Big Ideas
A bathroom with limited boundaries can pamper you
just as much as a big suite. Here’s how to
add luxury without bumping up or out.
Story by Dan Weeks
Our bathroom can be more than a utilitarian space
containing a lavatory, toilet and tub. Even if your
space is minimal, thoughtful choices of fixtures,
materials and components can help you shape an environment
that’s beautiful and relaxing. Here are some
tips on how to get a luxe look in a small place:
Take advantage of space-magnifying amenities.
These products have an almost magical, if not immediate,
effect on enlarging your bath—without the expense
and disruption of moving walls.
- Frameless glass shower surrounds allow
you to add a shower stall without appearing to
take up any room at all. Use the same wall and
floor treatments inside and outside the shower
for a more flowing, seamless look. You’ll
love the outcome!
- Custom-made shower stalls offer
even more design flexibility; there’s no
limit to the shape of a custom-made shower. You
can use any waterproof material for the walls,
including tile, marble, solid-surfacing, tempered
glass or glass block.
- Pedestal lavatories are ideal
for small baths because of their narrow base.
- Corner tubs fit diagonally into
a corner, taking up less space than conventional
tubs. They can also be artistically appealing
to the eye.
- Wall-hung lavatories and toilets don’t
intrude on floor space, making the room appear
larger.
- Glass slabs add drama to small
baths. Use them as countertops, shelving and
privacy walls. Clear glass virtually disappears;
frosted glass offers privacy, while still allowing
light to permeate.
- Mirrors can
make any small space appear large, and their
reflective qualities expand the confines of a cramped
bath. They can also set the tone and mood of your
bath just by their design.
Use premium materials.
You’ll save money by not adding on. Spend
it on lining your bath with quality. Consider replacing
those typical, generic choices with some of these
luxurious alternatives:
Countertops
All of the materials below give a solid feel and
a rich, variegated coloration that’s a delight
to behold.
- Granite offers matchless crystalline
structure that really sparkles in a brightly lit
small bath.
- Soapstone has a soft, soapy
feel and is a delight to the touch; its gray-to-green
color soothes the eye.
- Solid surfacing is available
in a wide range of thicknesses, colors, patterns
and inlays for a look ranging from streamlined
to natural or elegant.
Floors
In a small bath, installation likely costs more
than materials, so go ahead and splurge on a surface
that looks great and feels wonderful. Here are some
upscale options:
- Bamboo resembles wood, with a
smooth, light, tight-grained surface that can be
finished to a high gloss. Actually harder than maple
and oak, bamboo expands and contracts less than those
woods, making it well suited to bathrooms.
- Cork provides a resilient, cushioned
surface that’s noiseless, warm-looking
and feeling, comfortable and moisture-resistant
when finished with a glossy urethane coating.
- Hardwood brings warmth and a
classic look to the bath. It’s available
in many species and in solid, engineered or
parquet form. New, clear finishes are tougher,
more durable and water-resistant than ever,
making a hardwood bathroom floor more practical.
- Stone such as granite, marble,
limestone and soapstone adds natural beauty
underfoot. When warmed with in-floor heating, it’s
an extravagant treat.
Faucets
Faucets are a bathroom’s jewelry. They provide
a chance to bring a little bling—and perhaps
a dash of color—to a functional necessity.
Swapping fixtures perhaps offers the most upgrade
for your money and time, so even a budget remodel
should consider one of the following:
- Brass fixtures have a classy
look and are available in polished, satin and antique
finishes.
- Titanium finishes resist scratching,
fading and corrosion, problems that can plague
standard brass finishes.
- Baked enamel or epoxy coatings are
available in many vibrant colors, allowing you
to add a decorative accent where your only option
used to be plain polished chrome.
- Gold plate comes in polished,
brushed or matte finishes and has great visual
appeal. Nickel is also available in polished, brushed
or matte finishes and offers a softer tone than
hard chrome.
Advanced features include ceramic disc valves,
which are unaffected by temperature extremes or hard
water (decreases chance of dripping). Sensor-equipped
models allow no-hands operation. Adjustable hot-limit
safety stops can restrict how far the handle can
be pushed toward “hot.” Pressure-balance
valves, most commonly found in showers, protect users
from drastic temperature changes when other water-using
appliances and fixtures are being used. Thermostatic
valves maintain a pre-selected safe temperature.
Lighting
Now that you’re proud of how your bathroom
looks, brighten it up and show off all those improvements—add
some night-navigation aids while you’re at
it.
- In-shower means you don’t
have to freshen up in the dark. These waterproof
and steamproof light fixtures are built into
shower stall ceilings or interior walls. Select
brightness with a dimmer switch.
- Night-lights make late-night
or early-morning trips to the bathroom safer. For
a classy alternative to the plug-in night-light,
install a low-voltage system below the vanity toe-kick
or around shelving to provide soft illumination.
Lavatories
Lavatories are perhaps the most-used bathroom fixture,
so make yours a strong focal point.
- Vitreous china has a lustrous,
easy-cleaning surface and is available in a wide
variety of rich colors.
- Solid surfacing offers solid
colors, stone look-alikes and one-piece integrated
lavatories and countertops for a seamless look
and easy cleaning.
- Glass lavatories lit from below
emit a soft, pleasing glow at night.
- Vessels appear to sit on top
of vanity counters, like a bowl on a table.
Tubs
Opt for a solid feel and a suitable style:
Cast iron is the premium choice.
Molten metal is poured into bathtub-shaped
molds and finished with enamel; they are thicker
than other tubs, and once filled with hot water,
retain heat more effectively. Durable and solid,
these tubs also come in a variety of colors and in
the following options:
- Recessed have one finished side,
called an apron, and fit between two end walls
and against a back wall. Some models have a drain
at either end to fit your plumbing needs.
- Freestanding are finished on
all four sides and can be placed almost anywhere.
Freestanding claw-foot tubs look great in traditional
baths. Modern styles are also available.
- Platform tubs have no finished
panels; they are dropped into a raised platform.
Depending on the design, they can be placed against
a wall, in a corner or even in the center of
a room.
Toilets
Some premium models feature heated seats and bidet-like
fittings that offer a warm water spray. Others flush
or lower seats automatically.
Enjoying your new space
The beauty of a bath is not measured by its square
footage, but by how pleasurable and relaxing it is
to use. By taking advantage of good design, space-maximizing
ideas and premium materials, you can bring spa-like
luxury to yours. Check out dreammaker-remodel.com
for expert advice on your lighting plan.
Dan Weeks grooms daily in a bath so compact that
Frieda, his golden retriever, can completely obscure
the marble floor simply by lying down.