12 Design Tips To Make A Small Bathroom Better

If you have a super small bathroom, trying to make everything fit in the available space is like doing a giant crossword puzzle.

Among the challenges: configuring the toilet and sink to code, allowing enough clearance for a shower and, of course, where to put the towels and t.p. Despite the challenges, in most cases it’s still better to squeeze in an extra bathroom where one is desperately needed, even if it must be small. If you plan on going this route, here are 12 tips for designing that picture-perfect small bathroom.

1. Install a corner sink. Sometimes even a pedestal sink can disrupt the only available traffic lane in a bathroom.

In this case placing a corner sink across from the toilet works better than a sink across from the shower. The opening and closing of the shower door usually creates an awkward walk-around condition.

2. Use a shower curtain. A shower curtain that moves back and forth saves space over a glass door that moves in and out. Shower-tub combos actually can fit into small spaces, with some tubs coming in at 60 inches in length.

3. Float the vanity. Besides just visually helping the bathroom appear bigger, mounting a vanity above the floor frees up a little space for small items.

4. Round the vanity. Tight spaces can make sharp corners hip hazards. If the corners of a vanity would get in the way, opt for a rounded style. Yes, a round vanity can work in a square space. No more bruised hips!

5. Extend the counter over the toilet. This banjo-style arrangement can be done with stone or a wood slab. The extended counter creates just enough space for a few needed items. Toilet placement is not affected, and the look is minimalist and clean.

6. Use a large-scale pattern. A large-scale pattern, like this wide stripe, can trick the eye into seeing expanded space. The square footage might stay the same, but the bathroom will feel bigger.

7. Skip the shower door. If your bathroom is about 5 feet wide, that’s just enough space to squeeze in a toilet and a 30- by 60-inch tub. With tight conditions such as these, consider a glass panel instead of a glass shower door. It will keep most of the water in the shower and will free up needed elbow room.

8. Expand the mirror. In the tightest spaces, having a mirror stretch across the wall instead of just the vanity can enable two people to use it at once. In less-than-ideal space conditions, every inch helps.

9. Mount the towel bar on a door. When space is at a minimum, mounting a towel bar on the shower door keeps towels handy. You might need to store the bulk of your towels in a nearby linen closet, but having that one towel close by to dry off with is essential.

10. Install a trough sink. The narrow, clean styling of a trough sink is a good-looking space solution. Trough sinks have a low profile. When wall mounted, they free up floor space as well for storage or foot traffic.

11. Select a vanity with one shelf. Pedestal design has gotten smarter. Even a pedestal style with one shelf can hold towels or a basket for toilet paper.

12. Use a wall-mounted faucet. Mounting a faucet on the wall allows for a narrower sink or vanity, which in turn frees up square footage in the total bathroom. Don’t be afraid to try a wall-mounted faucet in traditional design. It works anywhere!

Find Beautiful Sinks for Your Bathrooms

Find Beautiful Sinks for Your Bathrooms

 

If you are remodeling your bathroom or building a new house, you will find that your lavatory sink options are far more plentiful than they once were. Gone are they days when a simple white, round sink was your only choice. Pedestal sinks, wall-hung sinks and vanity-mounted sinks all offer a host of colors, sizes, styles and shapes. If you are remodeling, a new sink can be a budget-conscious way to completely alter a bathroom's appearance.

Consider how frequently the bathroom is used, what kind of look you are going for and keep the following questions in mind as you shop to find the perfect fit:

• What style of sink best suits your bathroom?
• What color will fit best with your décor?
• How big does the sink need to be?
• Do you need storage room underneath?
• What materials are available, and what are the advantages of each? 

 

Design Considerations, Styles and Materials

The frequency with which you use your bathroom will help dictate which type of sink will fit best. Seldom used guest bathrooms, for example, probably won't require as much storage or counter space, so a stylish pedestal sink could be a perfect fit. If you are working with a large master bathroom, you may want to consider installing multiple sinks to make it easier for two people to get ready for work simultaneously in the morning.

Choose a material that will wear well, look good and fit within your budget, and select a style that is both easy to clean and attractive.

Color, Shape and Size

Choosing a color for your new sink will depend on the surrounding decor, whether you wish the sink to blend in or stand out and your personal preferences. Available shapes include round, oval, rectangle and asymmetrical designs. Some sinks are specially designed to fit into corners while others work better out in the open. If you need storage room, install a vanity-mounted sink. If you are installing the sink in a smaller bathroom and want to conserve floor space, choose a pedestal or wall-hung sink.

