Many homes have small bathrooms, even though the trend in new homes is moving towards larger and more luxurious bathrooms. However, older homes often still have a bathroom or half bath that is the original small size, often only around five feet by eight feet in size.

Fortunately, there are many updates that can be made to a tiny bathroom that will increase not only its usefulness, but also its overall style and appeal.

Toilet, Tub and Shower Updates

Older toilets were not only less effective, they were also larger than modern toilets. You can save floor space in the bathroom by replacing a toilet in a small bathroom with a more compact model. This also has the added advantage of saving money on your water bill, since newer toilets use a fraction of the water that older ones do.

If you have a shower in the bathroom, you can save space by choosing one that has a sliding door or curtain instead of a door that swings out into the room. This will reduce the need to maintain door clearance in the room, and will make the room feel less cramped.

Older bathtubs were generally rather high, which can give the illusion of less space. Instead, choose a low-profile bathtub with lower sides and a flat bottom. However, if everybody using the bathroom prefers a shower, you might want to consider removing an existing bathtub altogether to regain the floor space, and instead include a corner shower enclosure.

Vanity Updates

If a good portion of your small bathroom is taken up by an older vanity, you can consider removing the vanity and sink completely and instead replace it with either a smaller vanity, or even a pedestal or wall mounted sink. This can really open up the floor space in a small bathroom, while still maintaining functionality in the sink area. You can also save space and reduce visual clutter by choosing a single-control faucet instead of a larger model.

Maximizing Storage in a Small Bathroom

Storage space is at a premium in a smaller bathroom, so you have to make the most of it. Corner shelving units can be handy, as can shelf units that are placed over other fixtures in the room, such as over the toilet or a shelf inside the bathtub enclosure. Bathroom storage cabinets should always be recessed into the wall if possible to save space within the room, and a mirrored medicine cabinet over the sink with sliding glass doors instead of swinging doors can help to save space as well.

Decorating Tips for Small Rooms

Just as with any small room, there are decorating tips which can make small rooms look larger. Lighter wall colors in natural tones tend to visually expand a room’s size, as does a white ceiling. Avoid anything that visually makes the room look smaller, such as busy prints or patterns. Using textures instead of prints is preferred if you want some variety in a small bathroom, since they don’t visually minimize the room like patterns or prints often do.

Jessica Ackerman is a freelance writer and works for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com. She shares her wealth of knowledge on tropical wall decorations and nautical wall hangings.