5 ways to optically enlarge your bathroom

Many factors affect how an interior is perceived. First of all, it’s the colors used. Depending on the selected shade of finishing materials, the bathroom will seem larger or just the opposite. Although it’s the tiles that usually occupy the largest area and catch the eye immediately, the colors of furniture, sanitary ware and accessories are also important. The size and style of sanitary ware and furniture are significant, too. For example, shower enclosures with large deep trays and big profiles will optically reduce the size of our interior. They are too bulky - small bathrooms should have models that give the impression of lightness and delicacy. The interior will be more spacious, for example, with a walk-in enclosure. If the bathroom has a bathtub, and the household members are thinking of buying a screen to add the functionality of a shower enclosure, then a minimalist design bath screen will be perfect. Moreover, the number of loosely standing objects is important. The more of them, the higher the risk that the bathroom would get the impression of chaos - and shrink visually - and this is what we would like to avoid.

Colors are the first factor that optically enlarges the bathroom. They are very powerful and it’s worth using their properties knowledgeably in any room, including the bathroom. If we are arranging a small interior, it’s best to focus on white and other light colors. Such colors will make the bathroom look brighter and more spacious. When thinking about how to optically enlarge the bathroom with colors, we need to discard dark colors. Navy blue, black and bottle green are elegant and tasteful colors used, for example, in loft and modern glam styles, but in this case they will make the arrangement overwhelming. If the household members are looking for something darker, it can be delicate accents in the form of accessories.

We already know how to optically enlarge a small bathroom with colors, but what about patterns? We need to use them very carefully. If it’s possible, it’s recommended to give up on them. This can be done in the case of a shower unit or screen, where the panes can be made of clear glass. At this point, it should be noted that glass is one of the materials that enlarge space - and designers have been applying this knowledge for years - so glass elements are particularly appropriate in a small bathroom. There should be no patterns on the tiles either, but a delicate patterned insertion, for example, a stripe will add character to the decor.

The brighter it is, the more spacious it seems, thus apart from bright colors, we should give some attention to lighting. The ceiling lighting as well as the light around the sink mirror are essential, and an interesting effect can be achieved by opting for decorative lighting that emphasizes certain decor elements. Mirrors are of great importance here. How to enlarge the bathroom with mirrors? Mirrors reflect light and brighten the entire room, optically increasing its size. As a standard, there should be a mirror above the basin, and it’s good if it’s quite large. Additionally, mirrors can also be hanged in other spots. They will not only add space, but also make an interesting decoration.

Glossy finish tiles will make a small bathroom look bigger. They reflect light, and thus give the impression of spaciousness. Speaking about tiles, we should mention their size. It seems natural to reach for those in a small size, but an interesting effect can be obtained with larger ones. It is important that they are in light colors and without patterns. These are recommended for large rooms.

How to optically enlarge a small bathroom through fixtures? Colors and gloss play a role not only when choosing wall tiles (those for the floor should have matte and non-slip surface). They are also important when it comes to sanitary ware. White glossy ceramics is classic and this is one of the best options. Space-enhancing fixtures, on the other hand, are made of shiny chrome. If there is such an option, furniture could also be lacquered and glossy.

Another method to optically enlarge the bathroom is going in the direction of minimalism. It’s not only the many colorful patterns on the walls and as accessories that reduce space. It’s also colorful towels, a large number of loose cosmetics and beauty tools. In small interiors, it’s easy to get the impression of a mess even when everything is in its place - however is standing on the counter. Also, we shouldn’t leave cosmetic products on the rim of the bathtub or loosely in the shower enclosure. More order can be maintained by buying hangers, shelves and organizers. Stylish shower parts and accessories are available at SanSwiss.

To make the space bigger, we should reduce as many items as possible or hide them in cabinets so they are not visible. We also need to make sure we don’t have too many decorations. A flower pot or a basket are an interesting decor addition that emphasizes the character of the arrangement and adds some warmth. In a small bathroom such little accents will be sufficient.

As mentioned earlier, when creating a bathroom arrangement, in the first place we make sure it has the essential pieces of sanitary ware. But apart from this, storage space is also important. Towels, cleaning products and cosmetics must have their place, which means that furniture is needed. Sometimes standard-sized furniture may not fit in a very small space, so it happens that for greater ergonomics it’s better to order custom-made pieces. What should find its place in the bathroom?

If the bathroom is small, we need to use every free space, and it’s the easiest to find it under the washbasin. A cabinet with a door containing shelves or a spacious drawer could be placed there. Then, a tall vertical cabinet with a door would also be useful - that’s where we could store, for example, cleaning products. Wondering how to optically enlarge a small bathroom, we can use the potential of that closet - in its lower part we could place a laundry hamper. This is an element that’s necessary in every bathroom with a washing machine. Storing it in the closet will make it easier to hide the artificial mess that could be created. Some people opt for an integrated washing machine. The space above it can also be used for cabinets with doors. Also, floating shelves will prove helpful. The potential of walls are often not fully used, and a minimalist shelf is a perfect place to put decorations. And how to make the bathroom look bigger through accessories?

As it was mentioned before, we should avoid placing too many decorations in small rooms, but that doesn’t mean we have to give up on them completely. It’s the accessories that emphasize the character of the decor and add to its atmosphere. Following what was said above, floating shelves will be great for exposing decorations, but these can also be placed on the counter or window sill. The choice of additions is very important.

It’s best to opt for something that will combine functionality and appearance. A classic example are various types of baskets and containers, in which towels or cosmetics will be effectively arranged. They are an interesting decoration, and at the same time will help maintain order. Plants also work well as decorations. They reduce the level of moisture, introduce a pleasant atmosphere and look amazing.

As we can see, there are quite a few ways to enlarge the bathroom. Applying them while working on the interior design can make the bathroom both cozy and optically bigger, despite its small size.