If your bathroom is rather limited in terms of space, you certainly aren’t alone; indeed many home designs tend to steal floorspace from wet rooms. We asked an interior designer how to create an illusion of a larger bathroom, and here is their wisdom.
Bounce Light Off Reflective Surfaces
This is an old trick that uses reflected light to create an illusion of space. A couple of well-placed mirrors will do the trick. For those located nearby, check out the bath showroom in Sunbury for excellent examples of correct mirror placement. One mirror needs to catch the light coming in from the window, which, in turn, can be reflected to a mirrored wall. Wall to wall also gives the illusion of a wide space and this can easily be factored into your design.
Wall-Mounted Storage
Avoid using floor-standing storage, as this eats up your critical floor space. Bespoke units made by a local joiner would maximise your storage capabilities, with a range of timber species that are suitable for a wet room environment.
Think Light Colours
When decorating a small bathroom, stick to light colours, as darker shades make a space seem more clustered. Choose two light colours that contract well together, and that is the right balance for a small room. Of course, white is good for a stable background colour, with light blue or green as a partner shade. You can add a splash of dark colour with accessories.
Backlight The Vanity Mirror
Aside from adding depth, adding a backlight to the vanity mirror can make a room look longer or wider. This can be done with LED light strips, which you can stick behind the mirror using the sticky tape provided. The mirror will also reflect the light coming through the window and that will also give the impression of a larger space.
Use Small Tiles Rather Than Large Ones
If you plan on tiling some of the walls, choose smaller rather than large tiles, as this makes the room look bigger. If you spend a few hours at your local bathroom store, you can view a wide range of ceramic tiles of varying sizes and choosing a smaller size is recommended.
Use All Ledges
Placing pot plants and other items on ledges adds a level of depth and that makes the room look larger than it actually is. Pot plants add greenery to the room and an online search can reveal the best tropical species that thrive in wet room environments. Take a few images of the bathroom and send them to an interior designer, which might lead to a solution.
Wall-Mounted Basin
This leaves more floor space and that means a bigger looking room. For the best selection of bathroom basins and vanities, take a trip to your nearest bathroom showroom. If they don’t have what you are looking for, they can source any item within a few days.
Use Towel Ladders
This is especially pertinent if the whole family is using the bathroom. A single towel ladder can hold up to 6 towels and makes better use of space than having multiple towel rails.
Install A Skylight
Another brilliant way to make a room larger, installing a skylight allows daylight to enter the space, which makes it seem more spacious. If you are not an avid DIY enthusiast, this is a job for your local builder or handyman.
If you are planning to renovate your small bathroom, all of the above tips can help make the room feel a little larger. By consulting an experienced bathroom designer, you can expect the best outcome.
