Booster Shot: 7 Space-Enhancing Tricks for Bathrooms
Make a splash with area-boosting ideas for your washrooms (without using a sledgehammer!)
Don’t we all wish our bathrooms had more space? While adding that extra square footage may not be practical for everyone, you can trick the eye into thinking your bathroom is larger than it really is. Take a look at these 7 ways in which colour changes, smart lighting and hidden storage ideas can create a space-boosting illusion.
Tip: Consider hidden storage. If you have a wall niche, you can fit an entire storage area inside it and close it to make it disappear, as seen in this image. Alternatively, you could install a cabinet in the same colour as the walls, so that it gets camouflaged and doesn’t stand out when closed.
There are many ways to prettify bathroom niches – take a look at these
There are many ways to prettify bathroom niches – take a look at these
2. Use large mirrors
One of the ways to make a bathroom look bigger is by installing large mirrors to give the illusion of space. In this bathroom by FADD Studio, the mirror and the reflective glass cabinets give visual depth to the space, making it look large.
See how to use mirrors to make your home look bigger
One of the ways to make a bathroom look bigger is by installing large mirrors to give the illusion of space. In this bathroom by FADD Studio, the mirror and the reflective glass cabinets give visual depth to the space, making it look large.
See how to use mirrors to make your home look bigger
3. Avoid partitions
Fitting a divider between the shower and the toilet can eat up precious square footage that one desperately needs. Consider using a ‘frameless’ shower enclosure as designed by Savio & Rupa Interior Concepts. The shower flooring is slightly lower than the rest of the bathroom, so the water doesn’t escape into the toilet area. This setup not only lets the light spread freely throughout the room but ensures your line of sight is also unobstructed, making you feel as though the room is bigger than it actually is.
If you like dividers, here are some quirky ideas
Fitting a divider between the shower and the toilet can eat up precious square footage that one desperately needs. Consider using a ‘frameless’ shower enclosure as designed by Savio & Rupa Interior Concepts. The shower flooring is slightly lower than the rest of the bathroom, so the water doesn’t escape into the toilet area. This setup not only lets the light spread freely throughout the room but ensures your line of sight is also unobstructed, making you feel as though the room is bigger than it actually is.
If you like dividers, here are some quirky ideas
Tip: If you are keen on using a partition for your bath and toilet to separate the wet and dry areas, opt for clear glass as seen in this washroom by SPACES ARCHITECTS@ka. It will maintain visual continuity without any obstruction.
4. Choose a monotone interior
White reflects maximum light, making any space look bright and welcoming. Consider an all-white bathroom with bleached tiles and soft lighting to provide an illusion of expanded space. See how in this image, the white cabinets, bath tub, flooring and walls all fit in seamlessly together, offering a view free of any interruptions.
Tip: If the all-white look seems too monotonous for you, consider adding a punch of colour through plants or bright vases. Use these accessories minimally, so that the bathroom doesn’t look too cluttered. Also, the monochrome look can be executed with any other soft colour. Do make sure that the cabinets, flooring and walls are all of the same shade.
White reflects maximum light, making any space look bright and welcoming. Consider an all-white bathroom with bleached tiles and soft lighting to provide an illusion of expanded space. See how in this image, the white cabinets, bath tub, flooring and walls all fit in seamlessly together, offering a view free of any interruptions.
Tip: If the all-white look seems too monotonous for you, consider adding a punch of colour through plants or bright vases. Use these accessories minimally, so that the bathroom doesn’t look too cluttered. Also, the monochrome look can be executed with any other soft colour. Do make sure that the cabinets, flooring and walls are all of the same shade.
5. Clear the floor
Clear the floor area by doing away with low cabinets, laundry baskets and low-lying floor shelves. Opt for wall-hung basins and cabinets that also make the room easier to clean.
Find new ways to store stuff in bathrooms
Clear the floor area by doing away with low cabinets, laundry baskets and low-lying floor shelves. Opt for wall-hung basins and cabinets that also make the room easier to clean.
Find new ways to store stuff in bathrooms
6. Choose the right pattern
Vertical stripes are both stylish and useful as they give the impression of height. Using a striped wallpaper can make your ceiling appear higher and create the illusion of a larger room.
Vertical stripes are both stylish and useful as they give the impression of height. Using a striped wallpaper can make your ceiling appear higher and create the illusion of a larger room.
Tip: If you are renovating your bathroom, consider using floor tiles that give the illusion of extended space. Lateral or diagonally set tiles, or 3D patterned ones, stretch the visual space and make the place look larger.
7. Let there be light
Lighting can greatly affect the look of a place. For instance, a well-lit room seems bigger while a dimly-lit one looks considerably smaller. Use this trick to your advantage – install spotlights on the ceiling, suspend decorative pendants above the basin, as seen in this bathroom by Dipen Gada and Associates, or even use a chandelier to bring in illumination. Remember not to overdo it – an overly bright bathroom can seem harsh and unwelcoming.
Lighting can greatly affect the look of a place. For instance, a well-lit room seems bigger while a dimly-lit one looks considerably smaller. Use this trick to your advantage – install spotlights on the ceiling, suspend decorative pendants above the basin, as seen in this bathroom by Dipen Gada and Associates, or even use a chandelier to bring in illumination. Remember not to overdo it – an overly bright bathroom can seem harsh and unwelcoming.
Tip: If you don’t have a window in your bathroom, you can install a back-lit frame with frosted glass, covered with a window frame to create an illusion of sunlit windows. Alternatively, if you are renovating and can make some structural changes, then ask your contractor to build large windows overlooking the exteriors. The sunlight will ensure that the bathroom is well-lit throughout the day.
Also read:
10 Droolworthy Bathrooms on Houzz
Smart Storage Solutions for All Spaces
Tell us:
What are your tips to make your bathroom seem more open and bigger? Tell us in Comments below.
Also read:
10 Droolworthy Bathrooms on Houzz
Smart Storage Solutions for All Spaces
Tell us:
What are your tips to make your bathroom seem more open and bigger? Tell us in Comments below.
Clutter makes a confined area feel even smaller. Keep only the essentials on display, like rolled-up towels and a hand-wash dispenser, while stowing away all those shampoo bottles, soaps and room fresheners out of sight, in a cupboard.