• Colors range from muted earth tones to bold, bright blues and greens
• Deeper sinks minimize the chances of water splashing back out
• Choose the largest sink you have room for to maximize available space
• 34-inches is a typical installation height 

Pedestal, Vessel and Wall-Hung Sinks

In smaller bathrooms, powder rooms or guest bathrooms, pedestal, vessel and wall-hung sinks can provide style without taking up a lot of floor space. Because they do not provide storage room, however, they may not work well in large or frequently used bathrooms. Be sure that the faucet spout is long enough to reach the bowl and bear in mind that freestanding sinks don't usually have an overflow hole and must be fitted with a grid drain. Vessel sinks, also called countertop sinks, sit directly on a counter and make a bold design statement. Faucets are often wall-mounted above a vessel sink.

• Wall-hung sinks are economical and easy to install
• Wall-hung sinks can easily accommodate wheelchairs
• Pedestal sinks offer a range of styles from Victorian to contemporary
• Pedestal sinks may require a larger up-front investment
• Choose a toilet to complement a pedestal sink's stylized leg
• Make sure a countertop sink doesn't sit up too high 

Vanity-Mounted Sinks

If you need storage space for toilet paper, cleaning products and more, a vanity-mounted sink is the perfect choice. They do require more floor space, so you may want to install them in larger bathrooms. There are a number of styles available, which makes it easy to choose one that best suits your bathroom. Self-rimming sinks are dropped into a hole in the countertop and are easy to install, though the rim joint can be difficult to keep clean. Integral sinks are molded from the same material as the counter, usually a solid-surface material. They are stylish and easy to install and clean, though you may need to replace the entire unit if either the sink or counter gets damaged. Integral sinks are often oval or round, but they may be rectangular or even trough-shaped.

• Self-rimming sinks sit just above counter level and can be matched to the faucet
• Self-rimming sinks may be more difficult to install and keep clean
• Under-mounted sinks have a low profile and emphasize the look of the countertop
• Countertops must be completely waterproof if you install an under-mounted sink
• Flush-mounted sinks are used with tile counters and have square edges equal in
  thickness to the tiles, allowing them to sit flush with the countertop

Features

Shroud

If you choose to install a wall-mount sink and don't like how the pipes look, use a shroud to cover them and provide a stylish look.

Painted Motifs

Hand-painted designs may add some cost, but they provide a unique, exquisite look. Designs may range from simple and classical to modern and intricate. You can even find animals and cartoon characters for sinks being installed into children's bathrooms.

Etching

Glass sinks with etched bottoms are less likely to show water spots.

Console Sinks

Console sinks are a sort of hybrid mixture of a pedestal sink and a vanity. They feature a large basin and two-to-four table-like legs. Some models include storage space below for added utility.

Choosing the Right Type of Basins for Your Bathroom

Buyer's Guide to Basins: Choosing the Right Type for Your Bathroom

Choosing the perfect basin for your bathroom can be a difficult task, given the range of choice on the market today. Here’s a little guide to bathroom basins to help you on your way.

Pedestal Basins

Pedestal basins are the most popular and most cost effective basin purchase throughout Britain. The pedestal section of the basin not only looks sleek and contemporary but also supports the basin and masks the pipework in the walls or floor. Pedestal basins come in a variety of shapes and sizes as well as with a variety of tap holes to suit almost any bathroom.

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Wall Hung Basins

Wall hung basins are a great space saving tool when fitting a new bathroom. Because they aren't touching the floor they create an illusion of greater space in your bathroom, and help to make it less cluttered. Wall-mounted basins are usually fitted with either a chrome-plated bottle trap underneath, or with a matching white ceramic semi-pedestal. The latter has become increasingly popular because it is easier to keep clean than a polished chrome bottle trap, whilst still giving a stylish wall-hung look.

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Semi Recessed Basins

Semi-recessed basins are crafted for use with ledges, shelves or with co-ordinating bathroom furniture. The front of the basin usually has a smooth and rounded edge with the reverse specifically cut to fit easily into where it’s needed to sit. The end result is that the basin looks like a seamless part of the furniture.

