11 steps you should know before start Budget-Friendly Small Bathroom Remodel

Small bathroom or large are required a lot of attention. But smaller one tends to require even more attention due to space constraints and design creation.  By using the proper design tools and materials you can create bathroom that looks and feels bigger without major renovation.

The simple trick is to keep the overall bathroom design simple so the bath seems open and inviting rather than cramped.

Smaller scale bathroom fixtures preserve precious inches when a floor plan is tight. For instance, wall-hung toilets take up considerably less space than standard models – plus they’re easier to clean. If you can do without a bath, opt for walk-in shower rather than a tub-shower combination. Glass shower walls create the illusion of speciousness.

To increase floor space even more, consider replacing a standard-size vanity with a smaller or custom version. Pedestal or wall mount sinks take up even less room, but you’ll sacrifice storage. Make up for the lost undercounter space by installing a wall-hung reassessed medicine cabinet in place of a standard vanity mirror. You can also build a ledge that’s wide enough for stashing other toiletries behind the sink. 

The same design principles that make other areas of your home seem larger can enhance the sense of space in your bathroom. 

Use these tips:

• Use neutral hues. Pastels, whites, another soft colors that reflect light help a room seem larger. To visually expand the space even more, paint the ceiling a lighter hue than the walls or make the trim disappear by painting it to match the wall color. Save darker colors for accents.
• Go with the flow. Echo the colour scheme used in an adjacent room. When your space is small, it helps to borrow colors and styles from nearby rooms. Keeping the flow continuous makes both rooms feel larger.
• Accentuate the horizontal. Elements such as vanity tops, single shelves, and painted or tiled stripes play tricks that make a space seem wider. Look to the ceiling. No way to physically expand your space? Fool the eye by emphasizing the room’s height with tile, a wallpaper border, or interesting ceiling treatments.
• Lighten up. Windows let in light, fresh air, and scenic views while preventing small baths from feeling cramped and claustrophobic. If your bath is on an exterior wall, install or increase the size of the windows. At the very least emphasize what you have by minimizing the use of shades and other window treatments.
• Use mirrors.  In addition to reflecting light throughout the room, horizontal mirrors perceptibly double the size of your space. Save vertical floor-to-ceiling mirrors for your bedroom or dressing room. 

Small bathroom is ideal place to introduce innovative design ideas such as LED mirrors, smart or wall hung toilets and wall hung vanities. 

Design Tip. If you need a larger bath but a major remodel is out of the question, consider the benefits of removing unnecessary walls or stealing space from a closet or an adjoining room. Or consider bumping out an exterior wall a couple of feet, a job you often can do without adding to your home’s foundation. An extra foot or two in your floor plan can make a big difference. 

A thoughtful small bathroom renovation can make all the difference. 

No matter how hard you try, your bathroom feels like a storage closet. Chilly drafts, inadequate lighting, and outdated finishes are frustrating. You’ve been thinking about bathroom remodeling, but there’s a lot to consider. There are Canada's cold winters, complicated building codes and small square footage make it difficult to come up with stylish, functional small bathroom design ideas. 

Fortunately, you can remodel your bathroom in a way that checks all the boxes: compliant, stylish, highly functional, and in keeping your style. Read till the end to learn the step-by-step guide to renovating your bathroom with practical tips that fight Canadian weather.  Let’s dig in! Planning a Small Bathroom Remodel for Maximum Style and Function. Choosing a Layout That Works Best for a Small Bathroom. Selecting the layout is the most important step to maximizing the small space. Assess how each layout affects your movement and accessibility. 

Let’s look at the 3 main layouts you can consider:

1. Gallery Layout: This layout has fixtures on opposite walls and works well with narrow spaces.  
2. L-shaped layout: It uses the two adjacent walls to create an open floor space in the center and helps the room feel larger.
3. Corner Layout: This layout helps place fixtures in the corners and saves wall space for storage or decorative elements.

These enhances the aesthetics and makes your small space more functional. 

1. Planning Essentials for Small Bathroom Layouts.

• Compliance with Canadian Building Codes. Check fixture placement and ventilation requirements. Get help from experts to ensure your plumbing and electrical work meets local standards. A few extra steps today will save a lot of money later. 
• Clear Pathway. The idea is to have enough room for easy movement between fixtures. While the regulation might vary, aim for at least 30 inches of clearance in front of the toilet and sink. 
• Consider Door Placement. Choose sliding doors or outward-swinging doors to save your valuable small space by eliminating swing clearance. Creating Functional Zones in a Small Bathroom.

Ideally, you can divide the room into 3 main zones. 

     2. Identify Key Zones for Storage, Shower, and Vanity

• Storage Zone. You can install cabinets or shelving above the toilet or under the sinks. Vertical storage solutions like floating shelves, tall cabinets, or ladder-style shelving can also help minimize clutter while making the space more functional. 
• Shower Zone. Opt for corner showers as these areas are often ignored. Consider swapping shower curtains with glass shower screens to create an illusion of a more open space.