The UK has some of the smallest homes in Europe. Even in countries with dense populations – like the Netherlands and Germany – people tend to have more floor space than we do.
So, what does this mean for your bathroom? Well, the incentive to find space-saving solutions doubles. This is particularly true if your mobility needs have changed, or are likely to change in the future, and you need a little more room to get around.
At Mobility Plus, we’re always looking for ways to make small spaces more comfortable. Here are some of our best ideas.
Plumbing pipes
Plumbing pipe connectors can take up unnecessary space if they’re not gathered together in one place in the bathroom. They can also increase the risk of tripping.
Consult a plumber or bathroom installer to find out where your pipes are, if you’re unsure, and ask if they can be connected to create one single drainage system to save space. A small space gain may not be worth the money, but you won’t know until you ask.
Smart storage
Keeping your bathroom neat and organised will also help free up space. Tidy away towels and hair and body products by adding under sink storage or attaching a cupboard to the wall.
Or, if space is too limited for built-in storage, a simple row of hooks can make all the difference. You could even hang a couple of hanging organisers off them, storing toiletries and other small items in the pockets. These can be put on the back of the door, inside a closet or on the wall.
Walk-in showers
It may seem counterintuitive to describe a walk-in shower as space saving, but our Kendal design has just a single panel shower frame, creating more open space to dry and dress yourself in. It will also let more light into the shower. The fold-down seat can be packed away when not being used, helping the whole bathroom feel more spacious.
Essential for checking your appearance, mirrors can also help a small bathroom appear larger. They not only give the illusion of depth, but reflect both natural and artificial light, making a room brighter during the day and night. Go for an unframed, wall-to-wall mirror to maximise the effect.
Mirrors
Essential for checking your appearance, mirrors can also help a small bathroom appear larger. They not only give the illusion of depth, but reflect both natural and artificial light, making a room brighter during the day and night. Go for an unframed, wall-to-wall mirror to maximise the effect.
Walk-in baths
A walk-in bath often saves on floor space because most designs – like our Hampton Elite modern walk-in bath – are twice as high and half as long as a standard bath. This frees up room around the bath, making it even easier to get in and out.
The comfortable built-in seat makes bathing more comfortable and safe. You can also choose to add our chromotherapy light system, which promotes balance and healing, or our hydrotherapy spa system, which is known to soothe aches and pains in muscles and joints.
If your bathroom is small, we hope we’ve given you some practical ideas about how to save floor space, while creating the illusion of greater light and room. Feel free to call one of our advisers if you’d like further advice.