Saturday 20 June 2009

Make Your Bathroom Look Larger

Most bathrooms are not designed as a room where much leisure time is spent. Many bathrooms are downright small and basically, uncomfortable little rooms. If closet is more the word you would use to describe your bathroom, a little imagination and planning can make your bathroom look larger.


There are a few general decorating techniques that may be applied to make your small bathroom appear larger without moving any walls.


To enhance the appearance of space, mirrors are extremely useful. If there is adequate wall space, put a large mirror on the wall behind the bathroom sink. Mirrors reflect light in the room as well as reflecting colors and patterns. In place of one large mirror, a grouping of smaller mirrors is also effective in creating the illusion of enlarged space.


Nothing makes a small area seem smaller than clutter. Cut the clutter to make the bathroom more attractive in general. Instead of hanging numerous towels, at most hang one pair in a light tone coordinated with the color(s) of the bathroom. Rather than displaying many small artistic pieces, select only one. Avoid using numerous small accessories, stick to just one. Whatever you do not need, stash it out of sight. Ridding the room of clutter will instantly make it appear more spacious.


If your small bathroom has visual obstructions such as a frosted glass shower or bath door, replace it with clear glass. Better yet, get rid of the glass door and use a shower curtain that can be left open when the shower is not in use. By getting rid of visual obstruction, your eyes will be able to see the back wall rather than vision being blocked by an obstruction that makes the room appear smaller than it really is.


Extra lighting does not take any space and costs very little. Lighting adds interest and opens up the appearance of your space. Recessed lighting, wall sconces and lamps add warmth and the illusion of increased space. If expense is not an issue, a great way to make your bathroom appear larger is to put in a skylight or a large window to bring more light into the room.


Color is very important in making a small room appear larger. Soft, pale, neutral tones create an illusion of space. Use "cool" colors to create a comfortable, serene atmosphere.


The colors on the floor are very important. Use a large, light colored rug to cover your existing floor. A light colored rug will make your small room appear much larger. A nice plush bathroom rug protects you from the cold floor when you climb out of the shower. Apart from being pleasing for your toes, your bathroom rug must be able to withstand moisture. You want bathroom rugs that dry quickly, are not highly absorbent and are simple to clean. To discourage mold avoid woven fiber rugs since they are very slow drying and hard to clean. Chenille and cotton are very popular selections for bathroom rugs as they dry swiftly and can be easily laundered.


Make your bathroom appear larger by clearing clutter, using lighting and color (be sure to include the floor) to give the illusion of increased space.