Remodeling a small bathroom presents challenges because the space is confined. Before you even tackle the design challenges, be aware of the challenges you may face while maneuvering around in a confined space. In some cases you barely have space enough for yourself and a few tools. Removing old fixtures from these tiny rooms can be extremely difficult, requiring strategic and creative approaches to maneuvering them out of a small bathroom.
Here are a few ideas to inspire your Fairfax bathroom remodel, along with some tips to keep in mind as you decide whether you can do this job yourself.
Replace the old vanity with a floating vanity
Replace a dated box-style cabinet vanity with a floating vanity. A floating vanity will give you more floor space. The room will feel larger because of the additional space. However, when you remove the old vanity, you will expose the flooring that was underneath it. In many cases, the floor underneath the old vanity is unfinished, has aged differently from the exposed floor, or is damaged. You should anticipate the possibility that your choice of a floating vanity will require new flooring too. That is especially the case if you plan to also install lighting beneath the vanity.
Another consideration when you drastically change the vanity and countertop is the likelihood that you will need a new sink. The new vanity set up may require new plumbing configuration. To save money, you can try to find a vanity and sink that will not require new plumbing configurations.
The installation of a floating vanity itself is different from installing a traditional style vanity. A floating vanity is wall-mounted, and requires special expertise to properly support it. If a floating vanity is more of a project than you want to take on, a good compromise may be a vanity with furniture style legs.
These are considerations that a professional bathroom remodeling contractor can guide you through. An experienced remodeling contractor knows what kind of things to anticipate when you remodel a bathroom so there are no surprises.
Use light, neutral colors
In small rooms, dark colors can feel heavy and make the room seem smaller. Use light colors in neutral tones to visually enlarge the room. Changing the colors usually means painting the walls and ceiling and replacing tile. This would be a good time to update the lighting fixtures, too.
Painting the walls is something most homeowners can do themselves. However, bathrooms are notorious for having mold growing behind the walls and ceilings with water stains from condensation or even leaks. If you are going to paint the walls yourself, repair any damaged drywall or backer board before painting over it. Be sure to use a mold inhibiting primer and additive to your paint.
If you are going to replace lighting fixtures, you should remove them and repair the holes in the wall before you paint.
Replacing tile involves removing old tile and replacing the backer board underneath. You most likely cannot use the existing backer board because you will not be able to remove all of the old mortar without damaging the subsurface. This is usually a job best left to professional remodeling contractors. The advantage to using a contractor is they are licensed and insured, so if anything is not done properly, you can have them do it over again.
Add height and light to the room
Add crown molding installed below the ceiling line and large mirrors to draw the eye upward and make the room seem taller. You can install it below the ceiling line and install special lighting above it or use the ledge for storage. A large mirror will reflect light and the room will instantly seem bigger and brighter.
If you have good carpentry skills and the right tools, you can try doing the molding and mirror yourself. However, this would be an easy task for a remodeling contractor, who can probably help you install customized built-in storage for the room at little additional cost. The finished job would look polished and professional.
Use small, simple patterns
As a general rule of thumb, small rooms look best with smaller scale patterns that suit the small room size. For example, use pebbles instead of large stones, smaller tiles instead of large format tiles, and pass on any oversized light fixtures.
Install a walk-in shower
Remove the existing tub and shower and install a walk-in shower. Use the same tile for bathroom and the shower floor. Use a glass door for the shower, or forego a door or a curtain. Without a shower curtain or curb to divide the room, you will visually extend the size of the room. To complete the polished and updated look, you will likely need to replace existing wall tile to match the new floor tile.
This Fairfax bathroom remodel will probably require extensive demolition to remove the existing tile floor, tub and shower.
Installing a new floor will also require you to remove the toilet and probably the vanity to replace the floor underneath and to provide adequate working space. The shower area will need to be sloped for proper drainage, which requires an experienced bathroom remodeling professional.
Contact a Professional Fairfax Bathroom Remodeling Contractor
Remodeling a bathroom can be a challenge for DIYers. Bathrooms are wet and frequently harbor mold and mildew only to be discovered when remodeling begins. Plumbing leaks and problem wiring hide behind walls for years, undiscovered until remodeling begins. Small bathrooms are even more challenging because the smaller space makes working in them difficult.
Any DIYer who tries to remodel a small bathroom should be prepared to meet a variety of problems, large or small, as they proceed with the remodel. Oftentimes most DIYers will be surprised by what they find during the remodel and will be ill-equipped to do the needed repairs.
Before undertaking a small bathroom remodel, speak to a professional Fairfax bathroom remodeling contractor. A contractor will look for evidence that other problems lurk behind the walls before beginning the remodel, and no matter what they find they will be prepared to remedy whatever problems they find. When your remodel is complete, you can have confidence that everything has been taken care of. Call now to schedule your small bathroom remodeling project.
