How To Make Any Bathroom Look Bigger
Although the bathroom is typically the smallest room in a house, the space should not be too small to limit functionality. It should serve its primary function and look appealing to enhance relaxation regardless of the size. We’ll explore several creative interior design tricks to help you determine how to make a bathroom seem bigger. They can help you transform the space into the most comfortable and efficient room with minimal bathroom renovation effort.
That shows that making a small bathroom appear bigger is not as difficult as it sounds if you implement the right guidelines. It does not involve knocking down walls to enlarge the space or making other expensive and time-consuming changes. One of the main factors to remember is the fusion between usability and aesthetics. Find the perfect balance between storage solutions and your preferred style regarding patterns and designs.
We provide some of the tricks below. Remember, the ideas you find when researching how to make a small bathroom bigger can also come in handy when you have a large or medium-sized bathroom.
Similar Materials Throughout the Bathroom Make a Small Bathroom Look Bigger
Trying out various patterns or materials in a small bathroom can appear disorganized in a small space. Instead of having a design that shows your unique style, you will end up with a cramped-up room that looks chaotic. For example, if the wainscot has a glass mosaic and painted drywall above, it automatically looks busy. A floor with striated marble tiles and ceramic tiles in the shower can also appear disorganized.
The simplest way to create a smooth flowing pattern that does not reduce the visual appeal is by having the same elements. For instance, avoid having tile wainscot and use drywall or baseboards instead. Try using countertop material that matches the nearby surfaces, such as the shower or tub area.
Changing your bathroom to have the same look can be expensive depending on whether you want to replace the flooring, shower, or countertops to reduce the contrast. However, the cost of removing the tiles is not too high. Despite the expense, the remodeling or replacement option can bring great returns in terms of resale value.
Tips:
- Painting over the tiles is an excellent alternative to removing them
- Lighter colours can make the bathroom look brighter and airier
- Larger tile formats are better than smaller ones
Wall-to-Wall Mirror Is a Good Choice
Very small bathroom ideas tend to involve the utilization of mirrors, and for a good reason. You can use them in various imaginative ways to give the space a new appearance, especially when the goal is to create an illusion that the bathroom is more spacious. One of the best ways of capitalizing on mirrors is by using them from wall to wall or floor to ceiling.
Choose one section of the bathroom where the reflections can fill the whole room – the background should provide adequate brightness. You can also use the area above the vanity to get a great optical illusion. It is a good way of filling up the space and improving the look and feel of the bathroom.
Another idea is to have a pendant light close to the mirror to maximize reflection. Putting sources of light nearby enhances the reflective nature of mirrors, helping with the magnified appearance of the room. As the brightness in the room intensifies, the bathroom appears more spacious.
Although mirrors are essential for homeowners who want to find out how to make small bathrooms feel larger, they are not for everyone. Only use them if you do not mind seeing your reflection as you walk around the room, in which case you can even use mirrored tiles. Such tiles have an instant reflective capacity that ensures the bathroom remains airy throughout. You can make your selection more unique by opting for a distressed look from vintage-style mirrors.
Patterned Floor
When it comes to how to make a small bathroom look bigger with flooring, choosing correct patterns is crucial. You can have subtle shapes that blend with the rest of the fixtures and add a few mirrors to make it more cohesive. For instance, herringbone floors can give the bathroom a warmer tone while enhancing the interior design. Install storage cabinets on the walls to open the floor space to get a better look.
Interesting Vanity
The availability of different vanity types at varying prices should help you choose the most fitting one easily. You can select any style, shape, or size for your bathroom, but you must consider all the related factors, such as faucet type and the cabinets. Ensure the sink, taps, and the other fixtures blend well, especially if you want to recycle the old vanity. Remember that having a wide vanity only works in large spaces. Ensure the one you install leaves enough room for you to move around the bathroom and close or open the doors freely.
Minimize Decorations
One of the best ways of adding a personal touch to the bathroom décor is by investing in small rugs or art pieces. However, those can quickly become a nuisance in a small bathroom. That is why avoiding them is one of the common ideas to make a small bathroom look bigger. Be careful not to let them clutter the bathroom. Remove any item you feel is not servicing the room by having only one of each instead of several. You should also prioritize the elements that serve a practical purpose. You can always have the decorative fixtures in another room in the house.
Opt for Curves Instead of Angles
A small bathroom should have a seamlessly flowing theme, and curves are crucial in that aspect. Every fixture, feature, and colour selection should not contrast too much – there should be a connection between the floor and wall tiles. The tiles you use on the floor should have a matching hue to the tiles on the walls. Apart from creating cohesion, curves also help save the floor space. They tend to be friendlier than sharp edges regardless of whether they are available in the shower or bathroom furniture.
Clear Glass Frameless Shower Enclosure
In most cases, the bathtub and shower take up most of the bathroom space. An enclosure around them usually adds to the size. Removing the glass to save space may be a tempting option, but it is not a good idea. The best method is to make it transparent. The frameless shower and bathtub insertions consist of thick tempered glass joining at the corners. They provide unobstructed visibility because they do not have supporting frames. They are available at different prices depending on whether you want three-sided or two-sided ones. The price is also determined by the thickness of the glass you prefer.
Storage Can Be Hidden Behind Mirrors
When you have a small bathroom, installing wall cabinets is one of the space-saving ideas you can try. However, you can make it better by streamlining it with mirrors. The mirrors never interfere with the storage capacity, but they can make the room brighter. Make it more interesting by having finishes that match the mirror. For instance, you can add brass trims on various surfaces and wall cabinets. Adding small details can create a better design outcome. Positioning and lighting are essential when you are placing mirrors. They should be in a place where they are easy to use to guarantee their functionality.
