9 Tips for Small Baths Bathroom Ideas & Planning How to Shop Bathroom Products Does your bathroom feel a little snug? It’s probably not your imagination. Although the average size of bathrooms in new homes has almost doubled, bathrooms in many older houses have remained at their original 5- by-8-foot size due to lack of space or budget for remodeling. If you’re stuck with a small bathroom, don’t despair. You can increase the physical space – and the perception of space – thanks to these tips from Kohler Design Center designer Diana Schrage. 1. Keep it cornered. Small bathrooms need to make use of all available space, so install shelving or build your storage units into the corner. Corners provide extra inches, and allow you to create unique design solutions. 2. Downsize your toilet. Consider replacing your old toilet with a compact elongated model. It's the same size as a round-front toilet but provides the comfort of an elongated seat.

Plus, newer toilets use less water, making them friendlier to the environment. 3. Stick with solid colors. In a small bathroom, busy patterns can overpower and appear to shrink the space. Light, natural tones lend an open, spacious feel. If you want to get creative, play with textures rather than patterns. Keep prints light and to a minimum. If you really yearn to go bold, the powder room is a better choice for showing off your style. 4. Maximize your bath. Consider installing a bathtub that’s designed to make the most of small spaces. The Expanse® bath has a uniquely curved basin, while its standard size makes it perfect for easy updating and renovation. There’s even a coordinating curved shower rod available in three styles. 5. Choose a smaller faucet. Change your sink faucet to a space-saving, single-hole model. 6. Streamline the shower. Choose a sliding shower door or shower screen. Sliding doors don't require space for door clearance, and the clear glass acts like a window, creating the perception of even more space.

7. Downsize the vanity. Save real and perceived space by installing a smaller vanity, a pedestal sink or a wall-mounted sink. Even if they're not particularly small, console tables help expand the perception of space thanks to their slender legs. If you choose to forego a vanity, you'll want to add shelving to make up for lost storage. 8. Take the tub down a notch. Consider replacing your old tub with a lower-walled model to help open up sightlines and make the bathroom look more expansive. Try a 5-foot tub with a flat bottom. They're perfect for showering, but still deep enough for a pleasant bath. 9. Adjust your view Consider hanging your cabinet at a more comfortable height (around 34 or 36 inches) to avoid unnecessary bending. If possible, use niche shelving and a mirrored medicine cabinet to remove bulky furniture. By using some imagination and a few simple tips, you can turn your cramped bathroom into a cozy retreat—without having to move any walls.

Get simple tips that make a big difference. How to Shop Bathroom Sinks Find the sink that fits your petite space. Designing the Perfect Powder Room Create a space that shows off your style.Big Help for Small Bathrooms Scaled-down fixtures can mean the difference between comfort and chaos in a tiny bathroom. The Space You Need Sinks Toilets and Bidets Bathtubs Enclosed ShowersTire Buying Guide Suvs Where to Find It American Standard 1 Centennial Ave. Piscataway, NJ 08855-6820 800-524-9797, ext. 199Jacuzzi Tub Access Door Bates and Bates 3699 Industry Ave. Lakewood, CA 90712 800-726-7680Vintage Light Bulb Chandelier Kohler444 Highland Dr. Kohler, WI53044 800-456-4537 Maax600 Cameron RoadSte-Marie (Quebec)CanadaG6E 1B2888-957-7816 #4

Strasser Woodenworks 14217 NE 200th Woodinville, WA 98072 800-445-0494Apartment Therapy's Annual Guide Best Small Toilets 2013 Back in 2006, Maxwell started a list of the best toilets for small spaces. Back then, water saving toilets with small footprints were difficult to find. There are more options today and yet there are still a couple toilets that review the best among readers. Based on reader comments, TOTO seems to be the most popular brand but we also saw shout outs for Kohler, Duravit and others. Check out the full list after the jump... Watch this tip for achieving great storage in your small bathroom: TOTO's Aquia II Dual Flush Toilet is by far the most popular and well regarded toilet. Over the years readers have consistently raved about it for style, quality and dependability. You can find the Aquia for under $400. We have the TOTO Aquia and love it! It's been installed for about 3 years, has never seen a plunger, and rarely do we need to use the #2 flush.

Plus, the modern design of the bowl and hidden bolts makes cleaning super easy. When we did our bathroom remodel, we had really tight dimensions to work with - the floor space is about 4x4 - and I really really wanted the Toto Aquia - great modern lines, great look, dual flush and good reviews - so was crossing my fingers that the Toto Aquia would fit - it did and I absolutely love it! Great flush, single or double. We've had our Toto for 2 years now and only had to pull out the plunger once - which was awkward because you've got a round plunger and an oval cavity. TOTO's Eco Supreme Toilet has a lower profile tank for spaces where that is a concern. Kohler's Rialto, with its low profile tank and sleek one-piece design, has been praised for its durability as well. It sells for around $600.It is compact and flushed well. I would purchase it again if I were re-doing another bathroom. Commenter bepsf pointed out the Persuade model as another space saving option from Kohler.

Duravit's wall mounted Starck toilet, designed by Phillipe Starck, is stylish in its simplicity. It has also gotten high marks from readers. We've been using two wall-mounted Starck 2's for several years now and have never had any problems other than a block of bleach getting stuck in the cistern once and disrupting the water flow. I would definitely buy them again as I like the clean classic lines. If a wall mount won't work for you, Durvit also make a standard one-piece Starck. Porcher's Veneto is another great option that has been praised by readers. Pricing is around $900. Our family loves the Veneto toilet by Porcher too! It's in a 1/2 bath that gets used a lot by kids that sometimes use way too much TP and then only needs to be cleared a couple of times per year. It is also very comfortable, as some seats just aren't. We liked it so much that we purchased an additional one when Expo went out of business and will go in a remodeled master bath someday. Caroma's Brisbane is a two-piece toilet with a round bowl.