If there is one thing the last few years have taught us, it is that our interior spaces and how we use them are vitally important to our own well-being. If your household space is at a premium, then you may be wondering how to maximise the functionality and style of a small bathroom.
At Bathrooms Direct and Kitchens, we are often asked how to make bathrooms appear larger or what design and layout would work best. Not only can we create a bespoke design, but we want to help our customers get the most from their small bathroom, so we have the perfect blog to give you some clever design ideas and inspiration to build your dream space – even if it is limited!
How to make a small bathroom look bigger
There are several choices you can make when choosing or designing a new bathroom that can help make the space feel more roomy and less enclosed. We have created a list of our favourite tips and tricks to show you how you can make your small bathroom look bigger.
Layout & Furniture
Layout is key to giving the illusion of more space. Consider what you actually need from your bathroom, if you always have showers, do you really need a bathtub? For smaller bathrooms, your furniture should ideally be multifunctional, floating shelves and toilets can increase storage space and give you more floor space and wall mounted fixtures such as taps, and vanity units can make use of your wall space without taking up added room.
Make use of your corners, with the popularity of corner units and shelves, you have a wide range of design options and maximising the use of this space can give you more room elsewhere.
Glass shower doors or a walk-in shower can give the illusion of openness and has the added benefit of lightening the room. Showers over baths can also help maximise the space and give you much needed floor space.
Colour
It is a well-known interior design technique to choose a lighter colour scheme for smaller spaces. Although this can be seen as boring, if you prefer colour, lighter colours don’t mean you have to give up that style choice. Pastels are set to be huge this year and if you keep your furniture and bathroom suite neutral, you can add splashes of brighter colour in your accessories.
Lighter colours can give the illusion of light and therefore a more open space, so we would always advise your larger areas such as the floor or walls to be kept to a lighter/paler tone if possible.
Choosing one focal point for colour, such as the bathtub for instance, can distract the eye from the rest of the room, creating a beautiful design feature without making the room feel even smaller.
Accessories
You may think that filling a bathroom with decorations would make it feel smaller, however, with strategically placed storage spaces you can do away with clutter, leaving just statement pieces such as art prints and plants.
Mirrors are also an ideal accessory for small bathrooms as they reflect the light into darker corners and brighten up shadows, giving a brighter and an airier feel. You don’t have to have just one mirror; you could try lining three up to next to each to create a unique design feature or placing several in strategic areas to make the most of the light.
Botanical themed accessories and plants can make a substantial difference to small bathrooms, as they create a link to nature, giving a visual reference to the outside and creating the illusion of space.
Flooring
Flooring doesn’t have to be boring in small spaces, in fact, having flooring tiles or wood in longer patterns can actually help ‘lengthen’ your room, Herringbone and Chevron patterns are popular choices for smaller spaces such as bathrooms as they trick the eye into thinking the room is longer than it is, add to that the beautiful colours available in these patterns and you can create a flowing feel without the pattern being too overpowering for bathrooms.
You can also match your flooring tiles to your walls to create one continuous design which helps create the illusion of more space.
Lighting
Getting your lighting right in a small bathroom is key to how your whole room works. Gone are the days when an overhanging light bulb and lightshade were your only options, you can now have spotlights, strip lights and multi-light fittings to ensure every part of your bathroom is illuminated, getting rid of dark shadows, and making the room feel more inviting.
If you have the budget and the correct space, we also recommend having a skylight fitted as this can direct natural light straight into your home. We would also recommend blinds as they can cover your bathroom windows when needed but you can keep them up to let in the maximum amount of light during the day.
Small bathroom design from Bathrooms Direct and Kitchens
At Bathrooms Direct and Kitchens, we understand it is not always that easy to choose or design a layout, which is why we offer a bespoke design service. We have years of experience in bathroom design and know what works. We use clever designs to help you get what you want out of your space, even in the most challenging of bathrooms!
If you are considering a bathroom remodel or renovation, then why not visit our showroom? It is full of ideas and products and our friendly team are on hand to answer any questions or queries you may have. Alternatively, you can contact us via our website or call us on 01677 425788.