Decorating Divas and Dudes! I need your advice! Bathroom remodel...

[youthere]

We are ready to remodel our upstairs bathroom. A very long narrow bathroom (11' x 6'). All the fixtures are in a line on the right hand side as you walk in (Tub, Vanity, toilet), and the ceiling is 9' high.
It's very cramped and you feel almost as though you are walking into a cave.
How do I create a feeling of more space? We've already decided to replace the vanity with a pedestal sink (I have a large linen closet in the hallway outside the bathroom) to help "free up" some of the floor space (right now, when you sit on the toilet you are crammed between the vanity and the wall).
The floor will be heated ceramic. There is a 60" tub/shower that has to stay the same.
Any advice on painting/color tricks that you have to offer would be GREATLY appreciated.
TIA!

[AlCzervik]

1. i would have the floor tile installed on the diagonal, it will make the room appear

a tad wider than it is. We did that in our bathroom.

this is a pic of my master bathroom, obviously not exactly the same as yours but you get the idea.

[Rosemary2205]

2. I want to warn you.

I caution you about getting rid of a vanity all together. Where do you put the curling iron, the toothbrush or the makeup/shaving kit? With a pedestal sink they always end up down in the sink bowl or sitting on the toilet seat. What a pain. The pedestal sink looks so wonderful but for everyday use in a heavily used bathroom thay are a pain in the ass. It is my humble opinion these really belong in a powder room. Everyone sees them and says "oh how beautiful" but with daily use they suck unless the bathroom is big enough to have a vanity sitting area for hair styling and makeup etc.

Consider a smaller really high quality one sink unit with a whole lot of style and a little open shelving underneath. You can still put the "ugly" items elsewhere and just stack a few towels or pretties under there. But a GRANITE vanity top, if you can afford it will be useful for daily operations and be good on resale. If you are determined to go pedestal, think about one of those retro style sinks that are quite large on the top so you'll have space to put your necessary items. You'll also want to think about wall mounted shelving, cup, toothbrush and soap holders

The trend is bright chrome and white fixtures and towel bars. If you are able a chrome hotel bar or a small white 6" deep cabinet over the toilet can hold toothpaste/makeup etc. Whatever you get make sure it does not interfere with head space while getting on or off the toilet.

The trend is also toward oval or square mirrors just over the sink rather than those big sheet mirrors over the whole vanity area like in the 80's. However, those big sheet mirrors really do help the bath feel more open.

Tubs are trending back toward shower curtains rather than doors for those all in one tub/shower units. The trend is also toward white moldings and trim rather than wood.

And I agree about the floor on a diagonal. You'll want to add about 30% to your tile order though if you do this because there tends to be more waste. If you end up with unopened boxes they sometimes take it back but ask ahead.

Good luck and congrats on getting a fancy new bathroom!


Edit to add, needless to say if you go pedestal, the sheet mirror doesn't work anyway so you'll need to go with smaller mirror.

[xchrom]

3. now i can't see it -- but with the room long and narrow --

i might consider paneling one wall with mirrors panels{yes they have them}.

floor to ceiling -- this will go a long way to making the room seem bigger.



also the room should be all the same colour -- or walls and ceiling at least.

you might choose something like a shade of gray for that.

it's too bad the tub has to stay -- but if it does it does.
i would limit the towel racks too -- in order to keep objects from hanging off the wall.

[XemaSab]

4. Paint the bathroom pale green

Like a very delicate sage color.

It will open the space WAY up.

[Whoa_Nelly]

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