Ways to make a small bathroom look larger

Not everyone is blessed with a large, luxurious bathroom. So when your bathroom is small, how can you make the most of it? The key is to forget about its size. Give your small bathroom a big treatment. Give it some stylish and thoughtful design attention, and you’ll have a focus other than its size.

Big color

The old saw that white makes everything look larger is true, but don’t be afraid to put plenty of color or pattern in a small bathroom. A strong pattern on the walls can make the corners of the room disappear visually. Don’t be afraid to put color — even dark color — on a small bathroom wall. One way to make the room enlarge visually is to put color or bold pattern on the wall opposite the door. This draws the eye and makes the room appear larger.

Of course, another way to make a room seem larger is to make it all one color. When the tile on the floor and shower, the wall paint, trim and cabinets are all one color, that monochromatic look is clean and bold. Add beautiful light fixtures, and splurge on cabinet hardware and plumbing fixtures that give your bathroom a sparkle.

Up the walls

Another element in a small bathroom is its height. Make your room read larger by pulling design elements all the way up to the ceiling. Try an eye-catching tile pattern on the wall behind the sink and pull it all the way up. Or do that in the shower. Add a tall wall of tile to make the shower seem more expansive. When covering a shower/tub combo, don’t forget to add a shower curtain that goes to the ceiling. Your room will feel larger and more spacious instantly.

Small but bold

Another way to add more space is to take out the tub and install a shower. The glass enclosure will open up the room and make it feel larger than it is. You could also give it a European feel by removing the shower curtain and adding a glass half-wall. It opens up the bathroom and is an inexpensive way to update a small bath.

To give your bathroom more floor space, consider swapping out a traditional door for a pocket door or a barn door. (If you use a barn door, be sure to add trim inside the door opening for more privacy.)

One of the quickest ways to add more visual space is to make a bathroom cabinet float off the floor. Like pedestal cabinets, which are compact, a floating bathroom sink cabinet that’s open underneath creates a larger-looking floor and gives it a touch of style, to boot.

Built-in storage

If you renovate, be sure to install plenty of shelving. If you remove wallboard, you can fill the spaces between the studs with inset shelves. This is a good idea behind the bathroom door or above the sink; frame out a box in the wall, add glass shelves and leave them exposed or add a cabinet door.