Tips for Decorating Small Spaces - Bathroom Edition

Decorating a small space is of course much more challenging.  I  have dreams of a fabulous, luxurious bathroom... one that's large enough to host a small dinner party, complete with a leopard-skin covered chaise lounge and a gorgeous chandelier!

You know something along this line...

Source: pics-site.com

 Oh my goodness, I am drooling over this one!...

Source: samulco.com

My reality is actually more along the lines of finding a good spot to cram the extra rolls of toilet paper!   Besides... who wants a dinner party in the bathroom?!

Good news!   You can add style to your small space, and stay on budget  WITHOUT having to buy this hideous leopard print toilet seat lid...

Source:  Kmart.com

I have no words to tell how horrible I find that!

Do you have a small bathroom that needs your attention?  Here are some decorating tips that will help you maximize your small space!

• Clear out the clutter

NOTHING makes a room look smaller than clutter!  If you haven't used things in your bathroom in over six months, its highly unlikely that you ever will!  I recently put a large basket of barely used bath products, lotions, hair care products, etc. on the kitchen table and let my girls and their friends see if they wanted any of them.  If you have a good amount of still decent products, you could donate them to a local homeless shelter.  Get rid of those ratty, mismatched towels, and cut them up for rags.  If your rag bag is running over, you can donate your old mismatched towels as well.  Less is more!  Better six new, matching towels, than twenty-six that look like they have been through the war!

• Choose color wisely.

Color is one of your best tools for making a small space appear larger.  Cream colors, sophisticated neutrals, and icy blues are just a few of the best color combinations that can open up a tiny room into a bigger living area. 

Source: housebeautiful.com

Keep in mind that the use of color is all about illusion.  Pale and cool colors can make your room look bigger and brighter, and of course, deeper darker tones will make your room cozier and more closed in.  Light and brightly colored walls are more reflective which makes a space feel open and airy.  Painting your trim and molding white, or lighter than the walls can give the illusion of the walls being further back, and thus more spacious.  

• Choose fixtures to scale

Be sure that cabinetry and accessories are scaled to meet the needs of a small room.  Choosing larger items can cause the room to seem smaller and cramped.  Using smaller throw rugs can give the feeling of more floor space.  Notice how the smaller scale mirror, and sparse accessorizing make this small space seem uncluttered and comfortable.

Source: designideasworld.net

• Clever use of space...

Being creative with your storage options can make all the difference when it comes to making your small bathroom work for your family.  Don't forget to take advantage of your vertical space!  Use walls to your full advantage!  Look how the clever use of shelves and hooks can maximize your usable space!

Source: BHG.com

• Create light...

Good lighting can help your bathroom avoid looking cramped or even depressing.  Use bright overhead lighting as well as sconces, or wall-mounted lighting.  The addition of a skylight in your bathroom might not be as difficult as you think, and is a wonderful addition of natural light.  Make good use of mirrors to reflect the lighting in the space.

I hope these simple tips are helpful to you as you deal with your small bathroom, and learn how to get the most from your space.  Decorating is not only for style, but for optimum functionality as well.  Better Homes & Gardens has a wonderful section on their website for dealing with small bathrooms.  You can check out more wonderful information from them here.

So, until you receive an invite for a dinner party in my new fancy, 1,000 square foot bathroom, I'll join you in this challenge, but let's try to "just say no" to leopard print toilet seats, but if you have to have one I'll love ya anyway!

Keep Shining!

The Woo-Hoo Gal

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.