Bathroom Contractor

Remodeling a bathroom is so popular these days that there dedicated magazines for this renovation. In fact there are bathroom designers that do very little else because they are kept so busy by bathroom contractors and new home builders.

Most bathrooms in older homes were built in spare spaces. Like closets they were fit in with the design as necessities but never given the same attention as the living room or kitchen. The porcelain, “claw tub” was replaced by the wall tub and ruled the roost until showers became popular. However, it wasn't until the late 1980's that people started looking at the bathroom as an “end-use space” instead of a transient room. This is when jet spa tubs began showing up indoors and more room was needed to house them.

Today, a bathroom area is more likely to be two or more dedicated rooms. This is because the features of the new bathrooms include the relaxation of the water features as well as “after-bath” applications like massaging and even resting. So instead of being a room that is used on the way to somewhere else the bathroom has been transformed into the destination point.

Many bathroom remodel contractors will carve space out of other areas like closets or a spare bedroom to get a larger bathroom. However, this cuts down on the area of these rooms that may damage resale value. And what if you can't take space from another room? There are still ways to get a great bathroom out of the on you already have just by using some ingenuity.

Height

In contemporary design height is a way to make the appearance of more space. And this illusion can be gained by having features that draw the eyes upward. So if you have wainscotting or any horizontal lines in the bathroom shed them for vertical features like wallpaper with soft upright stripes. Tiled walls also give the impression that the ceiling is higher and bathroom designers have also been known to use a cornice or thin crown molding. And, of course, if painting use very light tones.

Mirrors

Nothing adds space like a well-placed mirror. It doesn't matter if you require height, width or depth mirrors have been used this way for centuries. The downside with mirrors is that many people overdo them and they become more of a distraction than an attractive feature. However, used tastefully mirrors are a very effective space enlarger.

Lighting 

Natural light is a great room enlarger. Skylights are a welcome addition to a bathroom that has no windows or is facing away from the sun. if there is no outside light placing fixtures like sconces high on the walls will light up the ceiling and expand the perimeter of the room. As in kitchens layered lighting is very effective. This entails “working lights,” medium lighting and washes. For over the sink and vanity area the close-in lights can be small directional pots. Sconces make a great medium lighting and an overhead wash will finish off the effect.

Rectified Tile

The most popular shower facilities are those featuring tiles from floor to ceiling and multi-shower head fixtures. Gone are the shower curtains that rob the room of space. These have been replaced by glass doors which do not impeded the eye and give a panoramic view of the bathroom aided by the floor to ceiling tile. Rectified tile has very tight joints, as small as 1/16”. Unlike other ceramic squares rectified tile is baked in sheets and then cut after it comes out of the kiln. In this method it can be calibrated for credit card-thin joints. Because the grout lines are so thin the look of the tile is one great sheet. Large tile will also give this effect, especially if it is a diamond pattern.

Sinks and Vanities

The best way to lose space is with big clunky vanities. For items like towels and other sundries that are not being used on a regular basis store them in an outside closet. The put in a pedestal sink. This will not only gain space but add to the vertical features of the bathroom. If you need drawer space then go with a small vanity that features a bowl-style sink or a floating cabinet that resembles a small piece of furniture. These have legs and the space underneath adds to the large look of the bathroom.

Accessories

There are many other ways to make your bathroom special. Ornamentation and wall hangings can transform the look on a weekly basis just by changing them. Matching towels, shower curtains and floor mats can also be a revolving bathroom design feature.

Bathroom contractors can handle all of upgrades to reclaim space in your bathroom. To find one in your area consult our Contractor Directory or post you project online.

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