How to Design Small Space Bathrooms and Kitchens

How to design small space bathrooms and kitchens

• 1

  Make a plan of your space on graph paper. Measure the floor plan and plans of walls as well in all directions, including doors and windows. If you can afford to move windows or doors, replace the bathtub or change all the appliances, you'll have a lot of flexibility. Include them in your existing space plans now. When you are finished, make a couple of photocopies to use for new design ideas.

• 2

  Use plain paper to make outlines of existing fixtures and furnishings, measuring the floor space and wall space they occupy. You can place these outlines on your floor and wall plans with a little tape or rubber cement.

• 3

  Look for space you aren't using efficiently. If your bathroom or kitchen abuts a closet that isn't used well, that space might be used for bath or kitchen storage.

• 4

  Identify essential elements and search for space-saving alternatives. You need a bathroom sink, but they come in different sizes and some can be integrated into a surrounding floor-to-ceiling storage unit rather than perching on an old vanity. Dishwashers come small enough for the smallest apartment kitchens; they can be used in a house as well. Consider an under-the-counter refrigerator and wall-hung microwave and conventional ovens. A great space-saver is sliding, rather than hinged, doors on cupboards, closets and doorways.

• 5

  A folding step-stool stored under the sink lets you reach use high storage areas. Store cooking pots and utensils on peg-board or other wall-hung storage units. Mount lighting flush to the ceiling or recess it.

• 6

  Store seldom used items in the garage, basement or a closet in the den if you want to keep them. Be ruthless--objects in these small rooms need to earn their space. If they don't, out they go.

• 7

  Assess what you can do yourself and what you need done for you. People tend to assume they need professionals to renovate a space. Figuring out the work you can do on your own may save enough money to get a professional solution in another part of your space.

• 8

  Use your decisions on alternative uses of your space to make your shopping list and complete your plan.