Bathroom Remodel: Any Tips?

**forHISglory** · 10-30-2010, 06:06 PM

We are remodeling our very outdated, very small, very falling-apart master bathroom. It's only 5 by 6. It has a blue tub, blue toilet and small sink with mirrored cabinet above. Everything is going! I want a tub (nothing fancy, just a tub to soak in) with a ceramic tile surround, a toilet that actually flushes, and sink. We want to get as much storage space as possible, which will be difficult in this small space. One thing we thought of was putting niches into the tiled tub surround, to hold shampoo, soap, scrubbies, etc.

Do you have any other advice on stretching the space in such a small area?

**Missy** · 10-30-2010, 06:52 PM

Have you seen these? Eliminate Clutter with Over The Sink Shelf for Kitchen and Bathroom they have several viaieties that can help with storage on counter tops. You don't have to shop this company either, there are lots of options.

Also closet organisers are great, but not limited to closets, you can find some for under the sink too...

**Missy** · 10-30-2010, 06:55 PM

if you cant find room to add niches for your supplies, we had one of these hanging over the end of the bathtub filled with shower supplies. we had shampoos in the bottom, rasors in the middle and poofs in the top. It was open enough that ir aired out well and everything dried nicely, no mold or mildew. Ours had a rubber coating...[ame="http://www.amazon.com/chrome-HANGING-storage-Basket-KITCHEN/dp/B001LQ7Z46"]Amazon.com: 3 TIER WIRE chrome HANGING storage Basket KITCHEN NEW: Kitchen & Dining: Reviews, Prices & more@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31q-2e6KKxL.@@AMEPARAM@@31q-2e6KKxL[/ame]

**stinkbug** · 10-30-2010, 07:32 PM

My dd has a tiny master bath also...when they redid it, they actually used a smaller toilet!

**forHISglory** · 10-30-2010, 07:39 PM

I've seen those little toilets.... and they aren't kidding about little!

**heartofmine** · 10-30-2010, 07:58 PM

You can always go "up" for extra storage. Also you'll be surprised at how much stuff you can store in just 8" or 10" deep space. Say a cabinet from floor to ceiling 8" to 10" deep and the width of however much space you have and take it floor to ceiling. At the end of our hallway we had only 10" deep of space. We attached shelves to the wall using those metal hooks. The top shelf my husband attached a shelf a little deeper and hung bifold doors to it so we can just close it off. I love it and we have so much storage for towels and more. the top shelf above is open to the ceiling and it makes a nice display area.

**Libby** · 10-31-2010, 02:05 AM

I chose to have a shorter tub installed (5' vs traditional 6') when I removed the shower closet. I don't care how skinny and flexible you are...you move in that closet and you were guaranteed to hit a wall. After 10 yrs, its finally gone!! My bathroom could only fit a 5' tub so that was my perfect solution.

I use this IN the shower to hold my bath items - I have poufs, razors, shampoo & conditioner as well as a plethora of shower gels all crammed into this thing.

My shower curtain rod is double duty as well, it has 2 bars, one for the curtain rings and one for towels to air dry. (originally I think one rod was for the curtain and the other the liner) Once the towels are dry, I hang them on wall mount hooks.

And lastly, my bathroom came with a pedestal sink - its beautiful but more for a powder room vs a functional bathroom. I wish I had a sink with a counter and cupboard underneath. I used to use one of these at my old house:

They do have these new 'floating' sinks at Ikea that have glorious amount of cabinet space underneath w/o the sinks plumbing pipes getting in the way. Ikea is great for getting ideas for small spaces. Worth taking a peek!

**rosey7415** · 10-31-2010, 06:01 AM

going with your age and i am right there with you....make sure to put grab bars in the shower. also we have a handicapped (taller than normal) toilet due to my having knee replacement surgery years ago and it has been great. doesn't look any different...since you are starting from scratch, you might as well prepare for the future and get some things that you may need to add later...now. i hope this helps.

**druthb00** · 10-31-2010, 09:21 AM

You could also use a recessed medicine cabinet. Other stuff to think about is don't get one of these new "power flush" toilets, way too noisy for the master bath if someone uses it at night. You also may consider getting a soft-close seat for the master bath, Church brand makes them. Robe "hooks" (they don't necessarily look like a hook) on the back of the door work well for bath towels. Bone (and Almond) is out, Biscuit is totally in...as is Brushed Nickel vs. Chrome. BUT, if you don't ever plan on selling the house, who cares what's in...get what you like

You might make a visit to your local plumbing/heating wholesaler, to see what replacement parts for which brands they keep in stock (as far as toilets, faucets, etc.) and which brands the plumbers in the area swear by. There's nothing more frustrating than having a faucet stem go bad and not be able to find a replacement stem for it because no one has a clue what brand it is....or it was a fly by night brand that no longer exists. Then you're replacing the whole faucet.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 10-31-2010, 10:58 PM

We just re-did our bathroom and here's what I found really helps:

1) A toilet that's elongated and a normal flush is fine. We did that for both bathrooms.

2) Get a vanity that has LOTS of storage underneath. We used a 48 inch vanity in it with four drawers on the sides and a center door that opens.

3) Get a medicine cabinet that has legs that stands over the back of the toilet. It'll give you a good amount of storage as well.

**baltimoresewerservic** · 05-01-2011, 09:53 PM

i was amazed about the layout of pipes in this picture. This is not the Standard way.

**forHISglory** · 05-01-2011, 10:31 PM

I had forgotten that I posted this. We did the remodel and are very pleased with the results. We put in a standard tub with a ceramic tile surround. We put four niches into the surround to hold bath stuff; two are high and two are low. For the sink, we put in a kitchen height cabinet, which gave us lots more storage, and put an extra high kitchen cabinet over the toilet. We ordered a regular size/height toilet, but the extra high one came instead. We decided to install it, and are so glad that we did. The new bath is beautiful and functional.

**rosey7415** · 05-02-2011, 03:15 AM

good for you! enjoy!!!

**pdfc** · 05-04-2011, 06:34 PM

For anyone else considering remodeling a bathroom, I thought I'd add my 2¢ worth. If you are getting older and have a tub elsewhere, I'd suggest a walk in shower. Besides being functional, it makes the bathroom look larger. I also love dual flush toilets. Mine are made by Toto and are elongated. The money we've saved on water paid for the toilets. Vessel sinks are nice too. If you want to step outside the box, there are some very pretty copper, wood, and bamboo sinks.