Luxury Bathroom Design Blog | Hastings Bath Collection

How to Make a Small Bathroom Feel Bigger

Written by Hastings Bath Collection | Feb 21, 2022 5:36:13 AM

Having a small space doesn’t mean it needs to feel small. From the materials you use to the way you play with light, there are many strategies you can use to turn a cozy bathroom into one that feels spacious and luxurious. Whether you’re renovating or want to make small changes, here are some small luxury bathroom ideas to make your space feel larger.

Color Design

Choose your colors carefully, because the right tones can make a world of difference. Your best bet is to use light colors, but a few darker elements or a splash of color can also create depth. However, avoid using only dark colors, as these shades can condense and compress the room. If you choose to incorporate darker colors, the floor is the ideal place for them. Another option is to keep your walls and floor the same light tone to add to the illusion of extra space.

Alternatives include adding a feature wall to showcase an interesting tile design or including an intriguing pop of color. You can also use glossy tile on the walls to reflect light and make the space feel lighter and brighter. Doing this can extend your room and give your space an enhanced, multi-dimensional design element. 

Whatever palette you choose, commit to the color scheme so the room feels continuous and spacious. Remember that textures—such as tiles and rugs—can help you create a layering effect while keeping with your chosen color arrangement.

Mirrors

Mirrors are one of the best tools available to increase the perceived size of a space. From full-sized wall mirrors to wall-mounted mirrors hung over the vanity, these fixtures are a must-have for small spaces. They can help in a few different ways:

Reflections

Even a small mirror can add valuable reflections that create the illusion of space. They’re a simple way to make the entire bathroom feel bigger and create more visual intrigue in your space.

Light

Because mirrors reflect light, you can use them to bounce light around the room for a brightening effect. Mirrors can also help you get more mileage out of stylish light fixtures. Backlit mirrors are another eye-catching design element. These additional light sources can create an intriguing shimmer effect and design-savvy presence. The mirror almost lifts off the wall without taking up extra space.

Space

Full-size mirrors offer a lofty effect by filling your space from wall to wall or floor to ceiling. At first glance, it can look like the room is twice its actual size. Materials

Fortunately, your choice of materials isn’t limited by the size of your bathroom, giving you an array of creative directions. Materials play a large role in small luxury bathrooms and can affect other important elements, such as reflections, lighting, and color.

High-end materials enhance any luxury bathroom, regardless of size. Consider using materials such as: 

  • Glass
  • Solid-surface
  • Fenix
  • High-pressure laminate
  • Porcelain

By aligning your material selections with your design and aesthetic vision, you can capture your high-end design goals and make a small bathroom luxurious.

Lighting

Lighting is a critical part of making any small room feel bigger. Nearly every bathroom element—including mirrors, color scheme, and high-quality materials—is elevated by lighting.

The best light source is usually natural light. Well-lit rooms generally feel bigger, and daylight is often gentle and diffused. If you have a window, pull back the curtains, or consider adding a skylight, which further opens the space by connecting it to the outdoors.

If daylight isn’t an option, you can still use artificial lighting to make your space feel bigger without being too harsh. Sophisticated fixtures can contribute to a luxury bathroom design and help you add plenty of illumination. The right mixture of natural and artificial light can make your bathroom feel large enough while giving you enough light to get ready.

Storage

Storage is a great way to get creative with small bathroom designs.

Open up your floor space by incorporating wall-hung vanities, floating countertops, and wall-mounted storage. The floating designs add negative space and lightness that help to open up the bathroom’s layout. Ledges and decorative open shelving can also add storage space without taking up room on the floor. You can even use a mirror with shelf storage to reduce the elements needed for a minimalist design.

Avoid elements that can make the bathroom look cluttered, and consider solutions with a slim and sleek profile. Trying to fit an overly large storage cabinet in a small space will impede the flow of the room and feel incongruent. Be sure to consider the dimensions, spatial footprint, and room dynamics.

Space

Lastly, you can make some changes that make the bathroom look larger or increase the amount of usable space: 

  • Leave some room between your furnishings and fixtures, instead of installing them close together. Consider it “breathing space” that helps the room feel balanced.
  • Install clear glass shower doors to give the illusion of more square footage because the floor looks like it continues into the shower space. 
  • Install a pocket door that slides directly into the wall, reducing the door’s impact on the footprint.
  • Opt for a curved basin or tub to reduce how much space these elements take up.

Upgrade Your Small Bathroom With Hastings Tile & Bath

When upgrading your luxury bathroom, every choice needs to be strategic. At Hastings, we meld contemporary, space-saving Italian design with an innovative modular approach that gives you ultimate design flexibility. Our expansive collections have a breadth of finishes, sizes, and material choices, so we can tailor every element and help you capture the small modern bathroom design you envision.

All of this comes with thoughtful craftsmanship and high-end materials that last. Explore our collections of luxurious vanities, mirrors, tubs, storage solutions, and more to see how these design-centric elements can elevate your small bathroom. Connect with a design strategist to help answer any of your top-of-mind questions, help you get inspired, and transform your idea into reality.