skip to main content

good bathroom idea book for smaller bathrooms?

15 years ago

Does anyone have any ideas? Books, magazines, online??? I'm having a hard time finding a good resource with photos to get ideas of what to do with my smaller bathroom. When I did my kitchen there were so many books and magazines to look at to help me decide. With bathrooms, not so much and most are large, grandiose bathrooms which don't apply. I'm most interested in efficient use of space especially unique storage ideas. The best things I found were for bathroom furniture in the UK but I'm still trying to find something other than that. I spent a while looking through everything in a bookstore the other night but little help. One book did have a cool idea for a retractable shower curtain rod - wouldn't work for me but it was a unique idea for a smaller space - the kind of thing I'm looking for.

Comments (4)

house_vixen
15 years ago
Hey Gibby -- 6 x 10 bath here [finally demo'd last week!] and I know that my size isn't even that small.

I've been on the lookout for 3 or so years and it's been surprisingly difficult to find ideas. Aside from "recess whenever possible," of course!

There's the "monochromatic = more spacious" school of thought but IMO there are alternative ways to lead the eye around the room and create interest in a small space. Things to consider:

* color / color contrast
* the lines of an object (round vs square)
* judicious use of oversized scale
* having some consistency with eyelines/sightlines of your vertical elements

Here are some of the apparently-smaller baths I've found that put at least one of the above into action:

We're adapting this built-into-doorway cab for our bath -- ours will be built out from the wall, perpendicular to the sink, and serve as a med cabinet.

I'd use a wall-hung if this were a full bath, but I do love this! [Note horizontal cladding]

I was involved in this [5 x 8 with TWO doors!] bath:

Grabbed space from kitchen to make this 15" cubby:

IMO one of the biggest challenges with small baths is to create negative space that serves to set off what IS in the room. In our case, we splurged a bit on a demilune/semicircle vanity instead of a square or rectangular one -- given our bowling alley dimensions, it helps carve out some pleasing curves.

However, having lived in a place where the tiny wall-hung sink, toilet, and clawfoot were all accessible from one spot I know negative space is sometimes non-existent!

I've enjoyed the book below, which has a mix of sizes and lots of materials in it --"ideas for tiny half-baths, medium-size his-and-hers, and large, luxurious home spas. Specifics on ventilation, waterproofing, faucets, showers, tubs, and more."

Here is a link that might be useful: New Bathroom Idea Book (Taunton Press)
house_vixen
15 years ago
More for you after checking a few of my bookmarks:

Thread with pics of Biancap's lovely small bath reno:
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/bath/msg1000354422751.html

4'9 x 7'9 bath reno:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.battandlear.com/residential/natural_bathroom/images/DUTEEcab_sm.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.battandlear.com/residential/natural_bathroom/&h=300&w=194&sz=10&hl=en&start=29&um=1&tbnid=kJsGltsuzQeBJM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=75&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsmall%2Bbath%26start%3D20%26ndsp%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

Taunton's tips:
http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/how-to/articles/six-bathroom-design-tips.aspx
Related Discussions
Stone sink in master bathroom a good idea?
Q
Comments (1)
I'd go with your first instinct! Can't imagine how careful and/or worried I'd be all the time with one of those stones for a master bath sink. They LOOK nice tho :) Monica
...See More
Bathroom layout idea with 2 small bathrooms - including measurements
Q
Comments (19)
The "regular" bath layout that jensbride posted first is very similar to what our DD & DS shared for years and worked very well. The door, however, was a pocket style and placed directly across from the toilet. This allowed the vanity to be scooted around the corner to take up the whole wall. It leaves the toilet close to the tub, but with lots of elbow room. Our kids just learned to keep the door partially closed when the bath wasn't in use due to the "view".
...See More
Help with bathrooms. Divide to two bathrooms or do one large bathroom?
Q
Comments (15)
I agree with Cpartist"s layout and like moving the closet over as suggested by D M so that bedroom 3 has easier access to the bathroom. Do you have room to have the toilet face the tub and add a linen cabinet next to the toilet? How wide is the tub toilet area?
...See More
Different height base trim in bathroom. Good idea? Good style?
Q
Comments (2)
I think either one looks fine. If your water supply escutcheon for the toilet is half on/half off, I would just scribe around the escutcheon and cut a half circle in the base. It does seem more uniform to use the same base throughout, though I have stone baseboards in both my full and half baths that are different from each other and the painted baseboards everywhere else.
...See More
dedtired
15 years ago
There is a wonderful series of books about the "Not So Big House" by Sarah Susanka. I'm sure there are small bathrooms in one of them. I love these books for gardening, decorating, remodeling. They're for those of us who do not live in McMansions!

Here is a link that might be useful: Not So Big House
bathroom_daddy
15 years ago
Hey Gibby,
I just wrote an ebook that is mainly about small bathroom design projects. I have been doing this a while helping my friends out with their bathrooms and finally was pursuaded to write the book to document the projects. I agree all that is out there is basic DIY stuff...not much meat at all. My book "Bathroom Remodel - Bling on a Shoestring" has real life projects and bathrooms...not some rehashed online pix and lame descriptions. I am a genius at thinking outside the box and making designer looking bathrooms on really tight bugets. Go over to my sight and I would be curious about your thoughts. Drop me a note with the support email address and I will get back with you.
Cheers
Karl Eberhardt
aka Bathroom Daddy

Here is a link that might be useful: Bathroom Daddy

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES Dinner and a Good Book: 12 Double-Duty Dining Rooms

By Bryan Anthony

Create your own library-inspired reading room by pairing a dining table with bookshelves

LIFE Tips for Moving Into a Smaller Space

By Laura Gaskill

Downsize with less compromise: Celebrate the positive, pare down thoughtfully and get the most from your new home

DECORATING GUIDES Decorate With Intention: Keeping Tidy in Smaller Spaces

By Laura Gaskill

13 clutter-clearing tips that will stretch your square feet — while still letting your style shine

SMALL HOMES 28 Great Homes Smaller Than 1,000 Square Feet

By Mitchell Parker

See how the right layout, furniture and mind-set can lead to comfortable living in any size of home

Best Rooms for Reading a Good Book

BATHROOM STORAGE 10 Design Moves From Tricked-Out Bathrooms

By Natasha Saroca

Cool splurges: Get ideas for a bathroom upgrade from these clever bathroom cabinet additions

BATHROOM DESIGN Key Measurements to Make the Most of Your Bathroom

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Fit everything comfortably in a small or medium-size bath by knowing standard dimensions for fixtures and clearances

BATHROOM DESIGN 10 Top Tips for Getting Bathroom Tile Right

By By Any Design Ltd.

Good planning is essential for bathroom tile that's set properly and works with the rest of your renovation. These tips help you do it right

BATHROOM DESIGN What to Use for the Shower Floor

By Debbie Snider

Feeling Good Underfoot: Shower Tiles, Mosaics, Teak Slats and Pebbles

BATHROOM DESIGN Get More From Your Small Bathroom

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

Tired of banging your elbows and knocking over toiletries? Here's how to coax out space in a smaller bathroom

Sponsored

Columbus Premier Design-Build and General Contractor

More Discussions

Minimum space between backlit led mirror and wall

1

Shower tile problem?

3

How to change pride of Madeira flower color?

0

Need help collaborating on house

2

Bathroom Remodel

1