From Cramped to Comfortable: Saving Space in Your Bathroom
by Jason Miller

Groucho Marx once quipped about his hotel room, "It was so small, when I closed the door, the doorknob got in bed with me."

If you're living (or are planning to live) with a bathroom that threatens to match Groucho's description, you know it's no laughing matter. Not to worry, though. There are steps you can take toward efficient and effective use of your bathroom's space. You can even create the illusion of a much larger space than actually exists, making it a little less cramped and a lot more comfortable.

Lynn Monson of Minneapolis-based Monson Interior Design has spent 16 years weaving together the elements of design to create interiors that are both livable and beautiful. We posed the problem of the volume-challenged bathroom and found him to be full of solutions.

We started with the floor. Monson suggests using large-scale tile (12 inches square works well) to give the appearance of a much larger surface.

From there, look at what is taking up your precious floor space. A bulky radiator? Consider removing it and installing a baseboard or in-floor heating system. A boxy vanity cabinet? Try a statuesque pedestal lavatory or a semi-encaste sink, which is a sink/vanity combo that recesses the sink into a vanity that is only 12 to 15 inches deep, rather than the common 21 to 24 inches. This combination delivers both storage space and "leg room"; its utilitarian elegance is a wise choice.

A "floating" vanity frees up the floor, too. It's attached directly to the wall, with the lavatory basin sunk into it and the drainpipes hidden from view by the vanity shelf.

What to do with the toilet? You can plunk a traditional design in the corner or you can choose a wall-hung model. Having just arrived in the States from Europe, this toilet imitates an iceberg in that a portion of it is hidden from sight. The tank is recessed into the wall, as are the pipes, which makes for very quiet operation. The flushing mechanism can be mounted against the wall, for an unobtrusive presentation.

Europeans have more to offer than just a spiffy toilet, though. Their fixtures—including sinks, bidets, tubs and toilets—are scaled-down versions of American ones, making them excellent additions to a smaller bathroom.

As for lighting, go heavy on it. A skylight, a bay window or a classy glass-block wall can do wonders. Monson likes to forego traditional window coverings, choosing to etch the panes of existing windows, which transforms them beautifully and allows them to admit light and retain privacy simultaneously.

Expand the space further with mirrors. A mirror that runs the length of a wall will open up the room and won't break your bank in the process. Side mirrors with vertical lighting give a fresh perspective without casting shadows on your face.

Now all that remains is to splash the space with color! Monson advises care in choosing colors for your diminutive space. "Anytime you add color, it 'pulls' the room in," he says. Try neutral colors for the fixtures, walls and ceiling. They'll expand the room; white, for one, will make your fixtures appear to be not as large. Dark colors should be used on horizontal surfaces, light colors on vertical surfaces. Color accents may be used to add pizzazz, but use them sparingly.

Still unsure? Try bending the ear of a certified interior designer in your town. You'll learn plenty, including how to keep that doorknob where it belongs.

Sources: Lynn Monson, ASID, CID, CKD, CBD, Minneapolis, Minn.; American Standard Inc.; Barbara Farrell, Fantasia Showrooms, Minneapolis, Minn.

Photography courtesy of American Standard Inc.