How To Make A Small Bathroom Look Bigger
rustic bathroom with yellow wallpaper tiled floor mirror sink
Make a big splash in a pint-size bathroom by indulging in chic details and glamorous finishes. Look to colorful fabrics, updated fixtures, and storage niches to help your tiny bath sparkle. These small bathroom ideas will help you add both style and function.
1 of 30
Space Saver
Vintage Baths
When you're tight on space, call on this smart bathroom remodel idea: Add a pedestal sink—or two! A traditional vanity would have closed in this bath, but a pedestal sink maintains an open feeling. A pair of windows above add natural light to this small bathroom, also making it feel bigger.
Advertisement
Advertisement
2 of 30
Slide, Don't Swing
bathroom
Small bathroom ideas are all about getting creative and rethinking the standard-issue features. Here, a standard door was replaced with a sliding pocket door to utilize floor space once reserved for the door swing. This small bathroom features a sliding door with a frosted-glass panel that allows natural light to filter in while still providing privacy. Bifold doors (doors that fold up like a screen) can also save space.
3 of 30
Open Up
storage
Visually lighten built-in or stand-alone cabinetry by utilizing open shelves in a small bathroom. Towels, soaps, and glass canisters are perfect candidates for open shelving because they're decorative as well as functional. For storing personal items, cleaning supplies, and laundry, try woven baskets or decorative bins.
- Use these practical storage tips in your small bath.
Advertisement
4 of 30
Half Bath, Full Style
bathroom
Make a small half bathroom look bigger by employing white and pattern strategically. White surfaces reflect light, and semi-gloss finishes enhance the effect. Two strong patterns might seem like a lot for a small bathroom, but a unifying element is key to design success. Here, both the wallpaper pattern and floor tile follow a hexagonal design.
- Read these tips for a small half bath.
5 of 30
Open Door Policy
Vintage Baths
If you're looking for bathroom remodel ideas to make a small space feel bigger, search for ways to lessen the visual weight of the design. A glass shower door is practically invisible and adds no heft to this small bathroom. Hints of black throughout the space bring a just-right amount of gravitas.
- Yes, your small bath can have a walk-in shower!
6 of 30
Jewel Box Room
rustic bathroom with yellow wallpaper tiled floor mirror sink
It's easy to overlook style in a room that feels more like a closet, but opportunities to create beauty abound. Utilize bold patterns (yes, more than one) and intriguing finishes and forms in a small bathroom. Emphasize the ceiling to draw the eye upward and keep the window treatments simple. Here, striking patterns on both the wall and floor are balanced by the strong form of the concrete sink. Raked pine siding—a textured reclaimed wood—on the ceiling crowns the room.
Advertisement
Advertisement
7 of 30
Apartment Bathrooms
bathroom
Figuring out how to make a small apartment bathroom look bigger can be tricky. To keep within your rental agreement and maximize your space, look to cut clutter and add stylish storage. Freestanding pieces, like a bookshelf, keep essentials close by and pretty baskets and containers add polish. Plus, it's storage you can take with you when your lease is up.
8 of 30
Serene and Small
102812844.jpg.rendition.largest.550.jpg
For a serene small bathroom design that sings, emphasize texture over color and splashy patterns. In this bathroom, real river rock, cut smooth and meshed together, ambles across the floor. A subtle ripple pattern on the shower tile implies animation and a rough texture on the black vanity countertop ups the tactile game in the space. The large frameless mirror serves to visually expand the small room.
9 of 30
Show a Little Leg
Store with Style
Advertisement
10 of 30
Little Luxuries
Try a Sleek Pedestal Sink
If you're wondering how to make a small bathroom look elegant, invest in a few luxe finishes. A powder room is a smart place to showcase luxurious products because this room is often frequented by guests, and its small footprint will keep your budget in order. Here, a wall of tile creates a dramatic backdrop for a glamorous retreat. A standout vanity echoes the rich tone, and a shapely toilet continues the geometric motif.
- Installing one of these beautiful backsplashes will brighten up your bathroom.
11 of 30
Our Best Small-Bath Solutions
Take your tiny bathroom from drab to fab with these small bathroom ideas. Replacing a tired light fixture and mirror and adding a deluxe showerhead give the space polish. Tapping into unused space for storage maximizes functionality. And don't forget a little personality—using a shower curtain to add pattern and tip off the room's color scheme creates a cohesive look.
12 of 30
Bath Bling
bathroom
With a touch of sparkle, a diminutive powder room can morph into a stunning gem. In this small bath, glass tiles create a shimmering backdrop for a floating vanity. Create a similar effect for less cash by covering a single wall with vibrant waterproof wallpaper.
Advertisement
13 of 30
Streamline Storage
small bath
For a sleek, clean look, keep storage flush with walls whenever possible. Narrow shelving units also help you edit what you keep in your bathroom. With just enough storage, you'll have space to stash the essentials with no room left over for clutter.
- These small bathroom ideas maximize storage.
14 of 30
Take a Reflective Look
Bathroom Vanity
Mirrors stretch space by reproducing it. Mirroring the long wall of a narrow bath, for example, can change the room's proportions and make it seem wider. Be sure to place mirrors so they reflect the bath's assets—whether that's a wall hanging, a panoramic view, or the widest room angle. Two mirrors positioned opposite each other create the illusion of a never-ending room.
