Ideas for decorating a narrow bathroom
Designing narrow bathrooms presents an interior design challenge. Limited space, burdened by the objective need to accommodate plumbing fixtures, create an oasis of relaxation, coupled with the desirability of its utility, are various conditions that are generally difficult to implement. This is why the layout of a narrow bathroom is usually analyzed in three ways:
• How to arrange a narrow bathroom to have free space? • How do we create the impression of an expanded space? • What colors should I use to decorate a narrow bathroom?
Finding the right answers to these important questions when designing a narrow bathroom makes the difference between a space that is usable and yet designed to feel good.
1. How to organize a narrow bathroom so that there is free space. Essentially, a small space remains small no matter what we do, but there are techniques that can be used to create the appearance of an expanded space. On the other hand, plumbing installation should be done with the help of an installation specialist, as the idea of optimizing the space may require making certain changes in pipe routes or relocating leaks.
Since plumbing fixtures have significant volumes, their location takes up significant areas. There are many bathroom design ideas, but first we have to deal with its location. In almost any bathroom you can find a toilet, sink, bathtub or shower. The location of the toilet depends on where the fecaloid water leak is located.
Features of layout and design
When designing a narrow bathroom, it is important to think vertically. You don't have extra floor space to clutter with unnecessary things. But there are walls up to the ceiling - up to high shelves and bookcases.
Don't go overboard with the linear layout so you don't accidentally end up with a cart - put a few accents on it. This could be the bathtub itself in the far short wall, a tapestry that makes it easier to transition between different tile colors, or a small ottoman in the corner.
Round shapes that soften the corners of the room work well - round mirrors, shining corners, paintings, lamps and panels of various shapes. Add dynamism: for example, place a large lush vase with a tropical palm tree in the corner. Do something unexpected, something that will attract attention and distract from the layout.
Narrow bathroom with toilet
The drain pipe with a diameter of 110 mm allows the floor or wall to be evacuated directly from the toilet vessel body via a hose. There are several installation methods: with a tank, at half height or in a recessed state. Each of them takes up a significant amount of space, so in small rooms it is recommended to use a toilet with a recessed tank at half height or even at height.
Also, a corner location can save space. If a toilet is chosen with a tank, then one way to gain space is to use a vertical area above the tank. Here you can place a hanging shelving system with a dump under the sink. The sink also requires space, so the best ones are those on the wall. It is recommended to choose as little furniture under the sink as possible; expanding the storage space is undesirable in narrow bathrooms.
In the bathroom, the mirror is also a key element located in the functional area of this room. Performing a double role, both to facilitate ordinary procedures (shaving, washing, makeup), and to add greater brightness and create the impression of a large space, a mirror is indispensable. Depending on the size of your bathroom and the design style you want, mirrors can vary in both shape and size.
Rectangular bath: dimensions
If the bathroom is quite spacious, then you can choose an excellent full-size model, single or double. If the bathroom is small and narrow, then you should choose a compact, neat bathtub.
When choosing a rectangular bathtub, the first thing you need to pay attention to is its parameters - width, height, length, weight.
The width of a standard rectangular bathtub for one person is 70–100 cm. You must also take into account the distance of 5 cm between the body and the edges of the bathtub. Models for two people are available in widths of 110 - 190 cm.
Bathtubs for narrow bathrooms
The largest element in a narrow bathroom is the bathtub. An alternative to a walk-in shower should be considered as this can result in significant space savings. Although the shape of the housings has recently made it possible to place bathtubs in narrow spaces, they nevertheless take up significant space.
This is why shower enclosures with shapes and sizes adaptable to spaces in narrow bathrooms are often preferred. It is recommended to separate them from the rest of the room through clear glass panels, rather than frosted glass or, even more contraindicated, curtains. Clear glass panels let in light and create the feeling of an expanded space as the curtains further narrow the bathroom.
When remodeling your bathroom, your furniture choices give you the opportunity to correct past mistakes. Make sure you choose high quality, moisture resistant materials. Natural wood is a practical and beautiful material, but you should check if it is treated to resist moisture. Modern manufacturers offer excellent options from various materials, and you are sure to find something that meets your criteria for visual appeal and functionality.
Lighting and backlighting
The best choice for uniform overhead light is a series of spotlights along short walls. They distribute the flow well and visually expand the room. We recommend abandoning the central chandelier, which will further emphasize the disproportion, and one lamp above the door - this is simply ineffective in a narrow room.
In modern interiors, use LED lighting to decorate the bathtub, shelves and cabinets. This is not only another much-needed expressive horizontal, but also immediately adds to the atmosphere. And be sure to illuminate the mirror around the perimeter or with two small wall lamps - this is practical.
