Articles and Advice

Ways to Make Small Bathrooms Feel Larger

While small bathrooms often pose a unique set of challenges, you don't need to gut the room to make it feel bigger. A few thoughtful changes to the layout, lighting, and colour palette can create the illusion of a much larger room without spending a fortune.

Let Natural and Layered Light In

Bathrooms that lack ample lighting tend to feel smaller than they actually are. If there's a window, sheer curtains or a frosted film let in as much natural light as possible while still offering some privacy.

In the evenings, layered lighting tends to work better than one central fixture. A light on either side of the mirror cuts down on harsh shadows while keeping the room bright enough to actually use, and properly rated lighting near the shower or tub adds a bit of contrast without overdoing it. Warm bulbs generally feel more welcoming than cooler ones.

Think About the Mirror's Placement and Size

A large mirror does more than almost anything else to brighten a small bathroom and make it feel roomier, since it reflects light and gives the eye somewhere open to land instead of stopping at a wall. In most cases, that means skipping a small framed mirror in favour of one that takes up a good portion of the wall above the vanity.

A mirror mounted a little higher than usual, so it extends closer to the ceiling, tends to read as larger within the room, and it still works just fine for everyday use as long as it's set at a height where you can see yourself clearly.

Go Light but Not Too White

There's a reason light, neutral palettes are the go-to for small bathrooms. That said, an entirely white colour scheme can end up feeling sterile and uninviting even in a room meant to feel open. A light beige or soft grey on the walls, paired with white trim or a few accent tiles in a deeper shade, ties the room together without swallowing up as much visual space as all-white would.

Add Storage Without the Clutter

Less clutter makes a small bathroom feel bigger, plain and simple. A medicine cabinet recessed into the wall is an easy win here, since it stays flush with the wall instead of sticking out the way a surface-mounted one would, all while keeping everyday items within reach.

Open shelving can work too, but only if it's kept sparse and holds things worth looking at. Once it's crowded with extra bottles and half-used products, it stops reading as intentional and starts reading as clutter again.

None of this needs to happen all at once. Most homeowners find that a couple of these changes, chosen well, go further than a full renovation would, and most of them don't require removing a single sheet of drywall.

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Ways to Make Small Bathrooms Feel Larger

Let Natural and Layered Light In

Think About the Mirror's Placement and Size

Go Light but Not Too White

Add Storage Without the Clutter

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