A Better Small Bathroom

Compared to the average size home in the US, ours is definitely on the large end. But if you saw the bathroom that my two daughters', and any guest, have to share you would be surprised. We're talking so narrow you can touch both walls if you stand in the center and reach out your arms - and not even that much. And it's dark too - no natural light and not well lit. The sink area can accommodate two people, though it has only one sink, but then the commode and tub are in their own little "room" separated by a small door and wall. The door is impossible to close without having to climb on the commode - and don't even get me started about bathing my kids in the tub with the toilet in my ribs...

Not every bathroom can be big and spacious. Some houses just don't come built that way - and most budgets don't either. 

Here are some great inspirations for small bathrooms with great functionality AND style. They are not any bigger - just better by design.

So how do you make a small bathroom look bigger and better?

1. Eliminate as many visual and physical barriers as you can - an open space will immediately appear larger.

Modern Bathroom by Miami Interior Designers & Decorators DKOR Interiors Inc.- Interior Designers Miami, FL

Beach Style Bathroom by Coronado Design-Build Firms Flagg Coastal Homes

Contemporary Bathroom by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Toronto Interior Design Group | Yanic Simard

Contemporary Bathroom by Thornhill Interior Designers & Decorators Avalon Interiors

2. If you can, add some natural light. Skylights and/or small windows will brighten any small space immediately making it appear bigger.

Traditional Bathroom by Lexington Design-Build Firms Feinmann, Inc.

Modern Bathroom by Brooklyn Architects & Designers Ben Herzog

Traditional Bathroom by San Francisco General Contractors Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders

3. Speaking of brightness - can't add natural light? Upgrade your lighting scheme. Use a combination of small incandescent ceiling lights, a hanging light and sconces. Side lighting helps eliminate shadows that down lights create. 

Modern Bathroom by Philadelphia General Contractors Hanson General Contracting, Inc.

Contemporary Bathroom by Kailua Interior Designers & Decorators Archipelago Hawaii, refined island designs

Traditional Bathroom by La Jolla Tile, Stone & Countertops Cabochon Surfaces & Fixtures

4. Create additional storage and counter space where ever possible. Creating shelving nooks and additional surface space will aid you in making the space more functional and appealing.

Contemporary Powder Room by San Carlos Interior Designers & Decorators RKI Interior Design

Contemporary Bathroom by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Toronto Interior Design Group | Yanic Simard

Contemporary Bathroom by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Jo Alcorn

Contemporary Bathroom by New York Photographers Chris A. Dorsey

Traditional Bathroom by Tiburon Interior Designers & Decorators Jerry Jacobs Design, Inc.

Contemporary Bathroom by Austin Architects & Designers Cornerstone Architects

5. Use the best materials you can afford - small can still be luxurious!

Contemporary Bathroom by Sausalito Architects & Designers Urrutia Design

Contemporary Bathroom by Other Metro Architects & Designers PLAN architecture | design | strategy

Contemporary Bathroom by Chicago Interior Designers & Decorators Alan Design Studio

Have any favorites? I sure do. I'm ready to knock down that door and wall - as soon as I have it in my budget. 

Stay tuned for more interior design inspiration!

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Copyright 2013, Cristina Mullins Interiors

Pumpkins!

I love decorating pumpkins. But I am no Martha Stewart and have no carving ability whatsoever. I think it requires an amount of patience that my ADD-type of personality does not have. Plus, I'm not a fan of pumpkin goop (although the seeds are yummy when roasted) and they don't last very long at all once they are carved.

However, I do love painting and decorating the pumpkins. That is much more my speed. My daughter's like it too because there is no danger of a trip to the emergency room - or less so.

Anyhow, I'm taking my girls to the pumpkin patch later today and I thought I would share with you some great ideas for decorating your pumpkins - doing random searches I found almost all of my favorites at Better Homes & Garden. Oh and I'll apologize now for the puns, but I had fun thinking them up. 

Enjoy!

Golden pumpkins. - BHG

Trick or treat yourself to this large bucket of pumpkins. Create the "dots" with paint instead of drilling holes. - BHG

I'm not a big fan of bugs, but I like these creepy, crawly spiders. - BHG

Cute as some buttons and bows. - BHG

Any kind of paper will do - but imagine using a ghost story... - BHG

Some glitter glue and a few "jewels" make this one of the fanciest webs I've seen - BHG

A feathered Raven and jeweled wire gives this pumpkin its flair. - BHG

WHOO thought construction paper could turn two pumpkins into this cute owl? - BHG

Decoupage some leaves to make this beautiful centerpiece! - BHG

Boo-tiful in black. - BHG

I'm batty over these cleverly painted pumpkins. - BHG

These pumpkins got nailed - with some pretty nail-heads! - My Love of Style

This fancy lettering is a wonderful trick! - BHG

Tulle cute! - BHG

Simple as a game of cat and mouse. - BHG

OK. I realized this is carved. But you can do this same thing with black dots and fuzzy mice cut in half. Cute either way. - BHG

This wins as the Cinderella of all pumpkin transformations. Please look at the "mice"!  - BHG

Hope you enjoyed my pumpkin treats - and that this has inspired you to go get a pumpkin and go all crafty on it. :)

I'm working on some more Halloween and Fall-related blog posts which are coming soon!

Have a wonderful Fall day!!

If you would like to see more of what I like and what inspires me, you can follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter.

Thank you for visiting My Head Space!

Copyright 2013, Cristina Mullins Interiors