Quick Fix- A Narrow Bathroom
Do you have a room that’s feeling outdated, or maybe functionally it’s not working well for your family? It may need a full renovation. But sometimes it just needs a few simple tweaks, and it will feel like a whole new space. Looking updated and flowing better. I fondly refer to this as a Quick Fix.3 Small changes that make a big impact. Let’s go!
Jan reached out and asked if I could help her with their new powder bathroom. I started by asking her what wasn’t working and what she wished she could change about the space. She said that the storage will be sufficient for what they will be using it for. But it felt very narrow and a bit dark, and she was hoping to make it feel a bit more cheerful. Here is the picture of the bathroom she sent me.
And here is what it looks like after the 3 changes I made.
First, I would start by repainting the bathroom white. Lightening the color of the room will instantly make it feel larger. Since it’s a bathroom, I would paint it in a semi-gloss or gloss paint; it will be easier to clean and also reflect the light, making it feel brighter. I would also remove the curtain, allowing more light to come in (but I don’t count that as one of my fixes). This is a second-floor bathroom without a shower; there isn’t a bit of concern that someone might see inside.
Second, I would swap out the vanity mirror for one that is a little larger. The current one sits too high for a child to use. The one I chose has a thinner frame, which also has less visual weight, and will help the bathroom feel larger.
Third, vertical artwork. This room has pretty high ceilings, but nothing is helping to accent them. Stacking two simple frames vertically will draw the eye up, making the room feel larger, also!
In the picture before, there were three wide things: the window, the mirror, and the art above the toilet. Each of these things fooled your eyes into thinking the space was both small and short. By replacing two of these items with tall items, it draws the eye up to realize the bathroom may not be as small as it seems.
What do you think? I’m always amazed at how making small changes can make such a big impact! Interested in submitting a room for a Quick Fix? I’d love to hear from you! Email ChrisVanderWeideDesignCo@gmail.com. Just write Quick Fix in the subject line. Include a photo of your room and let me know what you like about the room, and what isn’t working for you in that space. I can’t wait to hear from you!