How To Make A Small Bathroom Look And Feel Bigger

Bathrooms are often fitted into small areas for convenience and to satisfy certain needs. A basic bathroom will include a toilet, a sink and either a shower or a bath, and there is usually no room left over for linen storage, a seated vanity and the luxuries that we would love to include in our ‘smallest room.’ So how can we make a poky bathroom look palatial, turn a washroom into a wonderland, and convert a bathing area into a place of beauty?

Here’s how…

Keep walls and tiles the same colour or tone where possible.
For example, having light walls and dark tiles will visually chop up the space and make it appear smaller. If you would really like some contrast in your bathroom, limit it to an object that will stand out as a feature while the walls recede and blend to form a backdrop.

Keep your ceiling and walls the same colour
Especially if the ceiling is angled or has unusually shaped low areas. Painting everything the same colour will make unusual shapes disappear and create the illusion of space. Use pale and soft colours for backgrounds to make a tiny bathroom look instantly bigger.

Use lots of lighted mirrors that will make a small space grow
Also, consider swapping coloured tiles for mirror tiles, once again creating an illusion of space.

Use natural light where possible
Many bathrooms have shutters or blacked out windows for privacy, which instantly darken a room and make it feel smaller. Consider covering a window with a translucent window shade, or even use a stained glass window that will let light into the room. For bathrooms with no windows, consider adding a skylight to bring natural light into the space.

Utilise wall space for storage when floor space is minimal
Also, look into using recessed shelves and cabinets that do not protrude and make a bathroom look smaller. A shelf placed over the bathroom door can be used for toiletries and other bathroom essentials, making use of an otherwise redundant area.

Bathrooms look smaller when there is a lot of clutter
Utilise any storage space and hide away items that are not in everyday use. If you love decorative objects, choose one piece rather than several for a more streamlined look, and keep open shelves organised for a clean and tidy look.

If you are lucky enough to be able to change furniture pieces in a small bathroom
Take some time to calculate how to use the space wisely. A smaller sink may fit into an awkward corner, freeing up space that can be used in other ways. If you rarely take a bath but love showering, consider having a neat shower cubicle fitted, or even a wet room.

An opaque door or heavy shower curtain can make a small room feel tiny
Replace your shower door or curtain with a sheer translucent version that will still provide privacy but not overshadow a bathroom area.

Re-hinge the door
One of the best ways to make a bathroom feel bigger is to re-hinge the door so that it opens outwards, or add a sliding shower door if possible. Both solutions will make a bathroom feel much larger and also free up essential space.