These Small Bathroom Ideas Will Make Your Space Feel So Much Bigger (2024)

These Small Bathroom Ideas Will Make Your Space Feel So Much Bigger (1)

No offense to whoever said "bigger is better," but our guess is that person just lacked in the creativity department. Just because your bathroom is short on square footage doesn't mean it's doomed to lack style or functionality.

With the right design tricks anyone can bridge the gap between form and function, regardless of the bathroom size they've been dealt. Whether you have a tiny powder room or a single shower stall, these 20 easy storage and styling solutions will make you forget how small your bathroom actually is.

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Install a Gallery Wall

These Small Bathroom Ideas Will Make Your Space Feel So Much Bigger (2)

There's no better way to maximize your wall space than by creating a gallery wall. A full, almost-cluttered composition made of cohesive frames can make a half bath look spacious and expensive. We especially love the use of mirrors in this small washroom.

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Embrace Awkward Spaces

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Unconventional spaces can be intimidating, but rather than work around unwieldy lines, make those awkward angles work for you. Don't compromise the pieces you love; instead, find a way to make them fit.

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Elongate Your Space

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Look for pieces to draw the eye up, like this tall mirror positioned above the bathroom sink. Doing so elongates the room, giving the illusion of taller ceilings and a bigger space.

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Don't Stray Away From Bold Patterns

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Don't let anyone tell you your bathroom is too tiny to handle a bold floor-to-ceiling wallpaper print. In fact, the smaller the bathroom, the bigger the impact. We love this leopard-print powder room with a touch of '80s glam.

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Don't Write Off Dark Colors

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Dark colors have a reputation for being gloomy, moody, and claustrophobic. But actually, painting your walls black can open up your small space, making it feel larger, airier, and more open than you'd expect. Incorporate shiny surfaces to bounce light around the room and make your powder room pop.

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Prioritize Style

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Let's get real: It doesn't matter how small a space is—if it's gorgeous, nobody will miss a few extra feet of square footage. This floor-to-ceiling scallop tile in contrasting colors is pretty enough to outdo even some of the most sprawling bathroom setups.

20 Stunning Bathrooms With The Most Beautiful Tile Work We've Ever Seen

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Swap Your Mirror For A Medicine Cabinet

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Never underestimate the space-saving solution that is the age-old medicine cabinet. Stock up on your favorite products while maintaining a sleek and clean look in your small space.

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Install a Large Window

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Say it with us: "Natural light is our friend." If the budget allows for some light renovations, the installation of a bigger bathroom window will instantly open up the space, making it appear larger.

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Set Up Shelves

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Whether you're in need of extra storage or just looking to add character to a bland bathroom, the addition of shelves gives the illusion of a bigger space. Style them with your prettiest products and hide less attractive essentials in canisters for a chic and functional storage solution.

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Incorporate Tons of Texture

From the natural elements of grasscloth wallpaper and a seagrass lampshade to softer fibers via handtowels and a rug, the textures in this washroom add a homey feel often seen in larger spaces. Play with a cohesive color palette to avoid making your small bathroom look cluttered.

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Paint a Statement Ceiling

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A single pop of color strategically placed on the ceiling will draw your eyes up, making your basic bathroom look taller. This primarily white washroom with a coat of cobalt on the ceiling proves the higher the contrast, the bigger the payoff.

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Evaluate Your Storage Needs

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If storage isn't a priority for you, opt for a console sink over bulky vanity drawers. Leaving the space under your sink open will visually expand your square footage.

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Find Unconventional Storage Solutions

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If storage is limited and you don't have much wall space for shelving, take note from this little loo and get creative with placement. A few shelves in a window not only save space but highlight your most-used products in an Insta-worthy way.

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Choose Drawers Over Cabinets

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If you're looking to optimize your space for a large collection of toiletries, extra towels, and cleaning supplies, choose a vanity with drawers rather than cabinet doors. It won't take up more space, but the horizontal storage surprisingly houses much more. Just trust us.

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Skip The Shower Curtain

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A shower curtain acts as a visual room divider, essentially splitting your bathroom in half. If it's in the budget, upgrade your bathroom to include glass shower doors to open up your small space.

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Hang a Pendant Light

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It's not often you see a pendant light hanging from a bathroom ceiling—those are usually reserved for more-spacious areas. Hanging one in your powder room will make it feel glamorous but more importantly, much bigger in a snap.

20 Bathroom Lighting Ideas to Make You Look Your Best

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Try a Neutral Color Palette

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A light and airy color palette will instantly brighten and visually widen even the smallest of spaces. Go with white, taupe, and gray shades and incorporate natural surfaces like wood and slate for an open feel.

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Utilize Every Inch Of Space

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When you install a bathroom vanity, find one that fits your existing dimensions to a T. The drawer unit in this bathroom nook fits from wall to wall like a glove. If need be, build a custom unit to optimize every inch of space.

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Utilize Hooks

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The more solutions you use to keep items off the floor and countertops, the less cluttered and bigger the space will look. Wall hooks act as a catchall for towels, accessories, robes, and much more.

