Some rehabbers don’t mind stripping down a house to fit it into a desirable area. For example, many old houses in Los Angeles are torn down to the ground and only a few walls remain. However, most rehabbers like to update a house with new fixtures and features without trashing the house. Also, many houses simply won’t make a profit with too much rebuilding. One way to update an old house is to make bathrooms. feel larger

Bathrooms have steadily increased in size over the past thirty years, and the average bathroom today is twice the size of bathrooms in the 1970s. However, bathrooms can be difficult to add to existing homes without tearing down walls. There are a few ways you can create a more spacious look, without having to use mallets.

For example, you can save some space by installing a smaller bathtub, since bathtubs are traditionally the largest element in the bathroom. Modern, shorter five-foot tubs take up less floor space than older, longer tubs. New bathtubs are often not as tall and make the ceiling appear higher. A new bathtub makes a good impression on homebuyers, especially if your bathroom has a cast-iron tub full of chips and stains.

Although it won’t technically save space, you can also help create an illusion of spaciousness by covering the side wall of the tub with a simple, unadorned shower curtain. Large patterns on shower curtains tend to overwhelm a smaller bathroom and make it feel less spacious. Stick with a sheer curtain or match the wall color to further enhance the feeling of openness.

You can also gain some floor space by replacing the sink cabinet with a pedestal style. You will lose some cabinet space, but you can usually more than make up for that loss by hanging a cabinet over the toilet. You can also save space by adding a sink that mounts directly to the wall. If you like having your sink in a cabinet, consider putting it in a smaller cabinet. There are dozens to choose from, in any color and style you like, at your local home improvement center.

If you are a handyman, you can opt for an old cabinet or chest of drawers instead of the usual bathroom cabinet. Look for small chests in thrift stores and paint them in your target buyer’s preferred colors. You may need to reconfigure top drawers for plumbing. Top with a solid surface countertop; the little piece won’t cost much compared to the dramatic impact it provides. You can finish with a vessel sink that sits on the counter for a great updated look.

The toilet can also be replaced with a smaller, more efficient style. Newer toilets generally take up a smaller footprint and are not as tall as older toilets, which will allow you to get an even larger cabinet to hang over the toilet.

The easiest way to add the illusion of space is with a new mirror, especially if you have a small old medicine cabinet over the sink, the kind with a stainless steel frame. These old-fashioned medicine cabinets really do date back to a house. Replace it with a mirror that spans the wall to the ceiling. Or find an extra-large framed mirror and paint the frame to match your decor.

When organizing your bathroom, use towels to add softness to hard space. Don’t use too many small pictures on the walls; they create a cluttered look and make the space feel smaller.

You don’t need to bring in a wrecking crew to create the look of a larger bathroom. All it takes is a little imagination and a few relatively simple upgrades, at a price significantly less than knocking down walls!