If you are struggling with a small bathroom space, there are several ways to make it appear larger without making any big renovations. Small bathrooms often have trouble with space, mainly with incorporating everything that is needed comfortably. However, there are many fixes and adjustments that can be done very easily. This guide will go over some of the best ways to make your small bathroom design appear to feel bigger.
Remove Clutter From Your Bathroom
A bathroom vanity countertop can often have way too many accessories and toiletries that do not need to be there. A clear vanity countertop will make the area much more accessible and comfortable to use. This can be done by storing your vanity unused vanity items in some kind of bathroom storage inside your vanity or in a closet. A clear vanity countertop will not only open up the space on your vanity, but make your bathroom appear bigger as a whole. When all is said and done, the less visible loose items are, the more open your bathroom will feel.
Clean Out Your Storage
Small bathroom storage is one of the most important elements of a bathroom design, especially smaller bathroom designs. Clean out your storage so that you can store the items that actually need to be there. If you have any unused items that are stuffed in drawers or closets, clean them out to make room for the items that you actually need. In addition, make sure your storage is organized with dividers or small containers to ensure everything is properly organized to optimize accessories.
Try to incorporate some type of recessed bathroom storage to maximize the effectiveness of making your bathroom feel bigger. The less stand alone storage units you use in a small bathroom, the better of your small bathroom design is going to be. That being said, it is important to make sure you don’t overdo it with bathroom storage. Have an appropriate amount of storage for your small space so that you can fit in your necessary items.
Limit Your Decor
Decor is an important aspect of a bathroom, no matter what size it is. The incorporation of decor makes a bathroom feel welcoming and comfortable. For smaller bathrooms, limit certain aspects of your decor in order to make your bathroom space look bigger. Remove any large pieces of decor that are freestanding, especially on your vanity. The same can be said for your floor area. These are two spaces that need as much free space as possible in order for your bathroom to be as comfortable as possible.
There are several ways to keep decor in your bathroom while still giving it the illusion of being bigger than it actually is. For example, wall decor is one of the most useful types of decor in this sense. It is still important to not overdo it. Another thing to remember is that sometimes, less is more. Sometimes one or two pieces of decor is more than enough, especially in a small bathroom that you are trying to make look bigger.
Relocate Your Fixtures if Possible
A great way to physically open up space in your small bathroom is to relocate some of your fixtures to position them optimally. Of course, this will be difficult if your fixtures are installed directly to the floor or wall, but there are some ways to get around this. First of all, if you are constructing a new bathroom, make sure you are placing your fixtures in the right locations right at the start. Many bathrooms are shaped differently and located in different areas in the home, so this will be something to think about before the construction of your bathroom takes place.
If you have stand alone storage or other repositionable fixtures or items, make sure they are positioned in the most optimal locations for both accessibility and comfort. This will also be dependent on the size and shape of your specific bathroom design. Keep in mind that the more ergonomic and accessible your bathroom layout is, the easier your bathroom routine will be.
Use Mirrors to Your Advantage
Bathroom mirrors are extremely effective for giving off the illusion of making your small bathroom space seem much bigger than it actually is. There are several ways to do this with different types of mirrors. From wall mirrors to magnifying mirrors, including some type of mirror in your bathroom will definitely help.
Consider More Than One Wall Mirror
Every bathroom should have at least one mirror above the sink or vanity. However, to make a bathroom appear bigger than it actually is, an additional wall mirror may be necessary. One of the best techniques is to position your wall mirrors in a specific way that will make your bathroom space appear larger. If you already have a wall mirror over your vanity, consider placing another wall mirror the opposite wall somewhere. The position will vary depending on the shape of your bathroom, but in general, this is an effective method.
Use One Large Wall Mirror
By utilizing one large mirror in your small bathroom, your design will look much larger. First of all, there are a few things to consider before you go out and purchase your mirror. First, consider the size of your bathroom. If your mirror is already as big as your bathroom will allow, this is something that won’t apply. Also, consider the number of people using the bathroom. If you have one double bathroom vanity with two separate mirrors, consider replacing them with one large bathroom mirror. This will undoubtedly make your bathroom appear to be much larger.
Large wall mirrors will eliminate the need for multiple mirrors in most cases. If you are constructing a new bathroom, consider one large mirror instead of 2 or 3 small mirrors. This will help your bathroom look much better in terms of cohesiveness. Not to mention, it will also likely save you some extra money in your new bathroom project.
Incorporate a Magnifying Mirror
A magnifying mirror won't make a significant difference in terms of making your bathroom appear bigger, but it will definitely help. Because mirrors reflect whatever they are facing, it will help, if even just a bit. Magnifying mirrors can be lighted or non-lighted, giving you some great options to consider. With all of the different designs and styles available, a magnifying mirror will be easy to incorporate into your design, no matter what bathroom size or shape you are working with. These magnifying mirrors are not necessarily the most important in terms of making your bathroom appear bigger, but they will definitely help.
Use Proper Lighting
Small bathroom lighting is one of the most important aspects of a comfortable bathroom design. For smaller bathrooms, small bathroom lighting is more important than ever. There are several ways to use lighting effectively in order to make your bathroom feel more open and be a more comfortable environment.
