Small bathroom design requires some strategic planning, as not all small bathroom ideas will work for your space or needs.

List specific items you want in your new bathroom, and some of the problems you want to solve by finding new design ideas.

Are you going to do a complete remodel of the entire space, or do you just want to do a partial bathroom remodel? A partial remodel can sometime bring great results.

Changes you want to make in your bathroom will depend on how it is used, and who uses it. Your bath design will vary depending on if it is a main bathroom, or a master bath. Each has it’s own needs.

A main bath may have to serve the needs of various age groups. If it is the only bath, it will serve the whole family as well as guests. If there are young children in the household, that needs to be taken into consideration.

While you want a main bathroom to function well and be attractive, you may want to give a master bath a real touch of luxury by adding special materials not suited for heavy traffic, or amenities better suited for a couple such as a two person soaking bathtub.

Consider your color choices in bathroom wall covering, flooring materials and surfacing. Using lighter colors will help to lighten up and expand the visual space. Tone on tone is a better choice for a small bathroom, and if you select neutral colors your bath will not get outdated anytime soon. An extra advantage to neutral colors is that it gives you more leeway with future changes in decor.

Choose light tones for your wall color, and a coordinating light color for your flooring. Larger more muted patterns are better for your flooring than small busy patterns. The less the better.

If you have a tub/shower combination, use a sliding door rather than a shower curtain. This will add less clutter, and a glass door will allow the eye to follow the light inside the shower and give more depth to the room.

Utilize light from a window if possible without sacrificing your privacy. Some bathroom windows are placed high enough not to be a problem. If you must cover your window for privacy, keep the window treatment sleek and simple.

Dark colored cabinetry can seem to protrude from the wall and squeeze you in. If you are keeping existing cabinetry, sand it thoroughly and give it a new stain either in a light wood tone, or in a color. This is good even if your cabinets aren’t dark. A new color will add to the new feel and look of your bathroom. If installing new cabinets, keep them light and nuetral.

Use towel rings instead or rods. They consume less space and they give a more elegant look to a small bathroom.

If you are not going to use the current fixtures, consider replacing them with smaller models. Many bathroom fixtures are created with small bathroom design in mind. They are scaled down models that serve the same need while conserving space.

Use the corners of your bathroom to advantage. Use graph paper or design software and see how corner toilets, corner tubs or corner vanities would work into your small bathroom design.

When you have put all your small bathroom ideas together, created your design, and finished your bathroom remodel it is time to enjoy and be proud of your new space. Small spaces need to be kept up on a regular basis. A small mess in a small space takes on larger proportions in the minds eye. Take just five minutes a day to scan the room and quickly put out of sight those things that may have gotten left laying around.

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