When it came time to renovate his bathroom, Ryan Gainey came up with some smart, simple designs. Then, he enlisted help from local craftspeople and artists to bring them to life using materials that will age gracefully. The result is a warm and charming mix of tones and textures, in keeping with the style of the house. He shares his smart strategies here—read on and discover stylish solutions for your small bathroom.

1. Try Unconventional Materials
Growing up in South Carolina, Ryan was taken by the many rural structures that were faced with corrugated galvanized roofing tin, and he decided to bring the look indoors in the tub surround. Pros made sure that it was properly finished and sealed, and Ryan notes that it now bears a lovely water-spotted patina, a ripened quality that comes by virtue of use.

2. Raise the Tub
The existing porcelain tub was in fine shape, but to give it more presence in the room, it was raised, and a lovely stair was added alongside. Not only does it make it easy to get in and out but it also provides a landing for towels and bath accessories that don’t fit on the narrow tub edge.

3. Paint the Floor
This hardwood floor took a coat of paint in the same hue as the whole home to keep an even flow throughout. Ryan notes that the great thing about a painted floor is that you can let it get that worn, rustic feel, then if you decide you want to sharpen things up, it just takes a fresh coat to bring it back.

4. Use Beadboard Panels and Picture Rails
Not only will walls benefit from a nice vertical line to give them a lift, but the tongue-in-groove design bears the mark of a country craftsman (even though you can buy this wallcovering in pre-fabricated, pre-painted panels). The picture-rail topper adds depth and makes it easy to prop up plates and more.

5. Hang Decorative Mirrors
Rather than relying on the standard medicine chest, Ryan chose a starburst mirror, likely an Indian import, to hang over his sink. A friend made the wood shelf with inset mirror, and Ryan decided to hang it in the shower, tucked in so no water will hit it. It adds a touch of brightness in the shower enclosure.

6. Unify with Linens and Paint
Because this is a small home, Ryan chose not to break up the color scheme from room to room. Like the floor, the wall colors are consistent with the whole house. Note how the same fabric hangs as a shower curtain, window curtain and shelf-concealing curtain (just to the left of the shower). 

 7. Add Natural Elements
Sweet, hand-carved birds on the windowsill are small details that take up no space but add loads of charm. Perched atop a tin pedestal (Ryan loves tin!), an iron candlestick lamp is topped off with a homespun, rustic shade created by taking apart a pinecone and applying its pieces in a fishscale pattern with glue.  •