Some innovative ideas for your bathroom remodel.
I’m happy to present this guest article by Handy Man, author of Handyman fix home repair — How to Fix, Build, Install, Customize, Repair, Restore, Renovate, and Demolish your House and Home. If you like his post please check out his website and consider subscribing to his rss feed!
In most houses, the smallest room is usually the bathroom and it can be pretty frustrating to find ways to make it look new. Your space is so limited that the newer tubs may not fit and it’s very hard to get inspired when you’re dealing with what amounts to a small closet with a toilet. However, there are a few tricks that will make your whole bathroom look like new, and increase the amount of overall space.
1. Install a pedestal sink.
Our cabinets take up way too much space and usually end up a cluttered mess. You can dramatically open up the bathroom by ripping out those cabinets and installing a pedestal sink. They are quite economical and today’s pedestals come in a wide variety of designs and colors. You’ll be saving feet of space and your bathroom won’t feel so cramped. To address the issue of the lost storage space, you can install shelving and use baskets, or work with a linen closet to find new ways to store your stuff. Chances are, you don’t use half the stuff that was stowed away in your cabinets, so this is a great way to break through the clutter.
2. Put in a light colored floor.
If you’ve got carpet in your bathroom, it’s something you’ll need to change out (for good reason!), but even if you’re dealing with a tile or linoleum floor, it’s time to get an update. There are many new flooring materials out there that can really make your bathroom feel much more luxurious. If you’re short on skills and budget, go for peel and stick tile in a light color. This will really open up the space and make it feel much larger. If you’re going for a zen feel, look for laminate flooring in a maple or light finish. This is also very easy to install and will wear pretty well in the bathroom. Just remember to make use of floor rugs to avoid slipping while coming out of the shower or tub.
3. Look for a corner tub.
Most of us would love to have a garden tub, but when you’re dealing with a limited amount of space, your options are also pretty limited. However, there are some new models that are designed to fit into the corner of your bathroom, and even small bathrooms can usually accommodate this type of model. Instead of using up a lot of lateral space, you’ll be taking up a corner which isn’t used much anyway. The main drawback of these tubs is that they are usually deeper than longer, but they are a nice switch from the standard tub of yesterday. If this isn’t an option, rip out that old standard tub and replace it with a clawfoot. Again, they’ll be a bit deeper than they are long, but they do take up less space. Whenever you’re redoing your bathroom, remember that even though the space is small, there is a lot you can do with it. Focus on light colors, adding light and working within the space to make it seem a lot bigger and more inviting.
What’s also great about reworking your bathroom is that by giving it a modern or new feel, you’ll likely get a pretty good return on your investment, since a bathroom remodel is considered one of the top ways to increase the value of your home.
So anyone in the mood for a DIY project this summer? 
Image Credit: East Flooring, Not In A Day
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http://www.handymanfixhomerepair.com/how-to-make-old-appliances-look-new/
I can’t stand pedestal sinks. That stuff you have to store is the stuff you have to store. I’d rather hide it in a cabinet that leave as an eye-sore on shelving or in baskets. At best, you are just moving the issue.
I also prefer sinks with storage cabinets underneath, but I can vouch for the spacious effect that pedestals give. My relatives remodeled their smallest bathrooms and the pedestal sinks they chose were a good fit for the very small rooms they had.
I think that small bathrooms can benefit from these types of sinks, certainly. For larger bathrooms, I’d opt for built in cabinetry of course. But many people do like the pedestals for the cosmetic appearance and will place them in any bathroom, regardless of size.
Nice ideas. I am thinking to change the floor color. The current color is dark brown. I choosed it to avoid the floor look dirty when I absence to clean up. Peel and stick is very good idea.
I agree with Lazy Man, pedestal sinks are OK for a hallway powder room or half-bath, but they don’t make much sense for a full bath where you need to store stuff like TP, cleaning products, trash cans, etc.
I do like the idea of light floors though. We redid our bathroom a couple years ago and used a light beige ceramic tile that turned out great. It’s just dark enough to hide wear but not too dark to make the room seem smaller.
nice ideas but my dad won’t allow me to do all dat stuff at home
I’m a firm believer in tiling bathroom floors. It is easy and inexpensive and it looks great! Moreover, if you have the skill, tiling the inside of your shower/bathtub looks a lot better than those injection molded tub/shower units.
My wife and I also added baseboard in our bathroom. I know there are concerns about it absorbing H2O, but it looks good and I’m not that worried.
Of course, repainting is always a good one too.
I know a few people who are just modernizing their sinks. Funky glass and interesting designs are all available at good consumer prices now and they look amazing in a bathroom!
Great ideas! Even someone as lazy as me wants to renovate now
I agree with so many folks here. I don’t like pedestals, but they can look good. Storage for all the toiletries is always an issue. Not to mention the inconvenience when you are shaving, brushing, preening, etc. Just not enough space.
Great idea on the corner tub. I like them a lot. With the windows you get good natural light and still have privacy.
Joe
Great ideas. These don’t have to be expensive options. We have clients that are using Ikea Hacks to get some inexpensive remodeling items that look very expensive.
How about resurfacing your current tub?
I think corner tub is a great idea. Not only does it make the bathroom look great, it also adds value to your home should you resell it…