Smaller bath fixtures result in big payoff

Updated kitchens and bathrooms are solid investments for homeowners to make, according to Realtors. Not only do they increase the value of your home, but state-of-the-art appliances and beautiful new bath fixtures add to your daily enjoyment.

A cascading shower head can make for a wonderful start to a busy day, and a hand-held model can make the task of cleaning up the tub after bathing the kids so much easier. There are so many ways to create terrific bathroom designs for even the tiniest of bathrooms that don't require you to settle for less than what you would get in a more spacious bathroom.

Success lies in making the right choice from the scaled-down fixtures available today.

An impossibly tight bathroom will benefit from one of the smallest sinks around, the Minette from American Standard. It's designed to be mounted in a corner and takes up just 11 inches by 6 inches. Need a little storage space? The Bancroft petite vanity from Kohler is an appealing, space-saving furniture solution that allows users to store personal items out of view in a drawer and provides an open space below the simple white basin for folded towels. The piece is inspired by 1900s American design and offers a nostalgic look without using up a lot of room.

If you're looking for a smaller-scale tub, consider the adorable, vintage-inspired soaker that was featured in the Meredith/NKBA 2007 Design Idea Center home at the National Kitchen and Bath Industry Show last spring in Las Vegas. It was included in a 525-square-foot, two-room weekend cottage. Inspired by Minnesota's wooded cabins, this tiny bath could easily be one in hundreds of older homes around the country.

There are numerous sources for vintage-looking cast-iron tubs that are 60 inches to 66 inches long and from 24 inches to 36 inches wide. All of the appropriate accessories, like the ceiling mounted ring for a shower curtain, porcelain and chrome towel bars, soap holders, robe hooks or faucets, are also featured by many manufacturers.

Reproduction fixtures feature a variety of inner workings, so be sure you find out if working parts are made of plastic or porcelain. And don't overlook tubs that are made of acrylic. In the past, man-made materials scratched easily and could be damaged by cleaning, but today's man-made materials are superior and very durable.

(To easily clean and maintain products so that you don't inadvertently damage the factory finishes, remember that simple bleach and good old-fashioned vinegar are often the safest agents to use. Vinegar shines up chrome simply and effortlessly.)

Additionally, one of the biggest advantages of acrylic is that you can get custom sizes and colors made to suit your situation -- no more being limited by standard sizes!

Finishing touches to consider include tile, beadboard and wainscoting.

Finally, light fixtures are also an element that add to the overall design. Be sure to match a vintage design with classic light fixtures or a contemporary design with modern fixtures to complete the look.

Christine Brun is a San Diego-based interior designer and the author of "Big Ideas for Small Spaces." Send questions and comments to her by e-mail at cbaintdes@hotmail.com or to Copley News Service, P.O. Box 120190, San Diego, CA 92112.