How to Make a Small Bathroom Look Bigger

Co-authored by Katherine Tlapa and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References

If you have a small bathroom, you might feel like your hands are tied when it comes to decorating. Fortunately, there are many creative ways to make a small bathroom look bigger! From easy decorating tricks like playing with color and tile to simple DIY projects like swapping out your bathroom vanity, we're here to help you transform your space.

Things You Should Know

Make small bathrooms look larger by using pale colors and lots of light.
Install large tiles and floating fixtures to make the space look bigger.
Maximize your bathroom space with simple projects like installing a glass shower door and removing a bulky bathroom sink.

1

Choose white or pale colors for the walls and ceiling.

Lighter colors make the room feel larger. While you could paint the room white, pale shades of blush, tan, blue, or green can also make a bathroom seem bigger. Another trick is to paint the ceiling the same color as the walls.^{[1]
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- If you like bright colors, don't hesitate to add a splash of bold color with your bath rug or towels.
- Keep in mind that saturated cobalt blue and bright red can make your room look smaller.
- There's no rule saying you have to use light colors—you can do a dark, dramatic bathroom. If you do, go for a bold black look and choose glossy fixtures and tiles that reflect light to maximize your space.

2

Add bright light, especially if you don’t have windows.

Natural light makes the bathroom appear bigger, so don't hide it! If you have a window, even a small one, let the light shine through—buy privacy window film that sticks to the window. If you don't have much natural light, add recessed light, sconces, hanging pendant lights, or lamps. The goal is to brighten the space because shadows make a room feel small.^{[2]
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- Shop for mirrors that have backlighting if you're short on places to hang lighting.

3

Showcase a large mirror.

A huge mirror's reflection creates the illusion of a bigger bathroom. If you're going for a minimalist look, choose a wall-to-wall mirror that doesn't have a frame or border. Otherwise, choose any large mirror that matches the style of your bathroom fixtures.^{[3]
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- For instance, if you have thin, bronze handles on the cabinets, pick a large mirror that has a very thin bronze frame.
- If you can't install a single large mirror, fill the wall with lots of small mirrors. This has the same effect as a large mirror.

4

Cut back on clutter.

Minimizing items on display makes the room feel larger and cleaner. Spend a few minutes and remove everything but the essentials from your sink area. As you clear and organize bathroom items, sort them into "things to throw away", "things to store in the bathroom", and "things to display in the bathroom." You'll probably feel like the bathroom is bigger already!

5

Use hidden storage for toiletries.

Built-in storage is perfect for items that you don't want to display. You still need to get to them easily, though! Put things like rolls of toilet paper, bathroom cleaning supplies, or personal care items in a cabinet under the sink or in built-in cabinets above the toilet, for instance. To make the room feel bigger, use floating cabinets.^{[4]
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- For extra-sneaky storage, buy a mirrored medicine cabinet. Not only will you get valuable storage space, but you'll also have your mirror that reflects light to make the room feel larger.

6

Match the finish for all the accessories.

Pick a style and stick with it so the bathroom appears unified. If you've got faucets, drawer handles, and towel rods in different styles and finishes, the bathroom will appear chaotic and cramped. Using the same finishes for all your bathroom accents makes the space appear simplified and more open.^{[5]
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- For example, if you want a traditional style bathroom, you might choose brushed nickel finishes for the sink, the shower, and your drawer knobs.

7

Raise your shower curtain.

Lifting your shower curtain by a few inches makes the walls seem taller. If you can't move the shower rod, install a tension rod a few inches above the existing shower rod. This way, you can hang a longer shower curtain.^{[6]
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- Stick with a pale-colored shower curtain that matches the color of your walls and always pull it back when it's not in use—this way it won't close off the shower space and make the room feel smaller.

8

Use wallpaper with a solid print or color.

Detailed prints can be distracting and make the room look smaller. It's better to stick with a solid color for the room and minimize the decorations to create the illusion of space.^{[7]
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- Skip wallpaper with complex geometric patterns, tiny floral prints, or bold colors—these can all crowd the small bathroom.

9

Opt for wall-mounted fixtures.

Putting fixtures on the wall saves valuable floor space. Instead of setting towel paper holders, cabinets for toiletries, or even your vanity sink on the floor, choose wall-mounted fixtures that give a more open feel to the room. Hang your toilet paper dispenser on the side of your floating vanity sink and hang a shelf for your towels and enjoy having more space to move around!^{[8]
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- Use behind-the-door hangers or hooks for an out-of-sight way to store towels or bath robes.

10

Install large floor tiles or press and stick tiles.

Big tiles trick your brain into thinking the room is bigger than it is. If you have a shower, use the same tile for the shower floor and walls for another visual trick. You can either install large tiles that match the style of your bathroom or apply peel and stick tiles, which are perfect for renters.^{[9]
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- Checkerboard tiles are a fun way to make your bathroom seem bigger and more stylish.
- If you have a shower, ensure that the tiles reach all the way to the ceiling and use the same tile that's on the bathroom floor to make the bathroom feel bigger than it really is.

11

Use a glass shower door.

Installing a glass door makes the room feel larger and more open. If you have the option, choose completely clear glass door instead of a frosted door, so you can see into the shower space—this prevents that space from appearing closed off.^{[10]
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- Keep in mind that you'll need to keep your shower and tub area really clean since they'll be on display all the time.

12

Replace a large vanity with a pedestal or floating sink.

Free up a ton of space by removing a bulky bathroom vanity. Then, install a stylish pedestal sink if you don't need very much storage space. If you prefer a more modern style, install a floating sink instead. Both of these show off more of the wall, so the bathroom looks larger.^{[11]
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- If you prefer to keep a few items tucked under the sink, install a narrow vanity that's the same width as the sink. You'll still be able to store items in the cabinet, but the vanity won't take up most of your bathroom.

13

Install a pocket door.

Use more of your bathroom without having to accommodate a swinging door. Pocket doors are pretty clever—the door simply slides inside the wall on a track. When you're not using the bathroom, simply slide the door into the wall to hide it completely. If you're handy with home renovations, you can install a pocket door yourself.^{[12]
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- If you don't want to install the pocket door yourself, reach out to a local contractor.