Remodel A Small Bathroom

Earlier this year, D’Ambrah King, one of the Keller Williams The Trembley Group top producing Real Estate Professionals, picked up an expired listing from another Realtor. She knew she would have to discover why the house, an otherwise lovely and updated 1940s bungalow, had not sold, so she asked.

“Time and again, people were disappointed in the home’s tiny and dated bathroom,” she said. “The home had been nicely modernized but lacked comfortable bathroom space. When the owners reconfigured the bathroom, the home sold almost immediately. ”

Bathrooms are deal breakers (or makers) in a home sale, and often buyers will not compromise the number and condition of the baths. But does a bathroom remodel always increase home value? Bathrooms are one of the most expensive areas of the home. And while a tasteful remodel will almost always add value to a home, the added value may not equal the cost of remodeling.

“I think it’s sad when homeowners don’t invest in their home. They should do upgrades, so that they could enjoy an updated bath while they were still living there,” says D’Ambrah. “Even if they weren’t planning on a near-future move, they could have spent their money on a remodel that they could have enjoyed while living in the home.”

It’s impossible to place a value on the use and enjoyment of home improvements like a bathroom remodel. “But even if you get less than 100 percent of your money back, on a remodel – which is usually the case – at least you had the enjoyment and use of the improved space,” says King.

Trying to configure a bathroom into the available space is like doing a giant crossword puzzle. The toilet and sink configuration has to meet the building code. The code requires a minimum clearance for the shower and even specifies the placement of the towel racks and toilet tissue holder. Despite the challenges, whether reconfiguring an existing bath or trying to squeeze one into existing space, a bathroom it has to fit into an existing space, even if it is small.

Here are 12 tips that are perfect for designing a bathroom into limited space.

1. Install a corner sink. Sometimes even a pedestal sink can disrupt the only available traffic pattern in a bathroom. Placing a corner sink across from the toilet frequently works better than a sink across from the shower. The opening and closing of the shower door sometimes creates an awkward walk-around situation.

2. Use a shower curtain. A shower curtain that moves back and forth requires less space than a glass door that moves in and out. And shower-tub combos can fit into limited spaces. Some tubs are only 60 inches in length.

3. Float the vanity. Besides helping the bathroom appear larger, mounting a vanity on the wall above the floor frees up a little space for small items below. 

4. Round the vanity. Sharp corners can be hip hazards in tight spaces so opt for a rounded style. A rounded vanity can work wonders in a square space without bruising hips!

5. Extend the counter over the toilet. By using stone or wood slab, a homeowner can make a banjo-style bathroom counter. The extended counter creates extra space for a few needed items, and toilet placement is not affected. The look is minimalist and clean.

6. Use a large-scale pattern. A large-scale pattern, like wide stripe, can trick the eye into seeing expanded space. The square footage stays the same, but the bathroom feels bigger.

7. Skip the shower door. If your bathroom is about 5 feet wide, that’s just enough space to squeeze in a toilet and a 30- by 60-inch tub. With such tight conditions, a glass panel instead of a glass shower door works well. It keeps most of the water in the shower and frees up needed elbow room.

8. Expand the mirror. In the tightest spaces, having a mirror stretch across the wall instead of just over the vanity helps two people to use the space at the same time. In less-than-ideal space conditions, every inch helps.

9. Mount the towel bar on the shower door. When space is at a minimum, mounting a towel bar on the shower door keeps towels handy. A nearby linen closet can store extra towels, but having one towel close by to grab and use to dry off is essential.

10. Install a trough sink. The narrow, clean styling of a trough sink is a good-looking solution for limited space. Trough sinks have a low profile. When wall mounted, they free up floor space as well for storage or foot traffic.

11. Select a vanity with one shelf. Pedestal design has gotten smarter. Even a pedestal style with one shelf can hold towels or a basket for toilet paper.

12. Use a wall-mounted faucet. Mounting a faucet on the wall allows for a narrower sink or vanity. That frees up floor area in the total bathroom. Remodellers shouldn’t be afraid to try a wall-mounted faucet in a traditional design. It works almost anywhere!

Remember that the Keller Williams The Trembley Group Realtors are experts about everything dealing with Myrtle Beach real estate. Give one a call for design and remodelling advice.  

Need help? Call Keller Williams The Trembley Group at 843.945.1880 ext. 1 and we’ll help you look for the perfect listing or buyers agent!

At Keller Williams The Trembley Group, we pride ourselves on being the experts at more than just selling real estate. We are local residents, some of us have been here for a lifetime. The rest of us will be here until the end of time. We love living, working, and playing in the diverse backyard of Coastal Carolina, and look forward to helping you live and love your dreams soon too. Please reach out to us by phone or email for personalized service and one-on-one advice. 

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