How to Make a Compact Bathroom Feel More Spacious
Is your bathroom too small for comfort? Here are 7 tricks that can visually expand the space and make it look bigger
The minimum area of a fully functional bathroom that accommodates a sink, a shower and a commode ranges between 36 to 40 square feet. However, because of shortage of space, most urban apartments come with tiny bathrooms that just manage to fit in the basic requirements. If you find your bathroom too small, don’t let this get you down. Here are some clever ideas that will help you to make your small bathroom look bigger.
2. Introduce a floating vanity
Consider a floating vanity instead of a full-length cabinet below the sink. It will be useful for keeping your bathroom essentials, and because of the floor space it frees up below, the bathroom will look and feel more spacious.
Consider a floating vanity instead of a full-length cabinet below the sink. It will be useful for keeping your bathroom essentials, and because of the floor space it frees up below, the bathroom will look and feel more spacious.
3. Install a wall-mounted WC
Install a wall-mounted WC (water closet), because it not only keeps the floor space clear but ensures a neat look by concealing the flushing mechanism within the walls. Although the space below the WC is not going to be utilised, this type of WC creates a feeling of lightness in comparison to floor-mounted WCs and gives the illusion of more space.
Which is better: Wall-mounted or floor-mounted WCs?
Install a wall-mounted WC (water closet), because it not only keeps the floor space clear but ensures a neat look by concealing the flushing mechanism within the walls. Although the space below the WC is not going to be utilised, this type of WC creates a feeling of lightness in comparison to floor-mounted WCs and gives the illusion of more space.
Which is better: Wall-mounted or floor-mounted WCs?
4. Introduce transparent glass panels
There should be a minimum of obstructions in order to maximise the available space. Don’t go for a bathtub if your bathroom is very small; instead, get a shower stall. Also, do not compartmentalise the bathroom by creating opaque walls for the shower area. Instead, demarcate it with transparent glass to allow a full view of the bathroom. This will also differentiate between the wet and dry areas.
Tip: Avoid using a different colour for the flooring of the shower area, because it will visually break up the floor space and make it feel smaller.
There should be a minimum of obstructions in order to maximise the available space. Don’t go for a bathtub if your bathroom is very small; instead, get a shower stall. Also, do not compartmentalise the bathroom by creating opaque walls for the shower area. Instead, demarcate it with transparent glass to allow a full view of the bathroom. This will also differentiate between the wet and dry areas.
Tip: Avoid using a different colour for the flooring of the shower area, because it will visually break up the floor space and make it feel smaller.
5. Add mirrors
Large mirrors have the potential to open up any space and make it look bigger. How? Mirrors reflect light, create multiple reflections of objects and add depth, to give an illusion of more space. Take a look at this wall-to-wall mirror above the basin countertop; it easily doubles the visual space of the bathroom.
Find out more about ways to make spaces look bigger with mirrors
Large mirrors have the potential to open up any space and make it look bigger. How? Mirrors reflect light, create multiple reflections of objects and add depth, to give an illusion of more space. Take a look at this wall-to-wall mirror above the basin countertop; it easily doubles the visual space of the bathroom.
Find out more about ways to make spaces look bigger with mirrors
6. Provide adequate lighting
Natural light: Windows are a great way to bring in natural light and make the bathroom look bigger. If you have a window in your bathroom, do not cover it up. Instead, use a sheer screen or go for frosted glass that will ensure privacy and still allow natural light to come it.
Natural light: Windows are a great way to bring in natural light and make the bathroom look bigger. If you have a window in your bathroom, do not cover it up. Instead, use a sheer screen or go for frosted glass that will ensure privacy and still allow natural light to come it.
Artificial lighting: If you don’t have a window in your bathroom, then make provision for adequate general and task lighting. The main aim of the lighting should be to eliminate shadows as much as possible and make the bathroom look brighter and bigger. This can be achieved by installing wall-mounted lights on either side of the vanity mirror or on top of it. One could also consider lights hanging from the ceiling, which do not cast shadows on the face.
7. Introduce niches
Bathroom niches not only create extra space for storing toiletries and bath accessories, but create visual depth. In this example, just see how simple niches add so much value and make the space feel well-planned and clutter-free.
Keep in mind that clutter visually fills up the space and makes it feel cramped.
Read more:
Solutions to 9 Big Problems in Small Bathrooms
Tell us:
Do you have a small bathroom? How have you made it look more spacious? Tell us in the Comments section below.
Bathroom niches not only create extra space for storing toiletries and bath accessories, but create visual depth. In this example, just see how simple niches add so much value and make the space feel well-planned and clutter-free.
Keep in mind that clutter visually fills up the space and makes it feel cramped.
Read more:
Solutions to 9 Big Problems in Small Bathrooms
Tell us:
Do you have a small bathroom? How have you made it look more spacious? Tell us in the Comments section below.
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The best way to make a compact bathroom feel more spacious is by opting for neutral colours or light pastels for the floor and wall tiles. Light colours have the ability to reflect light, hence can make the space feel bigger.
Do not section off the bathroom with bold colours and patterns, as it will make the space look small and claustrophobic.
Tip: If you really do want a bold colour in this small space, then put it on a single wall (preferably the shorter one), with highlighter tiles.