Lighting for a small bathroom
Another bathroom design idea with a visible increase in space is represented by the choice of lighting mode and light sources. The choice of light sources of higher intensity allows you to highlight small spaces, which can thus be practically expanded.
Reducing the number of accessories to the necessary minimum, as well as installing them vertically (where possible), allows for efficient use of space. The space above the toilet allows you, in most cases, to place shelves on which you can place several things that are used in the bathroom. A small cabinet placed on an unused wall can be a useful storage space, replacing an installed toilet paper holder, usually on the wall next to the toilet.
A towel rack can be installed on an empty wall or under a sink, and containers of shampoo, shower gel and other toiletries can be placed in a wire basket that hangs on the wall. All that remains is to choose what material the narrow bathroom will be finished from.
Space Saving Tips
To save space, place the bathtub or shower along a smaller wall. This will make the room seem wider. The washing machine can be placed under the washbasin. Make the tabletop from moisture-resistant material. Place a heated towel rail on the opposite wall.
In combined bathrooms it is necessary to install a toilet and a bidet. The space between the shower and sink is suitable for plumbing. Place cabinets and shelves on the walls. Products standing on the floor will make the space smaller and interfere with free movement.
Choosing the right finish
The most common bathroom design ideas associated with ceramic, glazed and porcelain tiles. Their advantage is that they are easier to maintain, but also have the disadvantage that the walls do not breathe, which affects their permeability, which is also an important element in the modern context that emphasizes rooms where the humidity ratio is controlled and warmth.
As an alternative, natural stone tiles are used, which have the advantage that they allow the walls to breathe, thanks to their natural properties and avoid the chromatic monotony inherent in man-made finishes, which are reproduced one after another, with the same color and the same pattern.
The tiles should be directly proportional to the size of the walls to be covered so as not to create a disproportionate appearance of the tiles. For example, in the case of narrow bathtubs, do not use very large tiles, but also not very small ones, but medium-sized ones. If you use small ones, the number of seams will be greater, emphasizing the small space. It is best to use tiles measuring 20x30 cm or 25x40 cm.
Rectangular bath: materials
Modern industry produces rectangular bathtubs from a variety of materials, each of which has its own pros and cons.
The most popular among consumers are rectangular bathtubs made of acrylic, steel and cast iron, as these are the most inexpensive, universal and time-tested materials.
They are easy to care for every day, they are quite strong and durable. Materials such as quaril are just now conquering the market, so it is too early to talk about the level of its popularity among consumers. Artificial stone, copper, wood, glass are expensive materials. Rectangular bathtubs made from them are most often made to order.
Acrylic bath.
Acrylic rectangular bathtubs are the most popular today.
Acrylic material is a synthetic polymethyl methacrylate, a colorless substance that is insensitive to light, oxygen and chemical irritants.
This polymer material has elasticity, so it is easy to make all kinds of bathtub shapes with fancy shapes from it, and the surface of the walls will be perfectly smooth and shiny. To prevent acrylic bathtubs from sagging, reinforcement is used during their manufacturing process - reinforcing substances (fiberglass, metal mesh, a special type of plastic, etc.) are added to the main mass.
Dyes are also used in the production of acrylic to give the bath the desired shade. Acrylic bathtubs are made from a single sheet, which is heated and shaped into the desired shape. However, the more bends, the less durable the bathtub will be. The lower surface of the acrylic bathtub is coated with a substance that contains epoxy resin to give the bottom strength and enhance its performance. The liquid is applied in layers as it dries.
Pros of acrylic rectangular bathtubs:
1. Light weight (15-25 kg). This makes the acrylic bathtub very convenient to transport and install. You can even lift and move such a bathtub alone. It is easy to attach hydromassage and air massage equipment to lightweight acrylic bathtubs.
2. Long service life. The durability of acrylic bathtubs is due to their anti-corrosion properties, resistance to mechanical damage, and resistance to chemicals. Deformation of an acrylic bathtub is excluded, so it can often be seen in public places (schools, hotels, medical institutions, etc.), where it is valued for its reliability.
3. Heat capacity. Acrylic retains heat perfectly; the water in such a bath takes a long time to cool, allowing you to extend the time you spend in it. On average, bath water cools at a rate of one degree per half hour. The insulating properties of the material allow even an empty bath to have the same temperature as the air in the room.
4. Eco-friendly. Acrylic bathtubs are safe for human health.
5. Hygiene. The structural features of acrylic (the absolute absence of pores on its surface) do not allow microbes, bacteria, etc. to be eaten. Additionally, acrylic bathtubs are coated with an antibacterial layer.
6. Sound absorption. Layers of reinforcement provide a bathtub made of sanitary acrylic with good sound insulation. The collected water will not produce a characteristic ringing sound, the noise level is minimal. An important role in the absorption of sounds is played by the thickness of the bath, ranging from 7 to 9 mm.
