Remodeling A Small Bathroom To Make It Look Bigger on a Budget

Remodeling a small bathroom on a budget can seem like a daunting task, but with a little creativity, it can be done!

Whilst in another post we talked about how to remodel your master bathroom, in this blog post, we will discuss some tips and tricks to make your small bathroom look bigger.

Let’s dive right in!

#1. Keep the color scheme light and airy.

Small bathrooms can feel claustrophobic if they are painted in dark, heavy colors. Instead, opt for light and airy colors such as white, cream, or pale blue. These colors will reflect light and make the room feel larger than it is. If you are worried about your small bathroom feeling too bland, you can add pops of color with towels, shower curtains, or even paintings or photographs on the walls.

#2. Use large mirrors to reflect light and create the illusion of more space.

Place a large mirror on one wall, or even better – two walls facing each other! Not only will this reflect light and make your small bathroom appear brighter, but it will also create the illusion of more space as it will reflect the rest of the room back at you. If you cannot hang a mirror on the wall, consider placing a freestanding mirror in a corner of the room or place it above your corner sink or bathroom vanity.

#3. Install open shelving instead of cabinets to make the room feel more open

One way to make a small bathroom feel more spacious is by replacing bulky cabinets with open shelving. This way, there is less visual clutter and the room feels less cramped. When choosing shelves, consider using glass or clear acrylic so that they appear invisible and don’t detract from the overall space. This will make your small space seem even bigger.

#4. Choose fixtures and fittings that are sleek and minimalistic

Another way to make your small bathroom appear bigger is by choosing fixtures and fittings that are sleek and minimalist -think clean lines and simple shapes. Avoid anything too fussy or ornate as this will just add visual clutter. Similarly, opt for clear glass shower doors instead of shower curtains as this will make the space appear bigger.

#5. Hang curtains or blinds high up on the window to make the ceiling appear higher

Vertical spaces are often overlooked in small bathrooms but they can actually be used to your advantage. If you have windows in your small bathroom, hang Curtains or blinds high up on The window so that they extend all the way up to the ceiling – This will give The illusion That The ceiling is taller than it actually is.

#6. Opt for a Glass Shower Door

Glass shower doors have become a hallmark of modern bathroom design, seamlessly blending elegance with functionality. Their transparent allure not only lends an air of sophistication to the space but also creates an open and spacious ambiance, effortlessly harnessing natural light to illuminate the shower area.

Whether nestled within a minimalist oasis or complementing intricate tilework, glass shower doors elevate the bathroom experience, inviting a sense of luxury and refinement into daily routines.

#7. Remove the Shower door Completely

Opting for a shower without a door introduces an inviting and liberating element to the bathroom space. Embracing an open-concept shower design fosters a seamless flow, transforming the shower area into an extension of the overall bathroom environment.

Without the confines of a traditional door, this design choice can create a sense of spaciousness and airiness, ideal for smaller bathrooms where visual expansion is desired. Moreover, the absence of a door eliminates the need for regular cleaning and maintenance associated with glass panels.

#8. Use large tiles

Employing large tiles in a bathroom design is a clever strategy that holds the power to visually expand the space and create an illusion of grandeur. These expansive tiles reduce the number of grout lines, resulting in a more seamless surface that tricks the eye into perceiving a larger expanse.

This minimalistic design promotes a sense of tranquility, allowing light to bounce effortlessly across surfaces and enhancing the perceived depth of the space.

#9. Keep the Floor Clear

Maintaining a clear and uncluttered bath floor is a design principle that holds the key to unlocking a sense of spaciousness and elegance within your bathroom oasis. By liberating the floor from unnecessary elements, the room gains a newfound openness that expands its visual boundaries.

Embracing a clutter-free bath floor is a testament to the beauty of simplicity, transforming your bathing haven into a sanctuary of tranquility and unrestricted serenity.

#10. Use High-Gloss Paint to Reflect Light

The transformative power of high glass paint is a design secret that can effortlessly amplify the perceived size of your bathroom. The sheen of high glass paint captures and refracts light, bouncing it around the room, blurring the boundaries and enhances the depth of the space.

The resulting interplay of light and reflection creates an airy and open atmosphere, where walls seem to recede, and ceilings appear to stretch upwards.

#11. Add a Shower Niche Or Recessed Shelving

Recessed shelves are a clever and stylish design feature that seamlessly blend form and function. Set into the walls, these recessed nooks create a sense of depth and intrigue within a room, offering a visually pleasing way to display or store items without encroaching on precious floor space.

Whether gracing a bathroom, living room, or kitchen, recessed shelves provide a sophisticated solution for organizing essentials or showcasing cherished decor.

