Rules for successful planning
You should carefully consider the interior of a bathroom with an area of 3 square meters. What design principles should be followed when planning it:
- Designers do not recommend using a wide range of colors for bathroom decor and accessories. Take 1-2 colors that complement each other as a basis. Bright pastel shades will help visually expand a small bathroom. Dark, rich shades will reduce the space, placing emphasis on its small area.
- The entrance door should not open into the room. The hinged design can be replaced with a sliding one. Such doors will not take up space either in the room or in the corridor.
- A small room should be well lit.
To ensure there is enough light in the bathroom, designers recommend using spotlights.
- Neat, voluminous shelves for storing necessary small items are placed above the bathtub or above the sink.
The main rule when planning a 3 sq. m bathroom is that every meter should be used profitably.
How to choose tiles for a small bathroom
It is always difficult to create the conditions you want in a small bathroom. Often there is not enough space to fit all the necessary plumbing fixtures and other comfort devices.
When carrying out renovations, you want to visually enlarge the space and not take away extra centimeters of space from the room during the finishing process. Therefore, it is impossible to choose a design focused solely on personal wishes and fashion. There are subtleties that will help solve the problem.
Where to place the washing machine?
Let's look at the options for arranging devices:
- Place the appliance under the counter next to the sink. Space savings and good access to water pipes make this option a universal solution that can be used in a room with a shower. Above the washing machine there are small shelves and drawers for small items.
- If there is no cabinet under the sink, you can put a washing machine there. To make sure that the open machine door does not interfere with the washing process, you can slide it to the right or left.
- There is a shower next to it.
- Provided that in a small bathroom it was possible to place the device in a special niche, its height should be used to the maximum. Above the appliances you can hang a cabinet for storing personal hygiene products and household chemicals.
In a 3 sq. m bathroom there are several options for placing a washing machine. Especially if the owner of the room preferred a massive cast-iron tub, which it occupies half the space.
What to consider when choosing finishing materials for the bathroom
The problem of how to decorate the walls in the bathroom should be one of the first to be solved. There are many options here: from timeless tiles to non-standard solutions, for example, linoleum.
Decorative plaster is a clear favorite in the interior
Plaster parameters:
- Water resistance of modern source type.
- Attractive, unique appearance of the walls.
- It's easy to use, but to create exquisite shapes, you need to call a specialist.
- Only bark beetle plaster, Marseille wax, Venetian, and corduroy are suitable for repairs.
Hammer paint on vertical surfaces
Painting the walls is considered the most budget-friendly option for updating a bathroom. Suitable also for ordinary Khrushchev. Advantages:
- With high-quality paint, walls can last a long time.
- Fast application.
- The cheapest finishing method.
- You can make a drawing on top.
Flaws:
- Preliminary preparation of the walls is necessary.
- The paint should not be directly next to water.
Wallpaper is an indicator of originality and exclusivity
Advantages of choosing rolls:
- Waterproof options.
- A large assortment.
- Inexpensive room decoration.
- You can paste the walls yourself.
Minuses:
- Easy to damage.
- Some wallpapers cannot be used in damp rooms.
Modern types of wallpaper are practically not afraid of temperature changes and constant humidity in the room. Of course, when choosing, you need to pay attention to these characteristics.
Finishing the bathroom with plastic panels
PVC is a lightweight, but at the same time solid frame consumable. Positive characteristics of plastic trim:
- Resistant to moisture and temperature changes.
- Durability.
- Hygiene.
- Low price.
- Easy installation.
- Capable of covering pipes and wires.
- Varied design.
Negative:
- Flammability of panels.
- Formation of condensation.
- Possibility of mechanical damage.
Ceramic tiles are out of fashion and timeless
Tile as a basis for finishing has a lot of advantages:
- Versatile and durable.
- Presented in classic and original versions.
- Wide selection of shapes and sizes.
- Moisture resistance.
- Practical and easy to care for.
Despite its widespread use, tiling is a labor-intensive and complex process.
