Small bathroom woes?

In one of our recent remodels, we were faced with the challenge of creating visual "space" in a very long and narrow Master bathroom. I feel we succeeded :)

Here are some of the tricks we used to expand the horizons of this cramped and dated space:

• The first thing we did was remove the wall that divided the room, completely unnecessary and instantly created space.
• Floating cabinetry - instantly expands the width of the room by allowing for the flooring material to extend to the walls rather than stop at the cabinets.
• Using the same neutral tile for both the floors and walls, brings the eye up and around the entire room. We wanted to make sure we capitalized on the height we had in the room to visually expand the space.
• Mirror, mirror, on the wall...This long wall of mirror is not only dramatic, but makes the bathroom feel immensely larger.

Need help with your narrow space? Call us today! 480-994-0833

Do’s and Don’ts of Design…Lofty Spaces

DO Use double-duty furniture.

A small chest or dresser can serve as both a nightstand and can store extra bedding.

DON'T Overcrowd your small space.

Less is more when it comes to accessories!

DO Make use of your vertical space.

Wall mounted shelving can provide excellent storage for books, while still freeing up valuable floor space.

DON'T Forget art!

Visually interesting walls will keep the eye moving all around the room, and make you forget your lack of space!

Do’s and Don’ts of Design…Small Spaces

DO Find furniture pieces that do "double duty".

Check out places like Ikea that cater to smaller spaces. Use a storage ottoman as your coffee table. A bookshelf makes a great room divider and adds tons of storage space.

DON'T Think you need to use only light colors.

We've all heard that dark colors can make a room appear smaller. Wrong! Deep, rich colors add warmth and depth to a space. To make a space seem larger, paint a dark tone on the farthest wall.

DO Use proper lighting.

Overhead lighting from chandeliers always makes a room feel bigger and brighter. Choose crystal for even more illumination.

DON'T Over-stuff with furniture...or use overstuffed furniture.

Think clean and simple when it comes to decorating small spaces. Using items that are too large will only make the space feel smaller.

Finds under $50...Small Patio - Big Style!

Here are some great finds to spruce up even the smallest patio!

Line the ceiling of the patio with various paper lanterns in different shapes, sizes and colors for a fun, festive and inexpensive lighting solution: Here are some great dining chairs from Ikea with tons of style - for only $49.99 each: Spread these tea lights all over the yard for added sparkle - for only $9.99 each you can afford lots of sparkle! What a great idea for a table centerpiece: These floral pillows from Pier 1 will accent the rug beautifully! Dull concrete? Why not brighten it up with this fabulous 4'x6' turquoise rug for only $24.99:

Need a magician instead of an Interior Designer?

Do you need to squeeze 3500 square feet of stuff into 1200 square feet?

Downsizing can be extremely emotional, especially if it’s not completely by choice. These days, it seems many of us are forced to decide what is important now versus what was important a few years ago. And the size of your home seems to be one thing that just isn’t as important any longer. We’re finding that we can live better (and less stressful) lives in less space. Less space means not only a lower mortgage usually, but less area to clean and less area for clutter to collect.


Check out our June 2009 newsletter for tips to effectively downsize - without losing your mind!