For instance, if the fixtures are old, hiring a bathroom remodeling company in Cincinnati may just be the help you need. They can modernize (and improve) your plumbing, reconfigure the space, and introduce clever design features you may not have even known existed.
The best part? Everything can also be matched to your taste and the overall aesthetic of your home, ensuring that your bathroom doesn’t follow a cookie-cutter design.
Step Two: Be Smart About Storage
In compact bathrooms, storage is not a luxury; it is a necessity. But you certainly don’t want the space to feel even smaller with bulky cabinets crammed in.
So here’s how you can be space savvy:
- Go vertical. Tall skinny shelves or floating shelves keep things accessible but don’t take up much floor space.
- Use over-the-toilet storage. The wall space above the toilet can be used in various ways so use it well!
- Install recessed niches. These look great inside the shower, and you can place things like shampoos, soap, or even candles inside them.
- Hooks or sleek racks can be installed at the back of your bathroom door. These work well for extra towels or robes.
With a bit of imagination, awkward nooks can easily transform into awesome storage spaces.
Step Three: Choose Fixtures That Work for You, Not Against You
The right fixtures can indeed make all the difference in a small bathroom. If what you have right now feels like it’s eating up valuable space, consider making a few other changes.
Here are some ideas:
- Exchange heavy vanities for wall-hung sinks or corner vanities. It opens up the floor and the room feels so much larger.
- Install clear glass doors/panels in showers. They open up the sightlines and give the space an airier feel.
- Swap out swinging doors for sliding or pocket doors. Traditional doors are bulky and they take up more space than you realize.
- Choose multi-purpose pieces, like a mirror that’s also a medicine cabinet or towel racks that also work as shelves.
These seem like baby steps, but they add up and are impactful.
Step 4: Expertly Use Lights, Colors and Mirrors
If a sense of spaciousness is your goal, you need to consider light, color and mirrors. These three are your secret weapons.
Color Tips:
- Opt for light colors like white, beige, soft gray or pastel blues and greens.
- Say no to dark colors unless you’re using them very strategically, for instance, to add a pop of color.
Lighting Tips:
- Use layered lighting. Use overhead lights, vanity lights, and accent lights to brighten up your space.
- Ensure there is enough light so that there are no dark corners as those can make a small room seem like it’s closing in on you.
Mirror Tips:
- Go big. The bigger the mirror, the more light it will reflect and visually quadruple the space.
- Do not be afraid to use more than one mirror. Thinking of adding a wall of mirrored cabinets and a vanity mirror? Yes, please.
What you’re aiming for is to make that space feel open, welcoming, and bright — not dark and closed off and shadowy.
Step 6: Know When It’s Time to Overhaul Everything
If you’re constantly battling mold, replacing a series of leaky fixtures, or wrestling with a truly bad layout, a full remodel will probably be your best move.
Here’s when you should consider remodeling it:
- You’re dealing with mold or recurring water damage
- Your bathroom has some really old fixtures or plumbing
- It has a design that makes no sense at all
At this point, working with the pros isn’t just beneficial — it’s crucial. They’ll know how to:
- Move plumbing the right way
- Choose durable materials
- Prepare a layout that makes sense.
A full remodel can be a daunting choice, but it can completely transform the way you feel about your home. And it can add a whole lot of value to your home, if done right.
A small bathroom doesn’t always need to feel impossible to work with. With the perfect mix of smart storage, sleek fixtures, and a space-saving design (not to mention a healthy dose of color and personal flair), even the smallest bathroom can feel spacious, light, and result in an enjoyable bathing experience.
And if you get to the point where making little adjustments just doesn’t do the trick, that’s okay too. Having the pros come in and fix things up can give you the space you have always wanted.