Make a Small Bath Look Larger

When you're tight on space, call on this smart bathroom remodel idea: Add a pedestal sink—or two! A traditional vanity would have closed in this bath, but a pedestal sink maintains an open feeling. A pair of windows above add natural light to this small bathroom, also making it feel bigger.

Small bathroom ideas are all about getting creative and rethinking the standard-issue features. Here, a standard door was replaced with a sliding pocket door to utilize floor space once reserved for the door swing. This small bathroom features a sliding door with a frosted-glass panel that allows natural light to filter in while still providing privacy. Bifold doors (doors that fold up like a screen) can also save space.

Visually lighten built-in or stand-alone cabinetry by utilizing open shelves in a small bathroom. Towels, soaps, and glass canisters are perfect candidates for open shelving because they're decorative as well as functional. For storing personal items, cleaning supplies, and laundry, try woven baskets or decorative bins.

Make a small half bathroom look bigger by employing white and pattern strategically. White surfaces reflect light, and semi-gloss finishes enhance the effect. Two strong patterns might seem like a lot for a small bathroom, but a unifying element is key to design success. Here, both the wallpaper pattern and floor tile follow a hexagonal design.

If you’re looking for bathroom remodel ideas to make a small space feel bigger, search for ways to lessen the visual weight of the design. A glass shower door is practically invisible and adds no heft to this small bathroom. Hints of black throughout the space bring a just-right amount of gravitas.

It’s easy to overlook style in a room that feels more like a closet, but opportunities to create beauty abound. Utilize bold patterns (yes, more than one) and intriguing finishes and forms in a small bathroom. Emphasize the ceiling to draw the eye upward and keep the window treatments simple. Here, striking patterns on both the wall and floor are balanced by the strong form of the concrete sink. Raked pine siding—a textured reclaimed wood—on the ceiling crowns the room.

Figuring out how to make a small apartment bathroom look bigger can be tricky. To keep within your rental agreement and maximize your space, look to cut clutter and add stylish storage. Freestanding pieces, like a bookshelf, keep essentials close by and pretty baskets and containers add polish. Plus, it’s storage you can take with you when your lease is up.

For a serene small bathroom design that sings, emphasize texture over color and splashy patterns. In this bathroom, real river rock, cut smooth and meshed together, ambles across the floor. A subtle ripple pattern on the shower tile implies animation and a rough texture on the black vanity countertop ups the tactile game in the space. The large frameless mirror serves to visually expand the small room.

Cabinet doors can visually weigh down a small bath. Keep things light and airy with a furniture-style vanity. Use baskets to hold supplies beneath an open vanity to ensure the undersink area provides plentiful storage. Small drawers on the front of this vanity house toiletries and cosmetics.

If you’re wondering how to make a small bathroom look elegant, invest in a few luxe finishes. A powder room is a smart place to showcase luxurious products because this room is often frequented by guests, and its small footprint will keep your budget in order. Here, a wall of tile creates a dramatic backdrop for a glamorous retreat. A standout vanity echoes the rich tone, and a shapely toilet continues the geometric motif.

With a touch of sparkle, a diminutive powder room can morph into a stunning gem. In this small bath, glass tiles create a shimmering backdrop for a floating vanity. Create a similar effect for less cash by covering a single wall with vibrant waterproof wallpaper.

For a sleek, clean look, keep storage flush with walls whenever possible. Narrow shelving units also help you edit what you keep in your bathroom. With just enough storage, you'll have space to stash the essentials with no room left over for clutter.

Mirrors stretch space by reproducing it. Mirroring the long wall of a narrow bath, for example, can change the room's proportions and make it seem wider. Be sure to place mirrors so they reflect the bath's assets—whether that's a wall hanging, a panoramic view, or the widest room angle. Two mirrors positioned opposite each other create the illusion of a never-ending room.

If you’re undergoing a full bathroom overhaul, try this bathroom remodel idea: Carve out additional storage by building a recessed shelf between the studs in a wall. Recessed shelves put unused space to work and don't take up floor real estate, which is a plus in a small bath.

Create an eye-catching focal point by pressing an antique table or dresser into service as a vanity. Modern vessel sinks partnered with vintage-inspired faucets connect old and new. A metal basket below plus narrow matching built-ins provide plenty of space for towels and toiletries without overwhelming.

No matter their size or style, windows enlarge the feel of a room if they're allowed to transmit light. If possible, leave windows unadorned with clear or frosted glass. Mini blinds, matchstick blinds, or shades that can be drawn to the top of the window are other sleek solutions. Or cover the lower half of the glass with sheer fabric that will admit light but maintain privacy.

Make a ceiling look taller with some visual tricks. Vertical stripes on the walls or a shower curtain can give the illusion of a higher ceiling. Wood moldings, wallpaper borders, and tile designs placed where the walls and ceiling meet will also provide a splash of color and help naturally draw the eye upward. Otherwise, choose a wallpaper with a small, airy print or lattice design. Avoid large or busy patterns that will diminish the scale of the space.

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. A few gray and black tiles on the floor and wall add visual interest without overpowering.

Minimize clutter on bath walls by attaching a towel rod to the side or front of a freestanding vanity. For an extra dash of panache, change out a standard mirror for one with a decorative frame that complements the style of your vanity. Two open shelves boost storage while keeping the look of the vanity light.

Solve the “how to make a small half bathroom look bigger” problem with clear surfaces. Glass shelves increase a room's sense of space because they can appear invisible. Items placed on them seem to hover in air—a much lighter effect than heavy cabinetry. Continue the effect in a small powder room with a glass floating vanity top.

The one strike against installing a pedestal sink in a small bath is limited storage space. By adding a tall cabinet behind the sink or toilet, you can have the best of both worlds: convenient compartments for beauty products and a streamlined sink that won't weigh your bath down.

Compartmentalized rooms appear smaller, while open spaces create the illusion of size. To maintain an open view, trade in a traditional shower curtain for clear-glass doors, which help stretch the visual length of the room. Or keep wrap-around shower curtains open for the illusion of a larger space.  Continue bath flooring into the shower to amplify the effect.

Not all small bathroom ideas need to be austere. Give your bath an elegant, timeless look by splurging on a marble countertop and saving on inexpensive cabinetry. This simple marble-topped, furniture-style vanity provides room for towels and toiletries under the sink. Oversize circular hardware adds a modern touch to the traditional storage unit.

Plenty of natural light, wall-to-wall glass shower doors, and white woodwork create an expansive look in this narrow master bath. To live up to its focal-point status, the shower is wrapped in luxurious marble mosaic tile. A simple white vanity balances the splurge.

Vanities with cabinet doors are great for hiding personal items, cleaning supplies, and plumbing fixtures, but opening and closing the doors in a long, narrow bath is tricky. The visual weight of a hefty vanity also overloads a tight space. Adding a sink skirt to this bath helps hide the toilet and the sink's plumbing while highlighting the existing decorative red tile border. A Roman shade in the same fabric completes the look.

Pale and cool colors reflect light, so soft whites, pastels, and neutrals can make a bath feel bigger. Woodwork, trim, and doors will "disappear" if they are painted the same hue as the walls. The effect is enhanced if cabinets and counters are the same color as the walls. To keep a neutral scheme from appearing bland, introduce bold colors in small doses through accessories, linens, and artwork.