That looks like one of my old bathrooms! First, can you replace the sink with a small vanity? Would add storage and let you style up a bit. Second, mirror over sink with small lights. Third, since you have plantation-style walls in a small space, how about painting every other board in two different shades of off-white? I got the idea from seeing an abundance of vertical striped wallpaper in European hotels, and painted two bathrooms like this--the first in alternating off-white shades of lavender and spring green, for a garden-like effect, and the second in a slightly darker sage green alternating with bone, for a country look. Lighter colors push out walls in small spaces, and vertical stripes make a low ceiling seem a little higher. Don't have any ideas for window treatments.

I had a bathroom like that as well. If you can't replace the sink, use material to attach around the sink. It will hide under sink pipes and allow for some storage. You could use the same material or a coordinating one for a window valance. A framed mirror medicine cabinet above the sink would add more storage as well and is fairly inexpensive to do.

you could think if painting the walls..? it might add illusional space (depending on color) but not be too costly! my bathroom is quite small so i got a clear patterned shower curtian to extend the size (since you can see thru it instead of a solid block opaque curtain)

Thanks for the great suggestions. I love the idea of the painting of every other panel. We hope to work on this in January. I did replace the sink with a little vanity with cabinet. I love the extra space.

I think the clear shower curtain is a good idea too. What colors are you going w/ for your alternating color wall? Dying to see how it turns out--pls don't forget to post photos!!

I like the plantation idea for this bathroom. How about some woven window treatments for the windows? What color scheme are planning on using? an island green color.

shorty-- the horrible wet weather seems to have gone (cross fingers). have you continued w/ your remodel yet beyond the sink?

Well, the holidays are now officially over, when do anticipate the painting to begin, 2008? The previous suggestion of a mirrror and vanity lights might work well.

ok, that vanity looks a LOT better. it's compact but adds storage, and i like the fixtures. i see u're dealing w/ yellow shower tiles, so what wall colors are u going w/? also, are u thinking abt switching out the floor tiles?

Well, I'm taking suggestions on the wall color. My focus piece is the faucet which is a nickel finish with gold. I'll continue using nickel on my accessory pieces. Taking a vote on wall color....light sea green/white or taking the yellow in consideration, should we go opposite the color wheel? Get you votes in asap!!! Light yellow, green/white, purple, or your suggestion...Hurry, HELP!!!

Ok...the room's been sanded, wiped down and putty'ed. Next weekend, WE PAINT!!!!!!!!!!

HMMM... that's a good question. somehow i can't find the photo of the yellow shower tiles any more, so i don't know whether they were a warm yellow or a pale, cool yellow. ok, a thought: definitely heed the color wheel and go opposite--but how abt alternating one medium lavender and a light, almost-white lavender on the walls?

I vote for a taupe/tan color... or a soft pale green. Kind of a pale avocado green. The taupe/tan would tie in with your floors. Can't wait to see what color you picked.

shorty! next weekend passed already--tell us what u chose!

Painting was postponed due to the wet, wet weather. Didn't want to create a mold inviting environment, so painting will be held off until the Sun returns on the weekend. The colors have been selected. I hope you will enjoy our decision. We installed a new electrical outlet that was sorely needed. (If you saw my hair, you would agree. Now I can use a blow dryer!) We also replaced the light fixture.

Painting is DONE!!!!!!!!! New photos will be posted soon.

YAY!!! the mystery thickens--am anxious to see the final colors! all done now or will there be more touches?

Ok! The walls have been painted with an accent wall of dark orange and a tan adjacent wall. These colors are in the floor tile. We changed the lighting and added an electrial outlet. Now, I need your help....What kind of window treatment do you suggest? Also I need to fill a void above the toilet. What are some ideas??? Thanks for all your suggestions, but I still need more help to finish this off! Thank you, thank you!

wow shorty, that was BOLD! i mean, that was BOLD. u pulled cayenne orange out of the floor tiles and made a whole accent wall. definitely a warm traditional style coming thru now. love ur new light and esp the eco-friendly fluorescents!

Thanks RSVP stylists! Great ideas. Now time to go shopping around. Also, I appreciate your tech group fixing my screen problem. Please pass the word to them that my technical problem seems to be fixed. I'll hopefully be able to upload the finished product soon. Aloha All!

Coming along very nicely! Have you thought about replacing the outdated medicine chest with a more stylish mirror with a wood border to match the vanity?

Another great idea for the vanity... (I had the same situation in a small cottage bath). The closed in vanity will make it seem small and the open type vanitys can be very expensive and hard to find just the right size. So I measured the max (width & depth) I could fit and took my tape everywhere and measured everything... I finally find a small chinese antique that was perfect. I had a holes drilled where needed and used an inexpensive glass vessel sink on top (which gives much more counter space) and put a basket on the shelf below with rolled towels.

wow girlmaui, sounds intriguing. cd u post a photo of that vanity and sink somewhere here so we can see? i want to do something like that but am having a little trouble envisioning.

popeye... I will try and get a picture posted asap. My cottage was new construction so I had the luxury of being able to do the faucet coming out of the wall. If I were remodeling and wasn't able to do that... I would drill another hole on top and use the taller faucet so it works with the vessel sink.

WOW! brava! u really added height w/ that open shelf AND artwork that ties in w/ ur accent wall color! and the matte finish of the shelf matches the finish of the light fixture! u did an amazing job updating that tiny space. DID THAT SHELF NEED STUDS AND WHERE DID U GET IT?

I would change the sink to a vanity with a cabinet. That way you can store things under it. Also, the towel rack above the sink I would get rid of too. Maybe painting the room with an accent color or adding wainscoating would be nice.

mkanamu, if u click on the photo w/ the blue towel, u'll see a larger version w/ shorty's new vanity.

mkanamu, if u click on the photo w/ the blue towel, u'll see a larger version w/ shorty's new vanity.

Instead of the towel rack above the toilet, you can find a lot of creative racks that can be installed behind the door to help utilize space better while keeping it out of the way. In place of your old towel holder you can also purchase a variety of cabinets with easy assembly that you can store even more items in a decorative manner. Good luck.

I have a client who had a very small bathroom in an older house and she made it look elegant and bigger by using a golden travertine on both the floor and part way up the wall. I thought it was going to make the room appear smaller, but it turned out that by having the continuity of the floor and the bottom of the wall, it actually looked much bigger. The use of the travertine made the bathroom look updated, too!