Some rehabbers don’t mind stripping a house down to fit in a desirable area. For example, many old houses in Los Angeles are torn down to the ground with only a few walls remaining. However, most rehabbers like to update a home with new fixtures and features without tearing the house apart. Also, many homes simply won’t make a profit with too much rebuilding. One way to update an old house is to make bathrooms. feel larger
Bathrooms have steadily increased in size over the past thirty years, with today’s average bathroom being twice the size of bathrooms from the 1970s. However, bathrooms can be difficult to add to existing homes without tearing down walls. There are a few ways that you can create a more spacious look, without having to use mallets.
For example, you can save some space by installing a smaller bathtub, since bathtubs are traditionally the largest item in a bathroom. Modern shorter five foot tubs take up less floor space than older, longer tubs. New bathtubs are often not as tall and make the ceiling appear higher. A new bathtub makes a good impression on homebuyers, especially if your bathroom has a cast iron bathtub that is full of chips and stains.
While you won’t technically save space, you can also help create an illusion of spaciousness by covering the side wall of the tub with a simple, no-frills shower curtain. Large patterns on shower curtains tend to overwhelm a smaller bathroom and make it feel less spacious. Stick with a sheer shade or match the wall color to further enhance the airy feeling.
You can also gain some floor space by replacing the sink cabinet with a pedestal style. You’ll lose some cabinet space, but you can usually more than make up for that loss by hanging a cabinet over the toilet. You can also save space by adding a sink that mounts directly to the wall. If you like to have your sink in a cabinet, consider placing it in a smaller cabinet. There are dozens to choose from, in any color and style you like, at your local home improvement center.
If you are a handyman, you can opt for an antique cabinet or chest of drawers instead of the usual bathroom cabinet. Look for small chests at thrift stores and paint them in your target buyer’s preferred colors. You may need to reconfigure the top drawers for the plumbing. Top with a solid surface countertop; the little piece won’t cost much compared to the dramatic impact it provides. You can end up with a vessel sink that sits on the counter for a great updated look.
The toilet can also be replaced with a smaller, more efficient style. Newer toilets generally take up a smaller footprint and are not as tall as older toilets, giving you an even larger cabinet to hang over the toilet.
The easiest way to add the illusion of space is with a new mirror, especially if you have an old medicine cabinet over the sink, the kind with a stainless steel frame. These old-fashioned medicine cabinets actually date from a house. Replace it with a mirror that spans the wall to the ceiling. Or find an extra-large framed mirror and paint the frame to match your decor.
When organizing your bathroom, use towels to add softness to the hard space. Don’t use a lot of small pictures on the walls; they create a cluttered look and make the space feel smaller.
You don’t need to bring a wrecking crew to create the look of a larger bathroom. All it takes is a little imagination and some relatively simple upgrades, at a significantly lower price than tearing down walls!