Self-adhesive film - a way out of the shadows
Film is a popular source material. It is interesting because:
- Eco-friendly.
- Has a rich color palette.
- Glues easily and quickly.
- Budget.
But:
- Looks pretty cheap.
- Fragility and fragility.
- Afraid of water.
- Apply only to smooth walls.
Less popular manufacturers usually offer repair products at a better price
Drywall and silence guaranteed
Specifics of drywall:
- Hides wall defects.
- Economical consumable.
- Not heavy.
- The waterproof option can be used near a water source, but not in the shower stall.
- Makes the toilet soundproof.
- It can create a unique design if you add decor to the sheets.
- Requires special tools for installation.
Linoleum is an unconventional material for walls
Advantages of linoleum in decorating the walls of a house:
- Durability.
- Imitation of various materials.
- Also used in showers.
- An unusual solution.
However, there are disadvantages:
- The material must be special.
- Sealing of joints is required.
- You cannot do without the help of specialists.
Color solutions
A harmonious combination of pastel shades will give a small room airiness and lightness. Designers do not recommend combining more than 3 colors when decorating a room. Incorporating small geometric shapes and natural vegetation visually expands the room and gives it originality.
A traditional white shade in a small bathroom will look noble in combination with beige. This room looks discreet and stylish. He will always feel neat and clean.
Another good combination for a small bathroom is a combination of shades of gray. The color of wet asphalt will be one that complements the gray, dusty or river pearl color. The base tone is complemented by fine hardware for cabinets and faucets.
An interesting and unusual option is to use ceramic tiles of a darker shade to decorate one of the walls of the room. In a bathroom with a small area, tiling the walls with large tiles is not recommended. This finish will look voluminous and visually reduce the space.
Shades of fresh greenery will make the space cozier and more beautiful. Delicate shades of green in a small bathroom are combined with floral patterns. Green color is well offset by rich shades of brown. They will not visually expand the space, but will give it kindness and originality. Furniture made from natural wood and accessories made from clay and stone look harmonious with green tiles.
Darker shades will visually reduce the area and add intimacy to the atmosphere of the bathroom. Indigo and navy blue finishes work well for this. These sounds are soothing and relaxing while you shower.
The walls of a small bathroom in light turquoise look laconic and elegant. Adding snow-white shades to the interior will add mystery to it. A harmonious addition would be a white door made of natural wood, a beautiful bathroom and a ceiling well lit by spotlights.
What does budget renovation mean?
Budget bathroom renovations must begin with drawing up a sequential action plan, taking into account the money spent on each stage:
- Preparation: cleaning and leveling surfaces. Before sheathing, the walls must be primed and plastered.
- Studying waterproofing technology, creating ventilation and electrical wiring are points on which you should not skimp. Both electrical and communications must be done well and operate safely.
- Selection of consumables for walls. You can decorate a bathroom in any way, but it is worth remembering a reasonable combination of price and quality. Below we consider in detail the question: what walls in the bathroom are best made of?
- Solving the problem with the floor and ceiling: what base will be used there. The ceiling can be simply painted and the floor traditionally tiled.
- Furniture items. It is important to decide what exactly needs updating and to what extent. So, you can try to restore a cast-iron bathtub, buy a faience product instead of a toilet, and, for example, prefer a lever-type faucet.
- Installation: is it necessary to hire specialists to lay wires, install a toilet, etc.
An economical version of the bathroom does not mean using cheap, low-quality finishes.
Design options
According to designers, 3 square meters can be used to decorate a bathroom in various stylistic directions.
Always the right classic will help to visually expand the space by decorating the walls in pastel colors. Shelves and drawers made of natural wood will suit the interior, provided that you choose a small size.
Minimalism is typical for modern interiors. Laconic shapes, clear geometric lines and the absence of a large number of accessories are the best solution for a small space.
Strict and stylish minimalism will help solve the problem of rational use of space in a small room. The absence of unnecessary details and every item in its place are characteristic features of this direction.
