Natwerk Designs

Are black fixtures a bad idea in a reall small bathroom?

I have a very small bathroom. I don't know the exact size, but basically its got a towel closet, a tub, a sink, and a toilet, and barely enough room to walk in it. If you sit on the toilet your knees are an inch or two from the tub. We are about to remodel it and we really want to make it more modern. We were thinking beige light, floor and walls and tile, with Black fixtures. Is this a bad idea? What do you recommend? what if just the sink and toilet were black and the tub is white? Would that look ridiculous? HELP!

Public Comments

1. Pale, soft color schemes tend to give the illusion of more space. I'm not saying that the small bath has to be pink, but avoid strong, exciting colors. Use the brights for accessories and towels, but select pastel tones, neutrals, and whites for backgrounds. "Cool" colors give the feeling of serenity. Without taking up any counter space, you can add extra lighting to "open up" the look of your bathroom and add interest. Recessed can lighting can be installed into the ceiling and focused on any work space. Wall sconces or a countertop lamp will add warmth. More expensive alternatives for bringing more light into the room would be skylights, larger windows, or Solatubes. A vanity cabinet provides nice storage under a sink, but takes up lots of floor space in a small bath. Replacing the vanity with a pedestal or wall-mounted sink can be be fairly inexpensive. Your bath will definitely feel more open. Find alternative storage space with a small shelf or organize a nearby linen closet. When you remove the vanity cabinet, you'll probably have to repair the flooring. Even the smallest piece of furniture or accessory that sticks out into the room can stop where your eye goes and make your room seem to "shrink". Remove wall shelves, hanging racks, or decorative accessories on the walls that cut into the room and make it look smaller. Of course, you may need some of the pieces for comfort and their usefulness, but if the room feels bigger without them, think of some other way to supply the space you need. These decorating techniques work in any small room, but especially in a bathroom. They'll help to provide the illusion of expanding your small space without adding a single square foot. If your space will hold it, get a larger mirror to place in front of the bathroom sink. The mirror will reflect all the light in the room, and pick up the color and pattern. You might consider a collection of mirrors arranged artistically in the place of one large mirror. Just like with the walls, the floor will appear to open up if it's done with a light color. If you cannot replace the flooring, choose a large, light-colored rug over your existing flooring. There's nothing like clutter to make a small space feel even smaller. Pare down on towels and use just one large floor rug. Select one piece of art instead of lots of small pieces. Use one decorative accessory instead of lots of small ones. Store whatever else you really need out of sight. Trade a frosted-glass bath or shower door with a clear glass one. Or eliminate the door altogether and install a shower curtain that can be pushed back to one side when not in use. You'll be able to see all the way to the back wall. Your eye won't stop at the door and think that the room is smaller than it is. You can "push the walls back" if you select the correct wall finishes. Wallpaper with a white or light background gives the illusion of a more open space. Choose an open, airy design with white, yellow, or neutral ground. If you have an artistic flair or a friend who does, you should consider painting or stenciling a decorative mural on the largest open wall. Or hang a framed picture that looks like a window, looking out onto a garden or beautiful horizon. These can help to expand the look of your space. Any piece of art that shows an outdoor vista will help to enlarge the feeling of the room. You can create the illusion of a raised ceiling if you paint a lattice or molding design around the edge of the ceiling.
2. I love Nattalie's answer...it's all good advice! HOWEVER...I would NOT use black fixtures in a small bathroom. It's easier to keep white looking bright and clean. Even the smallest amount of soap scum, hair, towel fizz , etc. SHOWS up on black...especially if you're that close to it. Use black for your towels and accents if you really,really love it.