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Countertop Basins

Also known as vessel basins or sit-on bowls, countertop basins are often the choice of the contemporary or minimalistic bathroom design. It usually sits on top of a worktop or shelf and is paired with a tall basin tap or wall mounted mixer or spout. Since countertop basins are not built for a distinct purpose, such as saving space or fitting into a corner, they are available in all sorts of stunning shapes, sizes, finishes and designs.

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Under Counter Basins

The under counter basin are installed into a vanity with the whole basin underneath the benchtop, creating a minimalist look and showcasing the benchtop. These basins are perfect if you have a stone benchtop to show off, or looking for more benchtop space for that business family lifestyle. The bathroom basin is something we come into close contact with several times a day, so it not only needs to look great but also suit your lifestyle and bathroom use.

 

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Over Counter Basins

The over counter basin are sometimes called drop-in, these basins sit over the counter top with a lip around the edge. They are easy to find, and of all basin types, can change the look of the furniture you pair them with the least, as it's possible for the top surface of the piece to be retained.

 

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Furniture Basins

The furniture basin are meant to be sold with a storage vanity, mix-and-match style, by a bathroom company or showroom. The basin, countertop, and sometimes upstand (small backsplash) are one solid piece, with the storage unit fitting neatly underneath. As such, they can be difficult to use with vintage pieces— unless you follow the brilliant lead in this photo from GST Hardware, and use them overmount basin-style, on top of a much larger piece.

 

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Corner Basins

The corner basin has been designed to fit into a right angle corner in almost any room. They are ideal for cloakrooms or smaller bathrooms where the only available space is in the corner of the room. Available in both wall-mounted and floor standing forms, the corner basin is a practical and affordable solution for your space.

 

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The choice of basins available nowadays is vast, from the humble pedestal basin through to the stylish sit-on bowl. Wall-mounted basins with a half or 'semi' pedestal are very popular due to the illusion of space they create.

Ready to start shopping? Visit our basins & sinks page here as a starting point. 

Toilet Buying Guide

Toilet Rough-In Measurements and Standards

Make sure the new toilet will fit your space. To do this, measure the rough-in size. This is the distance between the wall behind the toilet and the center of the drainpipe or the bolts that hold the toilet to the floor. It’s best to perform this measurement before you remove the old toilet.

Measure from the wall behind the toilet to the center of one of the closet bolts (that hold the toilet down). If the toilet has four closet bolts, measure to the center of one of the rear ones. Measure from the center of the mounting holes to the back of the new toilet you're considering. Compare these two measurements. If the base of the new toilet is shorter than the distance between the rear bolt holes and the wall, it should fit. In small bathrooms where space is tight, also measure from the sides of the flange bolts to the sidewalls or other objects to assure side-to-side clearance.

The standard rough-in is 12-in, though you may encounter 10-in and 14-in rough-ins in older homes. You should find the rough-in measurement in the new toilet’s product information.

Toilet Models: One Piece or Two?

Toilets are made in one or two-piece models. Most toilets are two-piece, meaning that the bowl is bolted to the tank. Two-piece toilets are generally less expensive than one-piece. Both function comparably, though a one-piece toilet may be easier to clean. If they’re not included, make sure you purchase all of the installation parts required: toilet seat, wax ring with sleeve, closet bolts and bolt caps.

Wall mount or wall-hung toilets are another style option that is becoming increasingly popular in modern homes. If this sounds interesting, remember that these units require modifications to the plumbing/waste system and additional bracing in the wall. 

Shop One-Piece Toilets
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Toilet Bowls

Toilet bowls are available in round and elongated (oval) shapes. Elongated bowls are usually two inches longer than round bowls and offer additional comfort. Round bowls are generally less expensive and work well in small spaces. As with rough-in standards, make sure your space will accommodate an elongated bowl before you buy.

The bowl height is generally 14-in to 15-in high measured from floor level (without the seat). Taller bowls are available that are the height of a standard chair (16-in to 19-in) for comfort and accessibility. Taller bowls are also ADA-compliant.

Other bowl features to note:

Sanitary Bar: Found on two-piece models, the sanitary bar blocks liquid from collecting under the tank at the back of the bowl.

Trapway: The snakelike tubing on the sides of your toilet through which water flows. A larger trapway diameter (ex. 2 3/8-in) reduces the chance of clogging and overflow.