Another Ways To Consider If You Want Your Small Bathroom To Appear Bigger
Big Mirrors: You may already have a mirror in your bathroom, but is it big enough? Instead of having small ones, consider increasing the size. You can easily install a five-foot-long and three-foot-high mirror using screws. You will also need a cordless drill and drill bits, which cost less than $100. The price may be higher if you hire a professional for the installation.
Consider having frameless mirrors because they add to the space. During installation, factor in the support for the mirrors by screwing them into studs. Protect the mirrors from moisture damage by using a coating that does not tarnish.
Change the Tiles: Several methods regarding how to make a bathroom look bigger with tiles are available for you to try. One of them is using graphic tiles instead of the standard white tiles. Smaller spaces can look better with patterned tiles, especially when you choose designs that are not too busy. Tone down the accessories if you go for too busy styles. Simplify storage options and other items on the shelves.
Add More Lighting: In addition to enhancing the décor, good lighting can also give a bathroom an expansive feel. Improve the lighting to make it work with the rest of the decorations. For instance, you can have a dramatic green color on the walls with a similar hue on the ceiling to match. Break it down with white tiles and cabinets. You can also add wallpaper with lighter shades of green on some sections of the walls to make the entire room more cohesive.
Lighting fixtures should also be simple. For example, you can add lampshades on the side of the mirrors to add to the overhead lighting. The mirror will reflect the soft light to make the whole room bigger.
Making A Small Bathroom Bigger By Having Fun With Colors
Add More White: Bolder colors in the bathroom can make a huge difference, but they can also go wrong in limited spaces. When considering how to make a small bathroom look bigger with paint, white should be a priority. It creates a classic design and a clean finish that makes the bathroom inviting despite its smaller size.
Try painting the ceiling white and having a different shade on the floor. Select larger tiles for the walls, keeping them lighter colors too.
The cabinets and the basin unit should also be white to create a more harmonious feel between the floor and the ceiling. It will prevent the middle section from appearing too contrasting. Replace tiles around the windows with white paint. You will get a better highlight and better reflective capacity.
And Make Your Floor Darker: If the ceiling and sanitaryware are already white, do not paint the floors white. You can make the floors a darker color, with a softer grey on the walls to combine the ceiling and the walls. Invest in wood flooring and antique pieces like railings, doorknobs, or faucets to complete the design. The overall result will look sophisticated and elegant.
Antique pieces add detail to the bathroom, and the wooden floors bring warmth. You can add a raised platform to make the most out of the room. Ensure the flooring option you choose can withstand moisture content in the bathroom. Wooden floors always look appealing, but you will have to maintain them regularly to maintain their elegance. Although darker floors are not popular trending options, they are classic and do not go out of style quickly.
Extra Ideas To Make Your Small Bathroom Appear Bigger
Choose Texture Over Colors: You do not have to settle for plain walls in your bathroom. If your style involves trying out extraordinary designs, try using textured tiles instead. One of the most popular choices is the herringbone pattern. Most homeowners use it on floors, but it can also look great on walls.
The style brings a tactile aspect to the bathroom. It works best with smooth flooring. The contrast between the wall tiles and floors captures attention instantly. If you want to make it stand out more, add some color with vintage-style rugs or other rustic elements. A good example is a wooden stool to create a warm ambiance.
Match Flooring and Wall Colors: Sometimes the most straightforward measures can provide the illusion you want in a bathroom. One of the techniques you can use is having the same floor type in the entire bathroom. The shower, underneath the vanity, and the rest of the space should have the same style and color of tiles. Many experts agree that continuous flowing flooring is one of the best ways of making a bathroom look spacious.
If you do not like plain tiles, use scales. Hexagonal patterns on the floor provide a decorative aspect and contrast with the walls. If you want to make the bath and shower areas more distinctive, use different tile sizes on the walls.
Decrease Color Contrasts and Dividing Lines: Distinctive dividing lines can make the room appear smaller than its actual size. The same applies to colors that are too contrasting. Try as much as possible to reduce the differences between several items in the bathroom to get a cohesive outlook. Examples include making the wainscot the same color as the wall and painting the same color as the ceiling on the crown molding. If the tiles are ending halfway, consider extending them to the roof. Making such changes should not cost you a lot of money.
Always choose a lighter color instead of a darker one. Use narrow baseboards, and create openness by removing crown molding.
Do You Really Need All Those Bottles?: Filling your bathroom with toiletry bottles you do not use is never a good idea. Reduce the clutter by buying what you use only. Buy the shampoo bottle you like rather than having multiple bottles taking up space unnecessarily.
If possible, find an alternative storage space for all the grooming products you do not use frequently. Avoid keeping them on the shelves, countertops, or the edge of the bathtub. The more clutter you can remove, the cleaner and larger the bathroom becomes.
Bold Wallpapers Might Be a Good Option: Bold wallpapers can quickly go wrong in a bathroom, which is why caution is mandatory. You can use them, but sparingly to ensure they do not become too busy to visualize effectively.
Use other elements that blend with the wallpaper. For instance, the basin unit and the flooring option can have a few shades of the colors included in the wallpaper. Add less bold color options on some surfaces too. For example, if you have red vanity and wooden floors, white paneling or white marble countertops can make the style more pleasant. Finally, add a large mirror to make the room appear bigger.
Pocket Doors: A hinged door is not the only option in bathrooms with limited spaces. You can have a pocket door to get the same functionality without taking up space unnecessarily by swinging the way a hinged door does. The doors do not occupy bathroom space when you open them, which is why they are perfect for smaller utility rooms.
Pocket doors also provide a safety advantage for older people. To reduce inconveniences, consider installing one during the bathroom construction or renovation.