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Let Great Design Take The Floor

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You don't have a ton of floor space in your tiny bathroom, so the little bit that you do have better look extra good. A gorgeous tile install will instantly elevate the feel of your entire space. And the best part is you're working with less square footage, so it won't cost you a fortune.

37 Smart Bathroom Storage Ideas We Wish We’d Thought of Sooner

These Small Bathroom Ideas Will Make Your Space Feel So Much Bigger (2024)

FAQs

These Small Bathroom Ideas Will Make Your Space Feel So Much Bigger? ›

Minimize Furniture

What makes a small bathroom appear larger? ›

Add a Mirror

A well-placed mirror can help to reflect light and visually enlarge a space. “A great way to make smaller bathrooms feel bigger is to swap out large, frameless mirrors for smaller, decorative mirrors with a minimal thin frame.

How do you make a small bathroom feel luxurious? ›

To create a luxurious small bathroom look, use white bath towels and a light neutral color. If you spend more on high-quality white towels and rugs, your casual bathroom can appear more luxurious. Also, make everything look cohesive and accessorize with natural materials to go with your white linens.

What flooring makes a small bathroom look bigger? ›

Using larger floor tiles is a great way to trick the eye and make a room look bigger than it actually is. Larger tiles used throughout the bathroom look a lot less 'busy' than with smaller tiles, which therefore make the room appear larger; the lack of grout lines also makes the whole space appear more expansive.

How can I increase storage in my small bathroom? ›

Getting enough storage in a small bathroom is all about making smart use of every inch. Some shelves under the sink, a large mirror cabinet, a cart or some new hooks and hangers are all quick fixes that easily can be made to help keep your things nice and tidy.

What color makes a small bathroom look bigger? ›

According to basic design principles, light colors such as white, crème, pastel blue, gray or yellow are all recommended colors to paint a small bathroom in order to visually expand a room, while dark colors such as a deep red, green or brown, will make a room feel smaller.

What tile makes a bathroom look bigger? ›

Choose Large-Format Tiles

Large format tiles (tiles that are larger than 60cm x 60cm) will make your bathroom feel bigger than it really is. Firstly, there will be fewer grout lines, so your walls & floors will look more seamless & less cluttered & restrictive. Secondly, the scale will make your space feel larger.

Should toilet or sink be next to shower? ›

Before installing your bathroom fixtures, keep this general tip in mind: big fixtures, such as toilets, bathtubs, showers, and vanities, should be placed at least 30" apart from each other, a wall, or another feature. For more specific bathroom layout ideas regarding clearance and placement recommendations, read below.

How do you make a small bathroom feel like a spa? ›

Essential oil diffusers and scented candles, lotions, or soaps provide simple ways to set a tranquil mood. Or hang a bundle of eucalyptus in your shower for a fresh burst of fragrance when you turn on the water.

What size tile looks best in a small bathroom? ›

Best Tiles for Small Bathroom Wall

Bathroom walls usually look best with tiles that are 4 x 4 inches up to 12 x 12 inches or even larger. To make bathroom walls appear taller, consider vertically installing rectangular tiles like standard 3 x 6-inch subway tiles to give visual height to the room.

What is the best tile to make a small bathroom look bigger? ›

Smaller tiles on the floor create the illusion of a larger space. Hexagon tiles are a great option! Giving an interesting finish to the room whilst still creating a brighter looking space.

What color flooring makes space look bigger? ›

Choosing lighter coloured flooring to compliment your furniture can expand the perceived size of any room and can open the space right up. Think cream carpets, natural and neutral toned tiles and whitewashed wood flooring.

How much does it cost to expand a small bathroom? ›

Cost by Bathroom Size
Square FootageConversion CostAddition Cost
20$4,000–$5,000$8,000–$12,000
35$7,000–$8,750$14,000–$21,000
50$10,000–$12,500$20,000–$30,000
75$15,000–$18,750$30,000–$45,000
2 more rows
Feb 5, 2024

How much space do you need to add a small bathroom? ›

If you're wondering, “where can I add a bathroom,” it may surprise you to learn that you can build a half bath in just 3-by-5 feet of space! With 25 square feet, you can fairly comfortably fit a sink, toilet and shower, and with just a little more space, you can have yourself a full bathroom with a full shower and tub.

Will a large mirror make a small bathroom look bigger? ›

Go big with your mirrors

The more light you can reflect, the bigger your bathroom will look. Instead of just hanging a small bathroom mirror above the sink, consider mirroring a whole wall, or at least a large portion of it.

What type of mirror makes a bathroom look bigger? ›

'We like to use full size mirrors that run from wall to wall, or from floor to ceiling,' says international interior designer Ina Rinderknecht of the bathroom above. 'Using large mirrors above the vanity can produce a lofty effect by filling the space and creating an optical illusion with its reflections.

Does white make a small bathroom look bigger? ›

Light Colors for a Bright Mood

Extend the sight lines of a small bath by using a light color throughout the space. In this room, white finishes on the floor, walls, sconces, toilet, and shower make the small space seem bigger.

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