Use Natural Light
Natural light is incredibly important when it comes to both opening up your bathroom area as well as increasing the overall comfort level. Natural small bathroom light is generally incorporated through the use of some type of window. Because you are dealing with a small bathroom space, you may not have the means to utilize a window effectively. However, if your small bathroom does have a window, you should do everything you can to allow some natural light in without sacrificing any of your privacy.
This can be done through a number of different methods. First, you will need some curtains or blinds. This is a given for most bathrooms due to the fact that privacy is one of the most important things to consider. Another option is frosted glass. Frosted glass will allow the flow of natural light while keeping your privacy level as high as possible. The flow of natural light will also make your small bathroom a bit warmer, so that is also something to take into account. The connection with the outside environment will open up your bathroom and give the design an elegant element of design.
Utilize LED Lighting
If your bathroom can’t use natural light, the next best option for you to consider is LED lighting for a small bathroom. Luckily, there are many ways to do this effectively and conveniently. First of all, you can replace your incandescent light bulbs with LED light bulbs. This is the easiest place to start for small bathroom lighting. Once this is done, you can start to look to the other areas of your bathroom. For example, there are many wall mirrors that can incorporate LED lighting. Wall mirrors are already great for making a small bathroom appear bigger, so this is absolutely something to consider. LED lighting can be used in both wall mirrors and magnifying mirrors.
Another consideration is stand alone LED lighting. This can be done through lamps or other types of individual small bathroom lighting fixtures. Because you are dealing with a smaller bathroom design, this might not be ideal, but it is something to consider. LED lighting allows for the most visibility aside from natural light, so if you can incorporate either one of these types of small bathroom light sources, your small bathroom will open up, even if it’s just slightly.
Use Lighter Colors
Color for a small bathroom is an often overlooked element of design when it comes to making a bathroom appear bigger. Darker colors are great for larger bathrooms with an ample amount of space. In addition, some darker colors work extremely well depending on the design you are going for. However, these darker colors are a bit harder to utilize in smaller bathrooms. This is due to darker colors making smaller spaces feel smaller than they actually are. Dark colors absorb light, making it give off the illusion of a smaller space.
Why White is Effective
To make a bathroom appear larger, you will need to use lighter colors. One of the best colors to use in your small bathroom is white. White is incredibly versatile in terms of how it can be implemented, due to the neutral nature of the color. White can be used extremely well as a base color for a bathroom, and this is the recommended method for making a bathroom feel bigger. This will make the bathroom feel more open and relaxing, which is very important for tight spaces.
In addition, white can be used in the smaller areas of the design as well. Consider an all white design for a bright and open environment. If this seems like a little too much brightness, consider white walls with some black fixtures or accessories. This will create a beautiful contrast that will still deliver with that open design.
Other Effective Colors
Aside from white, there are plenty of other colors that can work effectively. The main thing to focus on is the lighter tones. This can incorporate essentially any color, just a lighter shade. Light shades of blue and yellow are good for themed bathrooms, while light gray will work as a perfect neutral base. Explore your options with the light colors to find the perfect color scheme for your specific design.
Stay Consistent With Your Design
- Keep a Consistent Color Scheme - A consistent color scheme will help to create a cohesive bathroom design that brings a bathroom together. For smaller bathrooms, this is crucial. A small bathroom with a consistent color scheme will prove to appear bigger and make the overall environment feel more open and comfortable.
- Use Matching Accessories - By incorporating matching accessories, your small bathroom will appear much more organized and in order. Matching accessories can often be purchased in bathroom accessory sets, making it easier for you to find a set. A beautiful matching set of accessories can add the last factor of organization into a design.
- Don’t Contrast Too Much - A contrasting design scheme can be a beautiful element of style for a larger bathroom, but you have to be a bit more careful in a smaller area. Of course, you can still find ways to contrast colors or other design elements, but a consistent design will definitely be the most effective for small bathrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How small is a small bathroom?
Without need to measure, a small bathroom is typically a bathroom that is used by one person at a time, and only has the necessities. If you want to measure, a small bathroom will typically be 5 feet by 8 feet.
How many mirrors should I have?
To maximize the illusion of space, try to incorporate two smaller wall mirrors or one large wall mirror. In addition, consider adding a magnifying mirror for a little extra boost in design. Mirrors are incredibly important in this regard, so focus on size and quality.
What design is best for a small bathroom?
For a small bathroom design, consider something minimalist. A minimalist design will clear out your area, use neutral colors and allow for the space creation that you need. Other designs work as well, but minimalism is typically the best option for you.
Why is the illusion of space important?
Although the physical space will not actually increase in the design, the illusion of space is something that is just as important. As long as you feel as though there is space in your bathroom, the comfort levels in the bathroom will inevitably increase.
Is storage important for creating space?
Storage is one of the most important factors in creating space in a small bathroom design. Use recessed storage, vanities and other types of storage to keep the space open and clear. This will end up creating the space that you need in your bathroom effectively.
Is lighting really necessary for increasing space in a small bathroom?
Lighting should always be considered in a small bathroom due to the amount of comfort and accessibility that it brings into a small design. Natural light and LED lighting are two of the best types of lighting that can be implemented into a small bathroom area.
To make a small bathroom look bigger, you need to take each of the points in this article into consideration. Whether it is the color, mirrors or anything else, a small bathroom can look bigger if you use the correct strategies and design takes. If you have a small bathroom design, you should strongly consider making the transformation to make it look bigger and increase comfort levels.