New age constructions, especially budget homes, have little or no focus on the size of bathrooms. Often they are crunched due to space constraints. However, one can ensure that the layout and design make the bathoroom appear larger than it actually is.
LAYOUT MATTERS
The first rule is to design the bathroom in a manner that the dry area accommodates more space than the wet area. In case of powder bathrooms (small bathrooms that contain only a toilet and a sink), this notion is eliminated altogether as one can use interesting tiles, big mirrors and tiny accents to give the perception of a bigger bathroom.
Wallpaper always makes a statement in any room. Distract from the size with feature wallpaper and opt for a unique, bold or interesting print to maximise the impact in a small space like this. Your tiny bathroom space can be elegant, practical and with the right know-how, can be space-efficient. There is no need to keep a compact bathroom plain, focusing on minimalism.
Lovers of vintage style can create their dream scheme. The clever storage area will free a petite bathroom from feeling cluttered and will aid in maintaining a feeling of space with sophistication. Trick the eye with tiles as the amount of space you have and what the eye perceives is not necessarily the same thing. Here, one can play with the boundaries of perception by tiling the wall and the side of your bath with the same design. “This will make it hard to differentiate where each begins, thereby making your space feel larger. Marble is particularly effective here as it almost appears like one huge sheet. Be smart with furniture. Make the most of the compact bathrooms and opt for a tallboy-unit that reaches up to the ceiling for maximum storage or you can pick a mirrored unit which will give the illusion of space to a compact bathroom. Consider using freestanding furniture for storage and seating so that you can move your scheme around at a moment’s notice,” says Hemil Parikh, founder, Elysium Abodes LLP.
DESIGN DETAIL
Every bathroom has to satisfy certain needs and include the basics like the sink, shower or bathing area, and the toilet. No matter how small the space is, these things have to be shoved in. “You can create the illusion of an expanded ceiling by painting a lattice or moulding design around the edge of the ceiling. One can make a small bathroom look strikingly bigger with neutral colours that run up the walls, along the floor and even continue onto the bath and washroom. It creates a feeling of never-ending space and makes the room feel boxed in, rather than just breaking up the bathroom into separate areas. A clean, hygienic and neat bathroom always looks spacious than a cluttered and dirty one and therefore, it is advisable to only have a few important must haves visible in this space,” adds Parikh.
COLOUR CODED
In a small space, everything counts. You can make your bathroom live up to its full potential by using simple techniques. Go in for bright colours to give your bathroom an illusion of being large and spacious. Remember, you can never go wrong with white. “Colours play a very prominent role here. A combination of bright colours for the ceiling, along with matching flooring and walls, a large rimless mirror and a sleek pedestal basin results in an infinite looking space. Also adding vibrant coloured accessories such as towels and soap dispensers gives the bathroom the desired depth,” says a spokesperson from ARK Melange Associates.
Sapana Jian, principal designer and founder, I heart Homez, avers, “The first step is to determine the colours being used for flooring, tiling, decorating among others. It is essential to use lighter and brighter shades. The next step is to select interesting accents and a good amount of indirect lighting. The position of the mirror also plays an important role — placing it at an angle that best elongates the bathroom and adds to the functionality is key.”
Mahesh M, CEO, Creaticity, says, “The best way is to use lots of whites — white tiles, white paint and white vanity cupboards. Use bright white lighting to add to the bright feel to give the bathroom an open glow. Do not put a rug in the bathroom, it will only attract germs and is considered unhygienic.”
To this, Shibani Jain, founder & CEO, Baaya Design, adds, “Integrate soft colours like a sky blue, shades of white and other such pastel shades into a small bathroom. Keep your fixtures, that is, your wardrobes and towel cabinets, to a fuss-free level. They can be bold, like you can have a nice bold finish done on the cabinet and wardrobe. It makes it look bigger and also adds character to the bathroom. But overall, the aim should be to keep the bathroom clutter-free and bring in lots of natural light.”
So let space constraint not deter you, even while designing a bathroom. Reimagine and go ahead!
- Keep contrasts low in a small bathroom décor.
- Refrain from accessorising too much.
- Do not cut down on ventilation.
- Best to use floating vanity counters to make the space look lighter
- Using white accents and the colour as a whole gives the perception of bigger space wherever used.
- Do not use darker shades on the ceiling; it will make the space look tighter.
- Do not use heavy looking bathroom/sanitary fittings or heavy looking storage units.