15 of 30
Stowaway Storage
In the Bathroom
If you're undergoing a full bathroom overhaul, try this bathroom remodel idea: Carve out additional storage by building a recessed shelf between the studs in a wall. Recessed shelves put unused space to work and don't take up floor real estate, which is a plus in a small bath.
Advertisement
16 of 30
Table Toppers
DIY concrete top sink
Create an eye-catching focal point by pressing an antique table or dresser into service as a vanity. Modern vessel sinks partnered with vintage-inspired faucets connect old and new. A metal basket below plus narrow matching built-ins provide plenty of space for towels and toiletries without overwhelming.
17 of 30
The Best Small-Vanity Ideas
Storage and style are must-haves in a small bath. The right vanity can help you achieve both. Explore these small-vanity ideas, designed to be both attractive and functional.
18 of 30
Treat Windows Simply
yellow stripe shower curtain
No matter their size or style, windows enlarge the feel of a room if they're allowed to transmit light. If possible, leave windows unadorned with clear or frosted glass. Mini blinds, matchstick blinds, or shades that can be drawn to the top of the window are other sleek solutions. Or cover the lower half of the glass with sheer fabric that will admit light but maintain privacy.
Advertisement
19 of 30
Lead the Eye Upward
Vintage Baths
Make a ceiling look taller with some visual tricks. Vertical stripes on the walls or a shower curtain can give the illusion of a higher ceiling. Wood moldings, wallpaper borders, and tile designs placed where the walls and ceiling meet will also provide a splash of color and help naturally draw the eye upward. Otherwise, choose a wallpaper with a small, airy print or lattice design. Avoid large or busy patterns that will diminish the scale of the space.
20 of 30
Depth Perception
Baths
Extend the sight lines of a small bath by using a light color throughout the space. In this room, white finishes on the floor, walls, sconces, toilet, and shower make the small space seem bigger. A few gray and black tiles on the floor and wall add visual interest without overpowering.
- Get savvy on colors for small spaces.
21 of 30
Added Features
bathroom storage
Minimize clutter on bath walls by attaching a towel rod to the side or front of a freestanding vanity. For an extra dash of panache, change out a standard mirror for one with a decorative frame that complements the style of your vanity. Two open shelves boost storage while keeping the look of the vanity light.
- DIY a vanity yourself!
Advertisement
22 of 30
Small-Bath Storage Ideas
In a small space, clutter feels even more apparent because it has less room to spread. Combat the phenomenon and add storage and organization with small bathroom ideas tailored to tight spaces. Use these smart tricks and ideas to bring order to toiletries, linens, and bath necessities.
23 of 30
Clear It Up
bathroom sink
Solve the "how to make a small half bathroom look bigger" problem with clear surfaces. Glass shelves increase a room's sense of space because they can appear invisible. Items placed on them seem to hover in air—a much lighter effect than heavy cabinetry. Continue the effect in a small powder room with a glass floating vanity top.
24 of 30
Behind the Scenes
Bath Trends
The one strike against installing a pedestal sink in a small bath is limited storage space. By adding a tall cabinet behind the sink or toilet, you can have the best of both worlds: convenient compartments for beauty products and a streamlined sink that won't weigh your bath down.
Advertisement
25 of 30
Out in the Open
Make Small Bath Larger
Compartmentalized rooms appear smaller, while open spaces create the illusion of size. To maintain an open view, trade in a traditional shower curtain for clear-glass doors, which help stretch the visual length of the room. Or keep wrap-around shower curtains open for the illusion of a larger space. Continue bath flooring into the shower to amplify the effect.
26 of 30
A Classic Approach
bathroom with neutral covered wallpaper
Not all small bathroom ideas need to be austere. Give your bath an elegant, timeless look by splurging on a marble countertop and saving on inexpensive cabinetry. This simple marble-topped, furniture-style vanity provides room for towels and toiletries under the sink. Oversize circular hardware adds a modern touch to the traditional storage unit.
27 of 30
High Style
wall-to-wall glass shower doors
Plenty of natural light, wall-to-wall glass shower doors, and white woodwork create an expansive look in this narrow master bath. To live up to its focal-point status, the shower is wrapped in luxurious marble mosaic tile. A simple white vanity balances the splurge.
Advertisement
28 of 30
It's a Wrap
bathroom
Vanities with cabinet doors are great for hiding personal items, cleaning supplies, and plumbing fixtures, but opening and closing the doors in a long, narrow bath is tricky. The visual weight of a hefty vanity also overloads a tight space. Adding a sink skirt to this bath helps hide the toilet and the sink's plumbing while highlighting the existing decorative red tile border. A Roman shade in the same fabric completes the look.
29 of 30
Take a Neutral Stance
Powder Room
Pale and cool colors reflect light, so soft whites, pastels, and neutrals can make a bath feel bigger. Woodwork, trim, and doors will "disappear" if they are painted the same hue as the walls. The effect is enhanced if cabinets and counters are the same color as the walls. To keep a neutral scheme from appearing bland, introduce bold colors in small doses through accessories, linens, and artwork.
30 of 30
Corner Unit
Make Small Bath Larger
Open a small, square bath to smoother traffic flow by positioning the vanity in a corner. Extend storage by opting for an L-shape unit. For eye-pleasing symmetry, flank a mirror with matching sconces and the vanity with coordinating towel rings.
Advertisement
Up Next
How To Make A Small Bathroom Look Bigger
Source: https://www.bhg.com/bathroom/small/make-a-small-bath-look-larger/
