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Extreme downsizing - bathroom renovation ideas?

8 years ago

I will be downsizing to this small apartment in a couple of months and am currently trying to come up with a design for this bathroom. There's only one bathroom and the washer will need to fit there as well (to the right of the toilet, under the gas boiler which will be replaced).


The space will be gutted and everything replaced but I'm not changing the locations of any of the items. Can you help with tile ideas? Large format or small? Tile all walls or just the tub surround? Tile all the way to the ceiling? The sad cabinets will be gone and I'll just do a floating vanity from IKEA. I'd love to do some type of an enclosure/cabinet for the washer and the boiler but am not sure if there will be enough space there.




Comments (19)

  • 8 years ago

    Since this is an apartment with no exhaust fan and only one tiny window, it would probably be best to have tile on all walls again to avoid moisture issues with drywall. Do you need to keep the tub or would a shower only be a possibility?

    izeve thanked phuninthesun
  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Use your imagination and switch the location of the sink and the toilet in these photos.


    izeve thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • 8 years ago

    I like the simplicity of that first bathroom Beverly posted. Something like these speaks to me except for the vanity and the floor:


    South Crown Street Bathroom Refurbishment · More Info


    Penthouse refurbishment in London’s Financial District. · More Info

    For the vanity I'm thinking either one of these from IKEA:

    And for the floor, I really like the look the look of hexagon tile. Not sure though how it would look with large format tile:


    Квартира для молодого человека · More Info

    Any thoughts on combining this large format tile on the wall and the hex tile on the floor?

  • 8 years ago

    Switching toilet and sink not an easy thing to do. They have totally different drain locations. They also have totally different drain sizes. So I wouldn't do that.

    I know if you want to enclose the washer/dryer/boiler with walls you will be taking up valuable real estate because of wall depth. Maybe instead of walls you can do curtains or curtain panels, like Ikea?

    I like the Ikea floating cabinet, the one without legs. I think it will make your room look bigger. There is also quite a bit of storage in those drawers

    izeve thanked Melissa R
  • 8 years ago

    dyliane, is that your experience with the Godmorgon series from IKEA? I've read a lot of reviews of it and they are generally good. It also comes with a 10 year warranty from IKEA.

  • 8 years ago

    Thanks Melissa, I am not planning on relocating the toilet and sink - they'll stay where they are. I read Beverly's comment as asking me to imagine the examples she posted with the sink and toiled switched to get a better idea of what it would look like in my bathroom. I don't think she was actually suggesting switching them.

    As to the washer and the water heater, there probably would not be enough room to build a regular closet, but there may be enough space for a custom cabinet. I'll need to get the space measured to get a better idea of the possibilities.

  • 8 years ago

    phuninthesun, I am planning on keeping the tub/shower combo. I like taking baths :-)

  • 8 years ago
    I just redid my bathroom with porcelain tile which resembles marble. The "whiteness" of the tile gives a very clean and cheery feel and is mid priced (8.50sf). Thought the 11.75x23.75 might be too large for this small space, but it works very well.
    izeve thanked denisecarpenter
  • PRO
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I have used Ikea vanities for years no problem. I google wall boiler covers and this company popped up. Are you getting the washer that is also adryer for the space.? You will not be able to switch the toilet to any other place in an apartment. I assume you are in England or some other spot inEurope.I too wonder if you need the tub, if not replacing with a shower would free up some space. I love the Godmorgon from Ikea , best storage for a small space.If possible I like large format tiles in small bathrooms with as much glass as possible for tub or shower.I think it is awesome you have a window, we travel to Europe very often and most of the places we stay do not have that luxury. I would agree probably best to tile all the walls.

    izeve thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
  • 8 years ago

    The boiler is being replaced with one that draws air from the outside through a separate pipe (sealed combustion system) so it can be enclosed. The washer will either be just a washer or a combo washer/dryer.

    The tub, sink and toilet locations are all staying as is - there is no way to relocate anything. And I want to have a tub, not just a shower.

    The apartment is in Central Europe and I'm still in the US :-) Currently drawing up plans for the renovation of the place. I've already applied to the HOA for renovation permits.

  • 8 years ago

    Denisecarpenter, your bathroom looks great. Good to know that large format tiles work well in a small space!

  • 8 years ago
    This inspiration pic is close to what you were describing with tile styles. Imagine a clean lined tub/shower combo. I think tile as much as possible as the room will get heavy moisture with the dual combo use. Can’t go wrong with this look. Just make sure you have good lighting and ventilation if possible.
    O'Connor - Two-Story Renovation · More Info
    izeve thanked thinkdesignlive
  • 8 years ago
    Frejgatan 15 · More Info
    izeve thanked thinkdesignlive
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    is not that model, but all Ikea furniture is mdf covered by a laminate. We don't have kids and we aren't "messy" people. Your bath is small, you won't spend a lot to buy something better

  • 8 years ago

    If you haven't used the "washer / dryer combos", a word of warning. The "dryer" part does not work unless the unit is vented to the exterior. Buy the washer only and plan for clothesline attachments in your new bath. Sadly, you will be "doing a load" every day...and hanging wet every day.

  • 8 years ago
    Chiflipper, I think the combo units have condenser dryers, so they don’t have to be vented. But I am aware that they have other limitations...
  • 8 years ago

    Izeve, I saw the pics now and mine is the first model, but white.

    izeve thanked dyliane
  • 8 years ago

    dyliane, thank you for the follow up. The first cabinet is from the Hemnes series. I looked on the IKEA website and unlike the floating Godmorgon cabinet, it doesn't come with any warranties. So you have just helped me make a decision on cabinets!