Small Bathroom Design Ideas

When you are trying to make some changes in your bathroom and you have only a small space available, it can seem difficult to get things just right. However, you should look at this as an opportunity. You can focus on design ideas that create more space or that give the illusion of having more space. Some of the best ways to do this are with the vanities, mirrors, and lighting you use.

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36 Inch Bathroom Vanity with Offset Sink - Custom Options

36 Inch Bathroom Vanity with Offset Sink - Custom Options

What Are Some Bathroom Vanity Options for Small Bathrooms?

The bathroom vanity you choose will determine how much space you have left in the bathroom. When you have a small bathroom, you should consider choosing a wall-mounted vanity, as they tend to take up less room.

If you like floor vanities, you could instead choose a pedestal sink. One of the disadvantages of this option is that you lose some storage space. However, you could get that storage space back - and more - when you have recessed shelves installed.

Related:  6 Space Saving Vanities for Small Bathrooms

36 Inch Single Sink Bathroom Vanity in Victory Blue with Choice of Solid Surface Top

36 Inch Single Sink Bathroom Vanity in Victory Blue with Choice of Solid Surface Top

Additionally, consider choosing a vanity that has a substantial amount of storage space. This way, you can get items off the countertop and even off the walls, such as your towels.

Others might want to choose a vanity that will fit into one of the corners of the room. This can ensure that you have more space for all of the other elements you need in the bathroom. It also means that the vanity is taking up space that would have otherwise just been wasted. It’s a smarter way to work with what you have.

Rather than getting a double vanity, even if there are two of you who use the bathroom, choose a single vanity instead. This will take up less space and provide you with the added room you need.

48 Inch Single Sink Bathroom Vanity in Mango Wood48 Inch Single Sink Bathroom Vanity in Mango Wood

Bath Mirrors

Mirrors are fantastic for making a room feel like it’s much larger than it truly is, so make sure you are using them in your bathroom. Having a large mirror behind the vanity can give the room the appearance of being wider and deeper. We all know this is an illusion, but it does work to trick our brains and make it seem like a bigger space.

You don’t have to stop with just one mirror. You could add a tall mirror on the back of the bathroom door, you could opt for two smaller mirrors on one wall, or you could have mirrors on opposite walls, which will create never-ending reflections. You could even add a mirrored shower door.

Some of the mirrors will also open and can provide you with some behind-the-mirror storage. You have probably seen these before. If you choose this option, it could provide you with a good amount of added space for things like vitamins, medicine, toothpaste, soap, etc.

Related:  How to Pick the Right Bathroom Mirror

Dorigrass Distressed Mocha Brown Rectangular MirrorDorigrass Distressed Mocha Brown Rectangular Mirror

Bathroom Lighting

The lighting in the bathroom can make a bigger difference in how the space feels, as well. Not just in terms of the mood, but also the size. Adding some strip lights along the top or around one of the mirrors will provide you with nice lighting. It will chase away the darkness that lingers in corners and that could make your bathroom appear smaller.

Recessed lighting is a good option, too. You get more lighting in the bathroom, but you don’t have to worry about fixtures taking up any more space in the room.

Don’t forget about natural light. If you have the option and have windows in the bathroom, use natural lighting during the daytime. Of course, you don’t want to just open up your curtains so anyone could look into the bathroom. Instead, you could opt for some sheer curtains that can’t be seen through, but that will still allow the sunlight into the bathroom. Lightly frosted glass windows could do the same thing.

Related:  12 Designer Tips Make a Small Bathroom Bigger

4 Light Vanity Strip Lighting Oil Rubbed Bronze

4 Light Vanity Strip Lighting Oil Rubbed Bronze

Consider Pocket Doors

Are you familiar with pocket doors? These types of doors open differently from the standard doors that open inward and outward. Instead, these doors will slide into a pocket in the wall, similar to a sliding door. They don’t slide on the outside of the wall, though. Instead, they have to go into a hollow space that’s built into the wall.

Why might you want to consider one of these doors? When you have a door that opens inward, it means that you can’t have anything in the bathroom blocking that door, such as a vanity, cabinet, hamper, toilet, etc.  Having a sliding pocket door means you have more options on how you can lay out your small bathroom.

Of course, not everyone loves these types of doors. It can sometimes be difficult to keep the pocket area clean, and it will require some structural changes to be made in the home. Still, if you don’t have a lot of space, you might want to at least consider the option.

Related:  The Use of Barn Doors in the Bathroom

 

small bathroom with pocket doors

Use Some Curves

When you have curved edges to your tub, the shower doors, the vanity, and other elements in your bathroom, it can also give you the appearance of more space, while actually providing a little more space.

No More Shower Curtains

If you are using shower curtains, they tend to make the bathroom appear smaller. They essentially cut off quite a bit of space from the room. While you can’t magically stretch your bathroom, you could opt to use glass panels or frameless shower doors. This will provide the illusion of more space, even though you aren’t getting any more usable area.

Related:  Benefits of a Curbless Shower

 

shower with glass and no shower curtain

What Are the Best Colors to Choose for Small Spaces?

When you want to create the illusion of having more space, you should always opt for lighter colors. They are airier and can make a space feel larger. Darker colors will often make you feel closed in, and the space might feel smaller. The light colors you choose should apply to the colors on the walls, the vanity you choose, flooring, etc. If you still need some color and style, go for little pops of color here and there. It’s better than having a dark bathroom.

These are some simple but effective tips that will help you to get more space, or the illusion of space, in your bathroom. You will find that many of these tricks will work with other rooms in your house, as well.