Small bathrooms can feel cramped and confining, making many homeowners wish for more space. While a full bathroom renovation can cost $2,000–$18,000, there are more affordable ways to create the illusion of a larger bathroom.*
When you’re selling your home, bathrooms are closely scrutinized by potential buyers—and a spacious-feeling bathroom could be the key to closing a deal. Here are 10 clever ways to make your small bathroom appear larger without breaking the bank.
*Cost information according to Angi.com.
1. Banish Clutter
Clutter is the enemy of space, especially in small bathrooms. Start by assessing your bathroom with a critical eye, identifying items that you can remove or store elsewhere. Focus on clearing the countertop, as this is often the first place to accumulate unnecessary items. A few other ideas:
- Install hidden storage solutions, such as recessed medicine cabinets or over-the-toilet shelving units.
- Use a decorative tray to collect commonly used items, keeping the rest of the counter clear.
- Utilize drawer organizers to maximize storage efficiency in existing cabinets.
By maintaining a clutter-free environment, your bathroom will instantly feel more spacious and serene.
2. Let in Natural Light
Natural light is a powerful tool for creating the illusion of space. If your bathroom has a window, maximize its potential while maintaining privacy. Think about these options:
- Install frosted glass or apply frosted window film to existing windows
- Replace heavy curtains with light-filtering panels or shades
- Use top-down/bottom-up cellular shades to allow light in while preserving privacy
- Trim any outdoor foliage that may be blocking natural light
If your bathroom lacks a window, install a skylight or solar tube to bring in natural light from above. Adding a skylight can transform a dark bathroom into a bright, open space, significantly impacting how large the room feels.
Pro Tip: David Heide, designer in Minneapolis, advises: “Skylights pair well with face-height sconces to provide natural, full-spectrum light during the day.”
3. Improve the Lighting
Proper lighting can dramatically affect the perceived size of a space. In small bathrooms, you want to eliminate shadows and dark corners. Improve your bathroom’s lighting with these tips:
- Add a dimmer switch to adjust lighting levels for different times of day
- Install vanity lights on either side of the mirror to eliminate shadows
- Use cool white bulbs (around 3,000K–4,000K) to create a crisp, clean atmosphere
- Use LED strip lighting under floating vanities or along baseboards for a subtle glow
Layered lighting—combining ambient, task, and accent lighting—can create depth and dimension, making the space feel larger. Adding a statement light fixture can also draw the eye upward, emphasizing vertical space and creating a more open atmosphere.
Pro Tip: Francesca Bettridge, a lighting designer with New York-based Cline, Bettridge, Bernstein, insists: “Never shine a light on the mirror. Light your face, neck, and hair brightly and evenly because they are what you need to see.” This principle—illuminating the object being reflected rather than the reflective surface itself—is key to making a bathroom mirror work double duty for both grooming and creating the illusion of more space.
4. Enhance with Mirrors
Mirrors are a small bathroom’s best friend when it comes to creating the illusion of space. They reflect light and visually expand the room. Try these ideas:
- Incorporate mirrored accessories, such as soap dispensers or trays.
- Install a mirrored wall to double the perceived size of the room.
- Replace a small medicine cabinet with a large, wall-to-wall mirror.
- Use mirrored tiles as a backsplash to add depth and sparkle.
When placing mirrors, consider what they will reflect. Positioning a mirror to reflect a window or light source can maximize its effect. Additionally, you can use multiple mirrors to bounce light around the room, creating a bright, airy feel.
5. Shrink the Sink
A bulky vanity can eat up valuable floor space in a small bathroom. Think about these space-saving sink options:
- Choose a corner vanity to maximize awkward spaces.
- Install a wall-mounted floating vanity to free up floor space.
- Opt for a slender pedestal sink for a classic look.
- Use a compact vessel sink on a narrow console table.
When switching to a smaller sink and vanity, plan for alternative storage solutions to compensate for lost cabinet space. Wall-mounted shelves or a small storage ladder can offer practical options without cramping the visual space.
