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Small bathrooms are common in most homes all over the country. However, a small bathroom should never be a reason to compromise on utility or aesthetics. With the right planning, materials, and innovative design, an otherwise small renovation can make the bathroom feel bigger and much more modern.
This guide will take you through every essential aspect of the small-bathroom renovation-from budgeting and layout planning to choosing materials and increasing the space.
Most of Canada's small bathrooms measure around five by eight feet, leaving you with about 40 square feet of space, usually big enough for a toilet and a normal-sized sink and either a shower or tub. Make sure you take your time before beginning your renovations and observe how the bathroom is laid out currently, and so, determine what is working and what is not.
Try to keep the plumbing fixtures, such as the toilet, sink, and shower, more or less in the same places, so you avoid costly plumbing changes. Concentrate on improving the function and flow of the space without making it appear cramped.
If your current layout feels cramped or awkward, consider re-hanging the door to open outward or perhaps using a pocket door. Undo wasted floor space that a large tub might occupy by installing a walk-in shower. Whenever you start rethinking your design, decide where you want the focal point to be. Ideally, you want the eye drawn to a beautiful vanity or a sleek shower wall rather than the commode.
The renovation cost of a small bathroom varies based on certain factors. A typical mid-range remodelling cost for a three-piece bathroom ranges from $20,000 to $25,000, which includes demolition, plumbing, electrical, new fixtures, tiling, and painting.
If you're merely sprucing up by repainting walls or changing fixtures, your project can cost way less, in the range of $8,000-$12,000. Conversely, high-end finishes, custom cabinetry, and heated flooring would garner a bill exceeding $30,000. Keep a cushion of at least 10-15 percent for any contingency costs that may come up, such as mould remediation or replacement of rotten floor joists.
Labour expenses contribute largely to the cost. Labour charges for urban markets range from $75 to $125 per hour. Having a qualified contractor run the job guarantees quality but increases the overall price. The length of the job ranges from three to six weeks, depending on scale.
Bathrooms experience lots of water, so behind the walls and surface under the floors, use and specify water-resistant materials. Cement backer boards, waterproof membranes, and tile-ready wall panels should be used in the shower area. These products build a barrier resistant to mould and mildew, lengthening the lifetime of the bathroom.
Full waterproofing systems, made up of underlayment, sealants, and tiles, should preferably be installed. Where waterproofing is compromised, leaks can develop, alongside ruined drywall and extensive repairs. Underlayment systems are even better and easier to install, giving both home enthusiasts and professionals consistent results that last for years.
Plan when redesigning your bathroom. Although you may not be in need of accessibility features presently, they would be beneficial for the future. Installing a few essential upgrades now can avoid spending money on a second renovation in the future. You can include a walk-in shower rather than a bathtub because it is convenient to enter and safer for everybody. A shower bench built in offers comfort to anyone who might need to sit during bathing.
Shower or bathroom grab bars are another intelligent installation. They need to be secured into wall studs to guarantee support of body weight. A showerhead that can be held by hand, in place of one that is installed, is more versatile for every user and is easier to clean. If the layout supports it, an elevated toilet, as well as lever-style controls, is simpler to use.
Colours create large illusions of Big or Small in the bathroom. In a small bathroom, darker colours appear to confine the room. Whereas lighter colours, pale white, pale gray, beige, and light blue, reflect more light into the room, hence creating an open feel.
Design features on the darker side are possible, but should be few and far between. A splash of colour from a painted accent wall or some decorative wallpaper behind the vanity will give the room its personality without overpowering it. For the wainscoting or trim, use the rule of thirds, meaning either one-third or two-thirds of the height of the wall, so it stays visually balanced. Avoid dividing it right in the middle, as it will box it in.
Large-sized tiles are preferable for the floors and walls of the smaller bathrooms. Larger format tiles, say 16-inch or 18-inch squares, reduce the number of grout lines that the eyes can see, thus offering a cleaner, somewhat uninterrupted look to the room. Fewer grout lines also enhance cleaning convenience and instill an illusion of a bigger space.
Still, porcelain and ceramic tiles remain the champions of all tile materials for the declaration of durability, water resistance, wise choices in regards to the colours, easy maintenance, and the demands of small bathrooms. Thin porcelain slabs are gaining traction, presenting a smooth surface appearance without grout that shouts luxury and offers serious durability. Though on the expensive side, they qualify as way more prestigious for a long-term application.
If you have a limited budget, choosing a waterproof stone-look or vinyl wood-look alternative is a cheap luxury vinyl tile. It is best to steer clear of very small, busy tiles for a small bathroom; they generate visual noise and make the interior appear cluttered.
