A large, spacious bathroom is something that many of us can only dream of. Unfortunately, standard bathrooms tend to be the smallest rooms in the house and it’s not uncommon to think that there’s not much that can be done about that – without moving walls, of course.
Thankfully, there are a few simple tricks that can be used to make a small bathroom appear more spacious without any major re-construction needed.
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your en-suite or main bathroom, here are a few strategies that can be put in place to convert it into your dream Pinterest-inspired space.
1. Choose your colour palette carefully
Whilst it can be tempting to want to get creative with your bathroom decor, too many colours and patterns can overwhelm a small space and make it look crowded. When looking to make your bathroom look and feel more spacious, sticking to white is your best option – and that goes for all four walls.
White naturally makes a space appear bigger and reflects any available light to give the illusion of a larger area. Avoid having a ‘feature wall’ in a different colour or pattern, as this can close in the space and accentuate its small size.
Opt for white bathroom furniture to open up the space even more and create a light, airy space. Then, if you’re desperate for a little pop of colour, add in small accessories such as luxury bath mats and quality towels.
2. Light up the space
Light is one of your most powerful tools when it comes to making a small space feel larger. Make the most of any natural light entering the space by de-cluttering the windowsill and retracting blinds entirely during daylight hours.
If you’re struggling for natural light due to a small window, there are some clever tricks for introducing more artificial lighting that extends further than a single lightbulb strewn from the ceiling. Get creative with soft LED lighting which can be placed over a sink or under a bath panel to subtly light up the space.
3. Think smart storage
It’s no secret that clutter is one of the main reasons why a bathroom can look smaller. Over-filled shelves, unnecessary ornaments on a windowsill and cosmetics sitting by the sink can cause the space to feel crowded.
This is easily solved by investing in some smart storage solutions to hide everything away. Built-in vanity units can be mounted above the sink and even disguised as a mirror to hold all of your everyday necessities. If the design of the room allows, an under-the-sink cupboard is a great tidy-away solution.
4. Make the most of mirrors
Mirrors are a must-have for small spaces. They are a well-known trick for reflecting light and giving the illusion of more depth in a room.
If your space allows, invest in a large wall-to-wall mirror. This is the ultimate way to quite literally double the size of your space, as you’re essentially removing the presence of a brick wall closing in the space. Whilst this can be a substantial investment, the cost it would take to tile that wall may just counteract it.
If a full wall mirror isn’t a viable option for your bathroom, consider switching out some of your furniture for mirrored vanity units and cupboards, to benefit from similar light-reflective effects.
5. Re-configure your bathroom fittings
If you’re really struggling for space in your small bathroom, it may be worth considering a change-up of your main fixtures and fittings.
Sure, a bathtub can be a nice addition to relax and unwind in at the end of a hectic day, but if it’s taking up too much space then consider replacing it with a standalone shower cubicle to uncover some lost room. Other tricks include making the most of corner sinks and lower toilets to refrain from making your bathroom fittings the star of the show and freeing up some of the space around them.
If you incorporate any of these space-saving ideas into your bathroom, you may just be surprised about how much bigger it looks!