A recently popular Scandinavian style is the use of light colors to decorate a room. Unusual plant patterns on tiles and original accessories will make the bathroom interior unforgettable.
The loft style is rarely used in the interior of small rooms. One of its characteristic features is wall cladding with natural stone or brick. Painting the walls white will expand the space of a small bathroom.
Choosing a Provence interior style will be a good option for a bathroom of 3 square meters. Delicate pastel shades of lavender and lilac will create an atmosphere of cleanliness and freshness in the room.
Finishing walls, floors and ceilings
A budget option and the best option for a budget bathtub design project is to use tiles, PVC panels and suspended ceilings.
Bathroom finishing with plastic panels
Finishing a bathroom with plastic panels Finishing a bathroom with plastic panels
Bathroom finishing with plastic panels
Bathroom tiling
Bathroom tiling
Bathroom tiling
Bathroom tiling
Budget version of flooring
Several options for bathroom floor reconstruction:
- Plain tile. You can also save on the thickness of the joints between the tiles if the room has excellent ventilation and a small temperature difference.
- Waterproof linoleum. The backing should be made of foamed polyethylene.
- Replace only part of the coating. Beautiful and expensive, but already worn out tiles can be left around the perimeter of the bathroom, and new, more affordable ones can be replaced in the central part. If the replacement is visually noticeable, a bath mat or mesh runner is placed on it.
Preparatory work
The preparatory stage of the process of tiling surfaces for the bathroom consists of the following work:
- if necessary, clean the bathroom of old plumbing;
- The top coating (lime, paint, old tiles) is removed from the surface of the walls and floor. If the walls previously had a painted surface, the paint is burned off and carefully removed to the concrete to achieve the best adhesion. You can remove old paint using a special remover, which can be purchased at a hardware store;
- if the sewerage and drainage system is old, then it is recommended to replace it by distributing the pipes to a pre-designed location of the bath (shower), washbasin, toilet and washing machine. In this case, it is better to hide the liner for the sink in the wall by making grooves vertically to the width of the faucet connector. If desired, you can also hide the connection for the heated towel rail in the wall;
- the bathroom floor is thoroughly swept and cleared of debris;
- walls and floors are checked with a level for unevenness for their further elimination. The rotation of the corners is checked using a square;
- the walls are leveled using beacons, preferably using gypsum plaster, since when it dries it becomes lighter than cement, which prevents it from crumbling and facilitates the leveling process. The gypsum plaster solution is prepared using a little more water than indicated on the package. This will make it more pliable and easier to apply to the walls. The primer solution is applied in 2-3 stages as each previous layer dries. You can find out in more detail here about the process of preparing walls for tiles in the bathroom, which reveals all the points;
- composition of the mixture for pouring the floor (economical option): cement and crushed stone screenings in a ratio of 1 to 3 are diluted with water to a consistency reminiscent of thick sour cream. Using the rule, the mixture is leveled between the beacons. The drying time of the solution is approximately one day. After this time, you should use the rule to knock down uneven areas and bumps from the floor surface. The primer is applied in two or three layers, the same as on walls;
- the ceiling is cleaned of paint and lime, prepared for plastering, and primed.
Removing old paint from walls
Removing old flooring
Concrete screed for leveling the floor
Alignment of walls
Remodeling a small bathroom. Where to start?
The first thing you need to decide on at this stage is whether to make the bathroom combined or separate.
By removing the partition between the toilet and the bathroom, you can slightly expand the area and save on finishing materials. But, firstly, this will require permission from special authorities; secondly, the partition may contain important communications (water or sewer pipes, ventilation ducts, electrical wiring); and thirdly, for a large family, a shared bathroom will be very inconvenient from a practical point of view.
As for the separate bathroom, the only drawback in this option is that both rooms often turn out to be very tiny and there is simply no room left in the toilet for a separate washbasin. In this case, you can use a compact sink, placing it, for example, in a corner, slightly above the cistern.
You can also add a little extra square footage to your small bathroom by reducing the hallway or corridor.