A smooth and level subfloor is a must before installing ceramic tiles. If the floor is uneven, tiles will crack or become loose later on. Level the floor with a self-leveling compound before tiling. Doing this allows your tiles to adhere well, and it also avoids the accumulation of water in low spots.
Verifying the slope of the shower floor is also necessary. Proper slope guarantees water drains well and doesn't puddle close to the entrance. Spending time levelling the floors correctly leads to improved performance and less trouble in the long term.
Moisture is the nemesis of a healthy bathroom, and good ventilation is the antidote. High-performance exhaust fans are equipped with humidity sensors, timers, and superquiet motors. Fans can be programmed to activate automatically when the air is damp and turn off once the moisture is removed.
Ventilation fans should vent air outside, not into the attic or ceiling space. Insulated ducts should be employed to avoid condensation forming within. A properly ventilated bathroom resists mould, guards finishes, and enhances air quality.
A few homeowners also install ventilation fans with integral heaters to add additional warmth in cooler climates. These space-saving dual-purpose units save space and enhance comfort without consuming extra wall or ceiling space.
Good lighting also makes a bathroom appear larger and more welcoming. Using only a single ceiling fixture tends to leave shadows and produce a dark effect. Instead, layer your lights to have general, task, and accent lighting sources.
Begin with a bright overhead light to give overall illumination. Supplement with wall-mounted sconces or vertical lights alongside the mirror to give even lighting for grooming. Finish with soft accent lighting, like LED strips below the vanity or inside open shelving.
LEDs hold a lot of power and come in a variety of brightness and colour temperatures. Choose daylight-balanced LED bulbs for bathrooms lacking daylight to mimic natural sunlight and thereby promote clarity.
Mirrors do more than reflect your face—they reflect light and give the illusion of depth. A huge mirror above the vanity can serve the function of space doubling. Bevelled-edge frameless mirrors provide a clean-lined aesthetic, while working well with a minimalistic style.
If space allows, you can add a second mirror on the back of the bathroom door or above the towel bars to increase brightness. Mirrored medicine cabinets combine reflection with storage, giving you more room to hide everyday items like toothbrushes, razors, and skincare.
Quartz carries the highest rank as a countertop material for bathrooms. A non-porous and stain-resistant quartz does not require sealing. Quartz is available in almost every colour imaginable and in various patterns, including marble- and granite-looking ones. Quartz offers an expensive look with lasting durability.
Laminate countertops are an option worth considering for those on a budget. These days, laminates bear an uncanny resemblance to natural stone and are made in numerous finishes. They are also easy to clean and resist moisture.
In a cramped bathroom, clever storage is a big deal. Look up and optimize wall space. A recess medicine cabinet provides you with storage space without hogging room. Even open shelves beside the toilet space for towels or accessories work fine.
Floating vanities are trendy for tiny bathrooms as they make the floor area look larger. Vanities with drawers provide greater usable storage than cabinets. Inside the shower, design a recessed niche to place bottles tidily without congesting the floor or corners.
Bathtubs are larger than showers. If you already have another tub elsewhere in your home, you can eliminate the tub in your little bathroom and substitute it with a walk-in shower. This adjustment opens up the floor plan and creates the perception that the room is larger.
A frameless glass enclosure walk-in shower produces a streamlined, contemporary appearance. Frameless styles are simpler to clean and permit more light to pass through. For households with small children, having one bathtub in the home is still recommended for bathing convenience and resale purposes.
Bathrooms need to be protected with special electrical protection. All outlet receptacles located within a distance of 1.5 meters of a water source shall be GFCI protected. They maintain protection for the user against shock by cutting the electrical supply to the load in the event of a short circuit or a moisture path developing.
While installing other amenities such as heated floors, towel warmers, or lighted mirrors, an additional circuit would be necessary. Installation of bathroom wiring shall be performed by a licensed electrician and guaranteed by the code. Depending on where you live and what you intend to have done, permits may be required.
Heated floors are an upscale feature, but they are becoming more mainstream even in tiny bathrooms. Radiant heating gives warm floors on chilly mornings and does away with clunky radiators or baseboard heaters. New systems are energy efficient and can be wired into programmable thermostats.
Under-tile heating mats are the most popular option and work well under ceramic, porcelain, or stone tile. Installation is best done during a full renovation before the new tile is installed.
A limited bathroom makeover might sound restrictive, but the correct approach can make it feel new, spacious, and high-end. Emphasize high-quality materials, clever storage, pale colours, and multi-level lighting. Spend on elements that will endure and enhance comfort, including good ventilation, heated flooring, and waterproofing.