#12. Choose Compact Pieces

While hulking vanities and blocky tubs can find their place in spacious bathrooms, they often contribute to a sense of confinement in smaller spaces. Opting for compact toilets and sinks, or exploring the elegance of floating designs, can work wonders in creating an open and airy feel.

Should a tub be on your list, consider the tranquil allure of a Japanese soaking tub—a perfect addition for relaxation without compromising square footage.

#13. Get Closed Storage

Closed storage solutions in bathrooms possess a unique ability to enhance the perception of spaciousness within the confines of the room. By elegantly concealing belongings behind doors and within cabinets, a sense of visual order and tidiness prevails.

The absence of exposed items allows light to play unobstructed, contributing to an open and inviting atmosphere.

#14. Get a Wall-Mounted Faucet

A wall-mounted faucet is a space-saving marvel that offers both functional convenience and a streamlined aesthetic. By elegantly extending from the wall rather than rising from the countertop, this innovative fixture creates an immediate sense of openness on the sink’s surface.

This absence of a traditional faucet base maximizes usable space, allowing you to make the most of your countertop area for essential tasks.

#15. Install a Skylight

Skylights usher in an abundance of natural sunlight, infusing rooms with a luminous brilliance that erases the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. By introducing daylight from above, skylights draw the eye upward, inviting it to explore beyond the confines of walls and windows.

As a result, skylights not only infuse spaces with an airy and uplifting ambiance but also seamlessly orchestrate an atmosphere of open expanse that transcends the limitations of four walls, transforming any room into an expansive haven of light and wonder.

#16. Use Brass Hardware

Brass hardware is a design secret that can work wonders in creating an illusion of spaciousness within a bathroom. The warm and reflective nature of brass draws and diffuses light, effectively amplifying the luminosity of the space.

When strategically placed on cabinetry, mirrors, or even fixtures, brass hardware catches the eye and guides it through the room, effortlessly enhancing the visual flow.

#17. Go Monochromatic

Embracing a monochromatic color scheme is a design strategy that holds the power to visually expand your bathroom, unlocking a sense of airiness and dimension that defies its actual size.

When a single color envelops walls, floors, and fixtures, it creates a harmonious unity that eliminates visual interruptions and distractions. This seamless continuity tricks the eye into perceiving a larger expanse, as boundaries blur and lines fade.

This transformative design choice harnesses the power of color to shape perception, turning even the coziest of bathrooms into a haven of boundless openness and grace.

#18. Built-In Storage Mirror

A mirror with built-in storage is a brilliant fusion of functionality and elegance that maximizes space in your bathroom. This multifaceted design solution seamlessly combines the utility of a mirror with discreet storage compartments, merging two essential elements into a single harmonious piece.

The built-in storage mirror not only elevates practicality but also imparts a touch of sophistication, making it a captivating focal point that adds depth and dimension to the room.

#19. Simplify It

Simplifying the bath is a masterful design strategy that holds the key to unlocking an illusion of expanded space and serenity. By paring down clutter and embracing minimalist aesthetics, every element assumes a purposeful role, allowing the room to breathe and flourish.

A streamlined and uncluttered environment minimizes visual noise, creating a tranquil canvas where the eye effortlessly glides. Through simplicity, the bath transcends its physical dimensions, revealing a haven of spatial freedom that redefines the boundaries of possibility.

#20. Add A Pendant Light

Adding pendant lights into a bathroom is a design maneuver that holds the potential to ingeniously enhance the sense of spaciousness. By drawing the gaze upwards, pendant lights create an illusion of heightened ceilings, opening up the vertical expanse and evoking a grander atmosphere.

The elegance of pendant lights, whether minimalist or ornate, orchestrates a captivating dance that distracts from physical limitations and captivates the eye, fostering an air of expansiveness and allure.

#21. Mirror Multiple Walls

Strategically placing multiple mirrors on different walls is an ingenious design technique that amplifies the perception of space within a room. Mirrors possess the remarkable ability to reflect both light and imagery, and by strategically positioning them, they create an illusion of extended dimensions.

#22. Look Into Terrazzo

Terrazzo, with its captivating blend of colors and textures, possesses the extraordinary ability to infuse a bathroom with an illusion of spaciousness. This versatile material, composed of various aggregates set within a seamless matrix, creates a mesmerizing visual canvas that extends beyond its physical boundaries.

Moreover, the reflective properties of Terrazzo amplify natural and artificial light, casting a luminous glow that bounces off its surface, further enhancing the perception of openness.

