Page 20, Whitby Free Press, Wednesday, March 10, 1993 A HOME DESIGN AND IMPROVEMENT FEATURE Creating more space in a small bathroom When it cornes ta revamping bathroorns, taday's consumers have more choices thon ever before. Modern sinks and tubs corne in a wide array of clours, shapes and price ranges - with LI IT EITI SRIT Frame & nfe somnething to suit virtuaiiy every taste and budget. However, if you have a smal bathroorn and a limited budget, you don't have a lot of options when it cornes ta remodeiling. Short of knocking down walis, there isn't much you can do ta increase the physical size of a eniail roorn. If you fit inta this category, but wont ta give your bathroorna new, roornier look, don't despair. By using juet a few simple and fairly inexpensive tricks, you con make your bathroom appear much more spacious. As y ou begin ta plan that new look, keep in mmnd the aid adage that 'simpier ie better." Thie certain]y hoids true for ernal roorne. Exessive decoration and boid, overpowering patterns con dwarf a roorn, naking it appear much ernailer thon it realiy je. Tri ta. avoiL-- choosing loud YOU LOOK IN YOUR MIRROR every morning. But when a the last time you really looked at it or in it? Now is a good time to replace that old, rusty medicine cabinet and dlean out those outdated medications and supplies. " Personaiized -dCstom Kitchen " Design & Flow Plan " Very competitive Prioes One Hour*, m-Home iii(?ly Cus -isied 1 by 1 ;tom Interior Expressions YvonneO 436-74491 Active Carpet & TiIe's SPRING BRE AK CXTENDED Inm-store carpet specials Ceramics savings on selected tile - special order . .. ....S *No G.S.T. on labour on any new order installed before March 30/93. *Free Estimates *Shop at home service A ctive Carpet & Tune * . 843 KIng St. W. Oshawa (West of Thomtori on South side) wallpaper or too many ornate accessories. Remeniber, you want a dlean, unciuttered look. Colour is another factor, ta consider. Dark colours may make a roomn seem more cozy and inviting, but they make it appear emaller as weii. Bulky, dark medicine cabinets and vanities can aiea emphasize the arnalinesa of aroom- appearing to gobble up more space than they actualiy take. You should also keep in niind that dark-coloured fiooring or floor files with larg, bsy patternis cari make the floor space of a smali bathroom appear to dhrik. Lightor and Brightor Tyusing lightor colours on the walls and ceiling. A mono- chromatice chemne con open up a room. Basic colours like creamn or white look attractive and aslow you greater versatility when it cornes ta choosing acoessories. If 1ou have dark, decorative wall files with large patterns, you niight want to, consider replacing thern with somnething simpler - perhaps plain tiles ith an attractiveiy patterned border. Clear or pastel shower curtains with a light, airy patterni can heip open up the room. Use of area rugs as opposed ta wail-to-wall carpeting aise helpe create spaco because the smaller rugs visually break up the floor space. Installation of a pedestal sink cari create more roomn - both visualiy and physically. The only drawback, of-course, je the loss of storage space that a standard vanity unit provides. If storage is not a problem, this- may be the route you want to take. Sleek and stylish, pedestal sinks are currently very popular. Be ereative Many aider, smaller bathrooms have wail-hung sinks. If you have one of these units, yau may want ta think twice before replacing-it. Though often email in size, these sinks can be given a new look when fitted with attractive sldrting - this covers the exposed pipes and provides extra, out-of-sight storage space. Corner sink units are another space-savinig option of a smali bathroom or powder room. These units can fit easiiy inta a corner, taking Up rnuch less room than a conventionai, fuli-size vanity.. Mirrors & Lighting Mirrors are ane of the easiest and least expansive ways ta visually increase space in a emali bathroom. You may want ta consider instailing a large, wafl-hung mirror, or purchasing a good-sized over-the-sink cabinet with mirrored panels. Bright lighting con aiea help ta open up a room. A skylight, for instance, cari create the sense of being in a larger room. A lurninous ceiling je onother option. However, these two alternatives may b. more expansive than those previously mentianed.' This article is prouided by local realtors and the. Ont ario Real Est ste MAociat ion (OREA)/r the benefit of consumera in th real est ste market. 1112 PRICE 1 1655-4