Many people dream of having a big bathroom that has a separate tub and shower, and a couple of sinks. If you are one of those who do not have the luxury of adding more square footage, and you wish you have a bigger bathroom, don’t fret because there are some things you can do to make your bathroom look and feel bigger. There are lots of theories about space enlargement, and they can also be applied to a bathroom, just like how they do in any other room in a house.
If you have a small bathroom, no matter what style you use to decorate it, nothing will change the fact that it is a small room. The key to making it look bigger is to try to think like pros. Use some visual magic, color, edits, and lighting tricks to transform your small bathroom into a room that looks bigger. If you are wondering how to do this, then you’ve come to the right place. Today, we are going to give you effective tips on how to make a small bathroom look bigger.
Make the Room Brighter
To open up the look of your bathroom and add interest, you can add extra lighting without taking up any counter space. You can install recessed lighting in the ceiling and focus it on one part of the room. You can also place wall sconces or a countertop lamp to add warmth to the space. If you have the budget, then you can go for more expensive options to bring more light in the room, like skylights, solar tubes, and larger windows.
Choose Serene Colors
If you want your bathroom to look bigger, it’s better to incorporate more serene colors or pale and soft color schemes. It’s because these colors tend to give the illusion of more space. It does not mean you need to paint your bathroom pink. You just need to avoid strong and bold colors. Choose pastel tones, neutrals, and whites for backgrounds. You can use bright highlights for accessories if you want. And to give your bathroom the feeling of serenity, you can put in colors purple, green, and blue.
Match the Color of Your Bathroom’s Walls and Ceiling
If the color of your bathroom’s ceiling is white and the walls are dark, then the low ceiling will look more pronounced and noticeable. To make the space look bigger, try to match the wall color, and even the tiles, as closely as possible to the ceiling. The closer the colors, the fewer transitions there will be, thus, making the space look bigger. The easiest way to do this is by painting the ceiling the same color as the walls.
Reflect the Bathroom with Mirrors
If your bathroom space can hold it, then get a large mirror and place it in front of the bathroom sink. This way, all the light in the room will be reflected and pick up the color and pattern. You can also opt for a collection of mirrors arranged artistically, instead of placing only one large mirror. The more shiny surfaces you can add, the lighter it will appear, hence, making your bathroom look bigger. You can also add mirrors opposite from your windows to reflect both natural and artificial light all around the room. Doing this can make even the smallest room appear bigger and brighter.
Remove Anything That Sticks Out
If there are pieces of furniture or accessory in your bathroom that stick out into the room, try to remove them. It’s because they can stop your eye from looking past it, making the room feel and look small. These include wall shelves, hanging racks, and other decorative accessories on the walls. You might think that you need some of them for comfort or usefulness. However, if they are making the space smaller and crowded, then maybe it’s time to think of other ways to find storage.
This is a decorating technique that will really work in small bathrooms. It can help provide the illusion of making your bathroom look bigger without adding a single square foot.
Eliminate Visual Obstructions
If your shower has a frosted glass door, you can trade it with a clear glass door. Another option is to remove the door entirely and install a shower curtain instead, which you can push back to one side when not in use. This will enable you to see all the way to the back wall, making the whole room look bigger. This is like a “pushing the walls back” technique, which can be accomplished with the correct wall finishes that call the eye’s attention at the furthermost end of the room.
Avoid Using Patterned Wallpaper
Many people like to make their home bathroom look like bathrooms in trendy hotels. However, if you have a small bathroom at home, avoid using wallpapers that have wild patterns. It’s because patterned wallpapers can only make an already small space look even tighter. You can save your patterned wallpaper for a larger room or an accent wall instead.
Make Sure That the Floor Tiles Continue into the Shower Area
Another effective way to trick the human eye into seeing a larger space is covering your small bathroom’s floor with a single, continuous tile style. It’s because when you section your bathroom with different patterns and tones, this can make it look and feel smaller and more crowded. Therefore, to make your bathroom look bigger, have the floor continue into the shower floor, giving the illusion of a bigger space.
Install a Floating Vanity
It can be tricky in a small bathroom to balance a demand for storage if you want to make it look more spacious. One of the solutions to that is installing a floating vanity. It will give you the space to store daily essentials, while the peek of flooring underneath it will make the space feel a notch more open. It’s because in a small room, having a bit more room to place your feet can make a big difference.
Pay Attention to the Size of Your Fixtures
When choosing fixtures, the last thing you need is those that further crowd the space in a small bathroom. Therefore, choose bathroom fixtures, such as sinks, toilets, and bathtubs, that are the right size for the space that you have. If you are redoing your bathroom, you can first draw the items in the space and visualize how they will look. To make your bathroom appear bigger, keep the fixtures sleek and minimally sized.
Get Rid of All the Clutter
Lastly, a clean and neat bathroom always looks bigger and more spacious compared to a cluttered and dirty one. Therefore, to make your bathroom look larger, only have essential must-have items visible and remove everything else. Organize storage areas or vanity to make the most of what you have in your bathroom.
These are some of the best and effective tips we can give on making a small bathroom look bigger. By employing these principles, you can surely achieve a fresh and more comfortable bathroom in your home, even with its small size.