You’ve probably noticed that most home improvement magazines don’t spend a lot of time talking about small bathroom designs. After all, where’s the fun in that? It doesn’t make for a load of great photography. Still, just because you have a small bathroom doesn’t mean you can’t “big” it up.

The key to bigness in small bathroom designs starts with the tile. Big tile gives the impression of spaciousness. For example, if you have a “half bath” (toilet and shower) off of your master bedroom, replacing the linoleum or current tile with larger tile will add an immediate feeling of spaciousness to the area, even when you close the door. If your shower area will allow for replacement of the floor without costing you thousands, you can extend the same spacious tile look throughout the entire half-bath area.

Wall color can play a big role in implying bigness in small bathroom designs. Basically, the brighter the color, the bigger the feel. Lighter shades of blue, green and yellow are popular in small areas. Another way to add some “room” to the walls is to layer two shades of the same color. Start with the darker shade and paint the walls completely. Once they dry, apply the lighter shade in spots, using a rag or other uneven surface (a sponge works well here, too.) The lighter spots over the darker color adds depth to the walls, which t”widens” the room a bit.

Even the bathroom mirror can add space to the proceedings. If you have a frame around the mirror, take it off or replace the framed mirror with a simple pane-style mirror of the same size. The more “open” look of the mirror will add openness to the entire room.

Renovating a bathroom is a daunting task, but a few hours spent planning and researching will answer many of your questions. You may like the layout of your bathroom and just wish to update your fixtures and fittings, or you may envision an entirely new design. Either way, getting one or more bathroom floor plans down on paper is the best starting point.

First, take a piece of paper and begin measuring the bathroom walls. Produce a very rough sketch of the shape and dimensions of your bathroom. Note where the existing plumbing (toilet, shower, tub and washbasin faucets) is located. Show where the door, windows, and electrical outlets are. If you have built-in closets, mark them. Sketch in any other features that may limit your choice of bathroom floor plans.

Next, note down what you like about the bathroom layout that you already have, and what you don’t like. Be thorough about this step. Don’t start making a wish list just yet – simply note the pros and cons of your existing bathroom.

Then go online and print out a few bathroom floor plans for similar-shaped bathrooms. Take them into your bathroom and write comments directly on the paper. Picture the bathroom in your mind: would the layout flow well for your family? Discard any layouts that simply won’t work.

By now you should have a better idea of what you want and whether your ideal bathroom will involve professional tasks such as moving plumbing. You are now ready to talk to bathroom planners, visit showrooms, and work on to-scale bathroom floor plans based on the fixtures you like.