11 Tips to Make a Small Bathroom Look Larger

Are you looking for ideas to increase the feeling of space in your bathroom? Many New York City residents have faced this challenge. Small bathrooms often face decorating challenges such as limited space, insufficient light, and numerous fixtures to accommodate. However, with the right design, your bathroom can be a standout in a small space. Whether you're looking to create a spa oasis or a stunning children's bathroom for the kids, you don't really need a lot of space. Therefore, you can achieve many design goals by cleverly utilizing existing space without resorting to wall-removing projects.

With simple decor and skillful design, good lighting and rethinking the layout, your small bathroom can be transformed into an airy and bright space that may become the most popular corner of your home.

Here are some design tips and tricks to help you make the most of your bathroom space:

1. Choose a Light Tone

When choosing a color theme for your bathroom, although you may be subject to certain limitations, it's best to try to choose lighter shades. Pairing light-colored tiles with bright towels, accessories and bath mats can create the perfect visual match, especially if you're looking to add some personality to the space.

If you have a very small bathroom and are not too concerned about color choice, then white, cream, light blue, or even light gray (such as dove gray) are ideal to make the room look brighter and more spacious . Lighter colors can make a space feel more open and airy. Painting walls, ceilings and trim a light color will help reflect light and create a feeling of spaciousness.

2. Consistent Tile Design for Floors and Walls

In a small bathroom, using continuous tiles can add visual impact to the room and make the space feel larger. Using the same tile design for floors and walls can create a sense of continuity and make a small room look more spacious. It is recommended to choose linear tiles and lay them horizontally so that they can extend the entire room. Square tiles can look bulky, while linear tiles can elongate a space. If square tiles must be used, install them in one continuous lay.

3. Reduce Clutter

Clutter can have a negative impact in a small bathroom. The more items that are cluttered on the countertops and windowsills, the smaller the bathroom will appear.

Investing in clever storage solutions like wall-mounted vanities and cabinets can make a huge difference. Hiding makeup and toiletries in cupboards not only makes your bathroom look neater, it also frees up space, making it brighter and more spacious.

If you're struggling to organize your makeup and toiletries, now might be the time to think about decluttering. We all have those shampoo bottles that sit aside for months, never used.

4. Add a Mirror

Mirrors are an ideal addition to any bathroom, especially in small bathrooms, to create a sense of greater space. Installing one or more large mirrors on one wall can help reflect light and create a brighter, more spacious feel to the room.

Even just a small mirror, or even a freestanding one on your windowsill, can improve the lighting in your room.

5. Install a Clear Glass Shower Door

If your bathroom has a shower partition, consider installing a clear glass or frosted glass shower door instead of using an opaque shower curtain or door. Clear glass allows light to penetrate the space, creating a more open feel. Frosted glass provides a similar effect while still maintaining privacy.

6. Choose a Floating Vanity or Pedestal Sink

Choosing a floating vanity or pedestal sink instead of a bulky cabinet vanity can visually open up floor space and make the bathroom look more spacious.

Additionally, choosing a wall-mounted toilet can also create the illusion of more floor space.

7. Choose Large-sized Patterns or Tiles

Using large tiles or patterns in the bathroom can trick the eye into making the space feel larger. Avoid small, cluttered patterns that can make the room look cluttered. Horizontal patterns can also elongate a space.

8. Use Small Fixtures

Improperly installed sinks, rain shower system, and toilets are sure to make a small bathroom appear even smaller. Using a small unit is a great solution. Use small fixtures and accessories, such as small bathroom sinks, toilets, and shower heads, to create the illusion of a larger space. Using a floating vanity allows the floor to extend all the way to the wall, giving the feeling of a larger space.

In addition to fixtures, use storage solutions like shelves, medicine cabinets, and under-sink storage to keep bathroom essentials hidden and make the space feel more open.

9. Maximize Natural Light

Warm, bright sunlight not only improves the visibility of a space but also creates an open, airy feel. If possible, allow sunlight into the bathroom by installing larger windows or using sheer curtains or blinds.

If your bathroom doesn't have a window, consider installing solar tubes to bring in natural light. Natural light helps open up a space and makes it feel brighter and more comfortable.

10. Install Adequate Lighting

In addition to natural light, adequate artificial lighting should be used to illuminate the space. Use a combination of overhead lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting to evenly illuminate the room and eliminate shadows.

11. Choose a Wall Mounted Rain Shower System

Choosing a wall-mounted shower system saves bathroom space and visually opens up the bathroom space. Avoid choosing a shower set with a large, bulky shower head and instead opt for a shower system with a compact or recessed shower head.

By employing these tips, you can make a small bathroom look more spacious and bright, while enhancing its comfort and functionality.

More Tips and Tricks

There are many other ways to make a small bathroom look larger:

• Reverse the door's swing direction so it opens outward instead of inward.
• Reinstall or replace any long, wide, or elevated shelves or other small furniture, especially those that you must move or maneuver around to avoid bumping or banging.
• Replace bulky floor shelves with wall-mounted shelves.
• Consider using the wall space behind the toilet and above the tank as a location for wall-mounted shelves.
• Use items designed for storage to clear clutter from window sills, sink rims and around bathtubs.
• Use light fixtures to add interest and color.
• Consider using bright lights, such as LEDs, to highlight decorative features or illuminate dark areas.
• Pair tile and paint to create a clean, uninterrupted look.
• Place mirrors high on the ceiling to create a taller room effect.
• Eliminate small closets made of drywall and replace them with shelves made of wood or other thinner materials, which can save you about 8-10 inches of space.

FAQ about Tips to Make a Small Bathroom Look Larger

Q: What color can make a small bathroom look larger?
A: It is recommended to use light colors such as white, cream, light blue, gray or yellow to visually expand the space of the room. Dark colors, such as deep red, green, or brown, can make a room feel smaller.

Q: What type of tiles look best in a small bathroom?
A: Large-format tiles are a smart choice because they give the illusion of a larger space and create a sleek, modern look. Cutting back on grout lines, such as floor tiles or shower tiles, can reduce visual distractions.

Q: What kind of tiles can make a small bathroom look larger?
A: Larger tiles can make a bathroom feel larger than it actually is. 16-inch or 18-inch tiles will make a room feel larger than 12-inch tiles. To enhance the feeling of space, choose grout that matches the color of your tiles.

Q: Where should I place the mirror in a small bathroom?
A: Bathroom mirrors should be placed over the sink, and this applies to any size bathroom. Large mirrors can create optical illusions by reflecting light and filling space.

Q: What kind of mirror can make a bathroom look bigger?
A: Full size mirrors from wall to wall and floor to ceiling are recommended. Using a large mirror above a dressing table can create a sublime effect by filling the space and creating an optical illusion through reflections.

Q: Should a small bathroom have a large mirror?
A: Large mirrors can be used successfully even in small bathroom spaces. Mirrors reflect light and give the impression of a larger space, making a dark bathroom bright and cheerful.

Q: How can you make a small bathroom more charming?
A: Using white finishes and some gray and black tiles can add visual interest while keeping the space bright.

Q: How can you make a small bathroom more luxurious?
A: Improving the luxury of your bathroom can be achieved by purchasing high-quality towels, upgrading shower heads, organizing the space, improving lighting, etc.

Q: Which direction should vinyl plank flooring be laid in a small bathroom?
A: Flooring can be laid along the length of the room, but the final decision should be made based on practicality and personal preference.

Q: How to make a small bathroom with no windows appear larger?
A: Adding a large mirror or two can capture and amplify light, creating an optical illusion and making the bathroom space appear larger.