Expert Eye: 14 Ways to Magic Up More Space in Your Bathroom
Abracadabra! If space is at a premium in your bathroom, employ these design 'illusions' to make it feel larger
There are many ways to achieve the look of a larger bathroom, without actually making your bathroom bigger; some of them are obvious, and some employ a clever sleight of hand. Read on to find which approach may work best for your bathing space.
Choose accessories that complement the size of the space and allow you to move around freely, as in this example. Here, each ornament has its place and doesn’t negatively impact the aesthetic or affect movement around the room.
2. Employ mirrors
Mirrors are an excellent way to make your bathroom appear larger. If you place a good-size mirror along a wall, you can reflect the size of the bathroom back on itself, potentially doubling the perceived space. The mirror in this bathroom covers the entire wall, making the room look and feel longer as a result.
11 illusory uses for mirrors
Mirrors are an excellent way to make your bathroom appear larger. If you place a good-size mirror along a wall, you can reflect the size of the bathroom back on itself, potentially doubling the perceived space. The mirror in this bathroom covers the entire wall, making the room look and feel longer as a result.
11 illusory uses for mirrors
3. Bring the outside in with tall windows
Offering additional light and an outside perspective, windows can be used to expand the bathroom. The format of the window is also important. For example, a tall and narrow window will allow natural light to filter in throughout the day.
Offering additional light and an outside perspective, windows can be used to expand the bathroom. The format of the window is also important. For example, a tall and narrow window will allow natural light to filter in throughout the day.
In this bathroom, a picture window is used to make the shower feel larger, as well as provide a lovely view.
4. Choose a glass shower screen or blade
Instead of having an enclosed shower space that restricts flow, try an open-plan shower with a glass screen or blade separating it from the rest of the bathroom. If the blade is at different widths from top to bottom, it can give the illusion of a larger bathroom space as well as preventing splash.
Instead of having an enclosed shower space that restricts flow, try an open-plan shower with a glass screen or blade separating it from the rest of the bathroom. If the blade is at different widths from top to bottom, it can give the illusion of a larger bathroom space as well as preventing splash.
In this bathroom, the glass screen is translucent and expands the space almost effortlessly.
5. Select dark floor tiles to extend the floor area
There is a misconception that dark floor tiles reduce the size appearance of a bathroom, but this isn’t the case. Instead, they define the floor and separate the different zones, particularly if they extend beneath floating toilets and vanities.
Browse bathrooms with wall-mounted toilets
There is a misconception that dark floor tiles reduce the size appearance of a bathroom, but this isn’t the case. Instead, they define the floor and separate the different zones, particularly if they extend beneath floating toilets and vanities.
Browse bathrooms with wall-mounted toilets
6. Lift accessories off the floor
Placing decorative objects and ornaments onto the floor automatically reduces the space available and limits how large the room feels.
Placing decorative objects and ornaments onto the floor automatically reduces the space available and limits how large the room feels.
As a general rule, nothing decorative should be placed on the floor to ensure the space is utilised to the max.
7. Use similar colours on floors and walls
Vertical patterns on walls will naturally tend to close the space and make it feel smaller. Instead, choose a light neutral shade for the floors and walls, as this will blur the lines between where the floor ends and the walls start.
In this bathroom, it isn’t immediately clear where the back wall is, thus the designer has created the illusion of space.
Vertical patterns on walls will naturally tend to close the space and make it feel smaller. Instead, choose a light neutral shade for the floors and walls, as this will blur the lines between where the floor ends and the walls start.
In this bathroom, it isn’t immediately clear where the back wall is, thus the designer has created the illusion of space.
8. Employ the space within the wall cavity
There is plenty of room for storage in a bathroom, if you know where to look. This includes the spaces in the wall cavity behind mirror cabinets, as well as other small niches. This way, you can avoid placing items on the floor and ensure the space feels as large as possible.
In this bathroom, a mirrored cabinet provides shelving storage to avoid visual clutter.
Nifty ways with bathroom niches
There is plenty of room for storage in a bathroom, if you know where to look. This includes the spaces in the wall cavity behind mirror cabinets, as well as other small niches. This way, you can avoid placing items on the floor and ensure the space feels as large as possible.
In this bathroom, a mirrored cabinet provides shelving storage to avoid visual clutter.
Nifty ways with bathroom niches
9. Use the same floor and opposite-wall materials
By using the same colour on opposite walls as well as the floor, you visually stretch the room and make it harder to see where it ends. This can be achieved either width-ways or length-ways.
Here, the same tiles are used on the floor as well as two walls – creating the appearance of a cohesive and large space.
By using the same colour on opposite walls as well as the floor, you visually stretch the room and make it harder to see where it ends. This can be achieved either width-ways or length-ways.
Here, the same tiles are used on the floor as well as two walls – creating the appearance of a cohesive and large space.
10. Go open plan
A growing trend in luxury hotels, open-plan bedroom/bathrooms create the illusion of more space by removing the main dividing wall and creating one large, open area.
A growing trend in luxury hotels, open-plan bedroom/bathrooms create the illusion of more space by removing the main dividing wall and creating one large, open area.
In this bathroom, you can see that similar colours and fixtures are used to make the spaces flow into each other, ensuring the room feels bigger as a result.
11. Let the sun shine in
If you prefer the light to filter in from the ceiling, it might be useful to consider a skylight rather than a regular window.
How skylights have risen up the architectural ranks
If you prefer the light to filter in from the ceiling, it might be useful to consider a skylight rather than a regular window.
How skylights have risen up the architectural ranks
During the winter months, this can add some much-needed sunlight to dark bathrooms.
12. Position your lighting correctly
Lighting is a critical element of any bathroom, but it can also play a role in opening the space up and making it feel larger.
Lighting is a critical element of any bathroom, but it can also play a role in opening the space up and making it feel larger.
Ensure there is sufficient lighting around busy areas such as the mirror and shower entrance.
13. Decorate walls with stripes to give the illusion of space
Consider designs with stripes as they can ‘expand’ the entire space. The idea is to give the impression that the walls don’t end, increasing the perceived space as this bathroom illustrates.
Consider designs with stripes as they can ‘expand’ the entire space. The idea is to give the impression that the walls don’t end, increasing the perceived space as this bathroom illustrates.
14. Expand the ceiling
While older Australian homes are often blessed with high ceilings, this design will have to be replicated in more modern homes. Use decorative cornices or lattice designs to give this illusion, as the bathroom above does.
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Browse beautiful bathrooms
While older Australian homes are often blessed with high ceilings, this design will have to be replicated in more modern homes. Use decorative cornices or lattice designs to give this illusion, as the bathroom above does.
Your say
If you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation!
More
Browse beautiful bathrooms
Placing decorations or ornaments in a bathroom can work wonders for aesthetic appeal, but can also limit the perceived space in the room.