Toilet Tanks and Flushing Systems

Almost all toilets have a similar tank capacity. When choosing a tank, you'll have flush valve size and flush lever positioning to consider, as well as the flushing system.

The flush valve, which is located at the center of the tank, is activated by the flush lever and releases the water held in the tank. The larger the flush valve, the higher the rate of water flow. Flush levers are positioned either on the side, front or top of the tank.

The pressure-assisted and gravity-flush systems are the two standard flushing systems available:

Pressure-Assisted Flush System: Pressurized air forces water into the bowl when flushed, reducing the chance for clogs. This system is noisy, expensive and may require costly maintenance.

Gravity-Flush System: The most common and simplest system, it uses the water weight to generate flushing pressure. The pressure forces everything from the tank into the bowl and through the S-shaped trapway. A siphoning action completes the flush. This flushing system is quieter and requires less maintenance than a pressure-assisted flushing system.

Additonal toilet technology includes:

Dual Flush: This is a relatively new system for saving water without sacrificing efficiency. There are two flushing options for a full or partial flush (ex. 1.6 gallon flush and 1.1 gallons per flush).

Waterless Toilets: Where water or plumbing is not available or when portability is required, a self-contained waterless unit is an option.

Toilet Seats

Most toilets come in separate pieces and don't include the seat. Choose a seat that complements the color of the toilet and the décor of your bathroom. Think about the following items when choosing your seat:

• The seat shape depends upon the shape of bowl: round or elongated.
• Seats are available in real wood, molded wood composition, cushioned vinyl, plastic or polypropylene.
• Slow-close toilet seats are quiet and safe (no more slamming).

The ultimate toilet seat offers such amenities as warm water stream, heated surface, warm air drying and deodorizer. Additional water and electrical hook-ups are required for this luxury item.

Shop Toilet Seats

Toilets and Water Usage

By federal law, new toilets can’t use more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush (gpf). High-efficiency toilets (HET) use even less.

Toilets with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense® label rate high in both water efficiency and flushing effectiveness. They meet strict flushing performance guidelines established by the EPA (Environment Protection Agency) WaterSense® program. WaterSense® -labeled toilets use at least 20% less water than standard 1.6-gallon toilets.

Urinals and Bidets

Other sanitary devices are available to equip your bathroom:

Urinals: This is a water-efficient, wall-mounted unit. Most urinals are found in commercial or retail settings.

Bidets: It provides a convenient facility for personal cleansing. A bidet is becoming an added fixture in many new construction and remodeling projects. It's usually placed beside the toilet. Some toilets offer an integrated bidet and dryer.

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Water Closet Buying Tips

Rough-In Size

Make sure the new toilet will fit your space. To do this, measure the rough-in size. This is the distance between the wall behind the toilet and the center of the drainpipe or the bolts that hold the toilet to the floor. It's best to perform this measurement before you remove the old toilet.

The distance between the floor drain and the wall called rough-in, is one factor to consider when selecting you WC. The standard distance is 10 inches or 12 inches and 8 inches are occasionally found in older home. You can determine the rough-in on an existing WC by measuring from the wall behind the WC to the middle of the bolts on the base.

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Toilet Models: One Piece or Two?

Toilets are made in one or two-piece models. Most toilets are two-piece, meaning that the bowl is bolted to the tank. Two-piece toilets are generally less expensive than one-piece. Both function comparably, though a one-piece toilet may be easier to clean.

• Click Here to Shop One-Piece Toilets
• Click Here to Shop Two-Piece Toilets

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WC Flush Action

• Syphonic pan utilize a powerful suction to remove human waste. All symphonic WCs incorporate an “S” shape trap. The traps in these toilets are designed with slightly smaller diameters than a non-syphoning toilet, so that the water-way will naturally fill up the water, each time it is flushed, thus creating the syphon action
• Washdown pans utilize the sheer force and volume of the flush water (push) to remove human waste

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Toilet Flush Type

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Toilet Bowls Shape

One more attribute to take into consideration when buying a toilet is the shape of the bowl. Toilet bowls are provided in round and lengthened. Before choosing you need to examine the space that the commode is going in and determine the area.

The next decision you may need to consider is how much available space you have in your bathroom, if you have a large bathroom where space isn’t much an issue, a toilet with elongated bowl will work great. if you have a smaller bathroom, such as a half bath choose a round bowl WC that will fit into tight spaces.