Small Lancaster Bathroom Remodels: Making the Most of Limited Space

Does your small bathroom need a little TLC? Bathrooms are more than just spaces to handle necessary hygiene tasks. They are where we often start and end each day, offering private places to prepare for the day ahead or unwind before bed. Small bathroom remodels can often present specific challenges, but you don’t need to double your bathroom’s size in order to have the restful, spa-like space you crave. With a little care, a small bathroom can become a perfect haven for you and yours. 

Knowing the best way to make the most of limited bathroom space means first identifying the challenges. For busy families or working professionals, the morning crunch can be a stressful time, and a small bathroom can make it even harder to get out the door. Other small bathroom challenges could include:

• difficulty maneuvering around the space, especially for people with mobility challenges, or if more than one person shares the bathroom.
• a lack of storage space, leading to clutter or a feeling of disorganization.
• not enough lighting, making the space feel dim or depressing.
• a feeling of being crowded.
• not being able to include desired fixtures, like a soaking tub or a large shower.

Getting the Most Out of Your Space

If you can remodel your bathroom in a way that increases its square footage, that’s a great option! But sometimes, the room’s footprint needs to remain the same, for one reason or another. You still have options to make your bathroom feel as spacious as possible. Keep reading for some space-saving bathroom ideas and tips to maximize bathroom space.

#1. Use Light Colors

Paint and tile your bathroom using light colors that reflect the light. Light colors make a space feel larger by making the walls appear to recede. All-white bathrooms aren’t as popular as they once were (although if you love the look, go for it!), but other light colors can accomplish the same thing. Try a sophisticated light gray, a calming sky blue, a warm blush pink, or a gentle soft green for a gorgeous look.

#2. Hang Mirrors

Large mirrors give the illusion of space by tricking your eye into thinking you’re looking at a larger room or a window. And a carefully placed mirror can also increase the natural light in the space if hung opposite a window to reflect the light. Use large mirrors for the most visual impact, and consider tall ones to draw the eye up and make the ceiling seem higher. Mirror frames allow you to make a statement if you choose colors and designs that fit your style.

#3. Banish Clutter

Small bathrooms tend to accumulate clutter very easily. Do your best to keep surfaces clear and things put away to make the room feel more open. Toss unnecessary items and store what you need in drawers or cabinets (more on storage solutions below!). Think outside the box when you need to. For example, maybe you can store extra towels in a hall closet if your bathroom doesn’t have adequate space.

#4. Use Space-Saving Fixtures

Having a small bathroom doesn’t mean you can’t have great-looking fixtures! You can save space and still love the way the room looks and functions.

• Consider using a pedestal sink. It doesn’t take up much space and is attractive and timeless. You can use a medicine cabinet inset into the wall to help make up the lost storage space.
• If you want a more traditional vanity, try a floating vanity. It attaches right to the wall and doesn’t touch the floor. This means it takes up less visual space, makes the area seem more open, and still allows you to store items in the vanity drawers.
• Sometimes a corner vanity is the best option to make use of awkward space. Your designers or contractor can help you decide if this arrangement will work for you.
• If you really want a tub (and who doesn’t?), there are many great options for a small bathroom. Tapered tubs, slipper tubs, and small soaking tubs are often designed in ways that allow them to fit into smaller spaces.
• Custom showers can be made in just about any size and configuration to make the most of your small bathroom’s footprint and take advantage of any available space.

#5. Make the Most of Clever Storage

In a small bathroom, storage is king. You want to use every inch you can while still allowing the space to feel open and uncluttered. Try using a slim rolling cart next to the vanity or tub for extra storage. Floating shelves over the toilet and on the wall next to the vanity allow you to store items or display decor like plants or artwork. Consider having wall niches built into your shower for extra storage (you can use contrasting tile so they are also focal points!). You can even have them built into the bathroom walls in between the studs for storage that doesn’t take up any space in the room.

#6. Use Tiles to Your Advantage

Tile in the bathroom is both classic and practical. The tile you choose–the color, size, and layout–can visually expand the space. 

• Use large format tiles so you have fewer grout lines to break up the surface.
• Consider continuing the floor tiles all the way up the wall to the ceiling. This draws the eye up and makes the room appear larger.
• For long or narrow bathrooms, use horizontally-placed floor tiles to widen the space.
• Use the same tiles in the shower as you do in the rest of the bathroom.
• Choose light-colored tiles with a little bit of sheen to them. This causes them to reflect the light and makes the space look bigger.

#7. Make Your Shower Disappear

Your shower is the largest fixture in your bathroom, and so it takes up the most visual space. If you install a frameless glass shower, you will make it practically vanish, visually adding precious square footage to your small bathroom. Another option is to use a shower with a clear glass door. This, combined with tile that matches the rest of the room, will give your bathroom a much more open feel.

#8. Don’t Underestimate Good Lighting

Nothing makes a small bathroom feel smaller than poor lighting. If your room is either depressingly dim or blindingly bright, there’s a better way! First of all, make the most of any natural light your bathroom gets. If you have a window, install frosted glass or use frosted film to preserve privacy while allowing light to shine through. If your bathroom doesn’t have a window, consider adding a skylight to brighten the space.

A well-lit room of any kind has layered lighting from multiple sources, and a bathroom is no exception. You may want bright overhead lighting for getting ready in the morning, but then when you’re taking a relaxing bath at the end of the day, you want something cozier. 

• Put your overhead lights on a dimmer for a variety of lighting options.
• The light by the vanity should come from multiple sources, so use sconces on either side and a light over the top of the mirror.
• LED strip lights under the vanity or around the baseboards give a soft glow at night.
• You could add a small lamp on the vanity or near the tub for gentle lighting when you want to relax.
• Warm light tends to make a small room feel smaller. Choose a whiter light instead that mimics the outdoors–at least for your overhead and vanity lights.

Need Some Ideas?

Sometimes seeing a small bathroom in action can give you some fresh ideas. Browse our bathroom remodeling gallery to see many of the bathrooms we have remodeled, or check out this list of small bathroom before-and-afters that look great!

Ready to Tackle Your Small Bathroom Remodel?

Don’t let a small bathroom discourage you from making it the best it can be–and it can be pretty great. If you’re ready to start remodeling your bathroom, we’re here to help. Our team of professional designers will help you incorporate all the features you want in a style you love, and our skilled craftsmen will make it a reality. Contact us today and let’s get started.