What do you need, really?
While a decorative urinal might not be a “must have” for every one, there are some basic “truths” and “really must haves” about living well in one’s bathroom that should not be overlooked.
Shed Some Light On The Subject
Bathrooms should be brightly lit but don’t think “make-up table of Las Vegas Showgirl”. Conversely, don’t under-light with just one lonely bulb in the ceiling either. The ideal set up would be light sources above and along both sides of the mirror AND a ceiling source to contribute to ambient light AND a recessed waterproof fixture above the bath/shower areas.
There is no reason to soap up in the dark.
Use separate switches and make sure all these light sources are on dimmers so you can specify lighting conditions and location for any activity, such as shaving, applying make-up or luxuriating in the tub.
A Breath of Fresh Air
That a window or a fan in a bathroom is a good idea falls under the most basic design mandate: “Keep a firm grip on the obvious”. Otherwise, your bathroom is an oversized container for noxious odors…Duh.
Less obvious, (but not by much) is the notion that an unventilated bath is also a breeding ground for mold.
Diane Menke, in her recent and excellent down-to-earth post on Remodelcrazy.com pointed out that, “You must get the water out of the house. You never notice great ventilation. You only notice bad ventilation, which causes mold or leaks sewer gasses into your home.”
There’s the humidity factor too. Without proper ventilation, you can recreate the worst conditions of a hot and muggy August afternoon.
Stuff It…
“Space is the last great luxury of the 20th century” – Anon
Duly noted, whoever you are. It’s even more true this century as our personal stuff seems to propagate exponentially at an ever accelerating pace.
For this reason, Cheryl Clendenon at http://www.kitchendetailsanddesign.com points out that in her experience, most women would gladly forgo a charming little make-up table to get more storage space to house all the grooming and maintenance indispensables needed for getting clean and tidy…and liking it.
Be Clear
To continue on the topic of space, and lack thereof, you can fool the eye by not obstructing your vision. Glass shelves and Lucite accessories are to your advantage in small bathroom, as is a transparent shower curtain. Being able to see through any obstruction will make the room seem larger. An inspired idea is to use a European-style hinged glass shower barrier instead of a curtain or sliding glass doors. Any splashes are contained but the clear glass lends a more open feel.
Clean and Simple
However small or extensive your update, keep it uncomplicated and soothing. Your solutions should also be easy to clean and maintain. Save the wild wallpaper and bold colors for powder rooms and half baths that are less frequently used than the main bathroom. We associate clean with light, bright and airy. Remember this while you are considering the overall coloration and look you want to achieve. Save the heavy brooding colors for the library/study or the dungeon as the case may be.
Next Time: How To Renovate A Bathroom – Part Three – Who Are You?
Further Reading and Related Posts
How To Renovate A Bathroom – Part One – Coming Clean: Reno Or Refluff?
Inside The Box: Another Look At Wallcolor – Part One – Selection
The Well Lit Room – Part One – The Basics
This part of a recent article I wrote for publication on Hamptons.com. It’s represented here as a foundation for further topic discussion, updates and commentaries…
Photo – http://www.urinal.net/naturescall/orangehibiscus.html
Thank you for mentioning me!:) I like blasting some of the tried and true “rules” of design…esp when in kitchens and baths. So many things just become “truths” because that is the way it has “always been”…or worse, because my contractor said so! This is a good series and well written. You should publish it to ezine so more people can see it!! ~Cheryl
Of course I mentioned you! I’ve noticed we are on the same page about those damn rules, such as they are. I think rules are just old wife’s tales for the timid. Thanks for the tip about ezine. I’ll DM you on Twitter in a minute….Glad to get to know you! Best Cindy
Great post, I bet a lot of work and research went into this article.
The major problem is the space while decorating small bathroom. Therefor I stared searching the web for small bathroom remodeling ideas, then I found out your blog and I’ve decided to give a go with your advice. I will share with you my new bathroom image when finished remodeling. Wish me luck! :]