Big Ideas for Small Bathrooms

At American Standard we like to think your bathroom should be the same size as your garage. We realize, however, that’s not going to happen. Here are ways to turn a phone booth back into a bathroom.

Use lighter, cooler colors. They feel airy and trick the eye, which look beyond them. Wallpaper with a small pattern also helps expand the space. Try some on the ceiling. Or install tile with a subtle pattern that repeats on the floor. Go heavy on the lighting. A skylight, a bay window or a glass block wall could do wonders.

Choose reflective surfaces, such as a shiny marble vanity. By the same principle, put up the biggest mirror you can. Try a glass shower enclosure. Make sure it’s shatterproof glass.

Emphasize the horizontal. A tile border will do just that. If you have a long, narrow room, paint the short walls a darker color to give them more weight. Tap unused vertical space for storage. Put a cabinet above the toilet, for example. Put up lots of hooks. Hang baskets.

Now here’s the good part. If your bathroom is small, you can afford to splurge on the materials.