#23. Add a Gallery Wall

Introducing a gallery wall to your bathroom is an ingenious way to transform this intimate space into a captivating sanctuary of personal expression and artistic flair. A well-curated collection of artwork, photographs, and decor pieces can inject a burst of personality and vibrancy, instantly elevating the ambiance.

The gallery wall draws the eye and engages the senses, creating a focal point that distracts from the room’s limited size.

#24. Pedestal Sinks

Opting for pedestal sinks is a savvy design choice that ingeniously maximizes space in your bathroom. These elegantly minimalistic fixtures free up valuable floor area, instantly creating a sense of openness and airiness.

With their slender profile and open base, pedestal sinks effortlessly eliminate the bulk associated with traditional vanity cabinets. Beyond their space-saving benefits, pedestal sinks evoke a timeless charm, adding a touch of classic sophistication to any bathroom.

#25. Pocket Or Sliding Doors for More Room

Pocket doors are a brilliant architectural solution that holds the power to efficiently utilize space while enhancing both aesthetics and functionality in a bathroom.

Unlike traditional swinging doors that require clearance, pocket doors elegantly slide into a hidden compartment within the wall, liberating precious floor area and promoting an unobstructed flow.

#26. Open Shelves

Incorporating open shelves into a bathroom design is a strategic maneuver that masterfully imparts a sense of spaciousness to the space.

By showcasing toiletries, towels, and decorative items in plain view, open shelves eliminate the visual weight of solid doors and provide a breath of visual relief. This unobstructed presentation of essentials allows the eye to glide effortlessly, creating an uninterrupted visual journey that traverses the room.

#27. Corner Unit for Better Flow

By tucking the vanity into a corner, valuable square footage is freed up, creating a more open and unobstructed floor plan. This space-saving approach not only enhances the room’s flow but also allows for a more efficient layout and circulation.

The corner vanity’s smart geometry minimizes its footprint while providing essential storage and functionality. Its presence adds depth and dimension to the room, drawing the eye towards a visually engaging focal point.

#28. Don't Use Strong Colors - Keep Everything Neutral

Neutral colors wield a transformative power that can effortlessly create the illusion of a larger and more expansive space within any room. Embracing a palette of whites, grays, beiges, and soft pastels offers a harmonious backdrop that opens up the visual horizons.

Furthermore, neutrals promote visual tranquility, eliminating the distraction of bold contrasts and patterns that can make a space feel busy or cramped.

#29. Paint The Ceiling As The Walls

The cohesiveness of a unified look need not be confined to the boundaries of walls alone. Extending the same color to your ceiling perpetuates a sense of seamlessness that envelops the entire space.

For those seeking a touch of contrast, opting for a subtly lighter hue on the ceiling can achieve an equally harmonious effect. Light reflection often casts ceilings in a slightly darker shade compared to walls. By painting the ceiling a tad lighter, you enhance the continuity of the space, allowing for an uninterrupted visual flow that gracefully expands throughout the room.

For more on bathroom ceilings check this post: What’s The Best Material For Bathroom Ceiling?

#30. Create Long Lines

The strategic use of lines is a design technique that holds the remarkable ability to visually expand a bathroom, transforming it into a more spacious and inviting haven.

Horizontal lines, whether in the form of tiles, fixtures, or design elements, draw the eye outward, creating an illusion of increased width. By extending lines across surfaces, such as walls or floors, the room’s boundaries seem to recede, evoking a sense of grandeur and airiness.

Similarly, vertical lines, such as tall cabinets or sleek mirrors, guide the gaze upward, effectively elevating the ceiling height and instilling a feeling of heightened vertical space.

#31. Hang Things From The Wall

Suspending items from the bathroom wall is a clever design that amplifies the perception of space. By utilizing a wall space for storage or decor, you liberate valuable floor area, allowing the room to breathe and flow freely.

Floating shelves, hooks, or hanging organizers not only declutter the space but also draw the eye upward, shifting the focus from the limitations of the floor and walls to a higher vantage point.

#32. Get A Tub And Shower Combo

Opting for a tub and shower combo is a clever space-saving solution that maximizes the utility of your bathroom without compromising on functionality or style. By combining these two essential fixtures, you consolidate their footprint and efficiently utilize the available floor space.

The tub and shower combo seamlessly adapts to various preferences, providing the convenience of a quick shower or the luxury of a soothing bath within the same compact space.

Conclusion

These are just a few ways you can make your small bathroom or powder room appear larger through design choices. If you need help with your bathroom remodel project, contact us. We specialize in helping our clients maximize the potential of their bathrooms, no matter the size. Our team would be more than happy to chat with you about your specific needs and goals for your space. Give us a call today!