7. Injury safety. The surface of an acrylic bathtub is non-slip, so it has clear advantages over enameled bathtubs in terms of active injury safety. When hitting an acrylic bathtub, injuries will be much easier than if this happened in a cast iron bathtub (passive injury safety).
Disadvantages of acrylic bathtubs.
Perhaps the only worrying factor when buying a rectangular acrylic bathtub may be its rather high cost. Acrylic bathtubs are more expensive than cast iron and steel bathtubs. The more layers and types of reinforcement in acrylic bathtubs, the more expensive they are. Also, the cost varies regarding the design of the bathtub, its appearance - the more complex the shape, the higher the price.
Cast iron bath.
Today's cast iron bathtubs are much lighter than Soviet ones, they have thinner walls (5 mm). The average weight of modern cast iron bathtubs is from 120 to 130 kg.
The main advantage of cast iron bathtubs is that, thanks to their thick walls, they retain heat well.
However, cast iron bathtubs are covered with a thick layer of enamel, which cracks, turns yellow, easily chips, and becomes covered with a “web” of small cracks. Cast iron itself is a very strong and durable material.
Steel bath.
Steel bathtubs are inexpensive, their price is much lower than the cost of cast iron bathtubs. Bathtubs made of steel are also very light, their average weight is 30 kg. This parameter is a big advantage when transporting, installing and installing a steel bathtub. Steel is a material with high strength properties; it is extremely difficult to break and distort.
Steel bathtubs have two disadvantages - lack of sound insulation and poor thermal conductivity.
Thin walls of the bathtub (from 3.5 mm) will ring loudly when water is drawn into the bathtub. In order to slightly reduce the unpleasant sound, you can use a rubber mat. Thin steel will not retain heat; the water will cool at a rate of one degree per minute. Bathtubs are made from a single sheet of metal; creating a variety of shapes with this technology is very difficult.
What colors are suitable for decorating a narrow bathroom?
The most common bathroom design ideas are those that provide a layout in such a way that the owners can enjoy comfortable use and also satisfy their requirements for comfort and intimacy. That is why it is advisable to carefully select colors for tiles intended for wall and floor installation.
Anatomy studies combined with physics studies have shown that the eye sees large white spaces and other light colors, while dark colors seem to shrink space. The practice of combining colors and shades in bathrooms shows that the eye's perception of the white color of the sanitary ware, but also open colors in adjacent areas and in the covering, contributes to the expansion of the space.
This is why natural stone tiles are chosen in the lightest colors, particularly marble, but also certain varieties of granite, travertine or even limestone that suit the needs and make the space appear larger. It is important that a suitable adhesive is chosen for such tiles, preferably white.
The colored adhesive shows through the stone and definitely ruins the color of the finish. The attractiveness of light colors is influenced by the finish; it can be of different types, but it is the varnish that improves the finish. The soothing tones of limestone and travertine limestone, soft marble and the most durable granite, designed from fine and delicate tiles, give the bathroom individual character and originality, while giving style, intimacy and comfort that complement each other.
Arrangement of a narrow bathroom
An important chapter in maintaining tiles for narrow baths is surface treatment. Due to the small and busy spaces, maintenance is usually difficult. Therefore, treatment in the surface coating phase is recommended. The first stage is washing the surfaces and removing residues after installation. For this, special detergents .
At the second stage, surface waterproofing is carried out using professional waterproofing solutions . To protect and prevent the appearance of fungi, a special treatment is used, which consists of a professional detergent and a special waterproofing solution.
At the last stage, technical solutions are used, the purpose of which is to ensure the longest possible surface treatment. Their maintenance is carried out periodically and consists of washing with special solutions or restoring the surface.
These are important details that you should consider when planning a narrow bathroom. Remember that personal style is of paramount importance, but you should also pay equal attention to the bathroom amenities to enjoy the comfort you desire.
more
Color spectrum
In order not to confuse the decoration with any non-standard room, any shade of white or beige should be taken as a basis. You can also decorate your room with colorful accessories that will instantly brighten up the staircase room. Light shades of blue and green give a feeling of freshness, lightness and spaciousness, and a little yellow will make the room warmer.
Storage systems
Make sure your furniture is as compact and narrow as possible, especially if you plan to place it along a wall. Forget about swinging doors and drawers that take up the entire avenue. It is better to replace them with sliding structures and open shelves with baskets - it is important not to go beyond the horizon.
Use corner cabinets and shelves - usually this space is wasted anyway. And make sure you also find a cabinet or washer/dryer under the sink to save space. And make sure you use organizers, coaster sets, boxes of different sizes and other small items to help keep things organized.