6. Install a Glass Shower Door
Unlike shower curtains, glass doors create a seamless look that extends the visual space. Think about these options. A frameless glass shower door can give your bathroom a modern, open feel, or go with frosted or textured glass panels if privacy is a concern. Use clear glass to maximize visibility and light transmission.
Homeowner Insight: Lynn Kirincich of Wayne, N.J., shared her experience in TOH Magazine: “Stopping the shower wall short and topping it with glass preserves an open feel in the space.” It’s a smart compromise that balances privacy with the visual openness that makes a small bathroom feel bigger.
7. Match Floor and Walls
Creating a seamless transition between floors and walls can make a small bathroom feel more spacious. Try these techniques:
- Choose light, neutral colors for both floors and walls to maximize light reflection.
- Extend floor tiles up the walls to create a continuous surface.
- Paint walls the same color as the floor for a cohesive appearance.
- Use large-format tiles to minimize grout lines and create a smoother look.
This approach works particularly well with light colors, blurring the boundaries between surfaces and creating the illusion of more space. Adding vertical lines or patterns can also trick the eye into perceiving greater height, further increasing the room’s open feel.
8. Switch to a Sliding Door
Traditional swinging doors can take up valuable space in a small bathroom. Other types of doors can give you more room. Choose a pivot door for a modern look that requires less clearance, or a sliding barn door on the exterior wall of the bathroom for a more rustic fee. You could also opt for a pocket door that slides into the wall cavity, or use a bi-fold door that folds against the wall when open
Pro Tip: This Old House contractor Tom Silva has long championed pocket doors for tight spaces, though he cautions about hardware quality: “Often, a screw falls out or the door comes off the track,” he says. “You get all kinds of grinding and scraping noises, if you can move it at all.” Tom recommends investing in newer nylon-wheeled hardware systems, developed in Germany, which have overcome these drawbacks and glide smoothly along their tracks.
9. Keep Color Light
Light colors make a small bathroom feel more spacious. They reflect light and make walls appear to recede. Follow these color options:
- Light grays and taupes for a modern, sophisticated feel
- Pale blues and greens for a calming, spa-like atmosphere
- Soft lavenders or blush tones for a touch of warmth
- Soft whites and creams for a classic, clean look
When choosing paint, opt for a semi-gloss or high-gloss finish to further improve light reflection and create a sense of depth. A light-colored ceiling can also contribute to the feeling of openness, making the room appear taller and more expansive.
Pro Tip: Debbie Zimmer, color expert at the Paint Quality Institute, explains: “Lighter hues can open up a small space, while darker colors give the perception that the surfaces are closer than they are.” For an even more dramatic effect, she notes that wide horizontal stripes in soft, related shades can appear to “push out” the walls, making the room look larger.
10. Get Creative With Storage
Maximizing storage in a small bathroom leads to a clutter-free space. Think vertically and utilize every available inch with these ideas:
- Incorporate a slim rolling cart that can fit between fixtures
- Install floating shelves above the toilet or along empty wall space
- Mount magnetic strips inside cabinet doors for small metal items
- Use over-the-door organizers for towels and toiletries
- Utilize the space under a pedestal sink with a fabric skirt and hidden shelving
Steal Space From Your Walls: Don’t overlook the stud bays hiding behind your drywall. Montauk, New York, architect Erica Broberg carved out a floor-to-ceiling built-in with open shelves on top for everyday items like lotions and a cabinet below for essentials such as toilet paper — all recessed into the wall between a bathtub and towel rack. The standard width between studs is 14½ inches and the depth is 4 inches, but walls containing plumbing are often framed with 2x6s rather than standard 2x4s, yielding an extra 2 inches of shelf space.
Our Conclusion
Making a small bathroom look larger doesn’t always require extensive renovations or a hefty budget. By implementing these clever design tricks, you can create the illusion of space and improve functionality. With some creativity and thoughtful planning, you can enjoy a bathroom that feels spacious and comfortable, regardless of its actual size.
