Transform a Small Bathroom with These Bathroom Remodeling Tips
by Allison E. Beatty
Repair Home Columnist
Living with a small bathroom can be a frustrating task. There often is little room to move around without bumping into a door, toilet - or something! In many cases, the answer is a complete bathroom remodeling, where every inch of space is put to good use.
Before starting a small bathroom remodeling, ask yourself whether there is any space to "steal" from an adjacent room. A contractor can help you scout around. A few feet from the back of a bedroom closet sometimes can mean the difference between a simple bathtub and a large, bubbling whirlpool tub.
When reconfiguring a small bathroom, talk with the contractor about ways to group the main plumbing fixtures together. Often the bathtub can go along one wall, then the vanity goes on the intersecting wall with the toilet across from it. The key is to use every inch of space. Also look for ways to:
- Use vertical space - adding shelving on the walls instead of a large vanity, for example.
- Reconfigure for a shower instead of a tub to free up floor space.
- Use a slender pedestal sink and a streamlined toilet design.
Bathroom Remodeling Contractor
Unless you have serious carpentry, plumbing and electrical skills, this is one home improvement project that is best left to professionals. You can search through this site to find a contractor who specializes in bathroom remodeling. Look for a home improvement professional who:
- Returns calls promptly.
- Has experience with your local area and its building regulations.
- Thinks creatively about home improvement!
- Can work within your home improvement budget.
Bathroom Remodeling Timeline
As you plan this project, expect to spend a few weeks interviewing contractors and looking at room layouts and fixtures. Depending on the scope of the work, the construction should take 5 to 10 days from demolition to painting.
Small bathrooms can be a challenge. With a little creative thinking and the right contractor, however, you can turn a dingy little bathroom into a warm, inviting space.
About the Author
Allison E. Beatty is a syndicated real estate writer who has been writing home improvement columns for 15 years.
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